It is an exciting time for multiple myeloma patients, researchers, and physicians.  New treatment combinations and options are popping up left and right.

More treatment options mean most myeloma patients are living longer, and sometimes enjoying a better quality of life.

Most patients, but not all.  Unfortunately, multiple myeloma patients die every day from the cancer itself or from complications caused by years of chemotherapy.

A fellow survivor recently e-mailed me about an article he read about a relatively young, stem cell transplant recipient, who died less than one year following his …

In my first column last month, I discussed my initial diagnosis of multiple myeloma as well as my decision to have treatment close to home and to go with a less aggressive approach.  Once this decision was made, it was time to move forward.

I was anxious to get going with treatment: get treated, go into remission, and be done with this whole thing, or so I thought.   I know, I read all about myeloma being incurable, but deep down I felt I could be different.

At the time I was …

I just returned from an event designed to help kick off multiple myeloma awareness month. I didn’t remember March was “our month” until I was getting ready for the program.

In the competitive world of raising awareness about the different types of cancers, using specific colors and symbols to help “brand” each cancer is all the rage.

The pink ribbon representing breast cancer has been far and away the most effective.  Prostate cancer is trying to make light blue equally recognizable.

Were you aware multiple myeloma has a color, too?  It’s burgundy or …

I recently enjoyed having an early morning breakfast with a good friend and fellow multiple myeloma patient. Like me, he was diagnosed in his late 40s, has young children, has a challenging career, and is currently in remission.

He half-jokingly shared that while the doctors have gotten his cancer into remission, he can’t quite figure out how to make myeloma fit in with the rest of his life.

“Sean, do you honestly think that it’s possible to be happy and normal ever again with the Big M (as he calls it) looming …

Last week I shared a list of traits long-lived multiple myeloma survivors—those of us fortunate enough to have lived ten years or longer after our myeloma became active—tend to have in common.  

The one overriding trait the large majority of long-lived multiple myeloma survivors share is determination and focus. 

That is as close to a magic bullet as I can find.  Living with multiple myeloma isn’t easy.  In order to stay alive, we need to be determined to do so.  We need to tell ourselves:  “I want to live.  I will …

Someone recently joked that films should come with warning labels, such as “Beware, this movie features people with cancer who die in the end.” Sometimes light humorous entertainment is the best medicine.

While I was recovering from treatments, the sofa, television, and DVD’s became my refuge. Movies light up the mind with imagery and ideas that can take you away from pain and worry, but I usually hope for more than simple escape—an engaging story. I began to notice all the ways cancer is woven into storylines.

Films with an illness theme …

The media often does stories about people who have lived at least one hundred years.  What is their secret?  Are these centenarians—as they are called—simply lucky, or do they share commonalities that might help others live longer?

The answer is yes.  Yes they are lucky.  And yes, many have certain things in common.

These common traits include staying active, a family history of longevity, commitment to family, friends and/or their community, and a positive attitude or innate ability to deal with stress.

I like to ask multiple myeloma survivors a variety of …