March Myeloma Awareness Month: Shedding Light on a Silent Killer

Myeloma Awareness Shouldn't End in March. March is Myeloma Awareness Month, a time dedicated to bringing attention to a blood cancer that far too many people have never heard of until it touches their lives.

But myeloma doesn't disappear when March ends, and neither should the conversation.

Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. When abnormal plasma cells multiply, they can interfere with normal blood-cell production and cause problems throughout the body, including bone damage, anemia, kidney problems, weakened immunity, and recurrent infections.

One of the challenges with myeloma is that its early signs can be easy to dismiss or mistaken for other conditions. Bone or back pain, persistent fatigue, frequent infections, unexplained anemia, kidney problems, high calcium levels, or unexplained weight loss can all occur with myeloma. Some people have few or no noticeable symptoms when abnormal bloodwork first leads to further testing.

That is one reason awareness matters.

For many patients, the first time they hear the words multiple myeloma is when they are being told they have it. Suddenly, they and their families are trying to understand plasma cells, M-proteins, light chains, bone marrow biopsies, treatment options, and a cancer they may not have known existed.

Treatment Has Changed—But We Still Need a Cure

The myeloma treatment landscape has changed dramatically. Today's patients may have access to combinations of targeted therapies, immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, stem cell transplantation, CAR T-cell therapy, bispecific antibodies, and other emerging treatments.

These advances have allowed many people to live longer and better lives with myeloma than was possible in the past.

But myeloma is still generally considered treatable rather than curable. Some patients achieve deep, long-lasting remissions, while others face repeated relapses and multiple lines of treatment.

That is why continued research matters.

We need better ways to detect myeloma earlier, treatments that are more effective with fewer long-term side effects, greater access to promising therapies, and ultimately a cure.

Awareness Is About More Than Knowing the Name

Awareness also means understanding what patients and their families live with after diagnosis.

Myeloma can bring physical challenges from both the disease and its treatments, but the impact doesn't stop there. There can be emotional strain, financial pressure, uncertainty about the future, changes in relationships and careers, and the exhaustion of living from one laboratory result or appointment to the next.

Caregivers carry their own burdens, too.

Support organizations, patient advocates, coaches, researchers, healthcare professionals, families, and other patients can all help make that journey a little less isolating.

And sometimes awareness begins with something as simple as sharing accurate information.

March Ends. Myeloma Doesn't.

Myeloma Awareness Month gives us an opportunity every March to make more people aware of this disease. But for those living with myeloma, there is no awareness-month calendar.

They live with it in April.

And July.

And November.

They live with it while waiting for bloodwork, celebrating remission, starting another treatment, worrying about a rising number, rebuilding strength after a transplant, or simply trying to enjoy an ordinary Tuesday without thinking about cancer.

So when March ends, let's keep talking.

Keep educating.

Keep supporting patients and caregivers.

Keep challenging misinformation.

Keep advocating for research and better access to treatment.

And keep reminding the world that behind every myeloma statistic is a person—and behind that person is often an entire family whose life changed with one diagnosis.

Awareness shouldn't last a month.

Myeloma is for life, and until we have a cure, awareness should be too.

Four Years Strong: Lessons Learned from a Myeloma Cancer Journey

 Four years ago, my life took a turn I never could have imagined when I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells.

If you had asked me then how I felt about what was happening, my answer would have been very different from the one I would give today.

Every year, as the anniversary of my diagnosis approaches, I find myself looking back at what myeloma has taken from me, what it has changed, and, surprisingly, what it has given me.

I would never call cancer a gift. But living with it has changed me in ways I never expected.

Before cancer, I spent much of my life worrying about what other people thought. I put enormous pressure on myself to do everything well, to keep going, and to appear stronger than I sometimes felt. I had always been the cheerleader for everyone else, even when I struggled to find that same encouragement for myself.

I had also spent decades battling depression and bipolar disorder. There were periods of my life when surviving the day itself felt like a victory. I had attempted suicide more than once over those years, yet somehow I kept fighting for another day.

Then cancer arrived and forced me to look at life differently.

When I was diagnosed, specialists gave Lance and me frightening estimates about what the future might hold. Without a stem cell transplant, we were told I might have only a couple of years. With the transplant, we were given estimates of perhaps five to seven.

Those numbers stayed with us.

And now, here I am celebrating four years since diagnosis.

Somewhere during those four years, I became what I like to call an optimistic realist.

I understand exactly what I am living with. I know myeloma can relapse. I know there are no guarantees about tomorrow. But I also no longer want to spend whatever time I have worrying about things I cannot control.

Cancer taught me to protect my peace.

I have learned to distance myself from negativity, toxic situations, and people who bring unnecessary chaos into my life. Other people's opinions don't carry the weight they once did. I don't need everyone to understand me, agree with me, or approve of the way I choose to live.

I have also learned what family truly means. Cancer has a remarkable way of revealing who shows up when life becomes difficult—and who doesn't.

I learned to rest, although I admit I am still not particularly good at it.

Before myeloma, chaos fueled me. I could work endlessly and move from one project to another without thinking much about what my body needed. Cancer forced me to slow down. Even now, when my body allows it, I can still outwork people who are perfectly healthy. The difference is that eventually my body sends me the bill.

And it always collects.

Myeloma changed the physical reality of my everyday life.

The disease damaged my bones, leaving lesions that are permanent reminders of what happened inside my body. Some days walking hurts. Sometimes sitting hurts. Neuropathy, arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, kidney issues, infections, and the lingering effects of treatment have all become part of a life I never expected to live.

Over the past year alone, I have dealt with RSV twice, COVID-19, pancreatitis, infections, injuries, and other health problems.

There are mornings when my hands don't cooperate until medication, movement, and time begin to loosen them. There are days when Lance has to help me get dressed.

And there is pain.

Pain has become such a familiar companion that sometimes I don't even talk about it anymore.

Cancer hasn't affected only me, either.

Lance lives with myeloma too, just differently.

He carries fears he doesn't always say aloud. We have had conversations about death that most couples our age probably don't routinely have. We have talked about what happens if the cancer returns, what I want if treatments stop working, and what life might someday look like without me.

Those conversations aren't pessimistic.

They're part of our reality.

But strangely, accepting that reality has made me want to live more—not less.

And nowhere is that more obvious than when I am with my granddaughters.

With them, I get to be a kid again.

We fight dragons and hide from monsters. We explore imaginary worlds that apparently only they can see. We have tea parties, tackle obstacle courses, swing on swings, and fly down slides.

For those moments, I'm not Grandma with cancer.

I'm just Grandma.

More specifically, I'm apparently the "bestest, bestest grandma in the whole world" and the "silly grandma."

Those may be the two greatest titles I will ever earn.

My oldest granddaughter turns five this year, and I know there may eventually come a day when Grandma can't climb onto the playground equipment with her anymore. So while I can, I do.

Sometimes I pay for it for days afterward.

It's worth it.

I will drive eight hours to watch a four-year-old play a 45-minute soccer game. I will fly across several states if my family needs me. I want to be present for the ordinary moments because cancer taught me that ordinary moments aren't ordinary at all.

They are life.

Myeloma also gave me a purpose I never expected.

I became a myeloma coach and patient advocate, helping other patients and families navigate a world that terrified me when I first entered it. I speak about living with myeloma and share what I have learned with patients, healthcare professionals, specialists, and advocacy organizations.

I wrote two children's books to help families explain multiple myeloma through the eyes of a granddaughter.

I created Life, Laughter and Legacy as a place to share experiences, resources, information, and stories about living beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Through Myeloma For Life™, my writing, advocacy, fundraising, and online presence, I found a way to turn something that nearly destroyed my world into something that might make someone else's journey a little easier.

I never set out to become an influencer.

I certainly never planned to become a cancer advocate.

I would have preferred never knowing what a plasma cell was.

But this is where life brought me.

Four years ago, Lance and I sat across from doctors and listened to numbers predicting how many years I might have left.

Today, I don't measure my life that way.

I measure it in birthdays.

Soccer games.

Tea parties.

Conversations with patients who need someone to tell them they're not alone.

Projects I probably shouldn't start but start anyway.

Days when my body cooperates and days when it absolutely does not.

Laughter with Lance.

And little girls yelling for their silly grandma.

Multiple myeloma has changed almost every part of my life.

But it does not get to define all of it.

Four years after my diagnosis, I understand something I didn't understand then:

I cannot control how many years I have.

But I can decide what I do with the ones I'm given.

Embracing the Luck of the Irish: Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Style

A Little Green, a Little Luck, and a Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day arrives every March with plenty of green, shamrocks, parades, good food, and more than a few claims of Irish luck.

Celebrated on March 17, the holiday honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. What began as a religious feast day has evolved into a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

And, of course, everything turns green.

People wear green clothing, buildings glow green, rivers sometimes turn green, and foods that have absolutely no business being green suddenly become green for the day.

Shamrocks, Four-Leaf Clovers, and a Little Luck

Although they're often confused, the traditional symbol of St. Patrick's Day is the three-leaf shamrock, not the four-leaf clover.

According to tradition, St. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity.

The four-leaf clover has a different tradition. Because it is relatively uncommon, finding one has long been associated with good luck. Over time, the two symbols have become intertwined in many modern St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Either way, I'll happily accept any extra luck someone wants to send my direction.

Food, Family, and Celebration

Food has also become a big part of St. Patrick's Day celebrations, particularly here in the United States.

Irish soda bread, potatoes, stews, and other hearty dishes often make their way onto the table. Corned beef and cabbage has become especially associated with Irish-American St. Patrick's Day celebrations, even though its history is more Irish-American than traditionally Irish.

For adults who choose to drink, Irish beer and whiskey frequently join the celebration as well. As always, celebrate responsibly.

Then there are the parades.

Cities around the world celebrate with music, dancers, floats, flags, and streets filled with people wearing every possible shade of green. Some celebrations are enormous, while others are little more than families and friends getting together and having fun.

Both count.

More Than One Day of Green

Behind all the green clothing and festivities is an opportunity to learn a little more about Ireland itself—its history, music, literature, traditions, folklore, and the generations of Irish immigrants who carried pieces of their culture with them around the world.

You certainly don't have to be Irish to enjoy St. Patrick's Day.

Wear something green.

Eat something delicious.

Listen to some Irish music.

Spend time with people you enjoy.

And if you happen to find a four-leaf clover along the way, maybe hang on to it.

Most of us could use a little extra luck now and then.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Sláinte!

Empowering Myeloma Warriors: Navigating The Journey Together

 

The Other Side of Myeloma: The Caregiver

When someone is diagnosed with multiple myeloma, understandably, most of the attention turns to the patient.

What treatment will they need? How are their blood counts? Are they in pain? How are they handling the side effects? Is the treatment working?

But standing beside many patients is someone else whose life has also changed.

The caregiver.

Caregivers don't have the cancer, but they live with many of its consequences.

They drive to appointments, keep track of medications, sit through treatments, listen to doctors, pick up prescriptions, prepare meals, handle responsibilities at home, and watch for symptoms that might mean something is wrong.

Sometimes they're doing all of that while trying to keep working, care for children, manage finances, and hold together everything cancer has disrupted.

And they're scared, too.

Caregiving Isn't About Having All the Answers

A caregiver doesn't have to know exactly what to say or do.

Sometimes the most valuable thing they can offer is simply being there.

Listen.

Sit beside the patient during the bad days.

Celebrate the good laboratory results.

Let them be angry when they're angry and frightened when they're frightened.

And understand that sometimes they don't need encouragement or advice. They just need someone willing to sit beside them and say, I'm here.

Cancer can make people feel as though they've lost control over their own lives. Having someone who listens instead of immediately trying to fix everything can be incredibly important.

Learning Together

Multiple myeloma can come with an overwhelming new vocabulary—M-proteins, light chains, bone marrow biopsies, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, maintenance therapy, remission, relapse, and countless laboratory results.

Caregivers often become another set of ears in the doctor's office.

They can take notes, help remember questions, keep track of medications and appointments, and learn enough about myeloma to help the patient understand their options.

But the patient's voice still matters most.

Supporting someone doesn't mean making every decision for them. Whenever possible, it means helping them feel informed and supported enough to make decisions about their own care.

The Little Things Matter

Caregiving isn't always something dramatic.

Sometimes it's bringing a glass of water because getting out of bed feels impossible.

It's making dinner when nothing tastes good.

It's helping with a shower.

It's sitting in a waiting room.

It's remembering the medication that needs to be taken.

It's noticing that something doesn't look right and calling the medical team.

It's doing another load of laundry when you're exhausted yourself.

Those seemingly ordinary things can become enormous acts of care when cancer enters a household.

Caregivers Need Care, Too

This part is sometimes forgotten.

Caregivers get tired.

They get frustrated.

They become frightened.

They can feel guilty for needing a break because they're not the person with cancer.

But caregiving doesn't erase someone's own physical and emotional needs.

Whenever possible, caregivers need rest, time away, support from family or friends, and opportunities to do things that have absolutely nothing to do with cancer.

Asking for help isn't abandoning the patient.

Taking a break isn't selfish.

And admitting that caregiving is hard doesn't mean you love the person any less.

Cancer Happens to Families

The patient and caregiver may experience the same diagnosis very differently.

The patient knows what the treatment, pain, fatigue, and uncertainty feel like inside their own body.

The caregiver experiences something the patient cannot: standing beside someone they love and knowing they cannot make the cancer disappear.

Sometimes all they can do is stay.

And sometimes staying is incredibly hard.

Myeloma changes relationships, routines, finances, responsibilities, plans, and expectations. There isn't a perfect way to be a caregiver, just as there isn't a perfect way to be a cancer patient.

Both are learning as they go.

Both are allowed to be frightened.

Both are allowed to have bad days.

And both deserve support.

When we talk about living with multiple myeloma, we need to remember the people standing beside the patient.

Because while only one person may receive the diagnosis, cancer can change the lives of everyone who loves them.

Myeloma and Diet: Nourishing the Body to Support Health

When diagnosed with myeloma, a type of cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, it is natural to seek out avenues to support one's health and well-being. There are many diet myths and snake oil diets that claim to cure myeloma. But the truth is that no particular diet can directly cure or treat myeloma; maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet can play a crucial role in nourishing the body and supporting overall health during treatment and recovery.

Eating a diet rich in essential nutrients is vital for individuals diagnosed with myeloma. Good nutrition helps support the immune system, which is crucial in fighting infections and recovering from treatment. A well-balanced diet also gives the body the necessary energy and nutrients to repair damaged cells and tissues and replenish vital nutrients lost during treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

One key aspect of a healthy diet for individuals with myeloma is consuming adequate calories and protein. Both calories and protein are needed to support the body's vital functions and maintain muscle mass. Many people with myeloma may experience weight loss or muscle wasting due to the effects of the disease or associated treatments. In such cases, a dietitian or healthcare professional may recommend increasing the intake of protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts.

While no specific foods have been proven to prevent or treat myeloma, adopting an overall healthy eating pattern is beneficial. This includes consuming various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, which are essential for promoting overall health and well-being.

There are a few important considerations when considering a diet for myeloma. Firstly, maintaining hydration is crucial for individuals receiving treatment for myeloma. Staying well-hydrated helps flush toxins from the boMarch 6, 2024 at 9:30 PM EST

When diagnosed with myeloma, a type of cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, it is natural to seek out avenues to support one's health and well-being. There are many diet myths and snake oil diets that claim to cure myeloma. But the truth is that no particular diet can directly cure or treat myeloma; maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet can play a crucial role in nourishing the body and supporting overall health during treatment and recovery.

Eating a diet rich in essential nutrients is vital for individuals diagnosed with myeloma. Good nutrition helps support the immune system, which is crucial in fighting infections and recovering from treatment. A well-balanced diet also gives the body the necessary energy and nutrients to repair damaged cells and tissues and replenish vital nutrients lost during treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

One key aspect of a healthy diet for individuals with myeloma is consuming adequate calories and protein. Both calories and protein are needed to support the body's vital functions and maintain muscle mass. Many people with myeloma may experience weight loss or muscle wasting due to the effects of the disease or associated treatments. In such cases, a dietitian or healthcare professional may recommend increasing the intake of protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts.

While no specific foods have been proven to prevent or treat myeloma, adopting an overall healthy eating pattern is beneficial. This includes consuming various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, which are essential for promoting overall health and well-being.

There are a few important considerations when considering a diet for myeloma. Firstly, maintaining hydration is crucial for individuals receiving treatment for myeloma. Staying well-hydrated helps flush toxins from the body and supports kidney function. Throughout the day, drink plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, and low-sugar beverages. It is easy for a myeloma patient's electrolytes to become unbalanced.

Although sports drinks like Gatorade may help replenish electrolytes, myeloma patients should avoid them due to their high sodium content. Waters with added electrolytes or Body Armor drinks are better choices. My drink of choice is BodyArmor Lyte. It has no added sugar and very low sodium, but the potassium content balances the electrolytes, avoids cramps, and has no calories. BodyArmor makes several hydrating products depending on personal needs.

It is also important to note that specific treatments for myeloma may cause side effects that affect appetite, taste, and digestion, making it challenging to meet nutritional needs. In such cases, it may be helpful to speak with a dietitian specializing in oncology or a healthcare professional to develop strategies to manage these side effects and ensure proper nourishment. 

Additionally, it is essential to consider any potential interactions between certain foods and myeloma medications. Some medications may require specific dietary restrictions, such as avoiding grapefruit or certain supplements. Discussing these potential interactions with a healthcare provider or pharmacist can help ensure optimal medication effectiveness.

While no specific diet can cure or treat myeloma, adopting a nutritionally balanced eating pattern can help support overall health and well-being during treatment and recovery. A well-balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, adequate calories, and protein can help nourish the body, support the immune system, and aid in healing and repair. Staying hydrated and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals can help navigate any challenges related to appetite, taste, or side effects of treatment. By prioritizing good nutrition, individuals with myeloma can take positive steps toward supporting their health and overall well-being. dy and supports kidney function. Throughout the day, drink plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, and low-sugar beverages. It is easy for a myeloma patient's electrolytes to become unbalanced.

Although sports drinks like Gatorade may help replenish electrolytes, myeloma patients should avoid them due to their high sodium content. Waters with added electrolytes or Body Armor drinks are better choices. My drink of choice is BodyArmor Lyte. It has no added sugar and very low sodium, but the potassium content balances the electrolytes, avoids cramps, and has no calories. BodyArmor makes several hydrating products depending on personal needs.

It is also important to note that specific treatments for myeloma may cause side effects that affect appetite, taste, and digestion, making it challenging to meet nutritional needs. In such cases, it may be helpful to speak with a dietitian specializing in oncology or a healthcare professional to develop strategies to manage these side effects and ensure proper nourishment. 

Additionally, it is essential to consider any potential interactions between certain foods and myeloma medications. Some medications may require specific dietary restrictions, such as avoiding grapefruit or certain supplements. Discussing these potential interactions with a healthcare provider or pharmacist can help ensure optimal medication effectiveness.

While no specific diet can cure or treat myeloma, adopting a nutritionally balanced eating pattern can help support overall health and well-being during treatment and recovery. A well-balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, adequate calories, and protein can help nourish the body, support the immune system, and aid in healing and repair. Staying hydrated and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals can help navigate any challenges related to appetite, taste, or side effects of treatment. By prioritizing good nutrition, individuals with myeloma can take positive steps toward supporting their health and overall well-being. 

March Is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month

March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of a blood cancer that many people know little about until it touches their lives.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow that normally helps the immune system fight infection by producing antibodies. In multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells multiply uncontrollably and accumulate in the bone marrow. As the disease progresses, it can affect the bones, kidneys, blood counts, immune system, and other areas of the body.

Throughout March, patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocacy organizations work together to educate the public about multiple myeloma, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and the realities of living with the disease. Awareness is especially important because many of the early signs of myeloma can easily be mistaken for other conditions.

Symptoms may include persistent bone or back pain, unexplained fatigue or weakness, frequent infections, anemia, kidney problems, high calcium levels, or unexplained weight loss. Some people may have few noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Understanding these warning signs can encourage people to talk with their healthcare providers when something does not seem right.

Awareness, however, is about more than recognizing symptoms. It is also about helping people understand the disease itself. Multiple myeloma is complex, and no two patients experience it in exactly the same way. Treatment decisions may depend on a person's age, overall health, genetics and characteristics of the myeloma, organ involvement, previous treatments, and many other factors.

Research has dramatically changed the multiple myeloma landscape. New medications, treatment combinations, stem cell transplantation, immunotherapies, CAR T-cell therapies, bispecific antibodies, and other advances have created options that did not exist for patients just a few decades ago. Continued research remains essential as scientists work toward treatments that are more effective, less toxic, and capable of producing longer-lasting remissions.

Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month is also an opportunity to support the people behind the statistics.

Patients and survivors who share their stories help others understand what living with myeloma actually looks like. Their experiences can educate newly diagnosed patients, encourage important conversations with healthcare providers, and remind others facing the disease that there is a community of people who understand many of the challenges that come with diagnosis and treatment.

Caregivers deserve recognition as well. Multiple myeloma rarely affects only the person whose name appears on the medical chart. Spouses, partners, children, relatives, and friends often become caregivers, advocates, transportation providers, medication organizers, researchers, emotional support systems, and companions through appointments, treatments, hospitalizations, and recovery.

Online communities, patient organizations, support groups, and advocacy networks have also become important resources for people affected by myeloma. They give patients and caregivers opportunities to ask questions, exchange experiences, learn about emerging treatments, and connect with others who understand the uncertainty of living with a disease that often requires long-term monitoring and care.

March also provides an opportunity to support organizations funding multiple myeloma research, patient education, advocacy, and assistance programs. Fundraisers, educational programs, awareness campaigns, community events, and social media initiatives can all contribute to greater understanding and continued progress.

But awareness should not end when March does.

For those living with multiple myeloma, the disease does not disappear when the calendar turns to April. Appointments continue. Bloodwork continues. Treatments and scans continue. Survivors continue rebuilding their lives, and researchers continue searching for better answers.

Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to make more people aware of a disease they may otherwise never hear about until they or someone they love is diagnosed. Every conversation, shared story, educational resource, fundraiser, and act of support can help make multiple myeloma a little less unknown.

This March, we can raise awareness not simply by talking about multiple myeloma, but by listening to the people living with it, supporting the people caring for them, sharing accurate information, and continuing to advocate for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

Awareness begins in March. The fight against multiple myeloma continues every day.