1. When Good Cells Go Bad
Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood cells, specifically affects plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell the body produces to fight infection. Plasma cells collect in the bone marrow. In multiple myeloma they grow out of control, forming tumors throughout the marrow of bones all over the body. Multiple myeloma is a chronic illness, which means that there is no definitive cure for it. However, there are ways to treat the disease, slow its progress and reduce the symptoms.
2. Diagnosis in the Laboratory
The symptoms of multiple myeloma are not very distinctive and diagnosis often occurs in the process of investigating some other medical condition. Symptoms include fatigue, repeated infection or illness, pain in the back and ribs and broken bones. Blood tests, urine tests and x-rays are some of the tools that help medical care professionals diagnose multiple myeloma.
3. Multiple Treatments for Multiple Myeloma
Treatment of multiple myeloma is usually multi-pronged. It can include chemotherapy, which means administration of anti-cancer drugs either orally or intravenously, and radiation therapy in which high-energy radiation is used to destroy tumor cells. Steroid medications such as prednisone and dexamethasone are also helpful in treating multiple myeloma. Other drugs that have proved effective in treating this form of cancer are thalidomide, bortazomibe and lenalidomide. Bone marrow transplants are also a commonly used treatment. People living with multiple myeloma may have courses of treatment followed by periods with no treatment when the disease is in remission. They may also take different medications at different times throughout the course of the illness.
4. Live Well and Live Long
It is important for people living with multiple myeloma to take good care of themselves physically and emotionally. A healthy diet promotes the general health of the body and helps you fight the cancer. Physical activity is also important to health maintenance and can help you with stress management too. Keeping up with interests, hobbies and things that bring joy is also a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
5. Knowledge Is Power
When people receive a diagnosis of cancer they are often frightened, angry and confused. During treatment they may feel worse before they start to feel better. In order to cope effectively with the tremendous impact of multiple myeloma on their lives, people living with this condition should keep informed, seek support and focus on their needs. Knowledge about the disease empowers patients to engage actively in treatment planning. Support groups, friends and family offer emotional support and help during episodes of illness. Knowing when to rest, when to be active and when to ask for what you need will help reduce stress, deal with fatigue and manage symptoms.
