PeopleBeatingCancer

Recently Diagnosed or Relapsed? Stop Looking For a Miracle Cure, and Use Evidence-Based Therapies To Enhance Your Treatment and Prolong Your Remission

Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.

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Myeloma Oncologist- 5 Rules

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Working with an oncologist that you trust is Important. Your challenge is that all oncologists have pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses.

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The role of oncologist in the life of a newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patient is important. From the time he/she delivers the news, “you have a cancer,” to explaining therapies, side effects, diagnostics, and more, you must rely on your oncologist for accurate, fair, honest information about your health. You must know what to expect, know what not to expect and who else to have on your MM team.

Image result for photo of oncologist, patient

Your oncologist may use words and phrases that are confusing:

  • Very good partial remission,
  • partial remission,
  • complete remission,
  • stringent complete response

Chemo Triplets are more effective than Doublets as induction therapy... Dose reduction reduces toxicity and may prevent side effects…Progression-free survival versus Overall survival…

Knowledge is Power, especially with multiple myeloma, a treatable but incurable blood cancer.

Here are my five rules of managing your MM oncologist:

  1. Find a MM specialist. You will live longer, on average, if you work with someone who specializes in MM.
  2. Don’t ask the eternal question “How long have I got?” MM is an incurable blood cancer. All MM oncologists can do is cite averages.
  3. Don’t rush into an autologous stem cell transplant. Now or later, there is no proven benefit to timing.
  4. Evidence-based, non-conventional therapies make a difference in managing multiple myeloma. Lifestyle, nutrition, supplementation, and more.
  5. Lastly, it’s your body, your life. You are in charge. Ask questions. Get answers.

I like to tell people that I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of multiple myeloma. I am a long-term myeloma survivor and myeloma cancer coach. 

Do you like your oncologist? Do you have any questions about your last appointment, your diagnosis, your therapy plan? Please scroll down to the bottom of the page, post a question or a comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

To Learn More about oncology for MM- click now

Hang in there,

David Emerson

  • Multiple Myeloma Survivor,
  • MM Cancer Coach,
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Recommended Reading:

Delivering bad news to patients

“Delivering bad news is one of the most daunting tasks faced by physicians. For many, their first experience involves patients they have known only a few hours. Additionally, they are called upon to deliver the news with little planning or training (1). Given the critical nature of bad news, that is, “any news that drastically and negatively alters the patient’s view of her or his future” (2), this is hardly a recipe for success…”

How Long Have I Got Left?

“What patients seek is not scientific knowledge doctors hide, but existential authenticity each must find on her own. Getting too deep into statistics is like trying to quench a thirst with salty water. The angst of facing mortality has no remedy in probability…”

Should Doctors Care About Cost?

There are a growing number of oncs who understand the cost of cancer care- find one!

“This debate is past due. Some physicians insist that medical professionalism means a focus on patient outcomes without considerations of cost. But oncologists have been reminded that the potential for “financial toxicity” exists in all our clinical decisions.

Patients are not served by adding expense for the expectation of little clinical benefit. In addition, high costs cause treatment non-adherence, worsening outcomes.”

Leave a Comment:

9 comments
Kathryn Guillaum says a few months ago

no words…..

Reply
Kathryn Guillaum says 6 months ago

I’ve asked questions and most were willy nilly answered.!
What does HCC mean; it is in parenthesis next to my “Multiple Myeloma”….list of things wrong with me; like MM, hypothyroid, tinnitus etc
David, I’m getting so jaded when it comes to my healthcare, in general. AGAIN, I say that it is all about insurance coverage. Both of my practitioners ( onco!ogist and GP), are retiring Very soon. It seems that each Doctor has their own….agenda.I will stop at this juncture because today is not a good one to think positively about things. Deep breathing helps this anxiety and it is much better than another damn pill to get dependent on
I have a plan, by the way…not anxiety; going into assisted living in 2025 or 26. Health bleeds over into reality of life…..yuk!
You seem to be doing great and you are teaching others to Really THINK! Kudos to you, David!

Reply
Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis- Can't Trust Conventional Cancer Research says last year

[…] Multiple Myeloma Oncologist- 5 Rules […]

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Multiple Myeloma Remission- More Chemotherapy or No? - PeopleBeatingCancer says a couple of years ago

[…] Multiple Myeloma Oncologist- 5 Rules […]

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Cathy Steele says 4 years ago

I feel somewhat lost in the arena of working with a myeloma specialist. I have a local oncologist who I see regularly and who communicates all my records and discussions with my myeloma specialist. I did 12 weeks of induction therapy with negligible side effects, opted out of ASCT and collection, tried a bit more induction therapy at local oncologist’s request with strong side effects, such that we agree the Velcade will be discontinued. Local oncologist and MM specialist agree on a 10mg Revlimid for maintenance which current plans have me starting soon. (Any plans subject to change.) Even though my MM specialist is close (UT Southwestern), we have only met via online due to Covid. I know I need to have him, but I’m at a loss for why? When I politely asked him, he basically said that it would be for getting into clinical trials once all approved options are exhausted. OK, so that’s for later. Right now, our appointments seem very awkward to me. I plan to pursue alternative/integrative treatments. I like the MM specialist just fine…he offered the info (which I already knew) that ACST changes longevity 0%. He also told me of an MM patient of his who has survived 26 years having never had an ASCT. Your insight for dealing with MM specialist will be appreciated. I was diagnosed March, 2020, M spike 5.5 has plateaued around 1.3. Thanks!

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Cancer-Related Fatigue in Multiple Myeloma - PeopleBeatingCancer says 5 years ago

[…] Your Multiple Myeloma Oncologist- 5 Rules – Cancer Coaching 101 […]

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Tonia Garraway says 6 years ago

Hi
I will like to be in the group online and Facebook plz
Or program
My email tonianatalie@yahoo.com

Reply
Mike McKeever says 7 years ago

David I signed up for the Silver Program and received my downloads yesterday, but lost them when my IT Company had an update and I had to reboot. Please have the program resent to my email so I can retrieve my program downloads.

Also I created a Facebook account for the Silver Program. How do I access it, or am I waiting for an email from you with instructions on how to log on to the group members?

Thanks,

Mike

Reply
    David Emerson says 7 years ago

    Hi Mike-

    I think the assistant director mentioned to me today that she re-sent the guides to you. I will confirm with her. As for the FB group I will send an “invitation” for you to join the group now. I will send it to rdwarriors.com account.

    Thank you for becoming a MM CC client.

    David Emersson

    Reply
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