Skip to main content
  • Advertise
    Want to Advertise with Us?
    Conquer welcomes advertising and sponsorship collaborations with reputable companies offering high-quality products and services to people affected by cancer.
  • Affiliated Brands
    Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators
    The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) is the largest national specialty organization dedicated to improving patient care and quality of life by defining, enhancing, and promoting the role of oncology nurse and patient navigators. Our organization of over 8,900 members was founded in May 2009 to provide a network for all professionals involved and interested in patient navigation and survivorship care services to better manage the complexities of the cancer care treatment continuum for their patients. We view our organization as one consisting of “professional patient advocates” and, to that end, we support and serve our members.
    Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship
    The Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship (JONS) promotes reliance on evidence-based practices in navigating patients with cancer and their caregivers through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. JONS also seeks to strengthen the role of nurse and patient navigators in cancer care by serving as a platform for these professionals to disseminate original research findings, exchange best practices, and find support for their growing community.
    The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA
    The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA (TON) provides coverage of the wide spectrum of oncology-related events, trends, news, therapeutics, diagnostics, organizations, and legislation that directly affect hematology/oncology nurses and advanced practitioners involved in healthcare delivery and product utilization. The scope and coverage include a unique presentation of news and events that are shaping the care of patients with cancer.
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Contribute

Welcome to the Multiple Myeloma Resource Navigator for Patients

Web Exclusives — November 16, 2021

Receiving a diagnosis of multiple myeloma can be frightening. Learning about multiple myeloma and the resources available to you, however, can help you feel in control and supported through your myeloma journey. This Multiple Myeloma Resource Navigator for Patients publication was created together with leading patient advocates who shared their experiences and insights, in the hope that it will help you connect with patient organizations and resources as you and your care partners navigate through your diagnosis and treatment. These patient organizations provide education and support to promote your health and well-being, and help with practical matters, logistics, and financial and legal concerns.

A good place to begin learning about multiple myeloma is the Getting Started section, which includes cancer- and myeloma-specific educational and support websites. These websites provide a variety of support services, including websites that offer assistance in finding a multiple myeloma treatment center or a specialist in your area. This information may help you in making decisions about your overall care and treatment options.

Remember that you are not alone in your myeloma journey. In addition to the healthcare professionals and other care partners who are involved in your treatment, an excellent resource for information, support, and understanding can be found in the community of other patients who have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma or with other types of cancer. The Connecting with Others section provides information on programs that can connect you with peer mentors, support groups, and other online communities. These social communities provide secure environments that can enable you to share your experiences and learn new information that can empower you to be your own best advocate.

Together with your healthcare team, you are encouraged to play an active role in all medical decisions regarding your workup, treatment, and monitoring and follow-up. Monitoring your multiple myeloma is important to be able to see how you are responding to therapy, and to address any new side effects promptly to ensure that your treatment is not interrupted. Being able to detect quickly any changes in your clinical status is becoming increasingly important because of the growing number of new treatments available. You will find a collection of Tools for Disease Monitoring in the Resources During Treatment section.

A diagnosis of multiple myeloma may be a substantial financial burden for patients with or without health insurance, and it may affect your ability to do your job. You may also need to travel for treatment. You will find numerous resources listed in the Resources During Treatment section and Financial and Legal Support Resources section that may assist you with the cost of medication, travel, and housing.

In addition to the physical symptoms and side effects that accompany multiple myeloma diagnosis and treatment, many patients will also have emotional, spiritual, and other challenges affecting their mental health and well-being. In the Living Well After a Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis section, you will find websites that offer educational tools and other information that can help you play an active role in the management of your health and develop skills to help meet and understand the challenges of multiple myeloma. These resources can guide you in creating a personalized health and wellness plan for dealing with your illness and treatment, your relationships, and emotional and psychological stressors. You will find valuable information on diet, exercise, meditation, complementary and integrative approaches to care, and other healthy lifestyle topics.

These resources can also help you find information about counseling, including when and how it can help individuals cope with the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, the different types of counseling and counselors available, and how to find and choose a counselor. Other websites provide information on how to find volunteering opportunities, connect with local nonprofit groups that offer assistance and verified social services, and learn more about public policy–focused organizations that advocate on critical health issues that affect the multiple myeloma community.

The Family and Friends section features websites that provide tools and resources that help patients and their care partners connect with family and friends to reduce stress, anxiety, and isolation. You will also find websites that provide information and peer support for your care partners.

At the end of each section, you will find a Notes to Myself page, where you can write ideas, additional questions, reminders, and other thoughts prompted by the information you learn from these resources.

At the back of this resource guide you will find a Care Team, Medical History, Treatment Summary, and Care Plan section that you may use to track the details of your care. The amount of information you receive during your journey may be overwhelming, so you may find it helpful to use these pages to keep track of major aspects of your multiple myeloma treatment and recommendations for your follow-up care. Although these pages will likely not contain complete records of your care, completing them may provide you with a helpful resource in discussions with members of your care team, your primary care physician, and other specialists. This section also includes a page listing suggested topics you may want to discuss with your care team and questions you may want to ask during your next clinic visit.

We hope you will find the information and resources in this Multiple Myeloma Resource Navigator for Patients helpful now and throughout your myeloma journey.

Read Multiple Myeloma Resource Navigator for Patients

Recommended For You