The Power of Self-Advocacy in Multiple Myeloma

Thomas, a Virginia native, was not someone frequently plagued by random aches and pains. As a lifelong athlete he always prioritized his physical health, leading him to spend much of his free time on the basketball court or the baseball field. But, when he began experiencing shoulder pain, he knew something wasn’t right. Following a series of appointments and various misdiagnoses, he saw a specialist and learned the true cause of his pain. Thomas was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the age of 34.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the blood diagnosed in more than 35,000 Americans each year.¹ Significant progress has been made in the treatment of this blood cancer over the last decade, but people living with multiple myeloma still often experience delays in diagnosis that can impact treatment outcomes.

Facing a diagnosis of a cancer he knew little about, Thomas spent his time learning more about what this disease might mean for his life. He found a myeloma specialist, Dr. Cristina Gasparetto, who helped him understand his treatment options and the day-to-day impact multiple myeloma could have.

Dr. Gasparetto played a pivotal role in Thomas' care, so much so that Thomas relocated from Virginia to North Carolina so he could remain her patient. Together, they formed a personalized treatment plan, giving Thomas the necessary space to ask questions about his care. They built a unique rapport over his treatment journey, to the extent that Dr. Gasparetto inspired Thomas to pursue cycling as a new hobby. Later this year the two will be traveling to Iceland together to participate in a fundraising ride that advocates for people living with multiple myeloma.

Their partnership exemplifies the importance of the patient-provider relationship, built through shared decision making and information exchange. Dr. Gasparetto's commitment to tailoring Thomas’ care to his individual needs further emphasizes the importance that a personalized care plan holds in managing complex diseases like multiple myeloma.

Thomas’ passion for spending time with family, playing sports and traveling drove his determination to incorporate these things into his “new normal” life with multiple myeloma. Working closely with Dr. Gasparetto, Thomas found ways to adjust his lifestyle based on his unique needs.