Take Your Best Shot

Take Charge. Think Positive. Reach Out.

Despite much progress in the treatment of multiple myeloma, it remains a challenging and incurable form of cancer.  For you, or your loved one, it is the beginning of a new and challenging journey whether just diagnosed or relapsed.

You are faced with a tremendous amount of new information, decisions and emotions. The stress can be overwhelming as you face this disease and begin to think about how to manage your work and family obligations, plan for the future, and how to best manage your disease. 

We advise you and your caregivers to become as educated as possible about multiple myeloma from the beginning.  It can empower you in making appropriate choices for yourself or your loved one.  We also recommend maintaining a positive attitude, keeping in mind what is best for you, reaching out to take advantage of support networks and other resources in your community, and as much as possible, taking charge of the many decisions you’ll need to make.

We call this proactive education plan the “Take Your Best Shot” approach.

 

 

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TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT
Multiple Myeloma Patients

Brenda, Steve, Pat, Pattie and Ginny, on how they are Taking Their Best Shot!

 

 


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JAMES D. BOND
Myeloma Survivor

"I was in excellent shape when a routine physical showed questionable results. Within a month I was diagnosed. An incurable cancer! I felt like I'd been hit in the stomach. I couldn't breathe."

 

 

THE POWER OF CONNECTIONS

Human contact is important. Although Internet-based support groups help on a day-to-day basis, regular meetings... eye contact, personal communication, a hand to hold, an arm around your waist, sometimes a hug... can bring reassurance and comfort.

 

 

 
 

 

 
Find out what is best for you
 

 

 

JAMES D. BOND, CPA

Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma

I was in excellent shape when a routine physical showed questionable results. Within a month I was diagnosed. An incurable cancer! I felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach. I couldn't breathe.

My wife, Kathleen, and I decided early to give it our best shot, and both of us have been intimately involved in my treatment decisions, often using approaches that, at the time, were being studied in clinical trials and that today are available for all of us. I credit research with getting me to this point. We helped by giving it our best shot, staying active, and I know we also had a lot of help from our family, friends and faith.

Throughout our journey, I've worked full time in my office, at home, in my company's satellite offices, and with a laptop in hotels and hospitals. Kathleen and I are both active in speaking to cancer organizations such as support groups. My activities range from serving as a myeloma mentor with a national foundation to riding my bike to raise awareness for multiple myeloma and other cancers.

I've been very fortunate to have seen our sons graduate from college, start their careers and marry. I'm enjoying my recent mandatory retirement and am spending more time with our grandchildren. One takeaway from our story is that in the face of adversity the right attitude and purpose make a tremendous difference. Another takeaway is tenaciously finding the best way to treat your myeloma. Sometimes that might be one drug, a combination of drugs, a transplant, or a drug being studied in a clinical trial. With the right medical team, persistence and information, you can agree on what is best for you at each point of your journey.

 
 

 

THE POWER OF CONNECTIONS

Human contact is important. Although Internet-based support groups help on a day-to-day basis, regular meetings ... eye contact, personal communication, a hand to hold, an arm around your shoulder, sometimes a hug ... can bring reassurance and comfort. Other people who are going through many of the same things you are can be comforting. Together, you can even laugh at some of your experiences or worries. Even when they're not funny, they're real.

Actively participate in your support group – go to meetings regularly, get involved in discussions, help as much as you can with events, get tips about coping with emotions, feelings of isolation and, sometimes, hopelessness. In the process of simply being together, you inspire hope – sometimes in yourself, sometimes in your new friends.

Listen to and learn from helpful, well informed patients who can serve as role models, like Maddie Hunter and James Bond.

Become a role model by letting others know how you are coping AND managing. Don't feel you have to do anything perfectly. Your willingness to share your cares and woes – just being able to talk about them and how you “got through the day” – can help others.

 
 

 

 

When Phil and I were dating we lightheartedly called ourselves "Team P&C" to represent our loyalty and support for one another. Deciding at diagnosis that we would continue to operate as a cohesive unit, Phil and I relied on each other as teammates and used faith, humor and open communication to navigate Phil's health challenges. Always willing to go to bat for one another or to pick up slack if necessary, we know what it means to make sacrifices and see things through.

Phil has a positive attitude and natural charisma which are a perfect match for my practical approach to life. Phil's genuine love of people and my strong empathy for both patients and caregivers inspired us to connect with the myeloma community in as many meaningful ways as possible.

 
 

 

 

 

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