Saad Usmani, MD

March 24, 2025

Panelists discuss how multiple myeloma support resources range from formal organizations like the International Myeloma Foundation and Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to online patient communities, hospital-based support groups, and specialized social media networks, with advice for newly relapsed patients emphasizing the importance of allowing emotional processing before taking action, seeking second opinions from myeloma specialists, asking detailed questions about all available options including clinical trials, connecting with patients who’ve undergone similar treatments, maintaining hope amid setbacks, and recognizing that relapses, while challenging, often open doors to novel therapeutic approaches that can effectively control the disease for extended periods.

March 24, 2025

Panelists discuss how caregivers supporting loved ones with late-line relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) should prioritize both patient and self-care by establishing sustainable support systems, maintaining open communication with the health care team, educating themselves about treatment options while acknowledging emotional boundaries, creating practical organizational systems for medication management and appointment tracking, seeking respite care when needed, connecting with caregiver support groups for shared experiences, participating in decision-making without overshadowing the patient’s voice, preparing contingency plans for complications, and finding moments of normalcy and joy amid the challenges of advanced disease management.

March 24, 2025

Panelists discuss how effective communication with medical teams in advanced multiple myeloma requires proactive strategies including preparing prioritized question lists before appointments, bringing a designated note-taking advocate to consultations, utilizing patient portals for nonurgent concerns, clearly articulating quality of life impacts rather than just symptom presence, requesting dedicated time for treatment planning discussions, recording conversations (with permission) for later review, maintaining symptom diaries with specific details, and establishing relationships with nurse navigators who can facilitate more timely responses—approaches that collectively ensure patient needs are comprehensively addressed despite the complex nature of late-line treatment decisions.

March 24, 2025

Panelists discuss how patients and caregivers at the late-line treatment stage commonly struggle with profound concerns about diminishing treatment options, increased uncertainty about prognosis, managing complex and often cumulative side effects, financial toxicity from years of therapy, caregiver burnout, practical challenges of more frequent hospitalizations, anxiety about becoming refractory to novel agents, navigating clinical trial eligibility, maintaining hope while being realistic and balancing aggressive treatment approaches with quality of life considerations as therapeutic choices narrow.