Living

I don’t want to say too much. It’s all bit raw. Processing. It looks like big change is about to happen. Not with my health. At least, I don’t think...

We have heard the joke about the 2 big certainties in life being taxes, and death. And while we can certainly avoid paying taxes for a while, eventually, the tax...

I was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in 2011. Having an autoimmune disease means trying to avoid infections wherever we can. My fellow blood cancer patients can relate. When I...

Shortly after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma on May 2, 2011, I started my blog, "MattvsMyeloma", as a way of letting family and friends know how I was doing, given...

Cancer is a lifelong illness. I know many of us have heard that phrase, or even said it ourselves, but what does it really mean? Does it mean A. cancer...

Over five years, I had cancer three different times. The first and second times, it showed up as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the third time as large B-cell lymphoma. I had...

I saw several suspenseful disaster movies back-to-back when I was young. Some of these included The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno and Earthquake. These movies gave me nightmares for months...

If you could choose how people would insult or put you down, would you want it to be in your face or indirect? More like a shout or more like...

I think I’ve now had 2 blood cancer appointments where my consultant hasn’t talked about my going back on treatment or double checking I’ve got some ‘just in case’ which...

When or if to share your blood cancer diagnosis is an extremely personal decision, and there is no wrong answer for patients. Some share, some don’t. While we might feel...

I used to think that all insurance plans were the same. One size fits all. Just hand them your card, and you will magically have all you need covered!  Once...

The term remission is a term that brings comfort and relief for many, and there are those who also feel “What’s the catch”? Multiple myeloma has a way of resurfacing...

Every end of year, I come up with a word for the new year. For me, it seems to be a better alternative than trying to make resolutions. I try...

It's okay not to always be strong. It's fine to let others and, more importantly, yourself, know that living with blood cancer takes a toll on the patient--mind, body, and...

When I was first diagnosed with blood cancer my oncologist arranged for an infusion nurse to stop in to see me a day before any chemo treatments took place. It...

Sickness happens. We come in contact with another sick person and catch whatever they have. We usually know kind of quickly that we are coming down with something because of...

My wife used to come to all of my oncologist appointments with me. When I was in active treatment for follicular lymphoma, it was very helpful to have another set...

There's been a lot of discussion lately about cancer and the effects it has on family and the people close, and, well, there is no time of year like the...

I was speaking with an acquaintance the other day about my multiple myeloma. The conversation turned to my remission of over five years. It then moved to improvements in treatments...

The initial response to the diagnosis of blood cancer can be overwhelming. I remember feeling in denial. This could not be happening. I never had any symptoms. Anger followed. I...