When I was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1994, I wish that I had read the article below before I doing anything else. The article below, "You've Just Been Diagnosed..." is written by the multiple myeloma survivor who edits the mma listserv, Chris Hollyer, a knowledgeable, warm and genuinely helpful person who has experienced a great deal and who is a tremendous resource.

SECTION I- Diagnosis, myeloma and your oncologist

You’ve Just Been Diagnosed With Multiple Myeloma – 10 Things To Do
by Chris Hollyer
After reading the above things to do, I wish that I had read the article below. This is the best general article about multiple myeloma that I have come across in all of my years of research. Believe or not, while this article may seem difficult to understand at first, it is more straightforward than most other myeloma articles. It is extremely valuable to understand your cancer, possible complications, staging, diagnostic tests, among other issues. Multiple Myeloma During my struggles with multiple myeloma, I came to realize that my relationship with my oncologist was a key factor in my health and well being. This is not to say that all interactions have been smooth- they haven’t been. The health of both my body and mind greatly improved when I realized that I was in charge of my cancer, not my oncologist.

Ten Things to Ask Your Doctor Now That You Know You Have Multiple Myeloma
by Chris Hollyer
It took me years of discussions with my oncologist before I figured out that my doctor patient relationship was critical to my health. I admit that I was slow in figuring this out. The link below will bring up an article about some physician attributes that people generally look for. Study Finds Patients Agree on Ideal Physician Behaviors Reading the first article about what to do after your myeloma diagnosis, learning about the cancer itself, then learning about what to ask your oncologist about your myeloma- all of this can be overwhelming.

SECTION II- conventional therapies, terminology, chemotherapy appreviations and "to stemcell transplant or not" by Chris Hollyer.

There's no question that a myeloma diagnosis is overwhelming- for you and for those around you. The documents below have been compiled to help make sense of conventional therapies. I keep them nearby as a resource when I need them- especially when reading listserv emails.

Glossary of Terms associated with multiple myeloma
abbr-3
To SCT or not?
mm chemotheraputic regimens

SECTION III- Non-secretory myeloma, Bence-Jones myeloma, MGUS and Smoldering myeloma

Below are two links to diagnostic tests for non-secretory or Bence-Jones myeloma:

The Binding Site Site Map
Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus/Human Herpesvirus 8

Below is are two links to articles about MGUS and smoldering myeloma

Monoclonal Gammopathies of Uncertain Origin
Classification and Staging