The definitive guide to living a longer, fuller life with myeloma The Myeloma Survival Guide makes sense of the difficult questions myeloma patients face, dealing with every aspect of life after diagnosis, from creating a wellness team to navigating treatment options to building a financial safety net. Jim Tamkin, MD, who lived with myeloma for 11 years, and Dave Visel share the insights they've gained as a doctor, patient, and caregiver, including: Everything you need to know about drugs and treatments, including stem cell transplants - How to deal with the pain and side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery - Insurance and tax benefits to save money and get you the care you deserve - Take-charge tools you can use today to feel better tomorrow " Praise for The Myeloma Survival Guide "Dr. Jim Tamkin has turned his own illness into benefit for patients with myeloma worldwide. Together with Dave Visel, they have developed a literal GPS system, an invaluable guide to patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Not only have they provided clear information on the disease and its treatment, but most importantly also convey critical guidance on how to deal with the very personal life-impacting effects of this disease for patients and family members alike. In this era of great excitement in myeloma where novel therapies are changing the treatment paradigm and improving patient outcome, this book assures awareness and access to patients and caregivers of these advances, so that patients can enjoy longer and higher quality lives with their loved ones. There simply is no greater gift than this." - Kenneth C. Anderson, MD, Kraft Family Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Chief, Division of Hematologic Neoplasia; Director, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center and LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts "[Filled] with facts, factoids, tidbits, and anecdotal descriptions that would help anyone starting on their myeloma adventure. We have come a long way since the advent of transplants with the discovery of new novel agents and the combination therapies. There is much to learn and much to do... I would definitely recommend the book to my patients and their caregivers." - Bart Barlogie, MD, PhD, Director, Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas, "It's tremendous for new patients to have this book. A myeloma diagnosis is overwhelming. Even as a physician, I did almost nothing but read for a month after my myeloma was confirmed. One of this book's greatest values is that it covers everything in one place." - Burton Dickey, MD, Myeloma patient, Professor and Chair, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX "The ultimate guide for all patients and caregivers as they navigate through the rapidly changing landscape of the myeloma diagnosis and treatment process. The authors have poignantly written from the unique perspectives of the patient and caregiver. The intimate knowledge of living with cancer allows the authors to highlight common health and psychosocial concerns as patients are living longer than ever." - Beth Faiman, PhDc, MSN, APN-BC, Mutliple Myeloma Nurse Practitioner, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH "This is a wonderful primer for myeloma patients and their caregivers. It provides up to date knowledge while at the same time providing practical pointers for patients and caregivers to deal with this horrible disease. Since knowledge is power, this book will provide essential tools to allow patients and caregivers weather the "myeloma storm" more prepared. I wholeheartedly recommend it." - Sergio A. Giralt, MD, Chief, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City "As a patient, I understand how difficult it is for patients and their families to manage the uncertainties of a multiple myeloma diagnosis. Dave Visel and Dr. Jim Tamkin have collaborated to develop a detailed resource for approaching this situation, which will undoubtedly help newly diagnosed myeloma patients and their caregivers attain the information that they need to empower themselves throughout their journey with myeloma." - Kathy Giusti, Founder and CEO, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation "I will hand this book to new myeloma patients, knowing that it will give them tools and a confidence that they would not have gotten without it. The teaching is clear, complete, accurate, easy to foll --Kathy Giusti, Founder and CEO, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation James Tamkin, MD, FACP, FACE lived with myeloma for eleven years. He co-founded the TBA (Their Best Advice) Foundation in 2009 to provide myeloma patients with the resources they need to cope with the disease. He worked as an internist and endocrinologist in Los Angeles until his death in March 2011. Dave Visel , is co-founder of the