Resilience—the ability to stay strong in the face of adversity—is essential in managing the challenges that arise with a myeloma diagnosis. As I often say, myeloma care is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring sustained resilience along the journey.
Resilience in Day-to-Day Life
In a 2020 Conversations with Dr. Durie podcast, I spoke with Sue Dunnett, a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, about her perspective on resilience and why it’s crucial for myeloma patients. Sue, who previously worked with the International Myeloma Foundation in the UK and has focused her research on the role of support groups for people living with myeloma, shared insights on resilience from her interviews with U.S. support group leaders.
She discovered that, while these leaders described their perseverance as ordinary, they exhibited remarkable resilience. Their experiences highlighted resilience as more than just “bouncing back” but rather having proactive strategies to adapt when challenges arise. Though resilience varies among individuals, it can be strengthened through practice, enhancing the capacity to cope with future difficulties.
Resilience in Nature as an Inspiration
In my September 2023 blog, I highlighted the 150-year-old Lahaina banyan tree, which miraculously survived the devastating fire in Hawaii. This resilient tree, now a symbol of hope for the community, continues to recover and inspire those around it. Similarly, microscopic tardigrades, known as “water bears,” demonstrate resilience by surviving extreme radiation, drought, and desiccation, coming back to life with just a drop of water. The resilience we see in nature serves as a powerful model and reminds us that, with intention, humans can cultivate this strength too.
Resilience-Building for Patients
As we look to support myeloma patients, the focus is on resilience-building tools that encompass practical needs—like transportation, financial assistance, treatment selection—and emotional support. We’re developing educational resources to further expand these offerings, especially at the upcoming Support Group Leader Summit, where Sue will once again share her insights.
Navigating New Immune Therapy Options
The IMWG recently published guidelines in The Lancet Oncology on using T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies in myeloma treatment. These innovative therapies offer new hope, but understanding them can be complex. Patients need resilience not only to explore these advanced therapies but also to navigate their potential side effects and make informed decisions.
The Bottom Line
Staying resilient is crucial in the evolving landscape of immune therapies. Patients will need resilience to manage the demands of new treatment options and find the right therapy amidst the complexity. As we move forward, resilience will remain central to facing the challenges and opportunities in myeloma care for 2024 and beyond.
