A cancer diagnosis is not only devastating but also expensive.

In addition to treatment costs, hospitalization costs, transportation costs, childcare and unplanned expenses can be a source of stress and anxiety to you and your family.

Talk to your doctor about access to certain prescribed medications. If you need financial medical assistance patient assistance programs are available by several governmental and non-governmental agencies:

Talk to your doctor about access to certain prescribed medications. If you need financial medical assistance patient assistance programs are available by several governmental and non-governmental agencies:

• Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)

• Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)

• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

• Malasakit Centers

• Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO)

• Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. (PCSI)

• Department of Health (DOH)

Care does not end when your active treatment period ends.

A follow-up care plan is important to help you transition to your normal life. This involves 3 aspects.

Monitoring recurrence/ relapse

Your cancer may return if there were any remaining myeloma cells that were not fully destroyed during treatment.

Ask your doctor:

• How likely is it the cancer will return?
• What symptoms to look out for that might indicate a relapse?
• When should you return for additional tests to check for a relapse?

Managing late and long-term side effects

Some of the long-term side effects of multiple myeloma treatments include peripheral neuropathy, low blood counts and development of secondary cancers.

Ask your doctor:

• What are the expected long-term effects based on your treatment plan?
• What can be done to manage long-term side effects?
• What screening tests should you undergo to assess long-term effects?

Maintaining a personal health record

Details of your diagnosis and treatment are important for monitoring and providing care in the future. A cancer treatment summary would include background information, diagnosis, stage of cancer, treatments with start and end dates and ongoing symptoms and side effects.

Ask your doctor:

• Who should you consult for follow-up care?
• How often you should return for follow-up visits?
• What tests will be needed during the follow-up phase?

A multiple myeloma diagnosis can be shocking and devastating.

Coping with the stress and uncertainties of living with multiple myeloma is possible.

Here are some possible worries you may have and strategies on how to cope.

Coping with self image:

You may experience physical changes (hair loss, weight loss, fatigue) or emotional changes (fear, feeling out of control, anger, guilt) due to your cancer or treatments, affecting your self image and confidence.

What can you do?

• Allow time to adjust and adapt to come to terms with your diagnosis.
• Talk or read about others in a similar situation to seek understanding and hope.
• Think positive thoughts, remain physically active to focus on something other than cancer.

Coping with stress and anxiety:

Fear of treatment or treatment-related side effects, cancer relapsing, uncertainty or financial concerns can cause anxiety.

What can you do?

• Talk to your doctor about your treatments and relaxation techniques to help you cope.
• Psychological counseling may be helpful to come to terms with living with multiple myeloma.
• Track your costs and seek for financial assistance.

Coping with depression:

A cancer diagnosis may trigger depression causing you to feel hopeless, lose interest in daily activities and even make it difficult to take decisions.

What can you do?

• Seek help from psychologists to improve your coping skills.
• Reach out to your support system (family and friends) to make sense of your diagnosis and face treatment.
• Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants based on your needs and other medications you take.