Doreen, the first year or so with this disease is rough. Getting everything set up with doctors and insurance is a full time job. Blessings your way. 💖 The Healthtree Foundation has a myeloma coach program, you might want to see if they are helpful💜

Hello Doreen3;
I can tell you from my experience that I do not know the specialties of the various oncology members to whom I owe my present health. My oncologist has referred to being a member of a team of specialists dedicated to me and my needs. Specifically, when she made an adjustment to my steroids and Revlimid it was after a consultation with a Hematologist. That change drastically affected my general well-being and quality of life. Part of my experience has a basis on my attending a full-service laboratory, the largest in Texas. I do believe that access to a Hematologist is extremely important.

It is recommended that we have a hematologist oncologist that specializes in blood cancers specifically Multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. I have a general oncologist and a myeloma specialist. I get my treatments at my general oncologists office. She follows the Specialist's recommendations. It's also good to go to a center that does clinical trials and provides stem cell transplant therapy and CAR t therapy. Treatments for myeloma are evolving faster than any other cancer. A general oncologist just can't keep up. 💕

Doreen,
Are you going to City of Hope in Duarte? Or UCSD? I’m in Orange County, but go to UCLA.
Paula

Hi Doreen,
I am fortunate to live at a reasonable travel distance from Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. I have a local oncologist that collaborates with my Multiple Myeloma Specialist. My local oncologist while competent does not stay up to date with the latest rapidly advancing Research and Development treatments for MM patients. He is very familiar and knowledgeable with Multiple Myeloma. Initially my visits to a local cancer center were weekly, a monthly consult with a local oncologist, while visiting my Specialist every 4 months. My local oncologist conducts blood draws, reviews my results and consults on side effects, issues, and treatments. After two years treatment I see my local every 3 months and my Specialist every 6 months. My Specialist collaborates on dosage of my maintenance , and directs my treatments going forward based upon our visit debrief and blood draw results. It is working very well and I and grateful to have such expertise in my care. I highly recommend a Multiple Myeloma Specialist as part of a MM healthcare team. The more severe the MM the greater the need for a MM Specialist , but any consultation can save difficulty.