I’m not done doing what I love

When multiple myeloma (MM) returns or you need to consider your next treatment

I’m not done doing what I love
STEP 1: Find what matters to you
STEP 1: Find what matters to you

Finding out what matters most to you when you’re living with multiple myeloma is the first step towards staying positive and letting others know what you need.

Knowing what your priorities are could help your wellbeing and motivate you to achieve your goals.1

Communicating your priorities effectively could help your loved ones know how to support you. It could also help you to work with your healthcare team to find a care plan that best suits your needs.2

Following this step-by-step programme could help you live your life on your terms and feel optimistic and motivated for what lies ahead.

This step will take you through:

When multiple myeloma returns, or you need to consider your next treatment...

...you can stay focussed on the positive and your future…

…with a step-by-step programme…

…that starts with finding what matters to you.

Knowing and communicating your priorities could help you work with your healthcare team to find a care plan that best suits your needs.

We’ve provided tips to follow (and a simple online tool) to give you the confidence to really focus on your priorities 

These could fall under family, such as, do you have responsibility for any people or pets?

Your priorities may be disease management, such as, is how much time you have to spend in hospital important to you?

Or your priorities may be lifestyle, such as, is staying social a priority for you?

Whatever they are, you’ll find guidance to help you communicate your priorities clearly to your loved one...

...and healthcare team

We’ll provide you with tools and advice...

…to help them understand how you feel...

…so they can support you in making sure your day-to-day life and care plan match what really matters to you.

Because you’re not done living well with multiple myeloma…

…today or tomorrow

Take the first step and work out what matters to you.
 

This step will take you through:

  • What different priorities might look like
  • How to start thinking about your own priorities 
  • The online myMMneeds tool to help you identify your priorities

It’s worth keeping a pen and some paper handy to make notes for yourself. Let’s get started.

What different priorities might look like
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What matters most to you may be different from the next person. Try figuring out what your priorities are and follow that.

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It may help to have someone ask you about the things in your life that really lift your spirits. This way, you could uncover what matters most to you.

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Having a list of the things that are important to you is helpful. If it’s really long, try to find ways of cutting it down to find what matters most.

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Try thinking about what in your daily routine brings you joy. That could be a good place to start finding what things are important to you.

How to start thinking about your own priorities

Thinking about the top few things that really matter to you might seem daunting. These may include areas of your life where you would prefer to gain more control.

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Family

What impact do your treatment or symptoms have on your quality time with loved ones? How are your conversations with loved ones when it comes to plans for your care? Have you shared how you are feeling?

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Disease management

Think through how you feel about the control of your symptoms, dealing with a complicated care plan, multiple appointments, and the available treatments.

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Lifestyle

How do you feel about the time you spend enjoying hobbies? What about doing things you love, such as travelling? How do you cope with day-to-day chores? Is your work being affected?

There may be other areas of your life you’d like to think about and prioritise. For example:

  • Do you want to feel more connected to other people?
  • Do you want better control of your diet, physical or mental health?
  • Do you want a greater understanding of the treatments and science involved in MM?

Focussing on what really matters to you could empower you to take control of your life.

It’s time to work out what matters to you

Spend 5 minutes going through the myMMneeds tool online to help you figure out your priorities. Use the tips above to help you focus on what matters most to you in your life.

Remember that your priorities may change over time and you can always come back here to revisit them.

Start the myMMneeds tool

Completed the myMMneeds tool?

Now that you’ve uncovered your priorities, think about sharing them with others. You’ll find helpful tips on how to talk about your priorities with your loved one(s) and healthcare team in Step 2: Communicating effectively.

Explore more

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START STEP 2:
Communicating effectively

Once you’ve uncovered your priorities, take a look at how to communicate them to your care partner(s) and healthcare team so they know how to support you.

Start STEP 2:
Communicating effectively
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‘Find what matters to you’ booklet

You can also download other ways of working out your priorities.

Download booklet
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Programme overview booklet

Take a look at what following the steps could do for you, at a glance.

Download booklet

References

  1. Moore C. How to set and achieve life goals the right way. Available at: https://positivepsychology.com/life-worth-living-setting-life-goals/ Accessed: May 2024.
  2. Auclair D, et al. Patient Preference and Adherence. 2022:16;573–85.
PP-UNP-GBR-4438. May 2024