In this segment, Isabel Curtin, LCSW, discusses how healthcare teams can reduce stigma and create a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable discussing sensitive concerns such as fatigue, bowel changes, body image, and emotional distress. Elizabeth Bohannon then emphasizes why these conversations are important, particularly when patients may be willing to tolerate substantial treatment-related effects in the hope of achieving remission. She reflects on the importance of regularly considering quality of life alongside treatment goals, including how therapy affects relationships, sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and everyday life. Samantha Shenoy, NP, reinforces the importance of open communication between patients and providers about symptoms and quality-of-life concerns. Elizabeth also highlights that the effects of treatment can persist beyond active therapy, describing ongoing immune-related challenges and supportive care needs following CAR-T therapy despite achieving a deep response. The discussion emphasizes that living with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma remains an ongoing journey, even during periods of disease control.
