Managing relapsed myeloma: The views of patients, nurses and doctors

Managing relapsed myeloma was fraught with complex issues. Patients developed alternative ways of coping with their disease including adopting the role of the 'expert patient', continuing to battle their disease and living with a chronic illness. Health care professionals struggle to manage the realities of a disease where the prognosis is improving. Uncertainty around patients' care and difficulties such as when 'enough is enough', continue to cause challenges. The transition to a chronic disease offers hope to patients and an opportunity for health care professionals to implement holistic care plans encouraging patients to be self proactive.