The 61st ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition is over. I’m home in Idaho now, and missing the warm sunshine of Orlando. And the warm and friendly camaraderie of the International Myeloma Foundation’s team of support group leaders. I saw many things that amazed me during my first experience at #ASH19. Thousands of people all trying to get to and from the Orange County Convention Center each morning and evening. Those same thousands of people trying to get a cup of coffee in the morning. Pictures that try to capture the size of this conference don’t do it justice. You have to experience it yourself, and I was fortunate to have been able to see it first-hand.
Over the course of the four days, I heard so many “catchphrases” for new Myeloma treatments. Bcma, CAR-t, antibody drug conjugates, immunotherapy. You will hear these used over and over when someone is discussing myeloma treatments. My head was spinning as I listened to all the data being presented. Oral abstracts, poster abstracts. But as I start to re-listen to short interviews given by top myeloma specialists, all of this information is becoming more understandable. You can listen to these interviews here: https://www.myeloma.org/imf-tv?category=30. I look forward to discussing this exciting news with my support group and helping them to understand it. My hope is that the information I have been fortunate enough to hear first-hand from the experts will help my support group members and fellow patients make informed decisions about their treatment.
I will always be grateful to the International Myeloma Foundation and their sponsors who made this opportunity available to all of us. Please read what my fellow bloggers have learned at ASH here: https://ash2019blogs.myeloma.org. And make to sure register for Dr. Durie’s “Best of ASH” free teleconference here: http://give.myeloma.org/site/Calendar?id=101141&view=Detail.
I wish you all the best in your Myeloma journey.
Sheri Baker