Importance of Caregivers for Patients with Multiple Myeloma | Hamza Hashmi | ASH 2023

My name is Hamza Hashmi. I'm a physician from Medical University of South Carolina. In my research and my clinical practice, I focus on plasma cell disorders including myeloma, immunodosis, transplant, and CAR-T. Today I'll be talking to you not as a provider or physician, but as a caregiver. My own family member, my mother, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma about six months ago. And for the very first time in my career, I realized how a cancer diagnosis can impact a family, a healthcare provider, and a myeloma physician. And in her journey through myeloma, with myeloma chemotherapy, I learned how important a role family members, caregivers play. And I also learned how pivotal a role nurses actually play when it comes to patient care. My mother has had some difficulties with her journey, and for the very first time I have realized the physical, the emotional challenges that families go through with this cancer diagnosis.