Jelena Pravica was pregnant with her first child when her husband, Ivan, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2020. The diagnosis came after Ivan experienced back pain in the spring of that year, following the earthquake and the coronavirus pandemic. Despite initially thinking that the pain was due to other factors like a change in bed or his sedentary lifestyle, Ivan’s pain worsened over time and became unbearable. Eventually, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a malignant bone marrow disease, which required him to undergo therapy to manage the condition.
Jelena recounts the challenges they faced in getting a diagnosis for Ivan, as the symptoms of multiple myeloma are general and can be mistaken for other conditions. After a physiatrist recommended an MRI, Ivan’s condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to a wheelchair-bound state and multiple fractures in his ribs and vertebrae. Once admitted to the hospital, Ivan was diagnosed with the disease and started on a regimen of smart drugs to manage his condition.
Multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease, but new therapies have been developed that can prolong remission and improve the quality of life for patients. However, accessing these treatments can be challenging, especially in countries like Croatia where the availability of advanced therapies lags behind Western European countries. Jelena’s experience highlights the importance of timely diagnosis, access to innovative therapies, and psychological support for patients and their families facing a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma has evolved from a rapidly fatal disease into a chronic condition with new treatment options that can extend survival rates. However, challenges remain in ensuring that all patients have access to the best available therapies and clinical trials to improve outcomes. The Myeloma CRO association is advocating for better healthcare policies to address the growing incidence of multiple myeloma, especially among younger patients, and to improve the availability of state-of-the-art treatments in Croatia.
In conclusion, Jelena emphasizes the need for more support for patients with multiple myeloma
