My son Jeff has been on a cancer journey since January of 2023. After many months of difficult treatment and a strong focus on maintaining his health, he has achieved “undetectable measurable residual disease.” Meaning out of the one million cells tested in Jeff’s body in March of 2025, they found zero cancer cells.

This is such good news. We are so grateful!

Jeff recently reflected on his journey with the online “Patient Power” cancer community in a piece titled, “Option A Is Never Coming Back.” Much of the article focuses on the details of Jeff’s diagnosis and therapy treatments and would be useful to others with multiple myeloma.

However, there is one section that would be useful to any of us who knows someone who is battling cancer of any type. In this section, Jeff offers advice to people travelling on the cancer road. I’ve decided to repost it here for my readers to consider.

Jeff’s Advice to Those Going Through Cancer Treatment

• Set a time to stop talking about cancer. “Pick a time in the evening – we chose 7:00 pm – and after that, you can’t talk about cancer anymore that day,” Jeff says. “Otherwise, every conversation or text becomes about the next test, the latest research, or the newest worry. You need a break, even if it’s just for a few hours.”
• Know your numbers. “I’ve never been very detail-oriented, but I am when it comes to cancer,” says Jeff. “I’m absolutely convinced that doctors listen to you more when you know your numbers, understand the treatment options, and ask good questions.”
• Get a second opinion if you have time. “Some cancers move faster than others, but most people have time to get a second opinion. You didn’t get cancer yesterday, and you don’t have to have it gone by tomorrow. Take the time to get a second opinion and be sure you’re comfortable with the people helping you make decisions.”
• Find something you can control. “Thursdays were my worst days during induction,” Jeff found. “I had treatment on Mondays and Wednesdays. I was a rock star on Monday. Tuesday was usually pretty good. Wednesday was okay. But by Thursday, I was crabby, and I didn’t have any mental stamina. So, Jeri (Jeff’s wife) and I made a rule: no work meetings, no calls to our kids or parents, and no important conversations on Thursdays. I couldn’t control how my body reacted to treatment, but I could control my schedule. There’s always something you can control. Find whatever that is for you and do it.”
• Ask your doctor for information. “Don’t look at the internet,” Jeff says. “The data out there on multiple myeloma is too old. Even now, nearly three years after I started DARA-RVd, the outcomes still aren’t reflected online. But the doctors have the latest info, so talk to them. If you just go by what you find on the internet, it can be pretty dang scary.”

For more information on Jeff’s cancer journey, see his personal blog, The Road Rider: Option B, where he chronicles his passion for distance biking and his fundraising for cancer awareness and treatment.

Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your wisdom. I know it will greatly benefit those who are caring for someone with cancer.