James Bond - a multiple myeloma survivor story

The real James Bond and his caregiver, Kathleen, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2020 with an all-family gathering in Ohio. When Jim was diagnosed with last stage multiple myeloma in 1992, he was told by a leading cancer center that he would live a few months, or perhaps 3 years if treated and, if all goes well. That was 29 years ago.

They have shared their story in person and virtually 64 times with IMF groups and over 250 times with other groups in 37 US states, the National Academy of Science in Washington DC, Spain, Japan, and myeloma groups in Canada and New Zealand where it's archived. They welcome more opportunities.

There is much more to their story than time allows at these gatherings. During Jim’s stay-at-home time due to Covid 19, he wrote a book, reviewed by his wife and daughter-in-law, who suggested the title, and The Man in the Arena: Surviving Multiple Myeloma Since 1992 was published in 2021. As the book’s website (arenamanbook.worldpress.com) states, Jim will donate profit from the book to the The American Cancer Society, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Dana Farber Cancer Center, and the Mayo Clinic—each of which are critical to their ongoing story.

The book explains their approaches to dealing with myeloma as a patient and caregiver. He developed unique acronyms that summarize their approaches. Among these are daily exercise, including days hospitalized doing one of four stem cell transplants. The phrase, Sit, Stand, Walk describes what he pushed himself to do in the hospital. His sister-in-law, Mary described it as On Your Feet, Not Your Seat.

Partnering with their medical teams, at times obtaining second opinions, seeking clinical trials, and how his family’s dealt with Jim’s high steroid days are among their strategies described.
They developed an 8 PM Rule which people tell them also works in other challenging situations. At 8 PM they stop cancer discussions to provides two hours before bedtime, which helps them sleep better. Kathleen adds that it originally was a 9 PM Rule, but they’re older now, and if it gets to be a 7 PM Rule, she’s not telling anyone.

A sense of humor helps. After Jim’s sister donated her stem cells for a transplant, Kathleen said Jim was more fun to shop with. After a woman living in Germany donated stem cells, Jim claims he wants to attend Octoberfest.
Some say they’re lucky, and Jim agrees. But he adds that a famous college golf instructor told his golfers when facing an impossibly long putt, the key to making the putt is hitting the ball hard enough to get it to the hole and thereby give luck a chance to happen. They believe they are giving luck a chance to happen.
By staying current on treatment developments, they believe patients are also are giving luck a chance to happen.
You can contact Jim at [email protected]. Searching his name and myeloma gives some of their story in print and video format.