Living with myeloma with mindfulness

After two years of abstinence from face-to-face meetings, 15 patients and relatives met for the first seminar in the series "Through life with myeloma in your luggage" in the wonderful setting of the Tyrolean mountains. The topic of the first seminar dealt with mindfulness and pain.

The multiple myeloma support group had chosen the Grillhof seminar house above Innsbruck, a perfectly equipped house with a breathtaking view of the Nordkette of the Tyrolean Alps. In a seminar room surrounded by a glass front, the participants listened to and practiced for 2.5 days how to deal mindfully with the disease and how the pain that occurs again and again in many patients can be countered with mindfulness exercises.

Based on the methodology of the two programs Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Breathworks by Vidyamala Burch, which have been tested and scientifically studied for decades in the clinical setting, a workshop specifically tailored to multiple myeloma patients was developed. Scientifically based information on the functioning of the brain, the respiratory system and the breath, the development of pain patterns, as well as positive findings on light exercise during illness and a well-considered division of strength were presented as impulse lectures. The information was accompanied by meditation, mindfulness and movement exercises that can be easily applied in everyday life. An important aspect was the experience-based exchange and reflection in the group after the individual exercises.

By becoming aware of the interaction between body awareness, the breath and the role of thoughts, emotions and feelings, it became clear how much we ourselves control our reactions to symptoms and pain. Especially in the context of multiple myeloma, dealing with pain and discomfort is a major challenge for many patients.

Morning meditations in nature while standing, walking and simple yoga exercises brought life energy into the body. Easy to perform breathing exercises to ventilate the abdominal cavity and all parts of the lungs were received with great interest. The importance of positive things in life, no matter how insignificant, was emphasized as a counterbalance to the built-in negativity bias in the brain. Short breathing and compassion exercises showed ways to directly address unpleasantness close to the body, with a gentle touch on the spot, with acceptance, or with an attention via the breath.

In a trusting and friendly atmosphere, the participants also took advantage of the opportunity to actively exchange experiences during meals and in evening discussions while sitting together in a cozy atmosphere. In addition to the beautiful natural surroundings, the participants particularly appreciated the intimate atmosphere of a smaller group, as well as the time frame of a weekend seminar, which allowed for a more intensive exchange and reflection than in shorter events with frontal lectures.

Further seminars on "Our life as a couple" and "Everyday life with myeloma - what does it do to me?" will be held in July and September. A continuation of the seminar series in the coming year is planned.

The seminar was led by the experienced mindfulness trainer Dr. Martina Esberger-Chowdhury, herself a family member and long-time pioneer of patient-oriented projects in Austria. Multiple Myeloma SH Group