Understanding Understanding Multiple MyelomaMultiple Myeloma

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Ages 7-12

INTRODUCING

THE MEDIKIDZThe Medikidz are superheroes who live on Mediland, a planet shaped like the

human body. They are experts in health and illness, and their mission is to teach you all about your body and how illness affects it.

AXON Expert on: the brain and nerves

CHIExpert on:

the lungs and respiratory system

GASTROExpert on: the

digestive system

PUMPExpert on:

the heart and blood vessels

ABACUSGuardian of

the MedikidzSKINDY Expert on: theskin and bones

FEATURING:

TESSA and her DADThe stars of this book

MEET THE REST OF THE TEAM:

Hi, my name’s Tessa, I’m the cute one in the middle, and THIS

is my family!

But things have been a bit different since my Dad told

us he has multiple myeloma.

I don’t really understand what’s happening! It’s time to get

some answers.

We LOVE having FUN!

We live in Melbourne, Australia and LOVE to

travel and have adventures and just be silly.

Dad, what’s…what’s multiple

myeloma? Is there medicine for

it? How did you get it? Why did you get it?

Oh, Tessa, those…those are

great questions! I’m just, I’m not really

sure how to…

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…explain?Fear not, for

we are experts in such matters!

Axon? Skindy? THE MEDIKIDZ?! What…what’s

going on?

What’s happening is we’re about to teach you all about multiple

myeloma.

Let’s start with the basics. Multiple myeloma is a type

of cancer.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the blood and there’s no better place

to learn about the blood than at our next stop, MEDILAND!

Mediland? Is that where we got that really

good ice-cream that one time?

No, Dad! Mediland is a

giant planet that looks and works just like the human body!

That was going to be my

next guess!

Cancer happens when a cell in the

body becomes abnormal and starts growing

out of control.

The abnormal cell makes more and

more copies of itself, causing problems

for the body.

Deep in outer space at the secret headquarters

of the Medikidz!

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In the BONE MARROW of MEDILAND!

I’d like to welcome you

both to where new blood cells are made, the bone marrow!

Okay, yup, definitely not an ice cream shop.

Indeed not! The only flavor we serve here is

KNOWLEDGE!

The bone marrow makes

red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets,

and plasma cells.

Wow, thebone marrow is

so clever!

Now, when it comes to multiple myeloma, we

want to focus on plasma cells, which are a type of

white blood cell.

Normally, the bone marrow makes the right number of blood cells, at the right time, and in the

right place, like this fine-looking cell here!

Whoa.

RED BLOOD CELL

WHITE BLOOD CELL

PLATELET

PLASMA CELL

PLASMACELL

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In multiple myeloma however,

a plasma cell, like this one, gets damaged and turns into a harmful plasma cell called a

myeloma cell.

As you can see, the myeloma cell grows out of

control and makes more and more copies of itself.

Umm, speaking of being crowded out,

does anyone else feel like things are getting a little tight in here!

I do! I definitely do!

Me too. Let’s head back to HQ.

The myeloma cells build up in the bone marrow, causing problems for the body

by crowding out healthy blood cells.

MYELOMACELL

NO MYELOMA MYELOMA

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Phew, okay, much better! Now, as you

were saying, the myeloma cells crowd out the

healthy cells.

Indeed, which means

the bone marrow has a hard time

doing its job making enough red blood

cells, white blood cells and

platelets.

Having too few red blood cells can make someone feel

very tired or dizzy.

They might be out of breath more easily when they

exercise.

If a person doesn’t have enough healthy white blood cells, they may get sick often and heal slowly from wounds, like cuts or

scratches, or an infection.

This causes a whole bunch of

problems. Come on, we’ll show you!

Back at MK HQ!

DIZZY

HURT

BREATHLESS

SICK

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Without enough platelets, the body will have trouble forming

blood clots.

Multiple myeloma can cause bone pain that can get worse when you

move around.

The pain may be in the back or ribs, but it can be anywhere in the body.

Bone problems don’t end there! With multiple myeloma, cells can trick

the bone marrow to take calcium out of the bones,

making them weak.

Myeloma cells can also cause kidney damage,

which can make you feel tired or have swollen ankles.

Okay, well, all of this sounds AWFUL! Isn’t there anything we can do to help

my dad?

Weaker bones are more likely to break.

This can cause someone to bruise easily or bleedfor longer than normal

after a cut.

BRUISED

KIDNEYS

66

Of course! There are different treatments

specialist doctors use to help people, like your dad, with multiple myeloma.

Doctors give medicines that do their best to kill myeloma cells and stop them from growing out of

control.

Some people with multiple myeloma may

have a stem cell transplant to

replace their bone marrow with new

healthy cells.

They will also give medicines to help with pain, prevent infections and make

the bones stronger.

Some of these medicines come as pills and others are given as an

injection.

STEM CELL

77

People with multiple myeloma, like your dad, may need to visit the hospital during the day to

have their treatment.

Sometimes, they may need to stay in the hospital overnight or even longer to

have their treatment.

Oh, she knows all about that. 1 day a month, every month, I have to

go into the hospital for a full day of treatment.

Yeah, I know my dad has to do it and

that it’s good for him, but I still miss him!

Multiple myeloma can be hard to get rid of, but it may be possible to control it for a long

time with treatment.

Because of this, your dad will need to continue taking the multiple myeloma medicine for as

long as the doctor says.

He might always have to be on treatment. This can make it harder for

myeloma cells to start growing again.

Your dad may have lots of appointments at the doctor’s office or

hospital for blood tests and body scans so the doctors can keep an eye on him and make

sure the treatment is working.

Multiple myeloma medicines can cause side effects which may make

your dad feel tired or more likely to get an

infection.

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But…why did my dad get

multiple myeloma in the first place?

Doctors are unsure why some people get multiple myeloma

and others don’t, but it’s not something you can catch.

They also know that it’s NO ONE’S FAULT that your dad got multiple myeloma.

It just happened.

I’m glad there’s medicine and stuff

to help my dad, but…I want to help him too!

Isn’t there anything I can do to help?

Indeed, there is A LOT you can do to

help!For starters, people with

multiple myeloma, who are on treatment are more likely to

get sick from infections, like a cold or the flu.

You can help by making sure you do a good job at washing your hands, and if you

are sick, avoid hugging or touching your dad as much as you can so he doesn’t get sick.

99

Also, when your mum and dad are tired, it’d be

awesome if you helped out around the house!

Simple things like being a good listener and spending quality

time with your dad can be helpful, too.

And if everyone is feeling okay, I

find cuddles to be some of the best

medicine.

Me too!

ME TOO!

Stuff like keeping your room tidy, cleaning the bathroom,

folding laundry, washing dishes, and even helping your parents cook dinner

can be a HUGE HELP!

1010

The end!

A FEW DAYS LATER!

It’s important to remember to be

patient when your dad isn’t feeling great.

Thanks, Medikidz! I feel A LOT better now

that I understand my dad’s multiple myeloma!

And I feel a lot better not having to figure out how

to explain it!

You are both welcome.

During these times, you might not be able to do all the things you normally

enjoy as a family.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t still do fun stuff,

like drawing and painting, listening to music, doing sports, or

playing video games.

Even when your parents don’t feel great, they still want

to see YOU play, have fun, and be happy!

Now that I understand my dad’s multiple myeloma I know that there will be good days and bad days...

...Which makes me appreciate the good days, like this one, so much more!

1111

GLOSSARY

Bone marrow

Blood stem cell transplant

Multiple myeloma

Plasma cells

Platelets

Red blood cells

White blood cells

Bone marrow is the spongy centre of certain bones where new blood cells are made.

Doctors may use a procedure called a blood stem cell transplant, or bone marrow transplant, to plant new healthy cells in the bone marrow.

Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a type of blood cancer where the bone marrow makes too many plasma cells. Myeloma starts when a plasma cell becomes damaged and harmful. Harmful plasma cells are called myeloma cells. Myeloma cells grow out of control and build up in the bone marrow, causing problems for the body.

Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that normally help fight infections against invaders like bacteria and viruses.

Red blood cells travel in your blood vessels to transport oxygen from your lungs to all over the body.

There are many types of white blood cells in the body. White blood cells fight invaders like germs and help protect the body from things like infections.

Platelets clump together in blood clots to stop bleeds when you have a cut.

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ISBN XXXXXXXXXXXX

Editor In ChiefColumba Quigley, MD

Authors Kimberley Maxwell, PhD

Shawn deLoache

Art Editor11x17 Studios

ArtÁthila Fabbio (Pencils)

Israel Maia (Colors)Gabriela Cantagessi (Inks)

Jumo Health and its logo, Medikidz, In My Words, and In My Shoes are registered trademarks of Jumo Health, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with your health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care

must be made with a health care provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

© 2021 Jumo Health, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Understanding Understanding Multiple MyelomaMultiple Myeloma