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Your journey with WM

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, have been on active monitoring for a while or have just been told you need some treatment, we’re here to help. Your journey with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia will be entirely personal to you, but we’ve tried to make this section as easy to navigate as possible so you can jump straight in and find the information you need, depending on where on your journey you are.

Women having fun during a hike in the forest
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Your journey start

What is WM?

Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a rare blood cancer and although its presence will be life long, life can continue to be rewarding for those of us that live alongside WM. We understand that your journey will be unique, and you will inevitably face ups and downs along the way.

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Newly
diagnosed

If you’ve just been diagnosed, or your clinician has mentioned WM and you’re looking for information, this is the section for you. You can find out everything you need to know about WM (without overloading yourself). We also have a Newly Diagnosed Support Group to offer support at the beginning of your WM journey.

After your diagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis can be overwhelming and we know it can be a worrying time for you and your family. What happens next is dependent on many factors which your consultant will discuss with you, but here’s an overview of what may happen next.

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I'm on active monitoring

Active monitoring, or ‘watch and wait’ is when your WM is manageable and not in need of treatment or intervention and is monitored regularly by your healthcare team. Find out more about what active monitoring is and why it may have been recommended for you.

Treatment options

Just as every one of us is different, the best course of treatment will vary from person to person depending on a number of factors. Find out more about the different treatment options available for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia and what might be involved.

Following treatment

Knowing what to expect in the days, weeks and months after treatment can be a difficult time whilst your body is responding and coping with the side effects. Find out more about how you’ll be monitored and what to expect following treatment.

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Treatment

Relapse

Whilst treatments can lessen and even eliminate the symptoms of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia for many years, unfortunately there is no cure and you’ll still be regularly monitored. Relapse can be detected before you may even feel unwell, so it’s important to attend your appointments regularly.

End of treatment

Whilst there are more treatments available to Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia patients now, some people are unable to tolerate certain treatments, and some are dependent on your physical health, age, and other factors. What happens when you run out of treatment options.

Living well with WM

Like any diagnosis, being told you are living with a rare cancer can be a shock. We’re here to support you every step of the way – and it’s important to learn to live well with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia. We hope these pages give you a little insight into just how you can lead a healthy and active life with your new diagnosis.

WM patient, Vern, out on a hike in the countryside and smiling
After treatment
WM patient, Rebecca, with a male companion smiling outside while walking in green fields
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We're here for you

Our Support Line will be open on Monday 9am-2pm and Thursday 1pm – 5pm – the number is 0300 373 8500. If you require support outside of those times, please email support@wmuk.org.uk we aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours.

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