I’m in Little Rock Arkansas and although the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has a whole multiple myeloma department complete with brand new building, state of the art facility… I couldn’t get them to even acknowledge my PCPs request for an appointment. I waited, called, had my PCP call…it was very frustrating. And, it made me worry that this was the level of attention I would receive if I were a patient there.
So I made an appointment at CARTI…cancer treatment center. I was able to get in and my physician Hem/Onc doc, is well trained and seems quite competent. I am content to continue to wait and watch. I guess if this advances to smoldering multiple myeloma or certainly multiple myeloma I will have to weigh my options. I think I would probably go to the mayo clinic as a second opinion or transfer my treatment there. There are so many variables. So many people on this blog are very knowledgeable and I certainly am not so I learn from them. I read, but not enough to get overwhelmed. I watch my blood work and it has been very consistent. I have no M protein in my urine and my bones look good from the scans that they have done. That’s good enough for me right now!
I think it’s good to know that you’re not alone in this and that there are other people all over the country who are struggling with the same questions that we have. I read every post and every response and it helps me stay centered. I don’t want this to define me.

Best of luck! And thanks for your post.