It's been a process for me. First comes lab results for tests done for a totally different issue which reveals "abnormalities". So you get the recommendation to see an oncologist. Which, for most of us, is the same as getting a death sentence. You see an oncologist, get more blood tests, and are diagnosed with Asymptomatic or Smoldering Myeloma. You're told it's not quite cancer but ... and are given information regarding SM including the big one: the % chance it might progress to Multiple Myeloma each year. So you're started on quarterly blood/urine tests, perhaps have a full body x-ray and/or a PET CT scan. Your results may be stable or show degradation. At first I obsessed that I had SM but now I live with it stress-free. It's out of my hands except for trying to live as healthy as I can. Best to you.