Tag Archive for: Yu Mee Song

How to Access Myeloma Financial Resources

How to Access Myeloma Financial Resources from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

If you need help paying for myeloma care, where do you start? Yu Mee Song, an oncology social worker, reviews several resources, including copay assistance programs and advocacy groups.

Yu Mee Song, LCSW, OSW-C is a Social Work Program Coordinator at the Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. Learn more about Yu Mee Song.

See More From Thrive CAR T-Cell Therapy

Related Resources:

360 Myeloma Care: How Can a Social Worker Help

360 Myeloma Care | How Can a Social Worker Help?

The Value of Myeloma Support Groups and How to Join

The Value of Myeloma Support Groups and How to Join

Is There Financial Assistance for Myeloma Patients

Is There Financial Assistance for Myeloma Patients?

Transcript:

Katherine Banwell:

Yu Mee, many of the newer myeloma therapies can be quite costly. If a patient is seeking financial support, where would you suggest they start? 

Yu Mee Song:

Many of the pharmaceutical companies provide financial assistance  if you meet their eligibility criteria.   

So, you can start there with – with the help of your oncology social worker. There are other great organizations that provide a significant  copay assistance and also  reimbursement with your insurance premiums and coinsurance. Some of the ones that we use often are, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, HealthWell Foundation is another great organization, PAN F is another organization that provide copay assistance, and P-A-F Copay Relief Foundation.  

Katherine Banwell:

Okay. And, uh – uh, you as a social worker would have that information for a patient to – to direct them in the – the right path. 

Yu Mee Song:

Yes. Yeah. Because they would also need assistance from us and the physician, verifying certain – that they’re in treatment.  

 Katherine Banwell:

Right. Yeah. That makes sense. 

The Value of Myeloma Support Groups and How to Join

The Value of Myeloma Support Groups and How to Join from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

How might joining a support group benefit you when coping with a myeloma diagnosis? Yu Mee Song, an oncology social worker, discusses the value in peer-to-peer connection and shares tips and resources for finding a support group.

Yu Mee Song, LCSW, OSW-C is a Social Work Program Coordinator at the Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. Learn more about Yu Mee Song.

See More From Thrive CAR T-Cell Therapy

Related Resources:

360 Myeloma Care: How Can a Social Worker Help

360 Myeloma Care | How Can a Social Worker Help?

How Can Myeloma Patients Cope With Fatigue

How Can Myeloma Patients Cope with Fatigue?

How to Access Myeloma Financial Resources

How to Access Myeloma Financial Resources

Transcript:

Katherine Banwell:

Yu Mee, what is the value of myeloma support groups? And how would you encourage someone to join if they’re hesitant? 

Yu Mee Song:

So, it’s – it’s – it’s not for everyone. And you may need to try more than one support group to find the one that’s a good fit for you. But it does provide a sense of belonging and the decreased feeling of isolation, like you’re going through this alone, to be in a group with others who – who kind of – who get you. And I’ve had a lot of people say, you know, it’s really , really hard to talk about this – what I’m going through – with my friends or family they just don’t get it. And it’s so good to see – and  we facilitate some groups here for newcomers to join. And as soon as they, you know, speak about something and the whole group chimes in and, yes, we know what you’re going through and give their – share their story and their experience. And it’s so inspiring and encouraging for them. 

Katherine Banwell:

Yeah. It’s incredibly valuable.  

Yu Mee Song:

They share all sorts of tips on things like side effects and – or how to – how to talk to your doctor about something if you’re uncomfortable bringing it up or, um, even asking for help about, um, you know, for counseling or more emotional support that you may be embarrassed to ask about.  

Katherine Banwell:

How would a newly diagnosed myeloma patient find out about something like a peer-group session or peer support? 

Yu Mee Song:

There may be some local. But now there are many national organizations that you can tap into. I would start, again, like, ask – speaking with your oncology social worker. But I would start with some of the national organizations like Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, International Myeloma Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, platforms like this the Patient Empowerment Network, or HealthTree.  

So, if you start with any of the big myeloma organizations, they can help guide you. There are patient navigators that can kind of guide to your – provide guidance to what you’re looking for, whether it’s peer-to-peer support, support group, or other resources.  

Advice for Myeloma Patients Undergoing CAR T-Cell Therapy

Advice for Myeloma Patients Undergoing CAR T-Cell Therapy from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

How can patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy be prepared? Yu Mee Song, an oncology social worker, shares three key pieces of advice for patients and care partners getting ready for CAR T-cell therapy.

Yu Mee Song, LCSW, OSW-C is a Social Work Program Coordinator at the Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. Learn more about Yu Mee Song.

See More From Thrive CAR T-Cell Therapy

Related Resources:

Considering CAR T-Cell Therapy for Myeloma_ Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Considering CAR T-Cell Therapy For Myeloma? Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor.

The Value of Myeloma Support Groups and How to Join

The Value of Myeloma Support Groups and How to Join

How to Access Myeloma Financial Resources

How to Access Myeloma Financial Resources

Transcript:

Katherine Banwell:

For patients who are considering CAR T-cell therapy, what three key pieces of advice would you have for them?  

Yu Mee Song:

I think it’s really important to have someone accompany you to maybe the initial consultation.  

Or if they can’t physically be with you to have them available by phone or to listen in on a conference call because there’s so much information that’s provided. It’s – it’s a multi-step, complicated process, so it’s good to have a – another set of ears helping you to stay organized, take notes maybe, keep a calendar.  

Another thing is to plan ahead. Plan for time away from work. You may need to apply for FMLA. If you are a caregiver of young children or older parents, make arrangements for that. Especially if you live a distance from the treatment center, you may need to stay  close to the hospital for a couple of weeks after your discharge for your CAR T-cell infusion.  

Katherine Banwell:

Yeah.  

Yu Mee Song:

And then I would say another tip is to stay connected to home, so there are many online forums that you can use to – for – for your friends and family to provide support in that way and for you to share information. And maybe bring pictures or something cozy from home to remind you of home because you will be – be away for some time.  

360 Myeloma Care | How Can a Social Worker Help?

360 Myeloma Care | How Can a Social Worker Help? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

When coping with a myeloma diagnosis, how can a social worker support you in your care? Yu Mee Song provides an overview of the role of a social worker in myeloma care and discusses the importance of speaking up about emotional issues and beyond.

Yu Mee Song, LCSW, OSW-C is a Social Work Program Coordinator at the Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. Learn more about Yu Mee Song.

See More From Thrive CAR T-Cell Therapy

Related Resources:

How Can a Social Worker Help CAR T-Cell Therapy Care Partners

How Can A Social Worker Help CAR T-Cell Therapy Care Partners?

The Value of Myeloma Support Groups and How to Join

The Value of Myeloma Support Groups and How to Join

How to Access Myeloma Financial Resources

How to Access Myeloma Financial Resources

Transcript:

Yu Mee Song:

My name is Yu Mee Song. I am, a social work program coordinator in the Multiple Myeloma Program at Mount Sinai Hospital.  

Katherine Banwell:

Excellent.  

Yu Mee Song:

Thank you for having me.  

Katherine Banwell:

Thank you for joining us. Can you tell us more about the role of a social worker as it relates to myeloma care?  

Yu Mee Song:

First of all, I feel very, very fortunate to be working in the myeloma program amongst world-renowned myeloma specialists with a team of nurse practitioners, nurses, transplant and CAR T coordinators, patient navigators.  

And our social work team is a team of five. And we can receive referrals from any of these team members at any point in a patient’s journey, from the moment of diagnosis throughout their treatment trajectory in both the inpatient and the outpatient settings for emotional needs and support to practical needs. 

Katherine Banwell:

Yu Mee, when a myeloma patient comes to see you for the first time, what are some common concerns they might be having? 

Yu Mee Song:

That really depends on the – on the patient and – and where they are in their life situation when they’re diagnosed. You know, if they’re working, they may have considerations about reducing work or not working or not being able to. A lot of practical concerns, maybe the first issue that they have to deal with such as transportation and getting to and from the cancer center now three times a week, or navigating the healthcare system for the first time in their life, and insurance or just coping with the fact that you’re now dealing with the diagnosis of myeloma and what does that mean and how are you adjusting to this? So, it really varies.  

Katherine Banwell:

If patients are facing emotional issues, why is important for them to speak about it? And – and what support is available for them? 

Yu Mee Song:

That’s – that’s a great question that I always like to stress the importance of to the patients and also the caregivers because they’re usually the ones that first notice any changes, maybe in their mood or the emotional state.  

If you’re holding things in, you’re, you know, feeling like you’re alone in this fight or your fears of what might happen, that can increase your anxiety, it might lead to depression.  

So, it’s really important to speak about it, ask your care team about it. It may be as simple as, you know, that’s a side effect of a medication that you’re on, and maybe we can reduce the dose or maybe we can tell you to take it at a different time of day. 

And that’s so helpful to know that.  

There may be help for you. You may be referred to a mental health professional, support groups, and would also improve your – your relationships within your family because obviously your emotional state it’s – it, you know, myeloma is just not impacting you but all of the loved – people around you.  

Katherine Banwell:

That leads us into the next question. Some patients don’t have a partner to help them go through this – this journey with their myeloma. So, do you have any suggestions for how myeloma patients can find support and where? 

Yu Mee Song:

I would say, first start with asking your care team or ask – speaking with an oncology social worker. Support doesn’t necessarily mean your – your partner. It can be in the form of support groups that are either in-person, there are many groups online.  

It could be a peer – one-on-one peer support. Someone who’s gone through what you’ve gone through.