Waiting for the Beat to Drop: Smoldering Myeloma, Purpose & the Power of the Wait

What happens when you’re diagnosed with cancer—but instead of immediately starting treatment, you’re told to wait and be monitored?

For people living with smoldering multiple myeloma, that uncertainty can become part of everyday life.

In this episode of Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, Oya Gilbert sits down with Eric Blackburn, a Gulf War veteran, husband, father and patient advocate living with smoldering multiple myeloma.

Eric gets real about the emotional weight of his diagnosis, depression, military culture, toxic exposures, learning to listen to his body and the decision to turn uncertainty into purpose.

He also takes us inside his recent journey to Iceland, where he participated in the International Myeloma Foundation’s Iceland Cycling Expedition in support of myeloma research.

Along the way, Eric shares a powerful perspective:

🔥 Waiting doesn’t have to mean standing still.

The conversation explores early detection, veteran health, mental health, patient advocacy, the evolving future of myeloma treatment and what happens when we stop looking at waiting as lost time—and start asking what we can do with the time we’ve been given.

In this episode:

• Living with smoldering multiple myeloma • Active monitoring and the uncertainty of waiting • Gulf War service, toxic exposures and veteran health • Depression, vulnerability and men asking for help • Why patients need a seat at the table • Early detection and myeloma research • Cycling through Iceland to support myeloma research • Finding purpose after diagnosis • Why men need to listen to their bodies—and act

Sometimes there is power in the wait.

Waiting does not mean standing still.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vhTrFSv8SN0

This episode is supported by Johnson & Johnson, Legend Biotech and Pfizer.