Recently, the IWMF Oregon & SW Washington Support Group met with Margaret Martin, RD, Manager of Nutrition Education for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). The presentation topic was Nutrition: Fuel for Your Body.

Patients and their caregivers may receive a free one-on-one phone consultation with one of LLS’s registered dietitians who have expertise in oncology nutrition.

Telephone consultations are available to patients and caregivers in the United States and Canada only. If you live outside the United States or Canada, email

Nutrition@LLS.org to connect with a dietitian via email.

This Sunday will be the inaugural meeting of the new IWMF Specialty Support Group, designed especially for those navigating the watch and wait stage of WM (Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia) and MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance). 

Whether you are currently asymptomatic or have been managing symptoms often associated with early stages of WM and MGUS progression (such as anemia and fatigue), this gathering presents a unique opportunity to connect with individuals who, like you, are seeking support and guidance on “what comes next” and how to effectively manage this new chapter in your life.

 Jeanne Hartig, hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, first encountered the term watch and wait when she was diagnosed with WM in May of 2023. “I’ve come to realize,” she said, “that for those of us who are asymptomatic or are trying to manage the early stages of these conditions, the phrase watch and wait often translates to watch, wait, and worry, I am constantly wondering if the next scan, bloodwork result, or new symptom will signal that my condition has changed—and what that means as I look to the future.”

“I thought the T’ai Chi class was excellent. I liked that he centered on just a couple of exercises so we can become familiar with them as a basis to build on.” – Kimberley, after our February class. 

Join Rami Rones to safely explore the ancient mind-body therapies of T’ai Chi and Qi Gong. Slow, low-impact movements can increase muscle mass and bone density, ease aches and pains, gently stretch muscles, and improve your balance. Reach out to Ann Grace if you would like the Zoom invitation or recording at anngrace@iwmf.com.

“It’s nearly bedtime here in London, so I’m wonderfully relaxed and ready for sleep! I usually have trouble stopping my mind rushing around all the time. I feel wonderfully calm.” –Joy, after our February practice.

Yoga Nidra has been shown to decrease stress levels, improve sleep quality, elevate well-being, and increase the mindfulness of the participants. Practice this guided relaxation while lying down on a bed or on a couch. Reach out to anngrace@iwmf.com to receive our Zoom invitation and follow-up recordings.