From Medspoke: An Interview with Myeloma Patient Tom Burnett and Care Partner Lynn Burnett (https://www.myeloma.org/audio/medspoke-interview-myeloma-patient-tom-burnett-care-partner-lynn-burnett)
Medspoke Interviews Multiple Myeloma Patient Tom Burnett and Care Partner Lynn Burnett at the 2025 IMF Patient and Family Seminar in Los Angeles
When Tom Burnett was diagnosed with multiple myeloma seven years ago, he and his wife, Lynn, were suddenly faced with a new reality. Like many families, they felt the weight of the diagnosis. Yet, they also discovered something powerful: the strength of community, expert care, and the resilience to keep moving forward.
In this podcast, Tom and Lynn share:
- Why staying connected to the IMF and its seminars has given them knowledge and hope.
- How both patients and care partners (or caregivers) can find support through groups and resources.
- The importance of staying busy, staying positive, and practicing self-care.
- Their message to others: keep going, don’t give up—help is always out there.
Tom’s determination and Lynn’s perspective as a care partner remind us that no one walks this path alone. Their story is filled with honesty, resilience, and encouragement for anyone touched by myeloma.
Anna: We'll ask you both to introduce yourselves to start us off.
Tom: Okay. I'm Tom Burnett, diagnosed with multiple myeloma about seven years now. My wife, Lynn, and caregiver.
Lynn: I'm Lynn Burnett, and I'm the caregiver.
Anna: Awesome. And what inspired you to come to the LA patient and family seminar today?
Anna: We'll ask you both to introduce yourselves to start us off.
Tom: Okay. I'm Tom Burnett, diagnosed with multiple myeloma about seven years now. My wife, Lynn, and caregiver.
Lynn: I'm Lynn Burnett, and I'm the caregiver.
Anna: Awesome. And what inspired you to come to the LA patient and family seminar today?
Tom: This is our second time. Latest information is here. Great doctors. You learn a lot coming here.
Anna: Awesome. And how has the myeloma community supported you in in both of your journeys?
Tom: IMF's a big help. If you have a question, they're there whenever you want. They're, they're on top of the latest good people.
Anna: Awesome.
Tom: Yeah. Very helpful.
Lynn: And I go to the Cancer Westlake Community Center. They have a caregiver group, and they have a lot of classes, and it's just wonderful there.
Anna: That's great. And what message would you share with others living with multiple myeloma?
Tom: It's a hard hit when you first hear those words, but there's a lot of community out there, a lot of help, great doctors. It's not the end of the line by any means.
Anna: That's a great message. And what gives you strength on those harder days?
Tom: That's tough. Some hard days, you know, you just don't wanna move. You just wanna hang back. I'm one of those people that I like to be busy all the time. If I'm, if I have a chance to do something, I try to do it. I'd rather be busy feeling lousy than just sitting there. So just keep going. Keep going.
Lynn: And I just learned to get into action, and self care is really important.
Anna: Absolutely. And is there anything else we didn't touch on today that you'd like to share or discuss?
Tom: No. Not really. Just, keep going and don't give up. There's lots of people to help you.
Anna: That's a great message.
Lynn: Staying positive.
Anna: For sure. Well, thank you both so much. I really appreciate you taking the time.
Lynn: This is our second time. Latest information is here. Great doctors. You learn a lot coming here.
Anna: Awesome. And how has the myeloma community supported you in in both of your journeys?
Tom: IMF's a big help. If you have a question, they're there whenever you want. They're, they're on top of the latest good people.
Anna: Awesome.
Tom: Yeah. Very helpful.
Lynn: And I go to the Cancer Westlake Community Center. They have a caregiver group, and they have a lot of classes, and it's just wonderful there.
Anna: That's great. And what message would you share with others living with multiple myeloma?
Tom: It's a hard hit when you first hear those words, but there's a lot of community out there, a lot of help, great doctors. It's not the end of the line by any means.
Anna: That's a great message. And what gives you strength on those harder days?
Tom: That's tough. Some hard days, you know, you just don't wanna move. You just wanna hang back. I'm one of those people that I like to be busy all the time. If I'm, if I have a chance to do something, I try to do it. I'd rather be busy feeling lousy than just sitting there. So just keep going. Keep going.
Lynn: And I just learned to get into action, and self care is really important.
Anna: Absolutely. And is there anything else we didn't touch on today that you'd like to share or discuss?
Tom: No. Not really. Just, keep going and don't give up. There's lots of people to help you.
Anna: That's a great message.
Lynn: Staying positive.
Anna: For sure. Well, thank you both so much. I really appreciate you taking the time.