It’s a shame to read that some patients have suffered undue pain during Bone Marrow Biopsy. I was diagnosed in October 2011 and have since received three BMBs. The first at Weston General Hospital and the other two at the Avon Haematology Centre in Bristol. On each occasion I was given local anaesthetic with great care. I was told what was going…[Read more]

Charlie

Very good to hear from you. I trust that like me the Revlimid is not giving you any great problems. I get slight constipation and runny tummy but both are minor and easily managed.

I trust your SCT was not too arduous. My Paraprotein was slow to go down to the plateau of 5 so maybe you will see further change. Even so, if you’re f…[Read more]

Hello

I’m sorry to hear about your husband who, reading your other posts, has had a rough time. I believe you are in the right place on Myeloma UK who publish some excellent guidance and provide this forum where you can express yourself and perhaps get some reassurance.

Looking at your questions I think you remain uncertain about the benefit o…[Read more]

Hi Graham

It’s disappointing to hear of your experiences. The comment from TonyF will no doubt give you some hope.

I wonder whether your experience has been with just one specific consultant and if so, maybe a change would be appropriate.

Like many others on this forum I’ve been able to get blood results when I’ve asked. Whilst I was recei…[Read more]

Grey

It’s refreshing to hear your views on travel insurance. In another thread I had published the fact that my wife and I currently accept insurance without myeloma being covered. Despite indicating that “This suits us but might not be appropriate for others”, it resulted in a stern comment from one contributor that such a strategy was wrong…[Read more]

Hi Jeff

Last year I attended the Infoday at Cardiff. I was most surprised to hear about the varying standards that patients seem to encounter.

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere on the forum, I rate Bristol very highly. Yes things do occasionally go awry such as my notes not arriving in time for my Zometa treatment but the staff are apologetic and s…[Read more]

Many thanks for your comments everyone.

Having taken some time out from the forum, I’m reminded that I’m not alone with this disease. Holidays are certainly possible although insurance can be an issue. Companies that claim to be “cancer friendly” don’t seem to be when you contact them. When I was first diagnosed, the consultant agreed that I…[Read more]

Hi David

Firstly excellent news on your other post – keep well.

I’m surprised about your DVT. Revlimid is known to carry a risk of thrombosis and so aspirin or Clexane is commonly prescribed. I’ve been on Revlimid both during initial treatment and now on maintenance and, since I have a “sensitive” stomach, I opted for Clexane. I was originally…[Read more]

As suggested, I’ve been able to reset my password without problems. As discussed elsewhere, my profile was empty. Having replaced it I needed to edit it. On trying to edit, the text seemed to disappear completely!

Also note that the link provided for renewal of Myeloma Matters in the routine letter no longer works. Presume you don’t want it…[Read more]

Hi Vicki

Great to read that Colin is now on the ward. No doubt today he will have his stem cells infused. The time will soon pass and he will be home again so keep cheerful. We've just come back from 2 weeks in Cyprus which just goes to prove that there is life after HDT&SCT !

Please give my best wishes to Colin and keep well…[Read more]

Truly wonderful news. I've been reading your thread and worrying about your joint ordeal. You've had an incredibly difficult time but your determination is an inspiration to us all. If I understand you correctly, like me, you found the staff at Southmead to be amazing.

Colin will indeed be exhausted from his efforts and I add my hope that he…[Read more]

Hello Amanda

Like your husband, I'm also on the Myeloma XI trial. I've just completed High Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant and was discharged on 18th July. I must now wait until day 100 to see how well I've responded to treatment and whether I'm to be randomised for maintenance therapy.

As Eve has said, each patient's response to…[Read more]

Hi Tina

Like you I'm on the Myeloma XI trial and was discharged from hospital on 18th July following High Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant.

It would seem that you are being admitted for Cyclopriming. This is a fairly large dose of Cyclophosphamide which will give your stem cells a kick start. It is common for this to be administered…[Read more]

Hello Dai

Neutrophyls 0 for 11th to 15th. 0.03 on 16th, 0.38 on 17th, and 2.22 on 18th.

I guess you win your bet. I win being home!

Best wishes and keep well

Stephen

This will be my last entry on this discussion as, yesterday, I was discharged from hospital and allowed to come home. 16 nights is hardly a record but certainly below the norm.

During my isolation I was provided prints of my blood tests on a daily basis. It was fascinating to watch them deteriorate due to the melphalan but even more amazing…[Read more]

It's probably worth me providing a brief update: Today is day 12 since I was admitted and I should now be in the "low point". Yes my neutrophils and platelets have gone right down but I'm coping quite well. I got a brief temperature "spike" which prompted the medical team to give me anti-biotics and now my platelet count at 5 will result in me…[Read more]

Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words and (importantly) for the humour. It is most encouraging to know that others have had similar experiences to mine and that I can communicate with you as needed.

I encourage anyone embarking on such treatment to similarly use the forum.

Thanks everyone and keep well

Stephen