[CarolBradley1Participant]

Thanks Joe
Lets hope you continue and have a good long run!!!
Thank you so much for the kind thoughts it has really helped me accept everything and just get on with it – there are such lovely people on this site.
Best wishes,
love Carol xxxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Thanks Charlotte
Have cheered up a lot now after all the smashind messages.In fact, I feel a bit of a wimp when I think I have at least had a year off aggressive treatment when so many people are so ill and still waiting for doners etc.
Anyway treatment going better than thought it wouldbe sofarso good!

Love and many thanks for the"cheer" up
love Carol xxxxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi to you all
Thank you so much for your very kind thoughts – much appreciated. I knew it was back really by the fatigue and pain levels but we always hope for the best don't we?
Had Hickman in yesterday and will start chemo (PAD) on Monday so may not be on 'air' for a little while!

Best wishes to you all and fingers crossed that we don't have any more news like this too soon.
Chins up!!

Love Carol xxxxxxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi & Thanks so much Helen

As you can probably tell by the time of my reply I am on DEX and wide awake and twitchy!
Keep well you too.
Love Carol xxxxxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi Joe
Many thanks and lets keep thinking that yours is going to go on for years to come so relax and enjoy!!
I have heard from a lady in America who was diagnosed thirteen years ago and is still going strong, so it does happen.
Take good care of yourself
Love Carol xxxxxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi Keith
Many thanks for the prompt reply – especially when you are going through the mill at present and over past years.
The general information is great but I suppose just hearing from someone in a similar position helps me to treat the situation in a calmer fashion too!
I'm very reticent about another transplant as mine didn't go too well and I spent a month in isolation and only GMX got the little stem cells moving again and I never seemed to ever get over the 'frail' stage properly.
Anyway, many thanks once again and best of luck with your results on Thursday my fingers are crossed for you.
Very Best Wishes Carol xxxxxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi Anne
So sorry to hear your rotten news – I do understand how very distressed you must be feeling – especially in view of your young family.

I was diagnosed in 2005 and didn´t neet treatment for five years during which time they monitored me and helped with the anemia. I have had chemo and stem cell transplant during the last two years and am recovering well. None of it was anywhere as bad as I had imagined (honestly) and this website was a great help in preparing myself for what was involved and how to manage the practical side of things.

The new drugs are improving all the time and life expectancy too so please only read the POSITIVE and keep looking forward – that´s how you will beat it. When you feel down try to talk to people like the lovely ones on this site and your medical team who understand what you are going though as they have either been through it themselves or cared for someone who has.

A big hug and prayers for you and your family

Love Carol

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi Cathy

Just a quick message to let you know that we are thinking of you both and just hoping that Ivan "turns the corner" soon. As everyone keep saying we really all different and my husband remember well the panick setting in as day 28 in isolation, feeling rotten and having constant infections conditions with absolutely no improvement in the neutrophil level. Even my own nurse was looking a bit dejected but within a few days I turned my own personal corner and the bloods improved enough for me to go home – amazing once they picked up how quickly things improved.
Just hoping the same happens for Ivan very soon and that you are both home together again. You´r doing a truly amazing job Cathy and we all know how brave you are to keep putting your little smile on as you walk through the door.
Hope you don´t mind but I have asked for prayers for you (everything helps and the more people thinking of you both and sending you good thoughts the better!)
Very best wishes, love Carol xxxxxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi Cathy
Sorry I´m rather late in reading your post and am really sorry that you are feeling so worried – often it´s hard for those who have to watch loved ones go through this process.
It´s quite normal to feel rotten for a while I´m afraid but at least it´s making the cancer cells feel rotten too so it´s not all bad. I was really poorly with sickness and to be honest seemed to be stuck in the bathroom for about 22 days of the 29 days I was in isolation. My lovely husband was really alarmed that I could only get a tiny mouthful of the lovely titbits and favourite foods he brought in but the little bits I did eat kept me going and were really appreciated.
Everyone is different and it sounds like your doing a great job of supporting and caring for your poor hubby. Don´t be too upset if he just wants to sleep and sleep – many of us found that for a few days at least everything just drifted by for a while as our bodies dealt with everything.

Try to think of everything as the next difficult step on his way to remission and recovery and that it´s a positive time (very hard I know).

Best wishes to you both at this really difficult time and please feel free to ask ANYTHING at all. It´s not nice to arrive home after visiting and wanting answers and a chat to people who understand and have practical experience of going through it. This site is full of lovely people who are just waiting to help and support you so please make full use of us.
Love and prayers for you both
Carol xxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi Paul
So very pleased to hear that you have had your STC and can´t believe they let you loose after only sixteen days – fantastic!
Hope your taking things easy and building yourself up – only once a week to the disco for a while I´m afraid.

Take good care

Very best wishes

Carol xxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Yipee!!!!!
So pleased for you both and thank you so much for sharing it with us all. It really helps to boost us I am sure to hear such super news.
Have a lovely trip.
Best wishes
Carol

[CarolBradley1Participant]

So glad to hear that things are going well.

Take care and very best wishes

Carol

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi Ange
Just wanted to welcome you although I am so sorry that we all have to meet this way. I was diagnosed in 2005 and after chemotherapy and stem cell transplant I have recuperated quite well and am back doing most of the things I used to. Hope this gives you some encouragement.
This is a great site with such lovely people who are always willing to share their knowledge and personal experience so please do ask whatever you wish as I am sure there will be someone who knows at least a little about it. When I felt unwell before my transplant this site was also very, very supportive when I felt a bit "down" and didn´t want to burden my family any more than they already were.

Kind regards
Carol

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi Mike

I remember that feeling of limbo very well. I think a lot of it was shock in my case and I used to feel sick with worry for a week before every appointment with my specialist – as things settle down though and we got to learn more and more about what was going on we got into the routine and things seems less chaotic.
Please don´t feel guilty about the trolly – I wish I had know how to avoid the back problems before mine developed as I could have saved myself a lot of pain and time spent in MRI , CTC scanners amd having exrays done!
You take care and let us know how you get on when you have time.
Best of luck
Carol xxxx

[CarolBradley1Participant]

Hi Beverly
Sorry that I am late in replying but a very big and warm welcome although I wish we could have met in a different way.

I was diagnosed with smouldering myeloma in 2005 and did not require treatment (other than for anemia) until 2010. After chemo and a stem cell transplant I am still getting stronger every week and am now horseriding again and doing my own housework etc!

You could be lucky and go on for years and years smouldering away without developing anything further so chin up!
This is a great website and the lovely people here always understand when we are upset or down and between us we seem to have tons of experiences to share too.

Very best wishes
love Carol xxxxx

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