My collar bone fractured due to the myeloma gremlins chewing through it on 31 March this year and I was admitted to Ealing Hospital London. Because it was a pathological fracture (no fall etc etc) they immediately started tests, blood, urine, CT scan (looking for other primary cancers) MRI scan, skeletal survey and bone marrow biopsy. Within days they started muttering about this cancer i had never heard about called multiple myeloma. Haemotology consultant appeared around 4 April suggesting myeloma. Bone marrow biopsy confirmation came on 11 April. 12 days from fracture to diagnosis and I have no other symptoms-AMAZING! Now I know people knock the NHS and disparage Ealing Hospital, but in my 3 weeks there and subsequent treatment with radiotherapy at Charing Cross and now the CTD (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone) drug treatment I have only praise for the whole system. If I were home in Australia there is no way I would have received this service free via our public health system. I think it is time for you to stand up and shout loudly….or try tears-they work too sometimes! Excuse the wordy reply but today is a 20 steroid tablet day….can't shut me up even on the iPad!
