Thanks Ali and Theresa
Wednesday is D day barring further acts of god!
Love Helen

Dear Teresa
Poor Peter, and you, it must be very difficult, I'm sending you lots of hope that pain control is reached very soon. Don't worry about replying to post, just know we think of you.

A fried garden:-) I'm going to photograph the jungle that has grown here recently due to the monsoon type weather we've had. It is so lush and green, but…[Read more]

Oh dear Dai,
Hope you are soon back on your feet.
Love Helen

Hi Gary
As Tom said, same for me, many problems with food staying down so I took the anti sickness tablets and the omeprazole for months after my transplant, I've not lost that much weight but haven't put any on either. Only bland food worked for me at the beginning and there are still many things that I can't eat and the sight and smell of some…[Read more]

Hi Dee
At the beginning, while you get used to the drugs you are not fit to do much really. It's exhausting and anything feels like an effort. You also are coming to terms with the shock of your diagnosis and the effect it is going to have on life as you know it. From now on he will be a different person. He will be taking stock, prioritising and…[Read more]

Hi Ali
Yes I go back on a phased return thankfully. I'm not good at sleeping at the best of times but when ive been ill i sleep during the day more, i think its about having done lots of night duty in the past:-( but the revlimid I'm on as maintenance is on its own, no dex- that's the one which keeps you awake, so I find I sleep well enough if I…[Read more]

Hi David
Do you have much time to do this? My idea may take a while but it is special.
I suggest you buy, make, steal, borrow or invent a small gift for every year which matches with the years.
For example anniversaries have names, this will be your golden.
1st year is paper then there is leather ,tin, copper, china, pearl, silver etc
So for…[Read more]

Hi Ali
I'm much better now thanks, Though back to sleeping all day and awake all night, got to start sorting that out again! Thanks for the compliment too:-)
Love Helen

Hi Andy
Myeloma clinic, always a Tuesday, multi disciplinary, ask as you get to the desk to see Prof Jackson, be prepared to wait a long time sometimes. Parking is horrible, get dropped at the door by someone athletic enough to walk back over the site when they eventually find a space. Coffee shop is ok though let us know when you go.
Love Helen

Hi Wendy,
Good photo, where's the new hair then eh? I'm amazed you were back at work at 2 months post SCT. I'm now aiming for my third attempt at going back, having had all those horrible infections and being signed off again and again, anyway onwards as Tom says. And you are right, retirement may not be a financial option, i did request a…[Read more]

Hi Andy
Well I'll see you in the waiting room at the Freeman then, Tuesday mornings. I had Rev, Dex and cyclophos for my induction therapy, hope it works for you.
Love Helen

Hello Dee
Every one is different, he will only get what they think he needs to reduce the cancer cells to the lowest level. He is a year younger than me, I had 4 cycles initially. A bone marrow biopsy then showed complete remission. So I went on to have auto stem cell transplant, as he may well do if he has a good result and his kidney function…[Read more]

Hi Eve
It's going in the right direction now, let's hope he continues, keep those plates coming:-)
Love Helen

I do like to hear good news Wendy, and no going back for 3 months is great, hows the new hair? And did you go back to work?
Love Helen

Hi Eve
I know it is hard, it is a measure of your love that you care so much. I've never gone back to my pre transplant weight and lost several kilos last week, I'm very aware of my family subtly offering chocolate and scones etc which I just don't feel like eating. 🙁 As long as he has the fluids and enjoys what he does eat then it will…[Read more]

Hi Alison
I'm just about 11 months post SCT and have had my first hair cut since loosing mine. I found it quite devastating, wore the wig for a few months but never felt secure in it, dreaded a high wind in case it flew off!:-0 I hope all goes well with your mums transplant,soon it will all be done.
Love Helen

Hi Tom
I missed this one too, really great news for both of you. Nice to get double good news, and birthday wishes;-)
Love Helen

Hi Dee
You are having a bad time of it. The chemotherapy usually is a few drugs which work together to help reduce the volume of myeloma cells in the bones. You take them for about 3-4 weeks each cycle. Sometimes they are oral drugs or a mixture of oral and intravenous ones. Depending on what he is on and how well they work, he will have about…[Read more]

Thank you Elizabeth
Love Helen

Hi Elizabeth
That is great news for you, carry on like that.
Love Helen