I go every 4-5 weeks in Poole Hospital. The care there is first class.

Hi Tom
I had my SCT in February and even if given the choice would personally have not gone on any maintenance therapy.
I feel that my body has recovered well and my quality of life has been very good. I also feel that being (daily) drug-free now means that when a relapse does occur, my body will respond as positively as it did last time to…[Read more]

Hi Andy

I totally agree about the banana advice.

When I had my STC, my potassium levels plummeted and I was given those ghastly tablets.
I only took one and decided they were so vile I'd rather eat bananas to get my potassium levels up.

Consequently although rather naughty, I managed to dodge taking any more pills that were handed to me…[Read more]

Hi Jean

I don't remember feeling sick after CTD but wasn't too good during and just after STC.

Whenever I felt a bit queasy I kept sipping soda water. It seemed to settle my stomach.

It may help Frank.
🙂

Hi Phil

Fortunately I was only neutropenic for 4 days. As I said, the count did bob about a bit for a few days but as far as I know it started to climb VERY slowly after that. It was only 0.2 increase every month but always in the right direction.

You look as though you're a similar age to me so as I said, don't panic. It's very early days…[Read more]

Hi Phil
I had my SCT 9 months ago and can clearly remember the obsession with the neutrophil count.

I had my transplant on the 10th February and was then sent home until the count fell to 1. That turned out to be on 16th February when I was put in isolation. It held at 0 for only 2 days and I was given 2 GCSF injections on the 18th and 19th.…[Read more]

Hi Lizzy and welcome to what you've already discovered to be a brilliant forum.

I was diagnosed in May 2011 and had 6 cycles of CTD from June to November 2011.
Fortunately I had no kidney damage at all, but as a precaution was initially given allopurinol.
I had a red itchy rash start up after about a month. When I showed it to my specialist…[Read more]

Good news indeed.

I can remember the feeling of "no more holidays ever again" when I was first diagnosed but of course I now know that to be totally untrue.

We've been busy planning (and booking) lots of little holidays for 2013 already.

At the end of the day, you've just got to go for it while the goings good!
😀

Fortunately I had enough stem-cells for 2 transplants, so 2 bags of mine are frozen for (much) later use.
When I asked I think they said they'd be stored for 10 years. If I'm still bouncing around at that point without having used them I don't think there'd be any question of destroying them. There's just a "10 year storage space" rule I…[Read more]

That diagnosis must have come as quite a shock to you Helen!
Just as well you were on anti-biotics. From what I've read about whooping cough, that would have stopped you being infectious to others.

Hope you're better soon. 🙂

Michele x

Dear Dai

Well done on getting through such a rough patch. It makes my cold/cough that I'm coping with seem so trivial!

I really hope things will be on the improve for you again now.
Take care of yourself.
Love
Michele x

Hello Kerry and welcome to the forum.

After 14 years your mum's doing very well. Is she or has she been on Zometa or a similar drug used to strengthen the bones? I know this can be a cause of jaw/teeth problems and needs to be reported to your doctor or specialist so that they can help you.

Best Wishes
Michele

When I first started CTD I gave myself a Clexane injection every day due to the risk of clots when taking thalidomide.
After one cycle it was apparent that Clexane wasn't for me. It caused terrible bruising, red patches AND chest pains.
I was then on aspirin for the next 5 cycles which was fine.

I really hope the hospital can fix Charle's…[Read more]

Hi Tina

I had my SCT last February and most of my plans for what to take into hospital with me revolved around keeping myself amused and free from acute boredom!

With that in mind, although there'll be some days when you won't be able to concentrate on anything, I found my laptop a godsend, took my knitting in, a book, some puzzle magazines…[Read more]

Hi Mary

If your MIU is as good as the one in Poole Hospital, Charlie's in a good place as they will definitely keep a beady eye on him.

It will be good to find out more tomorrow. Make a list of questions you want to ask because when those doctors do their rounds they're fast. Keep them there until you're happy with answers and don't be…[Read more]

That's good news David. I'm glad to hear you've been "bailed" again.
Enjoy the autumn!!!!!!!

😀

Hi Mary

I wondered how you and Charlie were getting on.

It must have been very frightening for you and I'm glad Charlie is a lot better now. Had he been having any "funny turns" prior to collapsing?
It could be his body rebelling against the CDT cycles but you've also got to consider that it may be something not connected to his Myeloma at…[Read more]

A very interesting and encouraging little film.

Thankyou Jean.

Hello Tina

I can't help you with your radiotherapy question because I haven't ever had to have any, but I just want to say "well done" for doing so well with your stem cell harvesting.
It's a great feeling to know that there are two SCT's in the pipeline isn't it? 🙂

Great news Sarah. "Remission" is a wonderful word to us MM'ers.

😀