Oh dear, sickness on top of everything else, how terrible:-(

Phil had his first cycle cut short as they were worried about the lesion on his right leg causing the leg to fracture. He missed his last two Velcade injections of cycle one as he was admitted to hospital to have the right leg pinned (Phil prefers the term nailed as he thinks it…[Read more]

Hi Trish,

I am so sorry to hear that it is chicken pox plus a virus, no wonder Peter has felt so poorly. I hope the antibiotics and anti virals help Peter to start feeling better soon and then the 2nd cycle can get started. I know from our own experience that a delay in the cycle starting is not a problem as it is more important to be well…[Read more]

Hi Pat,

Glad I could help. We read about it halfway through Phil's Velcade treatment but Phil does not drink green tea so it did not apply for him but we did wonder what else we had not been told by the hospital?? With the meds you bring home you can read the leaflets in the box but anything administered by the hospital you have to rely on…[Read more]

Peter,

That is wonderful news, long may it continue.

Megan and Phil

Hi Jean,

I am so sorry to hear Frank has got a rash on top of everything else. Every time Phil was given platelets the nurse did warn him that a possible side effect of the transfusion might be a rash, luckily Phil avoided this particular side effect but I do think it is normal. It is a long journey while Frank is in the hospital but one day…[Read more]

Hi Pat,

I am sure I read somewhere that you should not drink green tea while on Velcade, I think this may be because it counter acts the effects of the drug but I am not 100% sure. You may want to check with the hospital or call the Myeloma info line to be sure or some one else on the forum may know. I was glad to read the good news about…[Read more]

Hi Louise,

Phil was like your Dad, he managed to eat a little bit every day while he was in hospital but he did not enjoy it! Phil's upset stomach was quite bad for about seven days and then, although it got better, there was still an unpredictable nature of when he would need to dash to the loo for about another month but everything has…[Read more]

Hi Sarah,

I hope your hand is healing well?

Phil and I are doing well adjusting to our new normal. Phil has stayed infection free since he has come home and the fatigue is becoming less of a problem as the days pass. Phil still has pain in his ribs, back and legs but this is not as bad as it was last year. We are waiting for a consult with…[Read more]

Hi Louise,

I am glad to hear Garry(Dad)has turned the corner, it is a great feeling, isn't it?:-) I wouldn't worry too much about the blood transfusion delaying his return home. For Phil the important blood count for discharge from the hospital was the neutrophils, while he was in hospital he had a couple of platelet transfusions but once he…[Read more]

Hi Jean,

If you are anything like I was I worried when I was at the hospital and I worried when I was at home!:-D

I'm glad you found Phil's journey post useful, it does help show that things will get better, it just takes time. I remember when I wrote some of the posts thinking that the stay in hospital would never end and that I just…[Read more]

Hi Dan,

Good luck with your exam results today!

Your Dad will be entitled to some benefits so please ask the MacMillan people for advise on this. I think you are doing an amazing job coping with your Dad's illness while also going to school and taking exams. You could also call the Myeloma infoline (the number is at the top of this page) to…[Read more]

Hi Ann,

It is good news that Pete is out of isolation (is he still in a private room?) but terrible that he still can't swallow, I hope that side effect does not last too much longer. It is about you as well Ann, you and Pete are a team and I know how hard it is when you feel helpless because you can't do anything to make it better for Pete.…[Read more]

Hi Jean,

I hope Frank was doing well today when you went in to visit him. I remember worrying if I did not get a call from Phil first thing in the morning or before I went to bed but most of the time it was because he was sleeping 😀 I learnt not to call too often as I kept waking him up! It is hard not to worry when you are not there but…[Read more]

Hi Louise,

That is the problem with the stem cell transplant, it has to get worse before it gets better! :-/ I hope your Dad continues to do as well as can be expected and that he turns the corner soon and starts to feel better. Hospital food isn't great when you are feeling well, so when you are feeling poorly it is the last thing you want.…[Read more]

That is brilliant news Ozzy:-D

Megan

Hi Louise,

I hope everything went well this afternoon with minimal side effects for your Dad. 🙂

Megan

Hi Louise,

Everyone has such a different journey it is hard to say what your Dad might experience but if it helps this is a link to what side effects my husband Phil had when he had his stem cells…[Read more]

Hi Ann,

It isn't great when they tell you it will get worse before it gets better, is it? I remember Phil and I wondering each day if Phil had reached the bottom yet but you will find one day you will go in and Pete will have turned the corner and then it will be onwards and upwards – to borrow a catchphrase 🙂

Megan

Dear Jean,

I am so sorry to read about another delay, it is so frustrating. I hope they get everything organised well in advance for Monday and that it all goes smoothly next week.

Megan

Dear Keith,

I am so sorry to hear about the sepsis. I hope the BMB may help to find out the source of the problem with your platelets. Phil and I are both thinking of you.

Megan and Phil