Myeloma Forum | SarahWitherspoon | Activity https://forum.myeloma.org.uk/members/SarahJane/activity/ Activity feed for SarahWitherspoon. Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:30:08 +0100 https://buddypress.org/?v=2.9.4 en-GB 30 hourly 2 30fa27678d8c3e2f54be80422012d4b1 SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic Second attempt at Stem Cell Harvest in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/second-attempt-at-stem-cell-harvest#post-102469 Thu, 09 May 2013 14:30:22 +0100 Thanks Vicki
I was warned it could fail – didn't realise it could fail twice! I now everything crossed for June. I know my CD34 was 3 and they could only do transplant when it was 8-10, so I was way off. Shame they can't do a test before you have to go through priming chemo/injections.

The funniest thing was it wasn't my head hair that I…[Read more]

]]> 2f03c55e87fe4ee43f8006d47f55f92b SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic Second attempt at Stem Cell Harvest in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/second-attempt-at-stem-cell-harvest#post-102470 Thu, 09 May 2013 14:23:26 +0100 Thanks Tom, will also save me lots of money on haircuts/shampoos etc 🙂
Although I am now spending money on scarves and hats – and suncream for my head – a new novelty
xx

]]> e9e82f4a2c5e35a053a58b6c4d78c081 SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic Second attempt at Stem Cell Harvest in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/second-attempt-at-stem-cell-harvest#post-102471 Thu, 09 May 2013 14:20:52 +0100 rebeccaR

Harvesting for a rainy day sounds like a good idea, if I'd known I could of done that I would of. I was on Cyclophosphomide through my cycles – I was always told hair may stay/thin/fall out, but it stayed. I think the priming CYC is 4 times stronger which is why mine fell out over a few weeks, I also pulled/brushed it out, ironically I…[Read more]

]]> a560615917fd35c443a285c90de8e2a3 SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic Second attempt at Stem Cell Harvest in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/second-attempt-at-stem-cell-harvest#post-102465 Thu, 09 May 2013 14:09:21 +0100 Thanks Ange, sorry things are progressing – but at least you are being closely monitored. xx

]]> fa063c2d8d4d4bb0e5a8baa5d7e5a7cf SarahWitherspoon started the topic Second attempt at Stem Cell Harvest. in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/second-attempt-at-stem-cell-harvest Fri, 03 May 2013 15:14:19 +0100 Been off line for a while, trying to 'have a break and enjoy myself' as my nurse told me.

After 5 cycles of REV I progressed to priming and stem cell harvest, but it wasn't to be, even after 10 days of GCSF injections my levels were still too low. It seems that this can happen to patients on Revlimid and although I was warned I had everything…[Read more]

]]> 472b867c79b410e603c98e0171366b13 SarahWitherspoon started the topic RCD Cycle 6 cancelled, SCT prep starts on monday. in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/rcd-cycle-6-cancelled-sct-prep-starts-on-monday Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:52:12 +0000 After a PP of 2 for the last 3 cycles it's been decided to move onto SCT. Having spent 5 months on all those meds its strange having 1 week off (just anti viral meds) before the next stage begins.

On a good note I didn't find RCD too bad, I've managed to work every day, except for 2 days after each 4 day block of DEX when I took to the sofa…[Read more]

]]> 55aeb626aefa4c5031c6387d6567d0e7 SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic Question about blood test results in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/question-about-blood-test-results/page/2/#post-101448 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 20:10:13 +0000 Thank you all for all your tips on blood results. Consultant was more than happy to give me past results and as her printer wasn't linked up I sat there and scribbled them down, still some blanks still to fill next time but a good start.

Start of Cycle 2. 3. 4.
Haem: 12.9 13.1. 12.7
WBC: 4.1 3.6 2.7
Plate: 215 124…[Read more]

]]> a8458462c95c2aaa466ac3bd06035b05 SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic Question about blood test results in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/question-about-blood-test-results#post-101443 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:09:31 +0000 Thanks Mavis. I always get pp a month later at next appointment, bit of a pain, tomorrow I finish Cycle 3, but get pp results for Cycle 2 at appointment.

Will see if consultant is happy to give me a printout 🙂

]]> ae95e9c6dd81a5b8379f8a415e3ed52c SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic Question about blood test results in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/question-about-blood-test-results#post-101439 Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:02:51 +0000 Chris, Brilliant, have it somewhere, or will download it,

Jean, no I don't have it but will call them tomorrow, always useful

Peter, I always see it on her computer screen, with numbers in red (guess these are the numbers misbehaving!), will see if she'll print it out for me 🙂

Thank you

]]> a6e5444e4c7daa4ca009ceedd2be93e2 SarahWitherspoon started the topic Question about blood test results. in the forum Treatment http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/question-about-blood-test-results Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:01:21 +0000 I am due to see my consultant on friday (plus get another carrier bag of pills for Cycle 4)

Up till now I have only been bothered about my PP levels. I was wondering what other results in my blood test are also worth keeping an eye on? I always ask if I'm anemic and get told know, but I'd like to keep a record of other useful indicators.

Any…[Read more]

]]> dbf26cab76b6182a04e5d32d31945d28 SarahWitherspoon started the topic Been a bit quiet but just started Cycle 3 RCD Myeloma XI Trial. in the forum General http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/been-a-bit-quiet-but-just-started-cycle-3-rcd-myeloma-xi-trial Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:17:32 +0000 Just wanted to thank you for all the replies I have had to various posts over the last few months. I went a bit quiet just trying to concentrate on the pills, more pills and more pills!

But I have had some good news, after Cycle 1 my PP went down from 38 to 7! I couldn't believe it – I really didn't think it would drop so far so quickly. But my…[Read more]

]]> 4e2fc90202cc8e34eca4299533d6c122 SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic SMM has become Myeloma - immediate treatment in the forum Newcomers http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/smm-has-become-myeloma-immediate-treatment#post-86800 Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:15:37 +0000 Thank you so much for all your replies, all interesting to read. I know everyone is different but it helps to know how people cope with everything.
I am now on day 14 of my first cycle. I have never taken so many pills :0

Chemo tablets OK, taken with anti-sickness.
Revlimid – dizzy/foggy head, night sweats, awake at 4pm – not helped by all…[Read more]

]]> 57a5b15b6b3ba88e770d643f6fdff12e SarahWitherspoon started the topic SMM has become Myeloma - immediate treatment. in the forum Newcomers http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/smm-has-become-myeloma-immediate-treatment Sat, 20 Oct 2012 13:50:03 +0100 Hi, rubbish news this week, my MRI showed I have a tumour on a vertabrae and I have had to start treatment straightaway. At least it explains the back pain and I am greatfull for the support from Stoke Mandeville where I will get all my treatment.

I decided to go on the Myeloma XI trial – and got RCD. Although I had a few days just on DEX (I'm…[Read more]

]]> 09f3d14a1984ca17d2c0ded87c207ab1 SarahWitherspoon started the topic New diagnosed with SMM at 43yrs. in the forum Under 50s http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/new-diagnosed-with-smm-at-43yrs Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:04:31 +0100 Hi, I have finally got round to joining this forum having being diagnosed in June 2012. After a routine blood test it was discovered I had a PP of 30. All a bit of a shock, which was then followed by full x-rays and bone marrow. Thankfully x-rays were all clear, but bone marrow had 15% myeloma cells.

I have been on regular blood tests by my…[Read more]

]]> 72ae94528dfec31bcedd6850b9199e19 SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic Newly diagnosed with SMM in the forum Newcomers http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/newly-diagnosed-with-smm#post-86674 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:59:37 +0100 Thank you for your reply, it is interesting to hear other peoples stories and puts some perspective on the situation. I try and keep busy, working full time with a 10 year old son helps. Occassionally I have moments when my mind drifts and I start worrying but I guess this is normal.
Thank you again
Sarah Jane

]]> 0b18ee9a7db7ed8d60bb31b2f604421d SarahWitherspoon replied to the topic Diagnosed this week in the forum Newcomers http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/diagnosed-this-week/page/3/#post-86589 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:54:58 +0100 Hi Ange
I too was recently diagnosed with SMM in June. PP was 30 but has slowly crept to 38, but it was good to hear from my consultant last week (I go every 4 weeks) that they wont start treatment till PP is 50+. Like you I have no symptoms, and I hope the back ache I am getting is down to stress rather than anything else, but I am due to have…[Read more]

]]> 8a1ac22d321ad6593d8fad2ca7bd9481 SarahWitherspoon started the topic Newly diagnosed with SMM. in the forum Newcomers http://www.myeloma.org.uk/forums/topic/newly-diagnosed-with-smm Fri, 14 Sep 2012 17:09:36 +0100 Hi, I have finally got round to joining this forum having being diagnosed in June 2012. After a routine blood test it was discovered I had a PP of 30. All a bit of a shock, which was then followed by full x-rays and bone marrow. Thankfully x-rays were all clear, but bone marrow had 15% myeloma cells.

I have been on regular blood tests by my…[Read more]

]]>