[VickiParticipant]

Hi there dawn

Colin worked throughout but he's been lucky, he was able to do quite a bit of,work from home as they put a computer at home for him. So effectively other that not bein in the office he was doing the full job but very flexibly. If he felt ill he would go to bed then perhaps catch up on a Sunday. They have been magnificently supportive…..we are both so grateful. That's not much help to you dawn I know. I thought that cancer fell within the disability discrimination act and all employers are obliged to make reasonable adjustments. However with regard to sick pay I don't think employers are obliged to keep paying full sick pay…..my own organisation considered each case on a case by case basis, very difficult though as I used to work in hr and not everyone got full sick pay after the 6 months. However I think you ought to press your employers for better reasonable adjustments and they shouldn't just expect you to retire because its in the too hard basket for them……are there options used could present to them to consider……that always helps as it shows you are being proactive. 🙂

Vicki and Colin x

[VickiParticipant]

Hi graham,

My partner Colin was diagnosed in October 2011, with one lesion to the spine. He had 7cycles of revlimid, cyclophosmahide and dexamethasone. He then had 2 goes at harvesting his cells, followed by a third time lucky and then an sct in November 2012. He has been in complete remission since. He is working but gets very tired.

However it proves it can work so fingers crossed for you and best of luck with your treatment. I found this site a godsend too so hope Sonia also finds the support help ful

Vicki and Colin x

[VickiParticipant]

Hi Vanessa,

Remember to spare a bit of time for you to ask questions, share your stress. You need to keep your chin up and we are here for you 🙂

With regard to redundancy not sure what terms the company is offering, have they given your husband any special offers of training, coaching for something new, interview techniques, options to go for interviews in works time (is he back at work.?). In my firm this would be considered reasonable support. What about registering with an agency. Short term work might suit? What about also seeng a solicitor. They can't make him redundant on the grounds of health and cancer is considered under DDA (disability discrimination act). You could take them to tribunal if you can prove it.

Thoughts are with you

Vicki

[VickiParticipant]

Hi there,

It's SO difficult not to worry…….I think you must just try to ask lots of questions, clarify if not sure and don't be afraid to ask ask and ask again!. I worry all the time about my partners mm coming back but I know deep down that's a waste of time, as we then can't enjoy the good time!

I don't know what the doctors are going to say but numbers can go and up and down but doesn't mean it's coming back. It could be the body regulating itself, however we don't know. I was told to make sure you went along to the consultations so that you were a second pair of ears to gather all the info and ask questions.

Best of luck

Vicki and Colin x

[VickiParticipant]

Hi jean

Colin wasn't offered any vaccines post sct…..hope frank and yourself are doing ok 🙂

Colin is doing well touch wood. He gets tired but is marathon decorating in the house…..great to see that he can do that, even with a bad back!

Vicki and Colin x

[VickiParticipant]

Andy

That's absolutely great….good for you. I reckon you will be taller as that cements stuff puffs up the bone. Glad it went well for,you

Vicki and Colin x

[VickiParticipant]

Hi there

My partner Colin was diagnosed aged 56. A complete bolt out of the blue. It was absolutely frightening. However he has come good. He also was on the mx1 trial taking revlimid, dexamethasone and cyclophosmahide. He had dial reach, constipation, felt sick but was never sick. He got hyper on dex and couldn't sleep. Sometime he felt sad and would cry. But all of that did the trick and he had 7ccyles of that an then a stem cell transplant. We were absolutely petrified and he had some counselling before he went in for sct; it did the trick and he is now mm free and if gers crossed for a long time to come 🙂

Good luck to you, your dad and family. You can do it

Vicki and Colin x

[VickiParticipant]

Vanessa

That's a real blow. There are two issues here, stewart and money.oh and the nhs

With regard to Stewart he has to keep a focus, he has gone through many many hardships with this condition. There are other jobs…..anything to keep him focussed. Employers can't make you redundant on the grounds of disability. They must make all reasonable adjustment to make sure you can continue at work. It's hard to prove when they go down the redundant due to economy route? However what reasonable adjustment have they made for Stewart, working from home, part time working, reduced hours, staggered return to work etc.

With regard to money as the others have said look for any benefits and allowances you can get

Thirdly with regard to Bulawayo, don't worry about it the treatment in the nhs is as good as any, Colin had private ,
Medical insurance and they wouldn't cover him so he stopped it. The nhs have been brilliant.

Don't hurt the employer, get even and win. Do your research look at all the options, keep in touch 🙂

Vicki and Colin x

[VickiParticipant]

Hey Dai

That's great. The special one is Dai….not Jose mourinhio! Chelsea manager sorry rubbish at spelling 🙂

Vicki and colin xx

[VickiParticipant]

Hi all

Stock up on the anti bacterial wipes and sprays. I'm still conscious with ref to food freshness, sea food and anyone with health issues. Can't be too careful. Totally agree!

Vick, and colinxx

[VickiParticipant]

Hi jacqui,

Glad to hear Geoff doin well!. We are at clinic again in October (9th I think). Overall Colin is doing v well touchwood, except for the bone pain T12 vertebrae has left him with. Doing physio to try and avoid an operation!. He still gets tired but not so much, is back at work full time. We went to Cornwall first time since sct last weekend. Great time but e has tummy bug today so not so great :0). Fingers crossed for a long remission for both Geoff and Colin xxxx

[VickiParticipant]

Hi Andy

How are you, how'd the op go? Fingers crossed!,

Vicki and Colin xx

[VickiParticipant]

Helen

Just tuning in to say hi and hope all those numbers are good for you! Fingers crossed and hope your heavy legs are better. We went away last weekend to Cornwall…..first time since sct. It was great :0). Colin has tummy bug today! :0( but hey we both enjoyed the break!

Take care

Vicki and Colin xx

[VickiParticipant]

Hi ner,

It really is your personal decision. My Colin went without maintenance as his quality of life on it was tough. He made the decision and I supported him. It's a risk I guess but these conditions are so personal, and unique, who knows!. That said they still keep an eye on you, do the checks, and leave the rest to chance. Good luck to you. We wrestled this decision, felt worried at the time and now don't think…..too much! …..about it

Vicki and Colin xx

[VickiParticipant]

Hi lolly

Welcome if that's the right word! I am my Colin's supporter, he has mm diagnosed October 2011, bolt out of the blue and totaly shocked!. But he had 7 cycles of cdt, then sct in November 2012. In complete remission at the moment :-). I ask millions of questions and let nothing go…..however I remember Helen posting on here once to say that sometimes the sufferer might not want to know or make their own choices! It made me think, so it's a real joint effort!

Best of luck, it's a long hard journey but do-able :0)

Vicki and Colin xx

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