Hi Everybody,
I am also from
Yorkshire near Beverley but now living in the Selby area. I was diagnosed 13 years ago (at age 57) when after a misdiagnosis found myself in Hull Royal with kidney failure and on dialysis. Two days later the Sister had to tell me I had Multiple Myeloma. I went through all the same stuff you are going through now, had dexamethasone, thalidomide and so on and that was for about a year, then High dose chemo and a stem cell transplant. I looked like I has just left Belson Concentration Camp, no hair, a pity as this was my only redeeming feature. I was made redundant on the grounds of incapacity from my job as a College Head of Faculty of Technology. The whole thing seemed disastrous. My wife left and I faced life alone. However I did manage to work my way back to fitness, After the Stem Cell transplant my kidneys did reboot a little and I managed to reduce the dialysis and then stop it altogether, my EGFR was still quite low but I had freedom. I went back to teaching part time, then eventually full time. My life gradually sorted itself out, I went back to the gym, joined a walking group, had holidays in warm places in winter, met fabulous people, had some fun, learned to dance, bought a sports car, I am so grateful for the doctors and nurses who have helped me, Whenever anybody asks me how I am, I’m Fine, no matter what. Two months ago my Myeloma relapsed, this time its Velcade, dexamethasone and anti virials, uncomfortable for sure, peripheral neuropathy yes, Cant sleep when the dexamethasone days, feel a bit off the rest of the time, well OK a lot off, but still fine if you ask, no point in being miserable. Damned sports car failed it MOT yesterday, but it will get fixed, dancing and gym are off too, but that’s COVID 19 not Myeloma. I know what you are going through but you will get through with help from your friends and the medics. My daughters were both in their late teens, they both found work they like, married good lads, had my lovely grand children, bought houses and give loads of love. Plan yourself some little treat that you know you will enjoy, don’t be afraid to ask for a little help, as the treatment kicks in tomorrow will be better, you can beat it, try to stay positive and let everyone who asks know you are positive and you begin to believe it yourself, love life. My very best wishes to all of you.
