Hi Helen.
Oh the joys of MM. As you say it's a roller coaster of a ride this journey of ours. There are reasons to be optimistic – plateau, few plasma cells etc. as for the back pain hopefully that's just a consequence of over use. Neutrophils 1.0 that's the norm for me.
You say you feel great at the moment well to me that's a good indicator…[Read more]

Hi Ian
I'm on RCD. Revlamid is taken orally for 21 day then 7 days off. I don't get many side effects from the Revlamid but it can make you tired and depress your neutrophils. My main problem is with the cyclophosphamide side effects which are nausea for 2-3 days after taking it. It can also depress your neutrophils mine hover between 0.8 and 1.1…[Read more]

Hi Vicki & Colin.
Sorry to read that Colin was back at the hospital yesterday. I do hope his fatigue is down to him doing too much too soon. I can't believe he went back to work so soon after his SCT. I can't imagine my returning to work at all at this moment. Everyone's needs and journey are different I know but I think one constant is the…[Read more]

Hi David
Just want to wish you good luck for your journey with velcade.

Every day is a gift

Andy

Hi Jean.
I was told when I was diagnosed that although the delay in starting my treatment wasn't ideal it shouldn't effect my treatment or outcome. I had 18 months of back pain before I was diagnosed so how long I'd had MM before that is anyone's guess.
It's a good idea to take your list of questions with you and write down the answers given to…[Read more]

Hi Eve.
Slim does seem to be having a rollercoaster of a ride with his rotten mm. Hopefully he won't need to start treatment again soon. Though I can understand the thought – it's back let's get treatment started again straight away. The trouble is with limited drug options the longer you can put off treatment the longer those limited drugs have…[Read more]

Hi Tom
It's good to know your temp is under control and the antibiotics are doing their job. It won't be long before your raising a glass or two of vodka in celebration. I'm sure Eve and I will join you with a little tipple of our own 😛

Every day is a gift

Andy – cheers

Hi all.
First of all can I thank you everyone for their support and good wishes. It's new terrority for me to have some good news 😀 not sure how to handle it lol. Though weirdly it has put more pressure on the next blood tests. Usually I can forget about them till nearer the time but this time I'm more conscious of them and hoping the last…[Read more]

Yeah – Tom is back. Watchout for those nasties >:-( hope you have a speedy recovery and can get back to the vodka! Soon 😀 Cheers.
Onwards and upwards

Every day is a gift

Andy

Hi Sue.

I'm sure you will find the ideal spot for Michaels ashes and you will be at peace with it. You mentioning the cricket ground brought back memories of scattering my Dads ashes several years ago. Funnily enough when we as a family were discussing where to scatter his ashes Scarborough was a strong candidate. Eventually we all came to the…[Read more]

Hi Gill.
What a fantastic photograph.
I'm sure it will provide you with plenty of smiles and quite a few tears in future but what a marvellous keepsake it will be.

Love Andy xxx

Hi Dai.

I've been on Zometa since October 2011 and I have it once every 4 weeks. It has two actions, I'm led to believe, one as a bone strengthener and another that it has been shown to work against Myeloma as well.
I haven't been through SCT so maybe my regime maybe a little different but I haven't been told I will be coming off Zometa though…[Read more]

Hi Vicki and Eve.
I also use an iPad, the mini version in my case, and I find it a lot easier to post now 😉 mind you I was using an iPhone previously 😀

Hi Helen.
The sun does lift the spirits and I think the last trip we had to Greece gave me a real boost and I'm sure it gave me a new outlook to life.

Hi Jill.
I take my Revlamid at…[Read more]

Hi.
Sorry I can't help with your concerns over doxorubicin in your mothers PAD regime. I can't recall anyone posting a problem with it either. The difference between liposomial Dox and ordinary Dox is that in liposomial Dox it is wrapped in a fatty covering to allow it to stay in the bloodstream longer and hence have more exposure to the myeloma…[Read more]

Hi Richard.
Sorry I can't help with your HGV medical question. Since I've been on treatment for MM I have been reluctant to drive firstly because of my back it made it very uncomfortable and I doubted my ability to brake hard in an emergency. Then when my back improved so I was confident I could drive I found that I couldn't concentrate for very…[Read more]

Hi Rebecca.
I was told when I was diagnosed in Oct 2011 aged 51 that due my age, classed as young 😀 , and due to being fit, I ran marathons, I was lucky because they could attack my MM aggressively and get me to SCT quickly. Well here I am 18 months later after having everything but the kitchen sink thrown at my MM with my PP's still hovering…[Read more]

Hi Dai.
Keith is married to a lovely woman. They're always together when I see them at the hospital for treatment or at the support group. I don't know if they have children.
Regarding his posts we've all been there when we are feeling a bit under the weather and can't be bothered posting. I myself don't post much now not because I'm not well it…[Read more]

Hi Tina.
I was at the day case unit Friday, Keith and I go to North Tees, and I asked about him. Of course they couldn't tell me anything about his condition but they let me know he was on the ward. As you may know he has been in and out of hospital since new year and regularly at the day case unt. I've recently gone from weekly visits to monthly…[Read more]