Very pleased to read the positive comments.
As an update I started my Elanatrab treatment in February. After a short spell in hospital I was given early release for good behaviour. However, after just two days I was back in suffering with extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and acute diarrhea. That meant I was taken off the treatment after just 2 doses whilst they stabilised me and got my bloods back to manageable levels.
I resumed treatment after 6 weeks. So far, so good. All positive. I have had a cough however for over 5 months which has been resistant to drugs. Bearing in mind that our levels hit rock bottom with Elanatrab I have taken this as a necessary evil. It is slowly getting better although still there. It is not on the chest or in the head, but in my throat area which makes me croakey. I am still fairly breathless overall and think it time to move to a bungalow.
However, the good news is that for the past few months by paraprotien levels have been undetectable and the consultant has just changed me to a 4 week injection regimen which is a lot more user friendly. Apart from the Elanatrab injections I have been given a host of new anti-biotics to supplement my 3 weekly infusion of Imugoblins.
The take away from this is the threat of picking up bugs remains high and with the colder months kicking in the need to be vigilant, stay active and warm.
Like all of us I just hope that this line of treatment has a longer shelf life in keeping MM at bay.
FYI, I have travelled twice by plane this year to the Med to top up the Vitamin D. The secret has been managing what I do. The sunshine is great, but the heat can wipe you out. So nothing strenuous and nothing extreme. My wife has been great in recognising when we should slow down, take a rest and hide from the sun.
As we all know life will never be the same as pre MM. But managed, this new drug is game changing compared to the previous regimen of chemo therapies.
As an aside if any of you are thinking of travelling and have had little luck with Travel Insurance look at at Staysure, All Clear and Insurance with. They are all on the web. We now keep to just Europe given shorter travelling times. Easier to get home in a hurry and the insurance is far cheaper.
All the best to everyone.
Persevere with a smile!
chrism.
