Sorry to hear about your mom. In a nutshell, my husband Pete aged 57 was diagnosed in April 2012 and returned to work 2 weeks ago! He had 7 months of CDT and then had the stem cell transplant in February 2013.

Yes it was a long road and the 23 days in hospital was not very nice, but eh, he got there!!!! Each patient has their…[Read more]

Oh you take care, hope you feel better soon!

Ann and Pete
x

Sorry to hear your news, but welcome. It is almost a year to the day when I put my first post on this site, when my husband, Pete, also aged 57 was diagnosed with Myeloma. I was made to feel so welcome and really don't know what we would have done without it.

Pete was very active, but it all started with pains in his back and…[Read more]

Really pleased to hear Frank's results are good and no sign of Myeloma in his blood!! Amazing, well done to Frank. Pete's blood results were also good 2 weeks ago, but he finds out on Friday about the Myeloma levels.

All in all, he has done remarkably well since leaving hospital 4 weeks ago after the SCT! His recovery was very slow…[Read more]

So sorry to hear this news, Myeloma really is a horrid illness – every story is so very different! I wish you both well. Take care.

Love Ann and Pete
xx

Oh hopefully Frank will get home for a few hours, will do him good to get some fresh air as well. When Pete came home he just kept looking out of the window, taking in the surroundings and was so happy! The sun was actually shining as well on his first few days at home and so that was a bonus. Lovely day here in Somerset, hope its nice…[Read more]

Well done, lovely encouraging post!

Take care

Ann and Pete
x

What a story, it really did bring a tear to my eye!

You have been through so much and having to relocate to receive better medical treatment is appalling. Did you report the consultant to the BMC? Based on your experience, he really should have been investigated!

It is perhaps a postcode lottery at times! Here in Taunton…[Read more]

Do understand what you are going through as the carer, you think – no light at the end of the tunnel, but it will get better! I promise you! I am sure that the people on this site, who have actually gone through it, ie Peter, Phil,Tom, Colin and Chris the Biker – to name a few, will also reassure you.

Is'nt it strange though how each…[Read more]

Take care and best wishes

Ann and Pete
x

Well Day 3 at home with Pete and things ok! Will never get cocky or conceited however, because I do realise these are very early days.

Pete has no taste buds, but is managing to get some food down him albeit small portions plus his vitamin drinks. He even had a lovely cold lager last night!!!

We went for a short drive yesterday…[Read more]

What an encouraging post! Thank you for that and so pleased that Henry is doing so well.

Good luck with your hand as well!

Take care

Love

Ann
x

Well fingers crossed, Pete will be home tomorrow!! I have booked a week off to look after him, although he has said he will be fine! (Typical stubborn man!)

I took him in some soup and he did manage that and has been drinking the vitamin drinks (although he said they taste like wall paper paste!!!

I did say, don't run before you…[Read more]

You made me laugh about Colin and his poodle look!!!! I won't mention to Pete about the possibility of his hair growing back curly, that certainly would upset him – LOL.

Hi Dai, hope you keep well and don't come down with anything.

Take care all

Ann
x

Well Pete came out of isolation on Thursday and off the morphine on Friday. He was quite good yesterday, but today, bad throat has returned. Still not eating or drinking much and looks so thin, but at the end of the day, he has turned the corner!!!! I really never thought he would the way things were progressing.

Jean, glad to hear…[Read more]

Well this is really going on longer than I ever expected. Pete on day 5 of morphine, still cannot swallow anything including water! The morphine is also making him a bit confused. He rang me this morning at 7am, thinking it was 7pm. The good side is, his levels are up and so he is out of isolation. Just wish this horrid throat pain…[Read more]

Pete no better today, they put him on a morphine drip yesterday and whilst it has helped, he still cannot swallow – even liquids. Could'nt even manage an ice pop today! Horrid to see him in so much pain, but I know everyone is different in the recovery process and suffer in different ways.

Just waiting for him to 'turn the corner'…[Read more]

Thanks for your comments, it does help knowing that this is the norm! Otherwise I would be worried.

Such a shame about Jean and Frank, they have really had such bad luck!

Take care

Ann
x

Pete was quite comfortable until today, cannot hardly swallow now, even his tablets, the nurses have had to crush them up. They may give him some morphine tomorrow to help ease the pain. Apparently it will get worse before it gets better!! Well we knew this was one of the side effects, but not nice seeing him in so much discomfort, he…[Read more]

At long last, hope all goes well.

With Peter at the moment. He is now in isolation, throat swollen, rash on his back. Living off ice cream and jelly. Not too bored at the moment and sleeping quite well.

Nurses are brilliant.

Good luck to Frank, speak soon

Love Ann and Peter

X

Hope you get the call soon, you have waited so long, things need to start moving soon.

Pete has completely lost his appetite. I took him in some cheese rolls, at his request – he cannot get on with the hospital food, but he only managed to eat half a roll, said his throat is so dry, cannot swallow easily, that is all he his has eaten…[Read more]

Really pleased things are going to plan. Save me repeating myself – I have started a new thread.

Take care and keep in touch

Love Ann
xx

Well Pete went into Musgrove on Monday, had line fitted Tuesday, but had to have it put through his neck, bit uncomfortable, but they just could'nt get it in the normal way. He had 8 bags of cells returned yesterday, which only took 2 hours. He has lost his taste buds again and has been sick a couple of times, but apart from that, he…[Read more]

Really pleased to hear you are doing well Chris, great to hear from you both.

Pete has asked me to reply, for some reason he cannot connect to internet, he is going to have another go tonight.

He had line fitted yesterday, but they had to go through his neck! Even Dr Bolam could'nt get it in the normal way. He was…[Read more]

Oh so pleased, at long last!!! I have been checking your posts hoping to see this announcement!!!!!

Pete went in Monday for his SCT.

They had problems fitting the line and so in the end it had to be inserted through his neck. The consultant said that 9 out of 10 lines go in really easy, trust Pete to be the unlucky one. Really…[Read more]

Yes they are going to save 50% for a later date, if needed!!! Hopefully that will not happen!!

Hope you are ok and keeping well.

Ann and Pete

Hope all goes well for the bone marrow test.

Not heard from Biker Chris, so if you are out there Chris, let us know.

Feel for Jean and Frank, but do you think it is a postcode lottery!!

Speak soon, keep in touch

Love Ann and Pete
x

Yes I have been looking at your posts and did wonder why you had'nt said anything about an admission date.

I think Pete has been really lucky,obviously, right time, right place.

Keep in touch Jean

Best wishes

Ann

Have'nt posted for a while because no news since Pete failed to produce enough stem cells in December for the SCT.

I do visit the site nearly every day, just to see everyone's progress, even though it is good and perhaps not so good news at times.

Well he hit the jackpot today due to a Prelixifor injection – 3.5 million which…[Read more]

Best wishes, have a good Christmas

Love Ann and Pete

x

Thanks for your message. Not too down, don't mind another visit, (well I have'nt got a choice and the end does justify the means!!)

Bumped in to Dr Bolam at Musgrove yesterday whilst there for bone treatment. He said he would get me in for an appointment in the next couple of weeks to arrange schedule.

No hair loss to date, but…[Read more]

Just wanted to say, read your article in Myeloma Matters. Beautifully written and you look great!!!!!

Best wishes

Ann and Pete
x

What great news!!! Well done Frank.

Have a lovely Xmas and a very Happy New Year

Best wishes

Ann and Pete

xx

Oh thanks for that, hopefully Pete's consultant will say the 1.6 million is enough.

Hope Frank is feeling a bit brighter.

Again, best of luck for tomorrow, let us know how he gets on

Ann
x

Well today was so disappointing!!! They only managed to get half a million cells, a grand, or not so grand total of 1.6 million. They put Pete straight on the machine, without waiting for this mornings blood results??? Probably a good job as his levels had dropped to 8 overnight and so I doubt they would have even tried again today!…[Read more]

Just a quick update on today at Southmead. Pete was borderline – 9, but they decided to go ahead with the procedure. He spent 3.5 hours on the machine and before we left the nurse did mention that they did not think that he had produced all that many cells. Anyway doctor has just rang and said was just over a million, which is alot…[Read more]

Pete ok, he met Biker Chris and his wife Lena on Friday when he went for his consultation. I was'nt with him, but he did say, got so much info from someone who has been through it all, he really did enjoy…[Read more]

Thanks for your comments, as usual so helpful.

Pete started the injections yesterday, ruined the first one, but now more confident. Feels ok, few aches in back and we think, the start of a blooming cold and nasty cough, ope this does'nt affect the stem removal on Monday/Tuesday.

He goes to see consultant on…[Read more]

Yes, do intend to set up a thread, but thought I would wait until 17th when stems cells are hopefully removed successfully etc etc.

You guys have been so helpful, thank you so much!

Pete feels really well, even did some DIY on Friday, could'nt believe it, but then again, everyone so different.

He will go back to work tomorrow,…[Read more]

Chris, worried about you, not heard from you in a while, hope all going well.

Pete is overnight in Musgrove tonight. Seeing him today after the 2 hour dose of chemo made everything suddenly feel so real!! He looked so washed out this evening, still on a drip, but apparently everything ok, providing he keeps going to the loo to wash…[Read more]

Oh thanks so much for your comments, so much great information, really feel more at ease now, knowing what is ahead. Despite reading through all the literature time after time, so much better talking to you guys who have been through it all!!

Yes Chris, Pete sees Dr Bolam, lovely chap as you say, can understand why he…[Read more]

Hope you all keeping well!

Just a couple of quick questions if you don't mind.

Pete is going into Musgrove on 5th December overnight for a line to be fitted plus some chemotherapy (Is'nt is strange, you sit through a consultation and come out not knowing anything!!) The Consultant also mentioned that Pete would have to inject…[Read more]

Oh hang in there, I hope it won't be long before Colin comes home to stay!!! You really have been through the mill, so too speak!

Hope Colin is on the mend, keep us posted!

Love Ann and Pete

xx

Sorry to bother you, but just a few questions as you have been through the process!!

Pete has got a date for 5th December, overnight stay in Musgrove Taunton for what we believe to be a blast of Chemotherapy and a line fitted??? Still not got our heads around all the terminology!! (You read all the posts, but when it happens to you,…[Read more]

Well done, so pleased to hear your news. Hopefully my husband Peter will be taking your place on Ward 9 at Musgrove in a couple of weeks time, I just hope he does as well as you. We have obviously been reading your posts, as well as Vicki and Colin's and it does help, albeit no-one is the same!! I suppose the record to beat being…[Read more]

Really thought by your posts that Colin would be home this week-end, but as you say, this Myeloma is a blooming roller coaster, everyone's symptons/recovery modes – so different. Then again you say more positives than negatives, so really wishing Colin the best!!!

All ok here, Pete has a stinking cough and a really bad cough, but…[Read more]

Lovely to hear you sounding a bit brighter.

Take care and love to you both!!

Ann and Pete

xx

SCT seems to affect people in diffent ways and so try not to dread the next few weeks, you never know!! No doubt Tom and David can give you more advice and helpful words.

Thinking of you both!

Take care

Love Ann and…[Read more]

Take care both, look forward to reading your ongoing posts.

Love Ann and Pete

xx