[mattkboParticipant]

Hi Charlie,

I completed 6 x  3 week cycles of CDT (chemo) at the end of Sept ’13, I started in mid May.

In mid October I went into hospital for 2 days, during those 2 days I had a Hickman Line fitted and then 2 x 5hr sessions of Etopiside (high dose chemo).

On the next day I started to have one daily injection (at home) for ten days for Stem Cell Mobilisation. On the eleventh day I went to hospital to have my stem cells harvested, this process can be spread over 1-3 days until the correct amount of cells are obtained, I was lucky to only have one day there.

Nothing happened then for two weeks until I returned to hospital for one day of health checks to make sure I was fit enough for the transplant, heart & lungs etc, as all was positive I then just had to wait for a bed in the ward.

Two weeks later I received a call on a Thursday lunch time that a bed was free, we packed my bag and was admitted that evening. The next day (Friday) I was given Melphalan (high dose chemo). Saturday and Sunday I just rested and then on the Monday morning I received my Stem Cells back. The next two weeks I stayed in hospital just getting fit enough to return home.

After discharge I returned for a check up a week later and then again two, weeks after that. As things were going ok I then returned monthly for check ups.

Hope this helps, happy to answer any questions.

Matt

 

 

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi Clare,

We also have a Braun Ear Thermometer, invaluable.

Matt

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi Nicky,

Just read this and looks like you are going through SCT now? Anyway wanted to say I hope all is going well, you will get through it. Just take it one day at a time.

Hi Charlie,

Good luck with your Chemotherapy and future SCT. I had 6 rounds of CDT and then SCT in 2013, you’re not alone.

Matt

 

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi Andrea,

I have also just seen this and wanted to say hello, I hope your SCT has / is going smoothly. I had mine in Dec’13. Take your time to recover, you will get there, one day at a time.

Matt

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi Graeme,

I recently went to Barbados (2 wks) and insured myself (currently in remission) and my wife with Avanti Insurance. Before purchasing I asked for advice in the ‘under 50s’  group and after I purchased I posted the following which I have cut and pasted for you to read. Hope it helps and have a great trip.

Regads

Matt
‘I have now booked my travel insurance, it was an education. The hardest part I think for me was answering the same list of questions over and over again, speaking to strangers about my illness and seeing how they ( or their company really) reacted to my answers. Having said this however, if this is the first time you are booking travel insurance since diagnosis then I would really recommend you put yourself through this because you learn a lot about insurers attitude to risk and Myeloma. Here are few notes I made on some of the companies I called,  reminder, I am under 50 and my Myeloma is currently in remission.

Bupa: Do not insure Myeloma.

Freedom Travel: Do not insure Myeloma.

All Clear: Would insure me, highest quote I received, if I got sick they said they would treat in me in USA, also some discussion as to whether I was on powerful painkillers.
Insure Cancer: Would not insure me as my Myeloma is not active, really helpful man.

Avanti: I decided to go with them as if I became ill, they would repatriate me if needed and not treat in USA, were more competitive and I felt they actually listened to me rather than just put me through a process.

I am not recommending any one company but would recommend spending some time phoning around and speaking to as many as you can manage. Good luck!’

 

 

• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by  mattkbo.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by  mattkbo.

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi Judith,

Have a wonderful trip.

Matt

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi All,

I have now booked my travel insurance, it was an education. The hardest part I think for me was answering the same list of questions over and over again, speaking to strangers about my illness and seeing how they ( or their company really) reacted to my answers. Having said this however, if this is the first time you are booking travel insurance since diagnosis then I would really recommend you put yourself through this because you learn a lot about insurers attitude to risk and Myeloma. Here are few notes I made on some of the companies I called,  reminder, I am under 50 and my Myeloma is currently in remission.

Bupa: Do not insure Myeloma.

Freedom Travel: Do not insure Myeloma.

All Clear: Would insure me, highest quote I received, if I got sick they said they would treat in me in USA, also some discussion as to whether I was on powerful painkillers.

Insure Cancer: Would not insure me as my Myeloma is not active, really helpful man.

Avanti: I decided to go with them as if I became ill, they would repatriate me if needed and not treat in USA, were more competitive and I felt they actually listened to me rather than just put me through a process.

I am not recommending any one company but would recommend spending some time phoning around and speaking to as many as you can manage. Good luck!

Regards,

Matt

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi Jono,

Thanks for replying, especially if you’re having your SCT at the moment. I really hope it is going well for you. I will follow up on your two pieces of advice, thanks again.

Good luck!!

Matt

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi Jean,

Thank you for some useful information, food for thought. Gill’s point is spot on isn’t it. I do expect to fill out a lot of paperwork unfortunately.

Best wishes,

Matt

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi Jean,

Thank you for replying. I’m glad that your husband has been in remission for 2 years, isn’t that great. Thank you also for letting me know about All Clear, I will definitely give them a call. Yes North America is not ideal but it is a postponed holiday booked prior to diagnosis. Can I ask if your husband’s current state of health affects your premium when taking out insurance? Ie the longer in remission or if there have been no complications in the previous few months?

Regards

Matt

[mattkboParticipant]

Hi John,

I had my SCT in December ’13 and it was tough at times but with a lot of support from my Family, Doctors and Nurses I got through it and so will you. Just take it one day at a time, don’t rush it, you’re in the best place. When I look back now it seems like no time at all.

Take care and good luck.

Matt

[Author]

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