My son is a hairdresser. He says that he wouldn’t colour hair for at least 6 months afterwards because your hair is much more fragile than normal and has gone through trauma. He said if you must then use vegetable dyes not chemical ones.

My hair hasn’t thinned on either of the Chemo I’ve had (Velcade and Cyclophosphamide) but neither drug has…[Read more]

I know exactly how you feel; it does take over your life. My consultant rang me last week with the news that the Cyclophosphamide isn’t working either and my free light chains have gone back up again!  Another bone marrow biopsy on Tuesday and then they will decide what happens next!  I expect it will be a lot more aggressive this time so I’m n…[Read more]

I expect that they will want to do a Bone Marrow Biopsy either when you go in on 22nd or very soon afterwards; in my hospital I saw the consultant in the morning and they did the biopsy in the afternoon. The biopsy will give them a clearer picture of exactly what’s going on. They may also do PET scans, MRI or X rays to see what’s going on bone…[Read more]

I can’t help you I’m afraid but have you tried posting on the UK Myeloma Support group Facebook page? There are some very knowledgeable people on there and you will get some swift answers I am sure.

Look on the Myeloma UK website for the info on Stem Cell transplant; it will clearly set out what’s involved. If you haven’t read the booklet for new diagnosed people on the site either then I can recommend this as it will fill you in with all the science! I found it much easier to understand too when I was in possession of all the facts. You will…[Read more]

I’m like your husband. I started on Velcade which didn’t work, then they added in the Thalidomide which has sent my peripheral neuropathy through the roof, plus it doesn’t seem to have made any difference. My consultant is worried about the neuropathy and lack of response so I think he’s going to change the drugs again next week. The aim is to get…[Read more]

I really feel for you when you aren’t able to be there all the time. I am lucky in that one of my daughters lives nearby and is very supportive. My husband doesn’t deal with it well as underneath it all I think he doesn’t want to face what this thing really is, especially as at the moment I am not responding to treatment. Perhaps men find it…[Read more]

I’d have a look at the information section on the Myeloma UK site https://www.myeloma.org.uk/information/

which should help you to compile a list of questions. I would want to know what type of Myeloma she has and whether she has any bone lesions (MRI should show this). Next big question is the treatment plan. I assume she also had a bone marrow…[Read more]

It can be a lengthy process until they decide what treatment is appropriate then it does pick up speed and also you get used to the time table. I sometimes find it frustrating if something goes wrong that I still have to wait for the appointment with the consultant before anything changes. However when my first lot of treatment wasn’t working they…[Read more]

Your biopsy will tell you for sure where you are at. Fingers crossed it isn’t. xx

Thank you for your lovely comments Avril, I really appreciate that. I have always been a glass half full type of person! I have had a really good response to my blog and I enjoy writing it; it’s the academic in me that misses the writing.

I will be having a stem cell transplant hopefully in the New Year and when my hair grows back I hope it…[Read more]

I’m afraid I can’t really help you. Ring the Myeloma UK info line or post on the UK Myeloma Support Group Facebook page and I’m sure you will get a much better response.

Welcome Pauline. Myeloma is a complicated condition that certainly takes a while to get your head around. Hopefully between us we can help you find your way through the maze that is Myeloma! I know I found the Myeloma UK website really useful for all the information booklets it contains that you can download.

I find writing a blog really helps me…[Read more]

Sorry you are having a rough time of it. MM will often cause raised calcium levels of calcium in the blood. It can occur as a result of bone disease in which calcium is released into the blood stream when the affected bone is broken down.

You may find the newly diagnosed pack from Myeloma Uk really useful to explain things, I did. You can down…[Read more]