Hi Richard – sorry to hear about the Rev but let’s hope the next one is even better – will be interested to hear of option availability in Germany. Never ceases to amaze me how individual it all is as we started at the same time – we are all heading in the same direction but going along different routes/twists n turns – here’s hoping we enjoy a l…[Read more]

Test only

Hi Emma – I am conscious now that I haven’t offered any practical advice on how to get through it easily – perhaps because I see MM more of a mental battle than a physical one. When you don’t feel like eating much – but know you need to keep your strength up – take in some little jelly, custard and rice pudding pots. They slither down and also in…[Read more]

Hi Emma, So sorry to hear you are going through this at such s young age. I suspect because of your age you will sail through the transplant- it sounds really scary but it is just abit more than the treatments you have had and sounds scarier Han it actually is. All being well you’ll be home in around 16 days – I had a count down calendar from 16 a…[Read more]

Hi really sorry to hear about Wendy. I followed her blog and was acutely aware she hadn’t posted for a while. One helluva strong vibrant lady…and one more reason for us all to grasp life and live it large.
Take care
Rebecca

Hi Eve, I have not had dialysis tho at diagnosis time went to around 5! They repeated my blood tests as didn’t know how I was standing (I was a fit 50 yrs) I was told by someone on the forum (tho in a private thread) that kidneys could improve and his improved about 3 yrs later and he also told me of a friend who went through SCT on dialysis and 4…[Read more]

Oops for typos meant dialysis me not finalise me! Not ready for that yet!

Hi Eve, I had my Sct with a kidney function of 20+ maybe 23ish – I can’t remember details now as it was 31/2 yrs ago. SCT carries greater risk with poor kidneys but you do have a lower dose of melphelan to compensate. The Sct did not impact the kidneys further and 31:2 yrs later with no further treatment they average around 32-37. It took about 18…[Read more]

Hi Mervin, Sorry to hear you are relapsing. As I am sure you know by now Mm is very individual and individually unpredictable so stats may or may not be relevant to you and yours. I have always been told the 1st Sct will give you the longest sct remission period and you can expect half of that again with the second and that is why those of less…[Read more]

Hi – he is having an allo transplant then. If you look through the under 50’s section over quite a time period you may find useful insights into the Allo experience/dilemmas faced. I believe if you speak to the helpline they can put you in touch with someone who has gone through the experience – you may like to ask some questions on the under 50’s…[Read more]

Ok and he has myeloma also. Is the transplant an SCT i.e. They will harvest and collect his own stem cells and transplant them back in after the high dose therapy or is it an allo transplant i.e. They are using donor stem cells from a close relative or a stranger where there is a good match – at 35 he would be eligible for an allo I would presume.…[Read more]

Hi, Are you referring to an allo transplant? a full allo or a tandem transplant (of SCT followed by a mini Allo) or are there health complications that make a stem cell transplant riskier? They are all different so perhaps if you give a bit more background info re age/health/ mm status etc someone may have been in a similar position to share their…[Read more]

Hi Lillian, Mm is a very individual disease and no 2 people will react the same. If Vdt hasn’t hit the spot I would think of it as just a different type of drug will suit better for his Mm. I believe dt pace is abit like sending in the heavy artillery so hopefully you will see great improvement and it will do the job for you both and give a long…[Read more]

Hi Stanley, Yes I am well until I hear otherwise – next appointment 1st Feb. I am almost forgetting my exact months of remission but now it’s over 3 years do feel a tad tetchy about how much longer I will have so have decided to really go for it this year in doing new things etc. Perhaps in doing so it may play a small part in keeping at bay – who…[Read more]

Hi Stanley, glad to hear everything appears reassuringly okish – well at least not sinister. MM really is a very interesting study if it wasn’t so pertinent and close to home! It is so complex I fear I would not do well in an exam but hey I am living well with it and that’s suffice! Wow 25 months..time flies scarily so but it’s all a celebration…[Read more]

HI Richard, this all sounds very encouraging and positive so well done to you. It does get easier as time goes on although when diagnosed it seems impossible to imagine. I am glad you are trying new things, the more the merrier, and trust me you will takes bits from each and they will help you through the inevitable down times. As an example of…[Read more]

Hi Pepz, This is one hell of a shock diagnosis and a very complicated cancer – learn all you can if it helps you and so you can pass good snippets etc but do not bombard him with info but be ready if he asks. This is very important as imparting knowledge needs to be at a pace/when your father wants it – so make sure everyone respects this.…[Read more]

Hi susie, yes I am on health unlocked for kidney issues – don’t use it much and doesn’t have the same feel as this forum – shame if that is the case as i feel it will “dwindle” considerably in participation. Oh well, guess we’re adept at coping with change – albeit reluctantly! Happy New Year x

Hi Andy, Great idea. I would also like to throw in the mix that I would like to be able to “follow” members so I am alerted to new posts so I don’t miss their progress and also want to support. Probably a big ask but it would be nice.

Hi Richard, I should have said in my post I am now just over 4 yrs since diagnosis. Regards work I did 2 x 12 hr night shifts and then 6 days off. I never went back to nights as I could not afford to knowingly drag my body down and changed hrs to days and a different shift pattern. I had 6 months off since diagnosed in hospital because :- kidneys…[Read more]