Hi Graeme,
My wife is now 5 years full remission so it is not quite the same but we took advantage of the Nationwide free insurance offer. It doesn’t cover the Myeloma but it is possible to purchase the top up cover which cost us about £100 for a full year of European travel. There is a delay from opening the account to eligibility but it’s only…[Read more]

Hi Alan,
There seems to be little in common with your experience and ours. Pauline had only one biopsy – without anesthetic and 5 doses of CDT broken for a month after a severe toxic reaction to the antibiotic which sent her blood pressure down to 55 over 30, turned her bright purple all over and put her in isolation for a fortnight during which…[Read more]

Thanks Andy and Helen,
We’re on day 3 of medication and the pain has subsided considerably and Pauline just complains of feeling “Rubbish” and loss of appetite/nausea. The rash has now all joined up and beginning to weep, covering most of he left chest, shoulder, upper arm and neck but causing no discomfort.
The 111 call was handled efficiently…[Read more]

Hi Alan,
Your post takes me back about 5 years. Pauline, my wife had problems with producing enough stem cells and had to have 4 goes to get barely enough but I believe things have improved since then. The next bit, in March, is the biggie and, as you’ve probably read, everyone’s experience is different. Pauline’s started with the discovery that…[Read more]

Thanks Jean,
We’ve never had occasion to call the helpline and, until today we’ve been very fortunate to have nearly 5 years of relative normality as all of our major problems occurred in the first 12 months. In that time the response and support from all of the N.H.S. personnel at the old Q.E in Birmingham and those at Worcester were brilliant.…[Read more]

Hi Jean,
Thanks for the reply and good wishes. I can understand why there is a reluctance to give the vaccine but when there is an almost certainty that it will develop anyway I should have thought that there was some room for a reasoned response. I suppose that with the present pressure to run away from making risky decisions there is a…[Read more]

Thanks Stanley,
It does seem that Shingles is one of the free extras that come with Myeloma. It would be nice to pick and choose or maybe negotiate a discount as an alternative but for the moment we are more than happy with the 5 years post SCT remission. Pauline is approaching 71 now and her GP is brilliant so I think we should wait the few…[Read more]

Thanks Annette,
We have some experience with shingles from relatives etc. and self diagnosed this a few hours ago. Unfortunately, she has calcification in he shoulder joints and we assumed that the pain was from that but when the rash started to spread up her neck and the violent headache started we worked it out. The problem is to decide between…[Read more]

Hi Laura,
I haven’t been here for some time as my wife has been in remission for 5 years and we have been otherwise distracted with other problems. I am now trying to find any topics specifically discussing Shingles and it seems that the search system specifically targets posts rather than topics. This makes it necessary to scan laboriously…[Read more]

Thanks Stuart, I don't really have a problem but you have explained what the spelling warning is. At least it is not too troublesome, unlike some of the 'helpful' accessories we get lumbered with a lot of modern software. Ron.

Hi Keith,
This explains why I had problems the other night. Fortunately, I used the windows copy and paste to save it and try again. David, I think there is a spell checker on here as I get the occasional warning. It just doesn't make any suggestions. If I can't guess what it's looking for I just reword things to avoid the problem word. That's…[Read more]

Hi Keith, I very much share your fears for the future of the NHS as the track record for politicians messing about with this, schools and other similar institutions is not good. I also agree with all of your other points. Unfortunately, politicians are a necessary integral part of democracy and must never be left unattended. 🙂 That is something…[Read more]

Hi Keith and all,
This is certainly a hot topic and I think regional differences are going to be amplified when the cuts and changes start. Our local GP practice is superb and very well run and I have no real concerns about their ability to cope with the changes but, from reading the experiences of others, I can understand their fears. Pauline…[Read more]

Hi Bridget, As they say in the Readers Digest "Laughter is the best medicine." It works for me but how are you at the moment?
Ron.

And all this because I offered to forward a naughty email!!!!! 😀
Seriously, good news is always good news:-S It just seems that when everything is going well we forget to say so, maybe because we feel a bit guilty about those who are less fortunate. Is there anyone else out there with good news? Perhaps it would be better to start a new topic…[Read more]

Hi Tom, To fit in with 'Onwards and upwards' we're rolling along on the plateau of good remission just 12 months post SCT at the moment with a few bumps from the usual crushed vertebrae and other related problems and hoping the next review is neutral. Pauline is still a good bit below what she was just 4 months ago but picking up again after a…[Read more]

Hi Tom, Don't feel too bad. If you feel left out, I'll send you a copy of mine.8-)

Thanks Bridget and Elizabeth, I reckon I (We) just need the will power to make a decision, Which brings us nicely back on topic.:-D

Thanks Bridget, Pauline is getting there I think. It has been nearly a month now but she's just left with an irritating dry cough now and beginning to talk holidays….Aaaagghh. Every time I book something it goes wrong and she won't make a decision. Guess who gets the blame. 🙂