[salsa27Participant]

Hey everyone 🙂
Hope you're all doing well on your journeys.
Update:
Dad is on week 3 of his first cycle and is doing ok.
Had a little blip a couple of days ago after his second lot of Dex and ended up in hospital for a night as his glucose levels had spiked up to 25.4!!!! This was expected but as no interim measures were in place to sort him out I opted for a trip to hospital to keep an eye on him. He was a tad dizzy and a bit confused so I thought it was best. He was sent home yesterday and his glucose levels are dropping off slowly. He's had a trip to see the diabetic nurse today to keep him on an even keal in the future.

I see what you all mean by the Dex. He had few dodgy days where he was a bit of a grump but soon came out of it 🙂
Dad has been enjoying his time with his grandson and coming to us for tea when he's feeling up to it. Overall I think he's doing great considering.

Thank goodness it's soon the weekend. I'm shattered.
Take care everyone
Sally xxx

[salsa27Participant]

Thanks everyone again for their kind words.
In comment to the Dex I spoke to dad today about not feeling he had to take my son to school every morning. He has been struggling with sleep and he got a little irrate, which is out of character. He said i've got to keep things the same as i'll not get out of bed. He loves his time with my son and i'll never deny him it but I hate to see him so knackered out! He caught a chest infection which hasn't helped but antibiotics are on the menu so hopefully it'll clear up soon.

No news on the mum front, waiting to hear back from social services in the next few days.

As you can see by the time i'm burning the midnight oil!!! I'm oncall in the hospital laboratories so i'd better get a shift on and do some work!

Take care everybody 🙂
Sally xxx

[salsa27Participant]

Hi everyone,
Hope you're all coping ok. Dad started his treatment on thursday he's on the Myeloma XI trial on the RCD pathway and is doing well so far with some pain relief at last. He was initially overwhelmed by the quantity of tablets he needs to take but I bought him a pill box to take away the anxiety of counting them out every day. He seems much brighter and generally more upbeat which is lovely to see. The consultant feels he may not be best served to have a stem cell transplant due to all his other illnesses. It's a bit disappointing but it's in his best interests.
We're trying to be proactive, sorting life out and thinking of his future needs which is giving us some focus.
Will keep you posted.
Sally X

[salsa27Participant]

Hi everyone,
Finally had our visit at the hospital on monday and Dad has had an infusion to bring down his calcium levels which all went fine. This was followed by a trip to see the Macmillan nurses for a cuppa and chat while we waited for his appointmet with the docs about his upcoming treatment. The ladies there were lovely and have suggested both Dad and I pop in if we ever need to over the coming days, months and years.
The issues Dad has with Mum were discussed but they seemed to think there wasn't much Dad could do apart from seek advice from a solicitor. He's not too keen as he's so tired and in pain most days which is totally understandable. We've had a chat and I approached social services on his behalf to see if they can get involved and keep an eye on things. They seemed very helpful and are arranging an assessment soon. Just hope it's not another dead end for him.
Spoke to the doc and Dad has signed up for the Myeloma XI trial and is hopefully beginning treatment next wednesday. Not sure what path he's on yet until the day arrives.
Dad's spending lots of time napping and is having intermittent nights of sleep due to the pain. Just hoping that his treatment sorts this out for him.
To add to his pain Dad had to have his last two teeth out today as they are rotting and to reduce the risk of infection before treatment begins.
It never rains eh!!
Well fingers crossed all goes well next week.
Take care everyone
Sally xxx

[salsa27Participant]

Thanks Eve,
I will definitely look into this issue further to ensure Dad is OK. I suspect that he will need a fair amount of care simply because he struggles now being arthritic, diabetic, suffering with COPD and atrial fibrillation! Just getting socks on and in and out of the bath have become an issue recently but mum will not help him.
I'll keep in touch with hopefully some better news soon.
Thanks again Sally x

[salsa27Participant]

Hi everyone,

Dad had a BM biopsy and blood tests back in 2009 which identified MGUS and has been monitored since. They seemed to think it was a case of sit back and wait and see what happened and hence we're now at a point where he has developed MM. This was diagnosed with another BM biopsy, bone scans and more blood tests last week. He is going to be part of the XI myeloma trial and the details of this are being discussed next week with his nurse.
This will eventually lead to the Stem Cell Transplant if he responds well. I have been attending pretty much all of dad's appointments with him. Mum went once and just argued with and embarressed my dad and the doctor the whole time hence why I tend to go now!
We've tried all sorts of intervention with regards to my mum's illness and to be blunt we've given up as the help is dire unless she wants it. My problem is that she always seems to be the main focus and it's not about her I want to make sure he's ok.
Dad is very tired at points in the day. I work full time doing random shifts and am a mum. Fortunately I work at the hospital where he is being treated so my access to him is easy when in hospital but obviously not so easy when he's home. What can I do to make a difference to him, to help ease symptoms etc? That is the sort of information I would like if anyone has any pearls of wisdom for me 🙂 This is my chance to give back to him and I want to make sure i'm not crowding him or doing too little.
I'm definitely going to embrace the help of the Macmillan nurses once we make contact.
Many thanks for your kind words.

Sally x

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