Hi Val,
Not easy finding the right and affordable company.
Having worked in the insurance business many years ago, my advice to all applicants is declare EVERYTHING. Companies will find anyway they can of not paying out, especially if a claim is made linked to a condition, former treatment, medication being taken, that was not mentioned when you made your application.
At the moment I use ‘insurance with’. They state that it is cheaper to apply online but when I did so, at the end of filling in the questionnaire it stated that I would have to speak with an adviser, as some of the conditions that I had mentioned, required further discussion. This mainly referred to the Myeloma and what stage I was at etc etc.
I am 70yrs, having undergone SCT in 2012 but now no longer in remission.
Good luck.
Kind regards,
Steve.
Hi Susie,
I successfully applied for a Blue Badge last year at the suggestion of family and friends.
I didn’t want to think that I had reached that stage in my life but realised what an advantage the badge could be. I have problems getting out of the car at times and need to be able to open the door wide, which a blue badge space allows.
I also find that walking any great distance causes fatigue, so any help re parking near to supermarket entrances etc etc, is a great advantage.
The badge can also be used abroad and as we visit Spain quite a lot, I find it a very useful asset.
The application questionaire is not too daunting and it’s just a matter of answering it honestly and accurately. If you do so, then you should have no problem.
With all good wishes,
Steve.
Hi Sonia,
Many thanks for your reply.
My consultant at Southampton was Dr Orchard and at QA is Dr Mary. They are both extremely knowledgeable and sympathetic to our needs.
I attend QA for monthly consultations with Dr Mary, along with three monthly visits for Pamidronate infusions to strengthen my bones.
In 2012 the Myeloma attacked my spine and caused it to multi fracture, so much so that it prolapsed and over a short period of time I’d lost 7 inches in height.
Unfortunately nothing could be done to rectify the situation, as my spine had fused together, with no effective discs left in place. As a result, along with the Pemidronate, I have to take numerous pain killers, to make my mobility etc a lot more tolerable.
No I don’t use a stick or walking aid and still drive the car, with no problem. Can’t stand for very long though and find that comfy chairs are a blessing!
Ever Onwards AND Upwards.
Stay positive, both of you, do what the consultants tell you and all will be fine.
With all good wishes,
Steve.
I am now 70 and unfortunately no longer in remission.
We searched the web a couple of years ago for suitable travel insurance companies who would cover Myeloma and it took a while to find one. We even trawled through all of the companies listed on the Myeloma site.
We have been with All Clear for the past couple of years, but they are not cheap.
However we have now switched to ‘insurancewith’
I answered their questionnaire online and as usual there are lots of questions to answer, about your condition and medication etc. Then at the end they asked me to phone them to discuss my situation, as it was not a straightforward application.
They were able to bring my responses up on screen and went through each section for clarification.
I am a great believer in declaring everything, as having worked in insurance many years ago, know exactly how companies can wriggle out of paying up, if they discover that you have not done so.
This can happen even if your claim is not directly related to your longstanding condition.
‘insurancewith’ are definitely worth having a look at.
Steve.
Hi Sonia,
Had my stem cell at Southampton in 2012. Spent three weeks in isolation and was then able to return home.
Not a very pleasant experience with all the side effects such as diarrhoea, ulcerated mouth and throat, nausea.
After returning home it took about 6 months for me to fully recover.
I am now 70 and unfortunately no longer in remission, so am undergoing 6 months of new treatment including chemo and weekly injections. Despite my unpleasant first experience of SCT, I am considering having a second transplant and have requested a referral to discuss the possibilities. I have sufficient frozen cells from my initial harvesting.
The staff at Southampton are fantastic and I couldn’t have had better care and attention. Your husband will be in very safe hands.
Onwards and upwards and keep positive.
Kind regards,
Steve.
Hi Graeme,
I’ve been in remission from multiple myeloma since January 2013, having had SCT in November 2012.
For the past two years we have used ‘All Clear’ via ‘insurance choice’.
Unlimited multi-trip, World Wide, excluding, North & South America & Caribbean, for myself and my wife.
I did a lot of ‘trawling around’ via the Internet etc, and although not cheap, we went with them.
Worth an enquiry anyway.
Kind regards,
Steve.
I receive my treatment at Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital.
Last year, 2014, I was moved onto Zometa from Pamidronate but found it didn’t agree with me, headaches and sickly feelings. Also found the calcium tablets, that I was given to take on a daily basis, were rather unpleasant to take.
As a result of this, I requested to revert back to Pamidronate, which was duly agreed.
As I had been receiving infusions on a monthly basis for two years, this has now been extended to an infusion lasting 1 hr 30 mins, every 3 months.
All is now well.
Steve.
Dear Dawn,
Forgot to say that it's cheaper to buy annual insurance rather than single trip.
Also, don't always go for the cheapest deal, as there are sometimes hidden clauses and the amount of cover is not always as good with cheaper companies.
All Clear offer a very comprehensive cover, with an unlimited number of trips during the year.
Best wishes,
Steve.
Hello David, this is a first post for me but I have been finding a lot of comfort from this site for the last year since my husband, Steve was diagnosed with Myeloma. We both agree that the video is excellent and does need to be shown to as many people as possible. If you click on the top left of the video where it says 'a short video about myeloma' then click on the symbol with that has two right forks (sure it has a name!!) it should lead you to email ! Good luck, Pauline
Hi Dawn,
We have also used All Clear, as I am in remission with Myeloma, and were pleased with the deal we got.
Their contact number is: 0845 250 5201.
Good luck with it all,
Steve.
Hi Christine and Chris,
Really sorry to hear about your problems.
I know it's difficult but do try and keep positive through it all and I'm sure things will work out fine.
Do keep us posted on your progress and rest assured that we will all be rooting for a successful outcome!
With all good wishes,
Steve & Pauline xx
Many thanks for these Alex, very useful.
With all good wishes,
Steve.
Hi Charlie & Mary,
Yes I did have osteoporosis before the stem cell transplant, but not before I was diagnosed with Myeloma.
Infact I had been very healthy up until my diagnosis, never been in hospital, played tennis and golf on a regular basis, before experiencing back pains towards the end of 2011. This was originally diagnosed as muscle strain and a slipped disc, prior to blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy confirmed my condition.
I was able to begin gardening, driving and travelling to Spain, 6 months after my transplant.
Still get slightly emotional at times about my condition, but this is becoming less frequent.
The trick is to try and keep positive at all times and you will successfully get through it all. Do what the Doctors and Nurses advise and tell you and I can assure you that all will be well.
With all good wishes,
Steve.
Hi Charlie and Mary,
Good luck with all of the treatment.
Lots of really good advice on here and nothing much that I can add, only give you a brief summary of what I went through.
Had my treatment at Southampton General in October 2012. All the staff were brilliant and everything that my consultant told me would happen DID happen!
Three weeks in isolation, with the middle week being the worst, when I felt absolutely zonked and run down. Lost my appetite and even the smell of cooked food made me feel grotty.
My Myeloma also caused Osteoporosis and compression of my spine, resulting in a loss of 6 inches in height. Something which I still find difficult to come to terms with, as I am also in constant pain, despite taking pain killers throughout the day.
Returning home was wonderful, even though I was somewhat apprehensive at first, as the hospital care and attention was no longer immediately to hand.
Yes I could climb the stairs, very tentatively at first, but gaining strength and confidence on a daily basis.
Visitors were restricted to close family in the initial stages and even they were banned if they were sniffly etc.
Underwent physio work at Portsmouth QA Hospital, under the advice of my consultant there, and this proved very beneficial.
My mobility is now much improved, though my upright stature still needs to be worked on and I will get there in the end.
I am now able to garden an cut the grass etc, even though at a more sedate pace than before.
I also experience fatigue in the afternoons and have to ly down for a rest and short naps.
We have also been able return to our place in Spain on a couple of occasions and more visits are planned later this year.
I still have to return to The QA, once a week, and will be doing for the next two years, for bone strengthening drips.
Now in remission and all is progressing well.
However the success of my treatment and recovery would not have been possible without the unstinting love and care from
my wonderful AND beautiful wife.
Hope the above has been useful and best wishes to you both for the future.
Steve.
