Dear Chickenwing. I am one of the peer support group. I can only tell you of my experience. I was admitted to hospital after collapsing with unbelieveable back pain which turned out to be 2 vertebral wedge fractures. When they carried out investigations they found I was in complete kidney failure requiring immediate and constant dialysis. Furstth investigations identified that I had MM. It sounds like you have not had as bad an experience which i am glad about. I was initially told I had just days to live due to the state of my blood. However I was given a transfusion of 13 pints of blood which very much improved my condition. I obviously got over that initial problem and they extended the prognosis to 6 months. I had 6 rounds VTD which were very effective and the prognosis was again extended to 2 years. I elected to have SCT which I had 2 years ago last month. I am tested every 3 months and there is no sign of the MM coming back.
I can only tell you of my experience, and for me it was a no brainer to go ahead with the SCT as I was so ill and I was not ready to go, so was willing to do anything to make my life last longer. SCT treatment is not pleasant and you will probably lose your hair and get mucositis which is also not pleasant, but both of these side effects are only temporary, your hair will grow back!
Would I have it again knowing what I know now, yes I would as I would probably not be here now, or at least I would be very ill if I hadn`t. Would I have it again if it came back? Yes I would if it gave me further life expectancy.
However the choice is yours and I wish you well whatever you decide.
