[toonbadgerParticipant]

Hi Karen

Thanks for updating me about the way June’s treatment has been going. Yes I would say it certainly sounds like our mums are very positive ladies. I hope that with time as the CDT/chemo takes effect in combating the myeloma, that June will experience more ups than downs and hopefully with time vast improvements in health and quality of life will result.

I am surprised and sorry to hear that June is still experiencing pain, as that was our main concern with my mum. When she was rushed into A&E it was heart breaking to see the pain she was in when she moved. It did not help she was admitted into A&E at 2am on a Sunday, and had to wait 6 hours before she saw a doctor who prescribed her morphine. Her pain is under control now and is able to move about, go to the toilet/shower etc by herself with the aid of a zimmer frame pain free, maybe only the odd twinge.

We saw the Hematology specialist today, and was pleased to hear that my mum has started her CDT treatment and could be home by the weekend where she will be a lot happier.

Apparently, like sarahj’s mum, due to her age (86) she will not be getting the full dose of the chemo drug (cyclophosphamide) straight away, and will be given, at least initially, a milder chemo treatment. Gradually the dose might be increased as and when they think she can tolerate it. So I guess she will not be experiencing the full side effects June has experienced until/if they up her dosage. It is planned she will get about nine courses of CDT treatment.

Thanks for sharing June’s and your experiences . It seems myeloma effects different people in different ways and depending on their age and health at time of diagnosis, will result in different treatments. But I believe and hope that the positive nature of our mum’s can only be an extra bonus, which along with treatments will improve their health and quality of life in their remaining  years (hopefully many).

I will post regular updates on my mum’s progress and please keep me updated on June’s progress as well. I would also be very interested to hear from anyone else, who has had similar experiences of elderly people being treated for myeloma (particularly on the spine).

Best wishes for June, yourself and other people having to deal with the effects of myeloma.

Doug xx

 

 

[toonbadgerParticipant]

Hi Kaz18 & sarahj

Hi, hope both your mums are receiving best treatment possible and well on the way to getting benefit from it.

I am in very similar situation to you in that my 86 year old mum Val has recently been diagnosed with myeloma effecting her spine. She has had 4 radiotherapy treatment sessions and starts her CDT treatment tomorrow. Not sure what stage she is in, seeing specialist tomorrow so will ask him. After being in severe pain due to the myeloma effecting her spine, I am pleased to say it is now bearable with her taking regular morphine.

kaz18 – As your mum is of similar age to mine and on same course of CDT treatment, I am very interested to hear of any updates regarding hopefully the progress your mum has made since your last message dated June 18th. My mum likes yours is very positive at the moment and all things considered of good mood (nurses say she is always smiling), but I gather when she starts her CDT treatment tomorrow, she will soon begin to feel the side effects of being down and tired. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated how you helped your mum to get through it.

How soon were you able to get your mums home?

Best wishes to you and your mums.

Doug xx

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