Not as bad as some

Hi Keavan. 
Thanks for posted such a detailed update. You’ve been up and down with all this.
Sorry you’re still suffering with taste and eating problems. I guess you take a few steps forward and the chemo comes along knocks you back a few too. It will get better and with some people it just takes longer. 
I’m 21 months post RT and my taste can be all over the place at times still. I can taste everything but not in HD. 
I see you are a member of the Myeloma group. 
I don’t know much about your cancer type and you’ll probably get better qualified help there. 

I think if I were in your shoes with such a serious choice to make I might get a second opinion from another oncologist, one specialising in this cancer perhaps? 

There is a group for stem cell transplant experiences, you might find that useful

STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS FOR BLOOD CELL CANCERS

And you might find some help on  MYELOMA UK

I hope you start to feel properly better soon

Take care 

Hi Bee,

Thanks for your reply,yes I have been up and down and not knowing how bad things would have been without any treatment is one of those things I guess ,all I do know is I was living a normal life before treatment eating tasting and working but now i am doing none of those things so to maybe exstend my life but without quity of life makes one wonder.

ARH

Don't be despondent. Some of us who have our mouths and throats really fried thought life would never be the same. It isn't quite but it very nearly is.

Wait till you have your PET/CT scan results and take it from there.

Can you take advantage of any counselling? Maybe ask your GP for some contacts. There is no harm in talking to your practice about antidepressants to get you through either, if you fancy that route.

You shouldn't have to struggle without help

Macmillan can point you to counselling in your area if you ring them. 

Have a look here Counselling

Hi, Bee,

No No No please don't think I am depressed over all this just down that my taste is gone as eating is one of the main things in life, just think if my taste comes back and all is well and I return to work it will be like winning the lottery.

ARH

Sorry, didn't mean to presume. I love my food. It's difficult but I have faith that I will enjoy more as time goes by. I'm in a completely different and much better place with that than I was a year ago. You're still in treatment. Chemo messes with you. 

Hi Keavan

I think.if I were in the same situation I would wait for the results of the scans and then have a really good chat to your consultant to voice your concerns.  If you're still unsure of the advice I would do as Dani suggests and seek a 2nd opinion.  At least you'll hopefully feel you've explored all avenues and have a clearer understanding.

As regards your taste issues I can totally appreciate how disappointing and frustrating it is not to be able to enjoy your food.  It does feel like a deprivation of enjoyment and a waste of time eating but hopefully once your treatment has finished your taste will slowly start to return.  It may never be the same as it was before but you should be able to enjoy some tastes again albeit in a slightly different way.  In the meantime you  need to be able to keep your body as strong as possible.

Wishing you all the best with the rest of your treatment.

Linda x

Thank you for your reply Linda,the treatment is giving me more problems than the cancer was, my stomache is getting problems now because I am not eating the amount I should be.

ARH

Yes, it's a bitter irony isn't it Keavan that some of us receive our diagnosis either feeling absolutely fine or maybe a little under the weather but can undergo such a tough time during and after treatment.   On the other hand, without treatment  the manifestations can be truly dreadful.

Good luck on Tuesday.

Linda x