Infections

Hi June,

It’s not a daft question at all. How the immune system works is baffling to me.

I am by no means a medical expert. My take on it is that while ever the myeloma is active, it’s going to cause infections, to a large extent no matter what you do. I think it’s because the cancer is in the antibodies, so there are not enough good ones kicking around in the body to stop the millions of viruses and bacteria that a healthy person fights off really easily. I say this because after my allo SCT, I was in isolation for about 2 months, with every person I saw wearing a mask, and I still had infection in my body. I think the goal has to be to control the myeloma and then the infection resistance will build up. Of course, doing all the usual precautions are really important to minimise as many infections as you can, but I know you’ll be doing all that anyway.

How is your husband’s treatment going?

Greg

Oh thanks Greg.
He’s doing OK really but the infections are a pain. His major side effect - and the reason he’s been hospitalised a couple of times this last month - is sweating. When  I say sweating it as if he’s leaking all day and night. The doctors just seem as baffled as we are. Apart from doing the mountains of washing every day I’m still  his only support as we have no family to lean on. It’s very lonely and isolating for us both now. His pain has increased too so combined with the sweating our sleep is very disturbed. 
So sorry to moan.  I hope you are still doing well. 

Regards June

Hi June,

Certainly no need to apologize for moaning, that’s exactly what this site is for. It sounds as though you are having a really rough time at the moment. Are there any local support groups you could lean on? I’m really hoping the medical teams can get on top of these issues really quickly June, and get your husband back into a good remission really soon.

Greg

Sorry June, just realized I mis-wrote my post and I’ve just edited it.

Meant to write certainly no need to apologize, not certainly no need to moan! You’ve every right to moan! That’s what this site is for - to get emotions out and connect with others going through the same.

Greg

Hello Greg

thank you for your replies and permission to moan. Every time I find myself having a grumble in my head I tell myself there are people much worse off than us. My nine year old great  niece asked me last week if I was lonely now and I said yes because I realised I actually am lonely. Hubby and I only have each other and our very old dog and mum who is just short of ninety years old. 
The nearest support group is quite a distance away and with my disabilities I don’t feel comfortable going on my own and of course hubby is currently too poorly to travel. I am going to ring our nurse on Monday for some help and we are lucky to have supportive GPS so that’s  good.

Thank you for your support and I wish you well.

June