Diagnosed at 34

Hi Fighting_MM and welcome to this corner of the Community although always sorry to see folks joining us. I am Mike Thehighlander and I help out around our various blood cancer groups.

I don’t have Myeloma but was diagnosed in 1999 with a rare, incurable but treatable type of NHL Stage 4a and although my blood cancer ‘type’ is different I know this journey rather well.

it is a lot to take in but there are many in this group who were in the same position as yourself and years on are living normal lives, Lets look for some of the group members to pick up on your post.

You can also look through the various posts (hit the main group name and scroll down) and as always you can hit reply and ask some questions and see if the member is looking in.

The Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or via web chat. This service provides cancer information, emotional support, benefits and financial guidance or just a listening ear.

To find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers check our Online Information and Support Section. 

Talking to people face to face can indeed help a lot but during these strange times it’s not that available but do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area has opened up. Do also check out for a local Maggie's Centre in your area as they do run Heamatology Support Group.

Always around to help more or just to chat.

Hi Fighting_MM,

I am really sorry to read your post, I was diagnosed age 36 nearly 7 years ago now and I remember how utterly unexpected and devastating it was so my heart very much goes out to you at this terrible time. My best advice for now is to listen to your medical team and focus on what treatment plan they have for you. There are so many scary stories and out of date information on the internet and whilst it is helpful to have an overview of what you are facing, what is best to focus on right now is what your own medical team tell you as they are going to know your specific situation best.

I am really wishing you all the very best with treatment and even if you have to put some plans on hold in the short term, please try as best you can to see all this as a yes horrible, but most importantly temporary, blip, and you’ll get back to where you want to be as soon as the treatment has done it’s job of putting those myeloma cells back into their place.

Please use this space for whatever you need over the coming days, weeks and months, there will be people here who are likely to have some understanding of what you are going through and who will try to help along the way. 

Greg

My partner had given up in effect, body and soul, by the time he was diagnosed. But lots of people, with clever and sympathetic experts, get on top of their condition. My neighbour was diagnosed years ago during his retirement but with caring treatment he leads a normal life, pain free, including regular golf and socialising. Lots of reasons to stay optimistic through the first horrid shock