Husband with Myeloma

Hi Laura CYBIL123 and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to see you joining us and hear about the journey you and your husband are on.

I am Mike and I help out around our various Blood Cancer groups. I don’t have Myeloma but I was diagnosed way back in 1999 with a rare, incurable but treatable type of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Stage 4) so although my Blood Cancer ‘type’ is different I do appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well but not the specific treatment used....... but I do know Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) journey very well as I have had two Allo (donour) SCTs

We actually do have a dedicated Stem cell transplant support group so you may want to join the group and introduce yourself as the group members know the SCT Roller Coaster rather well.

Always around to help more or just to chat.

Hi Laura,

So sorry you are in the same situation as myself, was your husband diagnosed fairly recently? My husband has MM as well and initially he was also very poorly as the disease was so far advanced. My husband had six months of chemo and this was followed by a stem cell transplant, the STC took place a year ago and he is still doing well. When you consider he was given two to three months without treatment, to still be here two years later….. 

Your poor husband must have been suffering so much and of course, it goes without saying, an incredibly worrying time for yourself.

I understand completely how you feel about the isolation, we have been through the same, it is so very difficult when it is the time you really feel you want the support of your loved ones. I wonder if the isolation might ease a bit once the sepsis is completely gone and your husband’s strength has recovered a little? We are still very cautious about mixing too much and don’t go anywhere there might be crowds or with people who we know travel a lot and might possibly pass on a virus, we never go into supermarkets at weekends as they are too busy and we always, always wear our masks still. Most of my shopping I still do online and have it delivered. Our lives have completely changed from two years ago, but it is a life we have slowly adapted to and we have become used to. We are not anywhere near as isolated as we were at one point, so I only hope you find yourselves in the same situation as ourselves, difficult but bearable. All our family and friends appreciate the need for them to be honest and not to come near if there is even a threat of a virus. Have you found the people around you to be understanding and supportive, even if only on the telephone? I do hope so.

Hopefully there will be people on this forum who might be able to bring you some comfort and knowing there are others who understand exactly what you are feeling helps to lessen the loneliness. Big hugs to you both, Marion xx 

Hi Laura, my husband was diagnosed with MM in July and like you hubbie it was an advanced stage. He has now had 5 cycles of treatment and is going in on Tuesday to have his Stem Cells Harvested. So erything is going well. My Hubby had previously had a Kidney Transplant so this complicated things but you put your faith in the doctors as they are the experts.  I hope things go well for him and hgets his transplant in the new year.  We just have to stay strong and support them the best we can. Sending you hugs and never feel alone.

Hi Fuz1, do remember that we also have our dedicated Stem cell transplant where people from various blood cancers support each other on the SCT journey.

Hi

Thank you Marion

It is comforting just to know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

He has just completed his first cymo cycle, and we had some good news on Friday that his para protein and light chain levels have already halved.

He is feeling quite a bit stronger and we went for a short walk on the beach near us yesterday where we met my daughter and grand children at a social distance yesterday.Hopefully the weather hols a bot and we can do it again as it really perked him up.

So glad your husband is doing well 

Huhs to you too xxx

Thank you so much xxx

So glad your husband is doing so well.It's so hard seeing them so poorly.

Hello All, I hope everything goes well for everybody, Laura I am going for my harvest in January I would appreciate it greatly if you would let me know how your hubby gets on and how he found it. It’s a lot to take on but we have to try everything!! 
Thsnks in advance xx

Sorry fuz1 I put Laura’s name in my response to you!!! 

Hi Notgivingup he has first day of harvesting today and all seems to have went well he found everything straight forward. As they didn’t get enough today he’s back tomorrow again for round 2.  That doesn’t bother him as it’s just another step on the road to recovery.  Will let you know how it all goes tomorrow then hopefully it’s just a case of sitting back and waiting for the call for his treatment and then Transplant.  

stay strong 

Thank you so much for responding I wish him well and you too!! I would be extremely grateful if you could let me know how it goes and if not too much trouble the transplant itself as well it’s all very daunting. I have to travel to Newcastle for my harvest and transplant which is 60 miles from me but worth it!! Are you local to your hospital? My original diagnosis was the result of a fractured spine so myself and my daughter will book into a hotel for the harvest as when I went for my consultation the length of travel time gave me the most horrendous backache so I would rather be comfortable. Good luck tomorrow xxx