Hi everyone

Hi.   Please lean on us.  We have all been there      Of course so much to take in     FYI.  I am 17 months post stem cell transplant.     You will need to let others do some helping      It’s a joney worth taking g even now new treatments are come available. Incredible research.       All the tests will guide your  care team on what course to take.       There are so many helpful guide’s Inacmillan website.        We can help and guide from our own experiences.       I am living a good life.   A new normal.  I drive walk.  Ride a bike ( which is great because I couldn’t before !).      Walk the dog   I am retired but still work remotely,       It will not control you !    You will control it     !      Kevin 

Thank you so much Kevin. This is just what I needed to hear. Maybe I could get a bike for Xmas, as currently I’m not great on one either. Great to hear your progress and long may it continue for you. Teresa

Hi Teresa

Welcome to the forum.

I went through the blubbering phase too. To be diagnosed with cancer - let alone one which is incurable - can be pretty traumatic.

Vespa has mentioned the resources on the Macmillan website. Also, the charity Myeloma UK has a peer buddy service, where you can talk with someone who has had myeloma for a while:

 www.myeloma.org.uk/.../

Some people can derive support from religion. Personally, I meditate to calm my thoughts.

You say that you feel out of control. That was roughly how I felt at diagnosis in 2022. I can suggest a couple of things from my experience.

- Know your enemy. I read up on myeloma and in particular treatments. I have learnt a whole new vocabulary of t(4, 14), bispecific antibodies, CAR-T and a lot more! You would then be able to have more meaningful discussions with your doctor, know what each chemo drug does etc. We can of course help with the learning process.

- You are largely in control of your lifestyle. I exercise hard (though I couldn't do much until remission), eat healthily, don't smoke and barely drink. 

- I planned beyond the 6 months of treatment, deciding where I would want to go on holiday. There is light at the end of the tunnel - focussing on being in control then can help.

People live long lives with myeloma these days!

Chicken2 (over 2 years in remission and enjoying life).