Myeloma

Hi  Papaya,   welcome, but  as always sad to welcome a new visitor to the forum,    there are a few of us active on here, and give moral support to  other patients,   ourselves included!,    i am  male   69,   2.5 years post Stem cell transplant and  in good health in Remmision,  on no   treatment meds.  so  yes the 4 cycles before Harvest and transplant,  are sill fresh in my mind!  DVTD, was   an  easy thing to do,    injections, and  tablets at home,  and soon reduced my levels to  make the Stem cell harvest  acceptable,      i drove myself  to all of my appointments,  and even my wife was able to leave me alone and travel ( to our sons wedding in Australia)      having a good family and friends  support helped me,  more mentally  than anything else!        it is a tough journey,  but  well well worth it,  as we all lead good lives,  i am sure i will not be the only one to respond,      i wish you well on the journey,  come back and tell us how you are doing,   you are not alone!        

It was nice to hear from you. Thank you for sharing a bit of your journey. it sounds positive and encouraging! How long did it take, more or less, to complete all the treatment, including the four cycles and the stem cell transplant?

Hi Papaya and welcome to the forum.  Not the best club to be in but lovely people who all share our similar experiences.  From diagnosis to stem cell transplant took me 8 months. I was very lucky I sailed thru the chemo, no side effects but the transplant was a tough journey. But after 3 weeks I started to get better and better. Im now 2 and a half years in remission,  I take a maintenance drug every day, bloods every 8 weeks and my 2 monthly consultation appointments are over the phone!   You certainly have to adjust to your new life but as many of us have shared   we are living good lives. Its a journey none of us would have chosen  but with the help of a good support network, you will get thru this.  Reach out to us any time, there will be one of us who can answer your worries.   Im a 71 year old female who is living my best life  tho somewhat changed.  Take care, keep positive.  X

1. Hi i was diagnosed feb 24 age 69 grom start of treatment to stem cell harvest then stem cell  transplant was all done in 5 months i am in remission i take tablets and othrr medication etc let us know jow things are going .

Hi Papaya

im going for my 8th chemo session today diagnosed in December 2025 so far no major side effects apart from fatigue.Im on the Radaar trial stem cell collection booked for July.

good luck with your treatment 

hi again,    thank for asking questions,     happy to share,  it took from Diagnosis to  transplant,  only  8 months,    remember   each cycle of treatment is   4 weeks,    and i also had my  transplant delayed twice due to bed space, in  Birmingham  QE  2   hospital,    but i must  say,  the care and treatment  was brilliant,  i  wanted to be transferred back to Worcester hospital to be under the care of the treatment team  in haematology,      just another point,    on my treatments on DVTD,  i had to visit worcester hospital  3 x per week,  monday blood tests and then  treatment   wednesday and friday,  i    received a free parking pass,  ( all cancer patients get this)   and then as my walking was poor i got a blue badge issued   these little thing help your journey,   Kevin  AKA  Vespa 

How lovely to hear from you. Thank you very much for your message and sharing how long time takes your treatment.  Congratulations for your successful journey and 2 and half years in remission  

Hello ! Thank you for your message !
5 months sounds quickly, well done ! I  hope you are doing well ! I’m on my week 3 of Dara VT first cycle, lots to learn, sometimes feel lost, but I’m doing okay ! Thank you 

Thank you for your message ! My main symptoms at the moment are weakness, fatigue and body ache and skin sensitive during 3 days per week. Good luck with your radar trial stem cell for July 

Hi Vespa thank you for the helpful tips ! I’m doing my treatment in Bath Dyson Centre. I’m going to look into blue badge. Thanks