Myeloma

Hi

i was diagnosed in February this year and have just completed 12 weeks of chemo and on Monday I am having my stem cells harvested in preparation for the transplant which I don’t have a date for yet.

chemo went smoothly for me hope it does for your husband 

Hi Mrsg,

There is a specialist charity called Myeloma UK which has a lot of information. The most relevant single link that I could find is here:

https://www.myeloma.org.uk/understanding-myeloma/treating-myeloma/initial-treatments-for-myeloma/

The short, factual answer to your question is that your husband will probably have DVTD ('induction') for 4 or so cycles (a cycle is 4 weeks), then a stem cell harvest (unless - rule of thumb - over 70 or with comorbidities) where his stem cells are taken out and 'cleaned'. Then a stem cell transplant. Then a couple more cycles of treatment ('consolidation').

Assuming that he is in remission (likely), chemo usually continues. It is called maintenance chemo: only some of the drugs.

Maybe that wasn't so short an answer .

Now to try and put your and your husband's minds at rest, after a cancer diagnosis may well have come as a total shock to you both. Treatment is a hard slog, the odds are that there are some unpleasant side effects ahead. However, the treatment is effective and there will be better days ahead.

'How to get him through this'. The physical and mental impacts vary enormously, so there is no one answer. Physically, the two biggest impacts are likely to be:

- Fatigue. He may need more sleep, a daytime nap and generally lack energy.

- A weakened immune system. Vulnerable to infections (especially after a stem cell transplant).

Supporting him through these things, and whatever else may arise, could be how best to help.

I was diagnosed a few years back. I didn't have a stem cell transplant. I am still in remission, and still enjoying life.

Hi

Thank you gor replying, im so glad to hear the chemo went smoothly for you & i hope your not waiting too long for your transplant.

If you dont mind me asking but have you any advice on how to help him thru this? 

Thank you so much for your reply, although I couldn't fault the doctors looking after him, they dont give time frames and explain the full process, and not being thru this before, like so many other people sometimes the words they use arnt clear. You have just replied in simple terms on what to expect and time frames & for that im grateful.

Its so nice to hear you are enjoying life that gives me hope which I will most definitely pass on to my husband Thank you 

No problem. Taking in huge amounts of jargon-filled information at a time of traumatic news is borderline impossible. I've been there!

This forum is a community of patients and carers who have been through this. Please feel free to ask anything!

Hi

remaining positive really helps me and keeping busy as much as your body allows 

everyone is different but speaking with others also has helped me 

Like people have said there’s lots of information out there but when I was first diagnosed, I didn’t really want to know. I found it too overwhelming. I just trusted my doctors and nurses. That was quite awhile ago and I’m much better informed. people are different and what will be helpful for them you know him best sometimes a distraction something else that’s going on in your lives it’s the most helpful. 

Being positive is the best way forward & I agree talking is good, just talking in this group has helped already thank you 

Hi, thank you for your reply, I think my husband is like what you were, hes overwhelmed by it all & would rather not know and I would be exactly the same if it were me, but I think in order to help him I need to be prepared for what he is about to go thru that way I know i will be stronger for him. I think reading on here everyone's experiences has helped so much, I can take a little of what everyone has said and get my husband thru this and distraction is most helpful 

Hi Mrsg.   Kevin here.    Chicken2 as given you some great responses to your fears and questions. I am 2.5 years post stem cell transplant and doing good and in Remmision. Like Chicken I followed that path   From diagnosis to stem cell harvest took me about 8 months.   I drove myself to most of my hospital appointments and lucky for me the parking was free to cancer patients with 3 visits per week for 3 weeks.   1 week off then next cycle of treatment.    Post stem cell harvest transplant recovery is tough !     10 days in hospital and low immune system.   Home and then the real recovery starts.  Expect weight loss. Fatigue after noon sleeps   Lack of appetite.   Macmillan offer great written guidance in pamphlets for the patient and for you the carer       It’s a tough battle but one worth fighting.    We all wish you both well.  Kevin x