Blood cancer

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Has anyone got any experiences of blood cancer? My mum got diagnosed in January with myeloma and I’m still struggling to get my head around it. She’s starting induction chemo and then going for a transplant which I’m terrified about.

Hi OP, I'm sorry about your DM diagnosis, my DM had lukemia, so whilst I don't have any knowledge of myelona I do understand how you're feeling. Incase you don't get any other replies, blood cancer UK have a forum you can join, I found it really helpful when my mum was diagnosed x

My mother had myeloma for more than five and a half years. She had treatment for six months that pushed her into remission and was treated again when she relapsed. She was doing well on the second round of treatment but got acute myeloid leukaemia (unrelated and not connected to treatment) and died of that.

The myeloma was almost like a chronic illness. It really is very treatable even if not curable. There are so many new drugs available now. There’s a good Facebook myeloma patients and carers page, if you search.

I think the FB group is UK myeloma support group. Don’t confuse it with the US group as their medical system makes it a rather different treatment process.

Lots of very reassuring stories there for both carers and patients.

My DF had AML at the age of 72. He had the most brutal chemo (three weeks in isolation in hospital) and then a transplant, which in all honestly wasn’t an easy ride at his age. However, he did go into remission and is now 4 years clear. Good luck to your mum 💐

I have myeloma. Diagnosed in 2021 when I was 78. I was thought to be 'too old' to cope with the stem cell transplant so am on immunotherapy and coming up to 5 years on I am in remission. Although not curable it is treatable. Yes it was v difficult at first especially with the covid situation and fear of infection. There are side effects of treatment but I am lucky that in my case they are fairly minor -some neuropathy, muscle cramps, skin rashes. My brother had this same disease 15 years ago and the treatment has come on so much since then.
Everyone is different.

The UK Facebook group s very good for info and support. Wishing your mum all the best x

My son was diagnosed with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma almost exactly 2 years ago. He’s in remission now and doing well.

Best wishes to your mum as she goes through treatment xx

I've currently got Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and in remission. I've had chemo and don't currently need a stem cell transplant but it's a very common next step for many of the other blood cancer patients I've met in hospital.

There are so many different types of blood cancer with individual mutatations that it's really best to just focus on what's happening with your Mum's illness and try not to draw too many conclusions from other people's experiences.

The most useful advice my consultant gave me on day one is "don't Google". Only get info from your own medical team and cancer charities. You can scare yourself stupid by worrying about stats and it won't help. Just take one day at a time, try and stay in the moment and don't panic.