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Discussion about multiple myeloma treatments, stem cell transplants, clinical trials, alternative medicines, supplements, and their benefits and side effects.

Re: Barbara's Transplant Journey (South Africa)

by TerryH on Wed Dec 14, 2016 10:53 am

Hi Barbara,

I hope you're continuing to recover well at home and that there haven't been any significant "hiccups" since you left the hospital. Good luck!

TerryH

Re: Barbara's Transplant Journey (South Africa)

by Barbara SA on Sat Dec 24, 2016 1:40 pm

Hi all who are following my postings and also going through a stem cell transplant.

I am blessed to be able to be home with my family for Christmas. My blood cell levels are increasing well and, apart from low grade fever and now being on antibiotics, all is going well. It's just the fatigue.

So I want to wish you all a wonderful and blessed Christmas and pray that 2017 will be a much better one than 2016.

Barbara SA
Name: Barbara SA
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
Age at diagnosis: 55

Re: Barbara's Transplant Journey (South Africa)

by chadsnow on Tue Dec 27, 2016 12:11 am

Barbara,

So glad to hear that you made it home for Christmas! Sounds like you're past the worst of it and on the road to recovery! I've been feeling so good that I returned to work the last couple weeks for about 20 hours a week. I was going nuts sitting around my house!

It is so interesting to hear how the treatment protocols vary from country to country and even between different hospitals in the same country. I will always feel a bond to you, DeanUK, Tara's husband, and Ashwin. Makes the world feel a lot smaller when you can root for people all over the globe who you've never met.

Best wishes for all of us for a happy and healthy 2017!

chadsnow
Name: Chad Snow
Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: May 19, 2016
Age at diagnosis: 45

Re: Barbara's Transplant Journey (South Africa)

by Barbara SA on Fri Feb 17, 2017 4:21 am

Hi Chad, Dean and Ashwin and others who've exchanged experiences with me on this site.

I am now finished with the immune boosting treatment. Last one was on 15th February. I also had a bone marrow biopsy done and am waiting for the results. They did bloods too. Two weeks ago the proteins were zero. So depending on the biopsy results, I could be in the clear. Thanks to God for this and also to my medical team who managed the treatment.

I will post again as soon as I know the outcome.

I trust you are all well and making great progress.

Barbara SA
Name: Barbara SA
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
Age at diagnosis: 55

Re: Barbara's Transplant Journey (South Africa)

by Barbara SA on Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:36 pm

Hi all.

I got the results of the blood tests and the bone marrow biopsy.

The best news I could have got came through last Thursday. No detectable abnormal anti­bodies in the blood. And plasma cells in bone marrow <5%, which is what it should be.

So according to my doctor I had a complete response / remission.

Now I will have to discuss maintenance with my doctor. I don't know what it will be and how it will affect me. But I will wait to.see what he has to say and recommend.

Will keep all updated.

Other good news is my second beautiful granddaughter arrived a week ago. What a blessing.

Barbara SA
Name: Barbara SA
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
Age at diagnosis: 55

Re: Barbara's Transplant Journey (South Africa)

by Little Monkey on Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:21 pm

Congrats on the granddaughter, Barbara!

Little Monkey
Name: Little Monkey
Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015

Re: Barbara's Transplant Journey (South Africa)

by Barbara SA on Sat Nov 04, 2017 10:52 am

I'm coming up on a year since my autologous transplant. It was 25 November 2016.

I've been fine and even started back at school on a part time basis in April. Then in June I got shingles in the left buttock area. Rash didn't last long, got the antiviral medications and some pain medications. But now it's almost 5 months and I still have nerve damage pain. My pain specialist has tried a pulsed radiofrequency ablation, but that hasn't helped. So I'm still battling with really bad pain.

My myeloma doctors say just about all their transplant patients get shingles.

All the best, kind regards.
Barbara SA

Barbara SA
Name: Barbara SA
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
Age at diagnosis: 55

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