My dad (69) is starting chemotherapy next week in preparation for a stem cell transplant. He is in Australia and I am in London. I would love to visit at some point, but don't know when, or even if a visit is advisable.
I would love any advice about when he may be feeling ok, when to avoid, etc.
Thanks
Amy
Forums
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mrsknitting - Name: Amy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Dad
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 69
Re: Best time to visit dad?
Amy, is there anyone who will be undertaking a caregiver role for your father post-transplant?
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cdnirene - Name: Irene S
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Best time to visit dad?
Welcome to the forum, Amy.
You mentioned in your posting that your dad will be "starting chemotherapy" next week "in preparation for a stem cell transplant".
Can you explain a bit more where exactly your father is in his myeloma treatment? Has he already had several cycles (months) of treatment for myeloma, and next week he will be starting the transplant process with the high dose chemotherapy?
Or will he be starting his first cycle of treatment for myeloma next week?
I'm just trying to understand if your father is just starting treatment for his myeloma, or if he's already had some treatment and is now about to have a transplant.
I wish your father the best of luck with his treatment, wherever he may be in his myeloma journey.
You mentioned in your posting that your dad will be "starting chemotherapy" next week "in preparation for a stem cell transplant".
Can you explain a bit more where exactly your father is in his myeloma treatment? Has he already had several cycles (months) of treatment for myeloma, and next week he will be starting the transplant process with the high dose chemotherapy?
Or will he be starting his first cycle of treatment for myeloma next week?
I'm just trying to understand if your father is just starting treatment for his myeloma, or if he's already had some treatment and is now about to have a transplant.
I wish your father the best of luck with his treatment, wherever he may be in his myeloma journey.
Re: Best time to visit dad?
Thanks for your replies. He is newly diagnosed with Stage 1 light chain myeloma. He had leg pain after a 20-mile hike, and a lytic lesion was discovered at the top of his leg. He has had a titanium "bone" inserted. He has small lesions in his skull and leg but no other symptoms, like anaemia or kidney problems.
He has been told he is a suitable candidate for SCT and will start chemotherapy – 4 cycles, 3 weeks apart – in a few weeks. He lives with my mum, and other family are close, so lots of support.
I am totally new to this and have no idea how "sick" he will be and whether I would be helping or hindering to visit. It is 12 months since I saw him, and they were due to visit this summer, which obviously is now cancelled.
Any info or suggestions would be great.
He has been told he is a suitable candidate for SCT and will start chemotherapy – 4 cycles, 3 weeks apart – in a few weeks. He lives with my mum, and other family are close, so lots of support.
I am totally new to this and have no idea how "sick" he will be and whether I would be helping or hindering to visit. It is 12 months since I saw him, and they were due to visit this summer, which obviously is now cancelled.
Any info or suggestions would be great.
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mrsknitting - Name: Amy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Dad
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 69
Re: Best time to visit dad?
Hi Amy -
It would help to know what type of chemotherapy he'll be starting. In general, the drugs used for myeloma aren't as difficult to handle as some of the more traditional chemotherapy agents. In my case, the Velcade I took prior to my stem cell transplant had no noticeable side effects at all. Everyone's different, of course, and some have a harder time with these than others. Still, it's not likely there will be the vomiting, hair loss, etc. that older chemotherapy drugs were infamous for.
It would help to know what type of chemotherapy he'll be starting. In general, the drugs used for myeloma aren't as difficult to handle as some of the more traditional chemotherapy agents. In my case, the Velcade I took prior to my stem cell transplant had no noticeable side effects at all. Everyone's different, of course, and some have a harder time with these than others. Still, it's not likely there will be the vomiting, hair loss, etc. that older chemotherapy drugs were infamous for.
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Best time to visit dad?
Hi Amy,
I go into hospital next week for the stem cell transplant here in Melbourne. During the induction chemo (Velcade, with cyclophosphamide pills once a week, and dexamethasone), I felt OK, so maybe your dad will be fine also.
My daughter came over from the USA to be with me and her mum over Christmas during the treatment and that cheered me up a lot.
I go into hospital next week for the stem cell transplant here in Melbourne. During the induction chemo (Velcade, with cyclophosphamide pills once a week, and dexamethasone), I felt OK, so maybe your dad will be fine also.
My daughter came over from the USA to be with me and her mum over Christmas during the treatment and that cheered me up a lot.
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Peter pape
Re: Best time to visit dad?
I agree with Peter. My daughter surprised me with a visit soon after I began treatment. Really helped cheer me up.
I have not had a stem cell transplant. However, I hear that is a much more uncomfortable experience.
I have not had a stem cell transplant. However, I hear that is a much more uncomfortable experience.
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zara - Name: Zara
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Best time to visit dad?
Hi everyone, it has cheered me up to hear that, based on your experiences, he might enjoy a visit whilst undergoing his chemotherapy. I have asked him for more information on the drugs involved but he doesn't know apart from that he will have an intramuscular injection once a week for two weeks, then a week with steroids, then a week's break; to be repeated 3 times. He will also be taking the bone strengthening medication. I was planning to go for two weeks, so maybe the 3rd and 4th week of the cycle?
Thanks again for your time replying, it is great.
Amy
Thanks again for your time replying, it is great.
Amy
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mrsknitting - Name: Amy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Dad
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 69
Re: Best time to visit dad?
Are you saying you live in England and he lives in Australia? If so, I'm sure he'd be happy to see you, but he might feel badly that it cost you so much money and time/leave. As others have said, some of the standard chemo treatments are well-tolerated, so he might not feel badly or need cheering up in person. Does he have someone who could set him up with a laptop and use Skype or Zoom or something to interact visually online without the major investment of an physical visit?
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Pusser
Re: Best time to visit dad?
Visit him as soon as it is convenient for you to do so,
From dealing with multiple myeloma for 12 years and two transplants, the initial diagnosis is the most difficult thing to deal with and whatever support you can provide is a good thing. The chemo, depending on what type, usually gets worse as it builds up in your body. Transplants – there is a process they have to harvest stem cells and, depending on how well the person responds, will determine how long it will take to get enough for a transplant.
I still think that, as far as emotional and spiritual aspects, etc,, see him as soon as you can, Attitude and outlook are really important, and I am sure a visit and your love will help him a lot right now.
John Wing
From dealing with multiple myeloma for 12 years and two transplants, the initial diagnosis is the most difficult thing to deal with and whatever support you can provide is a good thing. The chemo, depending on what type, usually gets worse as it builds up in your body. Transplants – there is a process they have to harvest stem cells and, depending on how well the person responds, will determine how long it will take to get enough for a transplant.
I still think that, as far as emotional and spiritual aspects, etc,, see him as soon as you can, Attitude and outlook are really important, and I am sure a visit and your love will help him a lot right now.
John Wing
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johnwing
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