Hey Andy!
Great news that you are feeling so much better! Thanks for doing these videos. Wish I would have had them before my transplant! You are very encouraging!
Forums
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Joy - Name: Joy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
G'day Andy!
So happy you are feeling better and that your appetite is returning! You're doing great!
I so appreciate your videos. You are such an encouragement.
Thoughts & prayers are with you & Jenny!
God Bless,
Kim
So happy you are feeling better and that your appetite is returning! You're doing great!
I so appreciate your videos. You are such an encouragement.
Thoughts & prayers are with you & Jenny!
God Bless,
Kim
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Jerseygyrl - Name: Kim
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My Loved One
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Greetings Andy,
I am your doppelgänger from across the planet! We are both sixty-something males, both did CyBorD induction, both have the same Day Zero for our transplants, and both are doing them OUTPATIENT style!
The one big difference is that you are living at home, while my caregiver and I are in a hotel in Rochester Minnesota, USA, to be close to my treatment at the Mayo Clinic, just three blocks from the hotel, but 100 miles (160 km) from our home. Your fans can read about my experiences in the Treatments forum, and my back story in the Personal Stories forum, both under my user name Mister Dana.
Alas, I am in print form rather than video, but I may throw in a few photos at some point.
I am so happy to hear that you are on the mend. My transplant tale may be over with my release next week, so I have little left to post. But I'll be thinking of you!
Mister Dana (and wife Miss Lois)
I am your doppelgänger from across the planet! We are both sixty-something males, both did CyBorD induction, both have the same Day Zero for our transplants, and both are doing them OUTPATIENT style!
The one big difference is that you are living at home, while my caregiver and I are in a hotel in Rochester Minnesota, USA, to be close to my treatment at the Mayo Clinic, just three blocks from the hotel, but 100 miles (160 km) from our home. Your fans can read about my experiences in the Treatments forum, and my back story in the Personal Stories forum, both under my user name Mister Dana.
Alas, I am in print form rather than video, but I may throw in a few photos at some point.
I am so happy to hear that you are on the mend. My transplant tale may be over with my release next week, so I have little left to post. But I'll be thinking of you!
Mister Dana (and wife Miss Lois)
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Mister Dana - Name: Mister Dana
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Video update recorded on Day 20
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MattSchtick - Name: Andy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb27 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Just a quick note for those of you who had problems viewing some of the earlier videos in this discussion thread. We've updated all the video postings now so that they use a new approach which should work with just about any browser.
If you are still having problems viewing the videos in the postings, or if you are having problems but did not have any before, please let us know.
Thanks, Andy, for all the videos!
If you are still having problems viewing the videos in the postings, or if you are having problems but did not have any before, please let us know.
Thanks, Andy, for all the videos!
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Hi Andy,
Just wondering how you've been doing. I hope all is well.
Thoughts & prayers are with you.
God Bless,
Kim
Just wondering how you've been doing. I hope all is well.
Thoughts & prayers are with you.
God Bless,
Kim
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Jerseygyrl - Name: Kim
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My Loved One
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Yes I'm doing fine thanks Kim. I have been released from the home care program now and only have to visit the hospital once per month for blood tests, Zometa transfusion and an outpatient appointment with the consultant which are all arranged for the same morning.
My appetite is back to normal although food still doesn't taste quite as good as it used to, and my weight is gradually climbing back to normal. It's great to be able to eat soft eggs, blue cheese, mushrooms, rare steak, strawberries, raspberries, yoghurt, fresh ground pepper and a host of other things again. It seemed as though most of my favorite foods were on the neutropenic diet forbidden list.
My blood count numbers are all well above the danger levels of 2 or 3 weeks ago, the slowest to recover being platelets and I ended up needing four transfusions to see me through until I was making enough of my own.
Throughout the entire ordeal of the ASCT I never vomited once, or had a sore throat or any infection and only had a 'dire rear' once. The visiting nurses were very impressed and said that I was one of only a handful of patients they could remember who did not need to be treated or admitted to hospital for some kind of side issue. I am not sure why that should be but I feel very lucky as though I have dodged a bullet.
I am now back to doing many of the things I enjoy, playing with my toys, riding motorcycles, renovating the house, going out for dinner, visiting friends etc.
I see the consultant next on Wednesday 27th Aug and (if I remember) will do an update video then, which may be the last until the big test on day 100 unless something else crops up.
Here's hoping you all get through your ordeals as comfortably as I have got through mine (though it was still horrible and I would hate to have to do it again). Best wishes, Andy
My appetite is back to normal although food still doesn't taste quite as good as it used to, and my weight is gradually climbing back to normal. It's great to be able to eat soft eggs, blue cheese, mushrooms, rare steak, strawberries, raspberries, yoghurt, fresh ground pepper and a host of other things again. It seemed as though most of my favorite foods were on the neutropenic diet forbidden list.
My blood count numbers are all well above the danger levels of 2 or 3 weeks ago, the slowest to recover being platelets and I ended up needing four transfusions to see me through until I was making enough of my own.
Throughout the entire ordeal of the ASCT I never vomited once, or had a sore throat or any infection and only had a 'dire rear' once. The visiting nurses were very impressed and said that I was one of only a handful of patients they could remember who did not need to be treated or admitted to hospital for some kind of side issue. I am not sure why that should be but I feel very lucky as though I have dodged a bullet.
I am now back to doing many of the things I enjoy, playing with my toys, riding motorcycles, renovating the house, going out for dinner, visiting friends etc.
I see the consultant next on Wednesday 27th Aug and (if I remember) will do an update video then, which may be the last until the big test on day 100 unless something else crops up.
Here's hoping you all get through your ordeals as comfortably as I have got through mine (though it was still horrible and I would hate to have to do it again). Best wishes, Andy
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MattSchtick - Name: Andy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb27 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Hi Matt
So pleased to hear it is all gone well for you and life is returning to normal. Your updates have been informative (and everyone else!) and make it easier to face what is coming.
I have had my collection this week and my transplant commences 9 September. Mine has to be done in hospital (that's how they do them here) as I live over 100 km [60 mi] from treatment centre. I'm not looking forward to it, but just want it done at the same time. I want to get on with life -- soo sick of the couch!
Thanks once again and I hope you're out there living it up soon. Summer is coming for those of us in the southern hemisphere and what better motivation is there!
Jen
So pleased to hear it is all gone well for you and life is returning to normal. Your updates have been informative (and everyone else!) and make it easier to face what is coming.
I have had my collection this week and my transplant commences 9 September. Mine has to be done in hospital (that's how they do them here) as I live over 100 km [60 mi] from treatment centre. I'm not looking forward to it, but just want it done at the same time. I want to get on with life -- soo sick of the couch!
Thanks once again and I hope you're out there living it up soon. Summer is coming for those of us in the southern hemisphere and what better motivation is there!
Jen
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NZMum - Name: NZMum
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March2014
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Matt, so glad you are getting back to your old self. I greatly appreciated your accounting of the ordeal. However, you can keep the soft eggs for yourself ... yuck!
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: MattSchtick's Stem Cell Transplant
Hi Matt,
Glad that you are through the worst of it. Hopefully all your taste buds will come back.
All the best.
Glad that you are through the worst of it. Hopefully all your taste buds will come back.
All the best.
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LibbyC - Name: LibbyC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 43
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