Those people who know me may have noticed I've not been around for a while. A couple of months ago I went for routine bloods and by the end of the day was admitted to hospital with Myeloma, which is a bone marrow cancer. Looking back, I can now see that I'd been getting increasingly unwell, but in a subtle non-specific way. T diagnosis was confirmed by a marrow biopsy [ not a nice experience!] and I'm now in chemtherapy. The condition is seen as incurable, but manageable. I'm in a drugs trial and they are hoping to get me into remission in one or two 6 month rounds of chemo. I actually feel a lot better in some ways, because there's already been a big improvement in my blood chemistry.. I was told my D would go totally out of kilter, but I'm still low carbing [ and not having much appetite. So I'm still recording numbers around 5. Last time I saw the consultant he was amazed. I havn't even changed my Glucophage dose. I have lost a lot of weight [cancer does that!] and am trying to keep it off. T he biggest frustration is that I've broken my arm, at a lesion in the left ulna and I'm in a cast from left shoulder to hand. I can't dress myself, find it hard to sleep with the cast sticking to everything. I can't even " adjust my clothing" after using the loo. All clothes must be without fastenings, because even with help, I can't do up waistbands. The broken bone is healing, which they thought it wouldn't.They discussed inserting a pin, but the current plan is to let it heal, if it continues to do so. Luckily for me , my local hospital, The Royal Berks is a centre of excellence in Oncology. The Oncology teams are very proud of it.
I've lost all my stamina, but my brave and not very fit other half is coping. The hospital and Social services have stepped up and equipped me with a hospital bed, wheelchair, pressure cushions, canes and a carer who comes to help give me a bath. [ The cast mustn't get wet. We decided immediately that we'd ask for every bit of help we are entitled to. Other half will be able to get attendance allowance only after 6 months and it's these first months that cost.
I dare not go upstairs because of how my wrist broke, so I've had my study turned into a bedroom.
I've bee for an MRI this morning an I'm tired, so I'll say goodbye for now and repair to my recliner, which I bought only a month or so before all this blew up.
Hana
I've lost all my stamina, but my brave and not very fit other half is coping. The hospital and Social services have stepped up and equipped me with a hospital bed, wheelchair, pressure cushions, canes and a carer who comes to help give me a bath. [ The cast mustn't get wet. We decided immediately that we'd ask for every bit of help we are entitled to. Other half will be able to get attendance allowance only after 6 months and it's these first months that cost.
I dare not go upstairs because of how my wrist broke, so I've had my study turned into a bedroom.
I've bee for an MRI this morning an I'm tired, so I'll say goodbye for now and repair to my recliner, which I bought only a month or so before all this blew up.
Hana
