Diagnosis and pre treatment

For a very long time, I have been feeling tired, even after a good nights sleep I was never refreshed. With the help of my beloved wife Nisha, and with her medical background, we ventured down many different roads to find answers. We changed our diets, we started exercising more, we even introduced probiotics. Everything made my gut extremely healthy but the tiredness was still there. Nisha asked for different blood tests and it was the results of these that showed a high reading of paraprotein. I was urgently referred to Haematology where they asked for more tests, a bone marrow biopsy and a full body nmPET scan where they injected me with a radioactive drug to carry out the scan.

Last Tuesday morning (25th June), I had an appointment with a Haematologist consultant. He confirmed the diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma (bone marrow cancer). We’ve caught it earlyish so everything is down to treatment.
Initially, I will be having pre chemo treatment, which started last Tuesday then 4 cycles of Chemotherapy starting next week, followed by a stem cell transplant, followed by 2 further cycles of chemotherapy. (so treatment and tests for 8 – 12 months). The chemotherapy is given weekly for this whole duration. The aim is to achieve remission.

I have been advised to avoid social gatherings and mixing as I will be at high risk of infection.

Since being diagnosed, our worlds have been turned on their heads.

Through tears, unable to talk and pure shock, we, well I tried but Nisha had to take over and tell my siblings. I took the decision not to tell my mother until I knew my treatment plan and knew more about myeloma.

Nisha’s uncle had recently gone through something similar so we informed Nisha’s parents Vijay and Ranjana. The Indian hotlines started and before long, we had names of consultants and hospitals which treated her uncle.

All the while, Nisha went into overdrive and started researching myeloma, she contacted all of her colleagues, even emailing and calling consultants for advice and appointments. I don’t think we slept for days on end. We force fed ourselves just to stay strong.

Finally, Nisha had identified the top myeloma consultant in the UK and started a two prong delicate procedure. Arrange a private appointment with him and at the same time, get my care transferred to him at UCLH from the Royal Free. By sheer strength and determination, she managed both!!!

My pre treatment medication started on 25th June straight after my appointment, this involved taking a total of 25 tablets a day!!!

Our NHS appointment with the top consultant came first which was really a bonus. Nisha had a page of questions and total respect to the consultant because he was so calm with us, answered all of our questions and we formulated a plan of attack which has now started.

We ask for your positive vibes and prayers.

A huge thank you to D & C, I’ll be munching on the goodies and reading about TDF soon!! 🙏🏽

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