Bone Marrow Transplants

Audio Carnivore

Hi everyone,

A very close and dear relative of mine is currently undergoing treatment for leukaemia. He's suffered from the illness for the better part of two years now and he's undergone almost every form of treatment you can imagine. A couple of months ago he underwent a bone marrow transplant. This has been very successful but he still feels a lot of pain and the staff treating him have told him that bone marrow transplants are very difficult for the recipient.

Needless to say, he's been very depressed by the toll his illness is taking on him. Every pain, every setback is triggering a wave of panic and anxiety in him. Because there's nobody in his family or immediate circle who have endured what he's currently enduring, he has very little in the way of hope to cling to. He's in unknown territory.

I'm hoping that there is someone out there who can give him that hope. If anyone reading this has been through a bone marrow transplant, leukaemia or any cancer or knows someone who has I'd ask if you would be willing to share your story or any words of encouragement with me so that I can pass them onto my cousin. He just needs something to cling to, to live for. Neither myself nor his family can give him the assurance he needs. Maybe someone here can. You don't need to respond to the thread if you don't want to. A PM would be very welcome.

Thanks for reading.

Oryx

I can move this to the long term illness forum if you think it would be more relevant?

Audio Carnivore

That'd be fine, thanks Oryx.

WildRosie

A family member underwent an autologous (from himself) stem cell transplant last summer for another type of blood cancer. It was very difficult but the recovery has been much more difficult. I don't think he was adequately prepared for how tough it would be. But, he is improving, rapidly now, particularly within the last 4-6 weeks. He's putting on weight, his appetite and energy levels are improving and he feels much better. But it was much longer than he (and we) expected.

Cancer is a horrible, horrible illness, and the treatment can be hell. I know my (much loved) family member suffered terribly through the chemo, the waiting and the transplant. It was awful watching him suffer, physically and emotionally, as well as the emotional pain we, his loved ones went through.

But thankfully, in our experience, it's getting better and we're seeing the benefits of the treatment. Cancer is so much more than a physical illness, it takes its toll on the sufferer and their loved ones, emotionally, socially, financially and any other number of ways. Has he been in contact with any support groups? They can be invaluable. You could contact the Irish Cancer Society or get in touch with the Clinical Nurse Specialist on your loved one's team, he/she will be able to put them in touch. The same goes for you, there are support groups for family members because the sufferer isn't the only one impacted by the illness and those doing the caring and supporting need support too. Take care.

Audio Carnivore

Thank you WR. I'm glad that things are turning out well for your relative and yourself.

Bendix1

Hi, I hope your cousin is doing ok still. My sister is currently undergoing treatment for leukaemia and had her BMT transplant last Jan.
Another sister was her donor. We were also in unknown territory and still are I suppose. In Feb we thought we had lost her and even the doctors admit now they thought she wouldn't make it. She is back home now after doing a stint in the St. James Apartments but is still very weak and can just about care for herself never mind trying to be a Mum and wife. But she has come this far when nobody thought she would. She clung on to fighting through it for her kids sakes and to be there for them. It gave her the strength to go on.

I would just say although its hell on earth what he has to go through it will be worth it when he gets through it. A week in the Burkitt unit in St. James's after my sister was in ICU made a huge difference to her and it gave us all hope for her future. One day she was as good as dead and a week later she was really doing ok.

Its a long road for your cousin and his family and relatives and I wish him all the best.

Bendix