Yes Mel, I have read the article and I am worried about the information it contained, especially as I know of several people who are planning to have transplants. I'm still getting people to look at the article to clarify before I make any comment because I'd hate to get something wrong, but I agree - it was a worry.
As regards to your mom, well thats one of the benefits of MM -- it seems to be the only cancer where patients don't LOOK like they have cancer! I knew that she had made herself look her best, and that she kept quietly moving in the kitchen to hide her pain -- but when she finally sat down it was obvious to me just how difficult it was for her. And of course, when she went to stand up as we were leaving it was totally obvious that whe was an MM patient. BUT, only to someone who is in the same situation, or is a carer who sees it regularly.
We plan to go to Melb. for the meeting and of course we will bring back the latest news. Our daughter in law is a research doctor in cancer, and is specifically working on why some people respond to chemo and others don't. I have forwarded the article to her for her comments.
I saw a substitute oncologist today and my bad news was that I now have osteonecrosis of the jaw -- probably aggrivated by the fact that I was on Aridia for two years. We talked about this and Zometa, which is said to cause this even faster -- I know the statistics say that only a few people will have this happen, but gee, why do all of these things happen to me??? Not that I'm angry, more resigned I guess!! At least I can speak from authority about all of these side effects and complications of MM from personal experience!!
Do give Carol's oncologist a ring about her current situation. If you don't feel confident ringing him, then get on to the GP and have these symptoms checked out. It could just be a virus going around -- who knows what the kids might have picked up when playing with others -- or who she might have come in contact with in some other way? We are neutropenic and suseptable to anything thats going around -- and then it manifests in a myriad of ways. But do get it checked out. Does she have a fever? I take my temp twice a day, morning and night, just to be one jump ahead if things are starting to go 'down' so that I can nip it in the bud.
Just to thank you -- I did buy that french manicure set that you recommended and although mine don't look as professional as yours, I was able to do it and will continue!! My granddaughter - aged 8 - has been painting her nails for a couple of years and is very good, so I may ask her for help for my right hand!! Take good care and keep in touch, Love Cath