In October of last year, my dad was diagnosed with multiple Myeloma. I’d never heard of it and couldn’t even spell it to be honest. In the summer, he underwent a stem cell transplant using his own cells that had been harvested and is doing well considering.
Here are the things I have learnt since my dad was diagnosed –
Myeloma is a type of bone cancer and is incurable. That’s not to say its terminal, just that the symptoms can be reduced with drugs.
The majority of sufferers are over the age of 65. My dad was 57 when diagnosed.
It’s been linked with chemicals and certain occupations where chemicals are used such as farming, hairdressing and the plastic industry. That’s not to say that if you work in these trades you will get it.
Since my dad was diagnosed, I have binned all the air freshners I have in the house. With the research I have done I am convinced then any needless chemicals in the house are a bad thing.
If my dad hadn’t have got his stem cell treatment he was told he wouldn’t live past the next two years.
It’s important to tell your parents that you love them whilst they’re still there. I don’t come from a particularly touchy feely family, but since my Dad was diagnosed, he tells me he loves me all the time and I tell him I love him.
