Carmen's "20 for 20" page
Carmen Lester is raising money for Myeloma UK
Story
Thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page.
I was diagnosed with Free Light Chain Multiple Myeloma in Oct 2014, aged 54. Myeloma is a bone marrow cancer which is a recurring/regressing type: it is not curable (yet) so it's managed with chemo and other treatments.
I'd always been pretty healthy; worked full time; eaten well (apart from chocolate and coca cola!) and always been active: gym, athletics, weights etc. Chronic bone pain and fatigue for a year and i knew i was in trouble, but my "ego" just pushed me on-idiot!
At diagnosis, 95% of my marrow was populated with myeloma. Consultant was amazed I made it to the appointment.
After 3 months of aggressive chemo the myeloma was down to 3%. A stem cell transplant followed in May 2015. Sadly I only enjoyed 9 months of regression and my "bad boys" grew back to 85%. So I started another regime of treatment: twice a week for an 18 month duration. I enjoyed great results within 3 months but the side effects were awful.
I was then put on maintenance chemo and totally off steroids by July 2017. Unfortunately, with this disease, it has a way of surprising you and creeping back and then BANG! Back on treatment AGAIN! Mine crept back mid 2019 but got worse by Nov2019.
Unfortunately, I had 2 viruses back to back and they took weeks to clear.....enter 2020.
My treatment was due to start in Jan 2020 but I was still recovering from the virus (not corona as far as I know). I hung in through "lock down" and was monitored closely ref rising Light Chains.....Treatment eventually started in June 2020.
Within 7 mins of administering the first infusion of the new drug, via I.V, I lost my sight; had excruciating headache and started to vomit (sorry). The medical Team at The London Clinic were superb....and also told me they had never seen this reaction before. After a big dose of morphine and an hour later, my headache faded and vomiting stopped. AND....I could now see shadows! It was a dramatic introduction to the new treatment, so I said: "This better be worth it"....(or words to that effect! ha ha). It took 19 hours to get this "magic potion" into my body.
Since then, I have not had any problems apart from a few side effects. And I now have this treatment via a 5 minute injection (no longer 5-6 hours via IV which is the norm).
8x weekly injections; then 10x 2-weekly injections; then a monthly injection. This regime will take me well into May 2021. This regime is having a physical impact on my body this time: fatigue, aches, tight chest; some nausea etc.
So why participate in Myeloma UK's "20 for 20" Campaign?
Basically 20mins activity for 20 consecutive days!
I am 60 in 2 weeks and wanted to mark this exceptional year, 2020, by achieving a physical challenge! I continued to maintain a level of fitness through lock-down and am currently able to walk for over 6 miles. It's the 20 consecutive days that will challenge me.
So my plan is to walk.....or walk/jog.....or do a circuit in the garage. Mixing up the activities and planning them around my treatment days, should keep me on track. That's the plan.
I started on Mon 12th Oct and will finish on Sat 31st Oct, 2 days after my 60th!
Myeloma UK do NOT receive any government funding; is the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with Myeloma and every penny raised directly helps towards finding new treatments so we can enjoy a better quality of life and to find a cure for Myeloma.
Please visit: www.myeloma.org.uk for more information.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. our details are safe with JustGiving- they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So, it's the most efficient way to donate- saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
I was diagnosed with Free Light Chain Multiple Myeloma in Oct 2014, aged 54. Myeloma is a bone marrow cancer which is a recurring/regressing type: it is not curable (yet) so it's managed with chemo and other treatments.
I'd always been pretty healthy; worked full time; eaten well (apart from chocolate and coca cola!) and always been active: gym, athletics, weights etc. Chronic bone pain and fatigue for a year and i knew i was in trouble, but my "ego" just pushed me on-idiot!
At diagnosis, 95% of my marrow was populated with myeloma. Consultant was amazed I made it to the appointment.
After 3 months of aggressive chemo the myeloma was down to 3%. A stem cell transplant followed in May 2015. Sadly I only enjoyed 9 months of regression and my "bad boys" grew back to 85%. So I started another regime of treatment: twice a week for an 18 month duration. I enjoyed great results within 3 months but the side effects were awful.
I was then put on maintenance chemo and totally off steroids by July 2017. Unfortunately, with this disease, it has a way of surprising you and creeping back and then BANG! Back on treatment AGAIN! Mine crept back mid 2019 but got worse by Nov2019.
Unfortunately, I had 2 viruses back to back and they took weeks to clear.....enter 2020.
My treatment was due to start in Jan 2020 but I was still recovering from the virus (not corona as far as I know). I hung in through "lock down" and was monitored closely ref rising Light Chains.....Treatment eventually started in June 2020.
Within 7 mins of administering the first infusion of the new drug, via I.V, I lost my sight; had excruciating headache and started to vomit (sorry). The medical Team at The London Clinic were superb....and also told me they had never seen this reaction before. After a big dose of morphine and an hour later, my headache faded and vomiting stopped. AND....I could now see shadows! It was a dramatic introduction to the new treatment, so I said: "This better be worth it"....(or words to that effect! ha ha). It took 19 hours to get this "magic potion" into my body.
Since then, I have not had any problems apart from a few side effects. And I now have this treatment via a 5 minute injection (no longer 5-6 hours via IV which is the norm).
8x weekly injections; then 10x 2-weekly injections; then a monthly injection. This regime will take me well into May 2021. This regime is having a physical impact on my body this time: fatigue, aches, tight chest; some nausea etc.
So why participate in Myeloma UK's "20 for 20" Campaign?
Basically 20mins activity for 20 consecutive days!
I am 60 in 2 weeks and wanted to mark this exceptional year, 2020, by achieving a physical challenge! I continued to maintain a level of fitness through lock-down and am currently able to walk for over 6 miles. It's the 20 consecutive days that will challenge me.
So my plan is to walk.....or walk/jog.....or do a circuit in the garage. Mixing up the activities and planning them around my treatment days, should keep me on track. That's the plan.
I started on Mon 12th Oct and will finish on Sat 31st Oct, 2 days after my 60th!
Myeloma UK do NOT receive any government funding; is the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with Myeloma and every penny raised directly helps towards finding new treatments so we can enjoy a better quality of life and to find a cure for Myeloma.
Please visit: www.myeloma.org.uk for more information.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. our details are safe with JustGiving- they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So, it's the most efficient way to donate- saving time and cutting costs for the charity.