I'm sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. It's understandable that you have questions and concerns about how this might impact you and your ability to care for yourself.
I'm not sure what treatment you're having, but there will be lots of factors that impact how you might feel. We have a little bit of information about living with myeloma on our website.
Although you live on your own, Sue, do you have the support of family and/or friends who live locally? It's worth talking with trusted loved ones about what support you think you might need and how you can access this support. If you don't have family or friends nearby, then do talk through your concerns with your GP, district nurse or specialist cancer nurse, who will all be able to help advise and refer you for any support that you may need. There's some information on the NHS website about social care and support that may help you.
If you'd like to talk with one of our nurses for some advice and support, you're welcome to call them on freephone 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any information and reassurance they can.
I hope that helps set you on the right path to accessing support, Sue. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.
Hello Sue. First of all, may I say how sorry I am that you have had this diagnosis. Being on your own must make it seem a hundred times worse. However, there IS help out there for folks like you. Do you have a MacMillan nurse that you can talk to? If not, ask your Doctor if you can be assigned a nurse that you can talk to. The next step is to ask if there are places locally where you can meet up with others like yourself.........for example, they organize coffee/Tea mornings (or afternoon). Your local social services will also be able to offer you some help. You can google their phone number. You can get help with your housework and things like that. If you are struggling to shower and or dress yourself, someone can come in and help you. Also, you might want to consider getting your shopping on line and having it delivered to your door. Also, if you wish, you can ask for someone to go to your Doctor/hospital appointments with you. Please reach out for help Sue.......like I said before, it is there if you need it but you have to ask. Good luck, xxx
