Cancer stories

Brigita’s story

When I was diagnosed with myeloma, my doctor prescribed nine chemotherapy cycles, leading up to a stem cell transplant about a year later. I’ve also had thalidomide and steroid treatment.

After I had the transplant, I was feeling good, but looking back at photos, I think it affected me more than I realised at the time.

Luckily, all the treatment hasn’t damaged my kidneys, but I have had other side effects. At times, I’ve been so fatigued that my brain can’t seem to think, but I just wait until I feel less dopey. I also became very susceptible to infections. A small scrape can quickly become serious.

I’m still figuring it out. Some things are caused by ageing, some things are the cancer, and some things are the drugs. But when I feel like an infection is coming on, I’ve learnt to see my doctor straightaway.