Please @Emmaco, I am so glad you were actually able to say how you are feeling, that takes great courage, I really admire you. Please let us know how you get on for your support plan and don’t forget we are here to support each other and if you would like to talk to someone you can contact the wonderful Blood Cancer UK Support Services Team on 0808 2080 888 10am-7pm Monday-Friday and 10am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday or via email at support@bloodcancer.org.uk
Take care and stay safe
I work in mental health and so I’m very understanding of my feelings at the moment. Its always different to supporting yourself in gard times when your so used to being there for others. Thank you.
1 Like
It really is hard isn’t it! You hear yourself giving great advice to others, but sometimes it’s hard to take it onboard yourself. It’s so great that you are aware of your own feelings and have done something about it! They sound really supportive, which has probably eased your anxiety a little already? Keep letting us know how you get on. I think hearing about what employees put in place is so useful! Take care X
1 Like
I must admit in spite of my strong nerve I was fretting about this. I’d heard that notifications were going out by post and Lewisham where I live is one of the twenty or so areas in the country that no longer get regular mail deliveries as they’ve had lots of staff with COVID. In the event I got a text from my GP with a link to an NHS booking site and I was able to choose from several appointment slots on Wednesday or Thursday. In spite of myself I’m impressed by how efficient this rollout is.I’ll be having it at my GP’s which removes the worry I had about having to travel to Wembley!
4 Likes
Oh, @Franko, I am excited for you.
Thanks so much for letting us know the procedure, especially the booking experience.
My GP surgery website tells me that I should get a telephone call and where my vaccine hub is. Can I look at the telephone until I get the call?
Please do let us know how you get on when you go for your vaccination at your GP’s, I will be waiting, as I expect others will, in anticipation.
Take care and stay safe.
That’s great Franko!
1 Like
I had a text on Monday evening to book mine, but need to consult with my oncology team as I started treatment last week. It has been gratifying to see the roll out at my local hospital, which was one of the first to get the vaccine, and i can see everyone preparing to receive it downstairs, while I am safely treated on the floor above. They are also doing the vaccines at the local leisure centre, a couple of minutes drive away, and at Lichfield Cathedral, which is 15 mins drive away.
I hope your sister is getting on ok @Franko. There is a piece about vaccination on the Walsall Breast Cancer Support Group (FB) which she might find useful.
Stay safe and hang in there…there is a glimmer of hope
2 Likes
@Franko this is great to hear. My partner has CML so is vulnerable but is only 26…so we are still waiting to hear about his appointment - I was starting to worry that he may slip through the net - hopefully something comes through for him soon. I am so pleased to hear your vaccines is coming your way, anyone sheilding seriously deserves a bit of hope and freedom, been a long time coming! Take care 
2 Likes
Hi there forum family 
We hope you’re all doing okay!
We are aware that there have been some concerns from our community as to whether or not they are definitely on the Shielding Patients List (SPL). This is so understandable and absolutely the right thing to check.
Just as reminder of our “how to get a covid vaccine” webpage which you may helpful: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-vaccine-blood-cancer/how-to-get-vaccine/ under this section “Getting a covid vaccine if you have blood cancer” we talk through how you can check if you are on the list and if you scroll further down to the section “How to add patients to the Shielded Patients List” we discuss how you can be added to the list if you’re not on it already, unless your treatment team has advised otherwise.
Hope this is helpful everyone, but as always, our Support Services Team are always here for further help: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/talk-blood-cancer/
Su
1 Like
Hi all,
I work for the NHS and even though I have been working from home since March last year, I qualified for the vaccination as frontline staff and had the Pfizer jab last Sunday. It was a bit scary leaving the house and going into London but I drove rather than taking the train, parked very close to the vaccine clinic at one of our hospital sites and was in and out very quickly.
I was apprehensive of having the jab and hadn’t had any advice or support from anyone in my care team but after spending nearly a year indoors alone (my kids have grown and moved away), I want to be able to rejoin society and start living as normal a life as possible, as soon as it’s safe to.
I was diagnosed with MM in 2009, joined the Myeloma XI trial in 2010, had a STC in late 2010 using my twin brother’s stem cells (my consultant said the luckiest man alive is a Myeloma patient with a twin who has clean stem cells and I certainly feel that way!) and I have been in remission ever since.
Back to the vaccination though, it all went really smoothly, sharp scratch etc, 15 minute monitoring wait and I was on my way. I felt a heavy arm during the day and it was a bit painful sleeping that night but I took a couple of paracetamol and it was fine. The only other side effects I had were a bit of fatigue and a very mild headache for a day or two but I would say that’s pretty normal, I did have itchy eyes a couple of days later but that was possibly down to me working long hours on the pc.
Everyone’s circumstances are different and you will need to decide whether it is right for you to have the jab so all I can do is share my experience, say do have it if you are able to and good luck!
2 Likes
Just wondered while we wait for a vaccine appt if everyone is coping well…I’ve found the last week.a bit lethargic…as though what ever energy I had vanished… unfortunately dealing with a sinus infection hasn’t helped but I feel storm.christoph removed my energy… It’s like a long wait for the date or the letter for a vaccine…we know it’s on its way …
This morning I actually found myself in tears then wondering why I was crying…think it’s best to let it out and not suppress my emotion. So I fear il be getting my DVD s out later Michael Crawford or the good life … I’ve got a zoom.yoga class next week with my old yoga teacher …what’s zoom a life line for many.
Stay safe everyone…
2 Likes
Hang in there! Tears are better out then in. We have blue skies here, and a frosty fresh day, and the bulbs are poking through. I only watch news headlines once a day, and have been enjoying Justice John Deed (again), Father Brown (again), quiz shows and comedy. There is a glimmer of light out there, and you just need to be kind to yourself. We are all here for you xx
3 Likes
Hi @Trev73, I am so glad you have found our forum and you have already shown the value of it by posting your experiences with your work and your vaccine.
I think because I have been shielding for so long that I am more nervous actually going out.
Yes, part of me does want to rejoin society, but there is also part of me that has really acclimatised myself to my cossetted lifestyle.
I know when I went out for my first daily walk in August I was quite disoriented by the speed of the traffic and really conscious of the smell of the exhaust fumes.
I have a flickering eye lid at the moment which I know is due to sitting in front of this screen for too long.
I am definitely going for the jab when I get ‘the call’ and will report back.
We are supporting each other on this forum and I look forward to hearing more from the luckiest man in the world with a very special twin brother.
2 Likes
Hi @Hmc63, thanks so much for posting how you are feeling as your words have identified how I feel as well.
I feel that it has been a long old slog, especially when I realise it is nearly a year.
I think I felt lockdown 1 was time limited, for 13 weeks then the goalposts have continued to extend.
I am also waiting the call or the letter re the jab.
I have just received a letter about an appointment I had booked for May about another condition I have and the appointment has now been changed to Nov 21 so I have just burst into tears as well. Yes, better out than in and your choices of DVD’s sound good to me although I am also a Yes, Minister and pilates girl.
We will support each other through this time and beyond and ir you would like to talk to someone you can contact the wonderful Blood Cancer UK Support Services Team on 0808 2080 888 10am-7pm Monday-Friday and 10am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday or via email at support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
Anyone else awaiting or even had the vaccine?
Hi All, I live in Scotland and Vaccine delivery is somewhat different than that In England. I understand that 70 year olds and the vulnerable in England have already received their first Jab. It seems like we here in Scotland will have to wait until the middle of Fenruary, and possibly longer. In England my understanding is that GP’s can access the Vaccines as needed from suppliers. In Scotland that is not the case, each individual Health Board decides, when and how many. From the start of this Pandemic there has been no joined up thinking in my opinion. Dealing with four devolved Governments is not as good as dealing with one central UK Government. This is far too serious a matter to be dealt with thus. I really feel that from the outset there should have been a ‘Covid Coaltion’ with the elected UK Prime Minister leading. This certainly is not the time for Politics, but I do feel that, like it or not, politics have played a part.
1 Like
I just signed up for this forum and live in the U.S. I asked my oncologist if he had any research on the vaccine and Leukemia. I should hear back from him shortly. My profession is Behavioral Health, so I just found out I am eligible to get the vaccine in February. I can post how I feel after getting the vaccine. I have a client who is a nurse and suggested I listen to a podcast by a doctor who explains how the mRNA vaccine works. I listened and found the information on vaccines informative. Hope this helps.
ZDoggMD.com
(https://zdoggmd.com/) Zubin Damania is an American physician
1 Like
Hi @Vindicatrix, perhaps I would say it might be best to add a pinch of salt to the media.
My understanding and experience is that the vaccine has just started to be rolled out to the over 70’s and extremely vulnerable in England, I live in England and fit into both categories and I have not had the call yet. However I am hearing of more and more who have had the jab.
I love your idea of a Covid Coalition.
Please let us know when you have the call and take care and stay safe.
Hi @KMH a great big welcome to you. It is always interesting to hear what is going on in other countries. I hope you find our forum informative and supportive.
The Blood Cancer UK website gives lots of information on the vaccines.
We support each other on this forum and I look forward to hearing more about how you are feeling and doing. Take care and stay safe.
1 Like
Thanks, Erica! I am 68, have CLL, and continue to actively work as a licensed behavioral health therapist. I am trying to support my clients as well as manage my own health issues. In the US there is a lot of opposition to vaccines and mask wearing due to our last president. I am hoping things get better and that we all can continue to get more information on things as time goes on. Will post again soon!
1 Like
Hi @KMH, I am a 71yr old female diagnosed with CLL in 2003 and I am on ‘watch and wait’ (active monitoring). The health experts seem to advise the vaccine over here with the follow up dose for all extremely vulnerable people including us with compromised immune systems.
Yes, please do post again soon.
1 Like