Firstly, a very happy Christmas.

Secondly, I attended routine consultant's clinic on the Tuesday before Christmas and, again, my blood tests were good. Accordingly I was prescribed medication for my next cycle. This is cycle number 29 ! Excellent.

I continue to feel well and Margaret and I managed two concerts during the last month; both at the Colston Hall in Bristol. The first was Elgar's Dream of Gerontius; a truly inspirational work which was beautifully performed. The second concert  was Handel's Messiah performed by the Bristol Choral Society. Utterly faultless and  really got us into the Christmas mood. We are now booked to see the world-famous War Horse which will shortly be coming to Bristol. Good health certainly allows me to derive so much enjoyment from these events.

This is a short post with only two intentions: to update details of my health (which is excellent) and to wish everyone a very happy, and healthy, new year.

We recognise pain but we rarely acknowledge being pain-free

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

A Time of Reflection

Today saw me travel up to Bristol for my routine consultant's appointment. Yet again the news was excellent. My paraprotein remains undetectable and my LITEs continue to show improvement. In simple terms Light Chains (LITEs) are a more sensitive measure of the myeloma plasma cell fragments. There are two types; Kappa and Lambda. Since my cancer is IgG kappa myeloma, the actual quantity of kappa and its ratio to lambda is of interest. When last tested my kappa level had fallen to 22.2. This puts it into the normal range of 5.71 to 26.3. My ratio was 2.74 which almost puts it into the normal range of 0.26 to 1.65. If my LITEs continue to fall then I will potentially be considered to have entered Complete Remission.

In simpler terms, I feel very well indeed with only minor back pain (for which I'm prescribed paracetamol!). Being on the Myeloma XI trial I take a drug called Revlimid. It may be this which has brought my cancer under control. Like so many such drugs, there is a risk of side-effects. Without going into details, I only get one and it is entirely tolerable.

Given my current excellent health, I am beginning to question whether this can still be a "myeloma blog". Only time will tell. Certainly it is right to report the good as well as the bad.

It is perhaps inevitable that in visiting my consultant, who is based at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC), I will encounter patients whose health is far worse than my own. It is humbling to see some of them. When I was admitted for high dose therapy in July 2012, I met two patients who were end-of-life. It was heart rending to speak to them and to witness their courage. Even now in clinic, I see so many patients in very poor state of health. Unlike the ward, the clinic waiting room is not appropriate for conversation. I can only remind myself just how fortunate I am.

I am a living example of someone who has an incurable cancer but never-the-less has responded favourably to treatment and has an excellent quality of life.

Last month I reported my appointment to be a Magistrate. What I then discovered was a civic aspect of this role. I was invited, as a JP, to attend the Remembrance ceremony in Bristol. Margaret and I mark Remembrance every year so my decision to attend was an easy one. The day was clear and bright and there was a significant public attendance at the city Cenotaph. I found myself with around 60 of my colleagues alongside the Lord-Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor, the elected Mayor, and the city Aldermen. Of note were the many medals worn by young and junior service personnel - an indication of the service they have already seen.

The month seems to have been very much service related. Margaret and I took the opportunity to visit the RAF Museum at Cosford where the Wellington bomber is currently undergoing a major restoration which will take several years. It is only rarely possible for the public to be admitted into the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre. I thoroughly recommend a visit to the RAF Museum at Cosford.

We've also had the very enjoyable experience of attending a concert by the RAF Central Band to mark the 50th anniversary of the Red Arrows. And to think that a certain government considered disbanding them!

Finally I've had word from our Italian host and friend who showed us so much hospitality last year that he has placed a poppy I sent to him on the plaque I presented.

The poppy I left last year has now faded. Some unknown person has added a rose alongside the poppy I provided this year.

This month's saying:

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry,

show life you have a thousand reasons to smile

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

Reasons to be Happy

Firstly, more good news about my myeloma. I saw the consultant this week and, yet again, my paraprotein is not detectable. I'm extremely fortunate to receive my treatment in Bristol as the senior consultant is Dr Jenny Bird. She is one of the leading specialists in this field and chair of the United Kingdom Myeloma Forum. The UKMF sets the guidelines that are used throughout the country in the treatment of this cancer.

Next is the fact that Margaret and I have just returned from 2 weeks holiday in Cyprus. There was, as usual, lots of work (Gardening) to be done but it is always worthwhile.

The bougainvillea set against a clear blue sky always produces a cheerful sight.

Finally I have at last achieved an ambition I've held for a very long time. Last week I was appointed as a Magistrate (or Justice of the Peace, JP) and will sit in the Bristol Court. Many years ago, and aware that an uncle had been a JP, I heard a radio program about the selection and training procedure. When I retired in 2011 I decided that I would apply. I attended our local court and observed the proceedings. Having talked to some of the staff I was encouraged to return for an "open day". On this occasion I had the guidance of a serving JP who explained what was happening - I was hooked! At that time there were no vacancies but my name was added to a list of potential applicants.

It was a further year before I was invited to make a formal application. There then followed a long process which included attending two very searching interviews. The panel seemed only mildly concerned about my cancer and took my word that it was under control. I was then told that I had not been selected to sit on my local court but that my name would be kept on a waiting list which had a "life" of 18 months. After a further year, I was invited to become a JP to serve in the court in Bristol.

The court in Bristol is modern, highly efficient and surprisingly friendly (at least from my perspective!). Last week, and along with the other new JPs I attended a ceremony in Bristol's Crown Court where we each had to swear allegiance to the Queen and then to take the Judicial Oath. Over the next few weeks I will start to sit (as one of a three person team called a Bench). It is our role to decide guilt, or innocence, and then to award sentence by interpretation of guidelines. For someone who has not, perhaps, experienced the court process it must be difficult to understand why I would want to become a JP. For a very long time I have been interested in justice.

In the same year that I first observed in my local court, I was diagnosed with Myeloma. In July 2012 I was admitted to hospital for High Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant. I can only hope that my current good health will continue for the next 5 years until, by virtue of age, I will have to retire from the Bench.

In the musical South Pacific is the song "Happy Talk" the memorable line from which is

"You gotta have a dream, if you don't have a dream,

How you gonna have a dream come true?"

My dream has come true.

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

Ups and Downs

First the "Ups". Today I attended my monthly consultant's clinic and again received truly excellent news. My paraprotein remains undetectable and my LITEs have reduced further. Dare I now say that the maintenance therapy, based on a drug called Revlimid, is truly working? Also at last month's clinic, though not mentioned in this blog, was a concern that my neutrophils (specialist white blood cells which fight infection) were at a lower count than acceptable. Revlimid is known to suppress them somewhat and I had been concerned that the consultant might have to take action if they remained low. Today, fortunately, they had returned to an acceptable level. All-in-all very good news.

And the "Down"? - Well, in a previous blog I mentioned my search for a suitable aircraft. On the 3rd of September, I drove down to Goodwood airfield viewed the aircraft of my dreams and bought it! (Don't assume anything about my wealth. This aircraft is single seat and was amateur built in the USA in 1962.) Five days later, a flying colleague drove me back there. After the usual checks and re-fuelling I taxied towards the runway with the intention of a flight to an airfield nearer home where I would keep the aircraft. Unfortunately I lost control during the taxi and collided with a fence. Fortunately nobody was hurt. Only my pride, the fence and the aircraft were dented. The damage to the aircraft, even with such a seemingly minor incident resulted in potential costs greater than its value. I've since had the experience of dealing with the insurers, the Light Aircraft Association, and the Air Accident Investigation Branch. Each organisation has needed extensive information. It's only now that the dust is settling that I can climb out of that hole which I'd sought when I had the accident. It will take the winter for me to decide whether to seek out another 'plane. I certainly still want to live a little. After all "time flies" - and so do I !

This month's saying then is:

“The successful man will profit from his mistakes and

try again in a different way.” ― Dale Carnegie

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

A Very Rewarding Month

Again, the title says it all. I've had a busy but rewarding month. First my clinic appointment this week brought yet more good news. For the second month, my paraprotein remains undetectable and my LITES ratio has again reduced. Such good news justifies my intentions to do more and I recognise my good fortune in being given this opportunity.

Margaret and I recently did our "Grand Tour". First we drove up to Yorkshire (somehow going North implies going up). In Ilkley I visited and photographed the War Memorial which bears the name of my uncle who was killed in the second world war. Having stayed overnight in our favourite hotel in Skipton we attended an excellent birthday celebration for my cousin.

Staying a further night in Skipton we then drove to Northampton to the Light Aircraft Association rally. We chanced upon a former flying friend and his wife. The wives were thus able to relax whilst the men walked around the aircraft - wonderful !

Our tour then took us to an overnight stay in Watford (not all hotels are good) and then in the morning to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio.





Our final night was in Cobham (in an excellent hotel). The next morning we drove to the Brooklands Museum. This is a wonderful place with both motoring and aviation exhibits. I wanted to see the Wellington which had been recovered from Loch Ness in 1985 (my uncle died in a Wellington).

This month's saying:

It takes rain to make a rainbow

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

Yet More Good News !

I consider myself extremely fortunate. Yet again my clinic appointment has brought good news. Perhaps not unreasonably I remain obsessed with my test results. At each clinic I provide blood samples. The consultant gets real-time test results for such measures as red and white cell counts. These indicate my general health.

The tests which define my cancer progress take some time to prepare and accordingly are reviewed at my next appointment. The good news I refer to above, therefore, relates to blood tests taken 28 days ago. My LITEs continue to show improvement. This has now been the 6th month in a row showing improvement. The normal ratio range is 0.26 to 1.65. My latest LITEs ratio is 3.22. OK so it is above the normal range but in December 2011, just after I had been diagnosed, the ratio was 1247.14 ! Clearly the treatment which I've received has worked and brought the pesky myeloma under control. I am so grateful that I live at a time when modern treatments have been developed, authorised by NICE, and received funding.

Last month I reported my quest for "a certain other aircraft". Well, the saga continues. It required a part which was ordered from the USA. It will not be until the middle of this month (maybe later?) before I can view the aircraft and decide whether it is for me. I confess to not being very patient!

Somehow I've volunteered to be Treasurer/Membership Secretary for a local aviation group. I will shortly be shown how the role is performed (training?). Unless someone else volunteers, then I will be appointed at the AGM early next month.

Nelson Mandela is famous for many quotations. This one seems apt:

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

A busy (and good!) month

Firstly, yesterday's visit to see my consultant brought yet more good news. My paraprotein count was again 4 thus indicating a continuing plateau. My LITEs also showed yet further reduction (improvement). I am reminded that it is now 2 years since my stay in hospital. Recent decisions to take on a volunteer role and to return to private flying would seem to have been appropriate. There is no point in simply waiting for relapse. Better to use and enjoy life!

My search for a suitable aircraft to fly has continued. I had viewed one near Yeovil but, at the time, I didn't have a medical signed off or flight test completed. I thus had to let the aircraft slip through my fingers. Another, located in Lincolnshire seemed to be just what I wanted. An all-day journey was thus arranged. All went very well until I decided to climb into the cockpit. Either it was too small, or I was too large. Before my cancer I had been just over 6 feet high. Damage to my spine resulted in a loss of about 2 inches but my leg length would have remained the same. Never-the-less my leg length was too much for this aircraft - a Druine Turbulent. A similar aircraft G-APNZ, which is currently undergoing restoration by the Derby Aero Club, was once flown by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. He is understood to be 6ft 2ins. It seems unlikely that I will be able to modify the Lincolnshire aircraft to suit my needs. Perhaps the cartoon on its tail, whilst identifying its French design, also says something of the size of its intended pilot !

In the meantime I have been advised that "a certain other aircraft might become available". Let's hope. I've also been researching where I might keep an aircraft and have today been made a firm offer. Sounds promising.

This month's thought (by Leonardo da Vinci):

For once you have tasted flight
you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards,

for there you have been and there you will long to return.

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

Another Very Good Month

The title says it all....

Firstly my myeloma status. On Tuesday, for the 3rd month in a row my consultant confirmed that my paraprotein level was 4. Having had a plateau of 5 for so many months, it is possible that I now have an even lower one. The consultant also checked my Free Light Chain Assay (now referred to as LITEs). This test is being increasingly used as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for myeloma. It is understood to be more sensitive than the paraprotein level. There are two important measures: the finite value and the ratio between the two light chain readings. My LITEs for the last two months have been the lowest since first measured. All this indicates that I'm doing very well - and I feel excellent.

That shiny pilot's licence that I mentioned last month has arrived from our CAA. Now I just need to identify a suitable aircraft.

The highlight of our month has been a visit by my cousin and her husband who live in Tasmania. It was wonderful to have them stay with us and to spend the time getting to know them both. My cousin had expressed the wish to visit a real pub. Now where I live, in a tourist dominated area, real pubs are hard to find. Most establishments have little history, serve packet food, and lager (yuck!). Fortunately I know of one pub, tucked away in a nearby village which is frequented by locals (always a good indicator), serves truly excellent value food, and offers a variety of genuine cask beers (and ciders). It seems that the landlord is a former brewmaster - and it shows.

No picture this month - but very good news.

This month's thought: The difference between try and triumph is a little umph

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

Life is Good !

Following last month's positive post, I can report yet another one !

We're just back from an extended (3 week) holiday in Cyprus. We had a wonderful time and were able to meet up with good friends, enjoy some wonderful Cypriot food and generally relax. This time I managed to limit the amount of work on the house.

One memorable lunch, at a favourite beach restaurant, was preceded by me walking along the coast in the glorious sunshine. I enjoyed the exercise and a shandy made with the local Keo beer awaited my arrival!

Cyprus isn't just Ayia Nappa. If you know where, there are superb secret beaches to enjoy.

On our return to the UK I had my usual visit to see the consultant. My paraprotein has remained at a count of four. Excellent news and especially as I've decided to return to one of my passions - flying. I persuaded by GP to countersign my Medical Declaration and have now traveled to Kemble where I was able to go flying with an examiner and pass my General Skills Test. I can now be issued with a (converted) licence. I'm a pilot again!

Someone recently asked me about "KBO". A good explanation is at:

http://susaneliamacneal.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/winston-churchill-and-kbo.html

So keep well and KBO

Stephen

April Clinic - Springtime !

The title says it all - it's spring !

Winter is finally behind us and as the weather starts to warm again the signs of spring are everywhere to be seen. Our daffodils have been wonderful, now come the tulips and cherry blossom. From the image above you will see that our magnolia tree is excelling itself this year.

By now you will have realised that all is well ! I've visited my consultant today and my paraprotein has actually fallen to 4. This is truly excellent news.

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

March Clinic - Fragility

Yesterday, Tuesday, I attended my routine clinic. I was also to have then received some infused medication called zoledronic acid. I receive this every 56 days and its intention is to account for the damage that myeloma has done to my bones. As it happened, I had been phoned last week and asked to attend on Sunday because the unit would be very busy with patients needing chemotherapy. This I was, of course, happy to do.

In the early hours of yesterday morning I was awoken by fairly intense pains, mostly in my legs but also generally through my body. It felt like flu. I have two potentially conflicting instructions from my health care team. Firstly, if my temperature exceeds 38 degrees to tell then and travel to Bristol for assessment. The second is to stay away from the hospital in case I should infect other patients! I had heard that zoledronic acid had side effects so I looked them up. Sure enough, the pains could be a reaction.

Before going up to Bristol I checked my temperature which was 37.6 so up a bit. I phoned the unit and received the reassurance that I should come in. In the event, although I still had some pains, the journey did me some good. When checked again, my temperature had fallen to 36.4 so there was no further concern. I saw the doctor and received the reassuring news that my paraprotein at the last appointment was still 5 - excellent news. Once I collected my prescriptions, I made my way home again.

I seemed to miss much of the evening. Having become so tired, I slept through much of it! On retiring to bed I realised that I hadn't felt ill for a great many months. All of us recognise when we feel ill. How many of us ever think to realise that we are well and have no pain?

Today I have almost completely recovered. The experience has served to remind me of my good fortune but also of my fagility.

Keep well everyone and KBO.

Life is like Mecano. Make of it as you wish

Stephen

February Clinic

As I've said in a previous post, it can be difficult to know what to write when there is seemingly little news. I attended clinic today and again my paraprotein is at 5. What was previously described as a "bumpy plateau" is now more like a plateau. So excellent news, my routine blood tests (which are taken at every clinic) are also fine and I continue to feel very well.

Well that's my health news so I'll waffle on about something else then!

Those that know me will be aware that I publish a web site dedicated to my uncle who died in the war. Having marked the 70th anniversary of his death in ceremonies in November last year, and subsequently updated the website, I'd rather thought that there was little else to add. Destiny seemed to have other ideas. Margaret had intended to buy me two books about Wellington bombers for Christmas. In the event Amazon was only able to supply one at the time. The second title "Wellington Squadrons in Focus" has only just arrived. We were both amazed when turning to the page about 142 Squadron, we found a photograph of the exact aircraft in which uncle Stephen flew and crashed.

For reasons of copyright, I can't publish the image here, but do go to the web site at: www.hf694.org.uk/chap6.htm

While you're there, and if you haven't already, also have a look at Chapter 13 which tells the story of the 70th anniversary ceremonies in Italy.

Keep well, keep dry and "KBO"

Stephen

High Wycombe Visit

On Wednesday I had the very good fortune to discuss Myeloma with a group in High Wycombe. They proved to be very cheerful and responsive and I certainly enjoyed the event.
Many thanks to the group, and to Georges, Chris and Donna for their support snd hospitality.

Stephen

The New Year

Today was the first clinic of the New Year. I met the new consultant at Bristol who told me that, yet again, my PP count for December (it always takes a month to get results) was 5.
Great news and the Dr. seemed very pleased with my progress to date.

"If you have the chance, take it. If not make it"

Keep well, keep healthy and "KBO"

Stephen