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