A Different Christmas

Only a quick update this month. I saw my consultant again and, smiles all round, my paraprotein remains undetectable and my LITEs almost normal.

Since Margaret and I intended to spend Christmas in a hotel (for the first time) this year, we had an early family get-together before the main event. The combination of a two year old grandson and a spaniel might have seemed crazy but all went very well indeed. It was great for everyone to get together. We even took the trouble to walk around the village scoring each lighting display - the more tacky the display, the greater the score !

I had a court sitting the next week and then we traveled to Bath for our planned four day stay in a luxury hotel. In the event some of the gloss was lost on us as by then we both had filthy colds. We were both coughing badly and I developed blocked sinuses leading to deafness. As you will no doubt be agree, the best place to be when feeling less well, is at home. At least we weren't entertaining over this period and Margaret didn't have to cook. We came home on Sunday and little by little we are both beginning to recover.

I'd almost forgotten what is is like to be ill - and I don't like it !

Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it's not luxury

Coco Chanel

Keep well, YOLO

Stephen

A Busy Month

November has proved to be something of a busy and satisfying month.

Again my role as a JP enabled me to participate in the Bristol Remembrance ceremony.

Despite a poor forecast, the rain held off and the sun came out. It seems that this is the 30th year that the weather has been kind to the ceremony. That very same evening we treated ourselves to a meal out to celebrate our 40th (Ruby) wedding anniversary.

We then spent just ten days in Cyprus for our autumn visit. Again the weather was kind to us. Although I needed to spend much of our time working on the house, we did manage to see our friends, to eat out every evening and had an enjoyable trip north to Latchi; a fishing village in the north west of the island. Lunch in a water-side restaurant and then a walk around the harbour in the warm autumn sunshine was just perfect.

Another very enjoyable lunch was had at oiur favourite beach restaurant at Avdimou. For me, and as if to prove my good health, this always involves a bracing walk of over 3 miles from our home to a waiting glass of shandy!

And, of course, I attended my consultant's appointment this week. My results remain most satisfactory.

Happy is the man who finds a true friend

and far happier is he that finds his true friend in his wife.

Franz Schubert

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

A Ruby Month

Every month, I struggle to choose a title that best fits the content of the blog. This month is certainly no different.

Firstly, this week I again visited my consultant to be told that everything remains in order and that I could be prescribed for maintenance cycle 40. By strange coincidence this month sees our 40th (Ruby) wedding anniversary. It's no secret that Margaret couldn't be bothered to train another one.

We had the great pleasure to travel one evening up to Bristol's Colston Hall to hear Verdi's Requiem. We both enjoy classical music and there can be few compositions which exert so much power and emotion as this. Fantastic choir and orchestra.

Two days later, in my capacity as a JP, I attended the ceremony in Bristol Cathedral which marks the start of the Legal Year. Such events serve to remind us of our role in the justice system.

During the month, the last flying Avro Vulcan XH558 undertook to make two final national tours. The first, the northern tour, took it as far north as Edinburgh. It also showed just how much interest there is in this iconic aircraft. The project's internet server crashed and so did the associated Apps systems. It made it very difficult for potential spectators to check the schedule. Knowing that a southern tour was to follow, I needed to find a solution. As a confirmed critic of (anti-)social media, I registered for Twitter. This worked and as the time for the southern tour approached I was able to study the route and timings and decided to watch at the Severn Bridges. In the event XH558 changed her route and arrived much later than planned - but I did see her that last precious time.

Yesterday (28th October 2015) XH558 flew for the very last time. Because of the very real risk that spectators would prevent her home base of Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield airport (who dreamt up that name?) from operating, the event was kept secret until the last possible moment. It was televised by live YouTube feed and it was clearly a very emotional time for all concerned. After taking off XH558 made one low approach before landing back for the last time. She was greeted by the airport fire service who provided a water arch. Let's hope the national media catch up with such a significant event.

The commentator for the last flight of XH558 quoted the children's book author and illustrator Dr Seuss:

Don't cry because it's over

Smile because it happened.

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

Life's Good

Firstly my consultant's appointment went well yet again. No detectable paraprotein and my Free Light Chain Assay (Lites) were fine. The doctors, my trials nurse, and I agree that it is remarkable that I am now starting maintenance cycle 39.

The month in general has been most enjoyable. Margaret's health has continued to improve and she has been busy with a variety of activities associated with her librarianship (is there such a word?) and her role as a school governor. For my part I've sat in court on four days this month. I continue to learn of course but I'm gradually developing more confidence. There have been (rare) occasions when I've been able to brief my bench colleagues on some finer point of process. I am expected to sit on 13 full days per year (April to March). By volunteering, I've already sat on 22 days !  As will be apparent, I get huge fulfilment from the role.

The other morning I set my alarm to wake me at 3am to watch the 'super moon'. This was apparently a rare event when the moon's orbit brings it to it closest to the earth and coincided with a lunar eclipse.

I must confess that although the moon did indeed darken and become coloured, the size was hardly super ! Still, maybe it will be better when it happens again in 33 years.

This month's saying is absolutely nothing to do with the moon. Instead it simply amused me:

It's like deja-vu, all over again

(Yogi Berra)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

Toys !

Firstly, during last week I visited my consultant and again was told that everything is fine: no detectable paraprotein and Lites almost normal. This was especially pleasing to hear because, for some odd reason, I'd got it into my head that I should expect bad news.

Margaret very kindly let me go out to play for the whole weekend. On the Saturday I drove over to attend the Light Aircraft Association Rally at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. The LAA is responsible for the administration of home built aircarft. It performs a similar role for those aircraft that no longer have manufacture support. I was therefore able to walk amongst a huge variety of aircraft.

This picture is of a Jodel D9 single seat, open cockpit aircraft. It is home-built and powered by a converted Volkswagen engine. In many ways it is typical of the type of aircraft I was able to see. The picture also gives some idea of the scene and the fact that a cold wind was blowing from the north the whole time I was there !

I stayed overnight in a hotel before joining friends at the Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire. I was treated to an excellent picnic lunch (thank you again Sally), to an excellent airshow, and to surprisingly warm weather. The sunshine will certainly have topped up everybody's vitamin D.

The picture shows just two of the wonderful old aircraft that have been restored to flying condition by the Shuttleworth Collection which contains both aircraft and vehicles. It was wonderful meet up with friends and to be allowed "out" by Margaret.

One final news item: The gentleman who bought the aircraft salvage after my incident last year, has been in touch to ask if I might want to buy it back once it is restored later this year. We will just have to see !

This month's saying is thus especially apt:

As men get older, the toys get more expensive

(Marvin Davis)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

Another Good Month

The title pretty much sums things up. Continuing my desire to return to flying I traveled over to the Peterborough area to inspect a possible aircraft.

This is called a Clutton FRED (Flying Runabout Experimental Design) which was developed by Eric Clutton in the early 1960s. It is single seat, open cockpit and generally referred to as a parasol wing. (Best described as a biplane without the lower wing!) Yet again my legs (which think I am still 6 feet tall) made this aircraft impractical for me - so the search goes on.

I attended consultant's clinic last week and, again, my test results were positive with no detectable paraprotein. Noting that I need to renew travel insurance, the consultant has included in his routine letter that my Disease Status is "complete biochemical response by paraprotein".

Also last week, our elder son brought our grandson over for the day. On his arrival, Finley was keen to help his "Papa" replace a handle on the fridge/freezer:

Later we all (Finley, Margaret, Nick and I) took a bracing stroll along the sea wall at Sandbay. Now I wonder why I had a stiff neck the next day!

I suspect such seemingly insignificant events become the memories of the future.

The best thing about memories is making them

(Anon)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

Good Reason to Celebrate

On the 18th July 2012, I was discharged from the haematology ward at Bristol's BHOC. I had just received High Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant. Now three years on I have just attended my monthly consultant's clinic where my blood tests remain most positive and I was prescribed cycle 36 maintenance therapy. I have every reason the celebrate!

In the last three years my health and quality of life has gradually improved to the point that I feel better than I did before I was even diagnosed. Yes I have some back ache, yes I can get a little tired. Neither condition stops me leading a full and rewarding life.

Of course it's also summer! Blue skies and warmer weather make us all feel more cheerful, and it's the season for air displays! With three good friends I journeyed up to the RAF Cosford air day. The weather wasn't perfect but we were treated to a wide range of flying including visits by the Red Arrow (who put on a magnificent show despite the limited cloud base), and from Avro Vulcan HX558 piloted by Bill Ramsey and Martin Withers. It was Martin Withers who piloted XM607 all the way to the Falkland Islands. HX558 is the only flying example of this cold war bomber and sadly will be retired at the end of this season never to fly again.

The following weekend saw many of the same aircraft display at Weston-super-Mare. I have certainly "overdosed" on the Vulcan!

Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold;

the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul

(Democritus)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

Phew !

Margaret has had her procedure and seems to be coping well. It's early days but we're both very encouraged by the care she received at the BHI. She has her stitches out next week and has a review appointment in six weeks time. By then I believe we will know if this has been successful.

Two weeks ago I had my neck ultrasound scanned. I had reported a neck ache to my haematology consultant. Secretly I feared that the medication I'm on might have caused another cancer - lymphoma. My consultant probably had the same concern. It was with considerable relief to be given the all clear. My monthly consultant's appointment again contained excellent news that my paraprotein remains undetectable and my Lites are most encouraging. It had been a complicated day: Margaret's day surgery appointment, my consultant's clinic and my two monthly treatment appointment. Complicated but satisfying ! The day also exemplified the high quality of care that both Margaret and I receive from our NHS.

Looking for a suitable thought about "fear" I came across this:

Always do what you are afraid to do

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

There seems to be a strange truth in that, which I can't quite explain.

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

In Sickness and in Health

This week I have again seen my consultant and, again, my results remain stable and not giving any cause for concern.

So why the title? Well Margaret and I travelled to Cyprus again and had the satisfaction of meeting with several of our friends. That was wonderful but Margaret's health was giving us some considerable cause for concern. Reluctantly we decided to cut our trip short and returned to the UK after only one week. The airline and airports provided Special Assistance which we very much appreciated.

Now perhaps, you will see the reason for this month's title. For so long Margaret has supported me whilst I went through treatment for myeloma. She has attended some of my appointments with me, acted as taxi driver, visited me in hospital and, yes, probably worried about me. Right now the roles are reversed. It is me that is healthy, and it is Margaret who now needs my support. Strange how nature(?) makes such things possible. Hopefully the treatment she is about to receive will have a marked effect on her well being.

Health is not valued until sickness comes

(Thomas Fuller)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

Dawn Chorus

I make no apology for introducing this month's post with a collage of spring flowers. After all, they signal the return of life after winter.

The majestic magnolia has excelled itself this year, the perfume of the flowering currant is truly wonderful in the evenings. The grape hyacinth can push through anything (including our drive !). The Chinese (or is it Japanese?) quince is a welcome splash of red whilst the daffodil is surely the best indicator of spring.


The title of Dawn Chorus refers to the other noteworthy feature of spring. We are fortunate to live in a rural environment. For us the chorus starts at about 5 am and seems to last until beyond sunset in the evening!

This month has also been a time of learning for me. I've continued to sit as a Magistrate and discovered much about justice. It is, of course, our role to interpret Sentencing Guidelines. We must protect society and especially victims, but we must also seek to reform offenders. One of my fellow JPs explained much about the consideration of compassion. Another demonstrated the concept of offering hope to offenders whose lives are often so chaotic and seemingly dominated by evil. I have so much to learn.

Tell me and I forget,

Teach me and I remember,

Involve me and I learn.

(Benjamin Franklin)

I attended clinic today, and again, good news. My paraprotein remains undetectable and my Kappa remains at a very satisfactory low level.I have thus been prescribed for cycle 33 - amazing !

I've just been out to bring in the laundry from the line. The birds are singing their sunset chorus and certainly know its spring - amazing !

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

The Sun Smiled !

What ? you might ask, does this month's post title mean. Well, at 9:26 am here in the West Country, we were able to experience the partial eclipse of the sun: and it smiled.

We had an amusing time messing around with pin hole cards and a colander but by far the best device was manufactured in 1943.

A couple of years ago, a neighbour gave me this Mark IXA Bubble Sextant. These were used by RAF navigators to take celestial shots (sun, moon and stars). As such it has a series of 7 sun filters which can be selected. Here then was the ideal device to experience this wonderful event.

Earlier this week I attended my monthly clinic and again my paraprotein was undetectable. My kappa continues to bounce around at about 27 and my consultant says this is very much due to the accuracy/variability of the test itself. It seems that when first tested my kappa was in excess of 800 !

I have much to be thankful for.

There are things around, and I know where they can be got quite easily,

but I quite like waking up to the sunshine.

(Terry Pratchett 1948-2015)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

A Dilemma

I attended clinic this week and, again, all was good news. My paraprotein remains undetectable and my consultant continues to be very happy with my progress.

You may recall that I was discharged from the ward after High Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant in July 2012. It was not until two years later that my paraprotein had finally become undetectable. I've now just been prescribed maintenance cycle number 31. I continue to feel really well.

You may also recall that I have previously commented that we rarely recognise our good health, only noting when we feel unwell. This brings me to another such thought:  Only exceptionally do we consider our life expectancy. I don’t recall ever considering the potential to be “run over by a bus”. The more responsible amongst us perhaps ensure that we have a Will but that is as far as such thoughts typically go.

Discussion about cancer, of course, often includes a prediction of life expectancy – a prognosis. Probably in common with other myeloma patients I reacted to my prognosis by initially thinking very short term. As my treatment has progressed, and for the most part subconsciously, I have begun to think longer term. It is worth mentioning that, having received an initial prognosis from my consultant at the time, I also sought predictions from the internet. Dangerous. Some of the information I found was out of date and inaccurate. Even that published by Macmillan referred to data which itself was out of date. Cancer research has recently published survival data but even that requires some interpretation. Nobody can blame cancer patients from trying to understand their condition though.

My dilemma (and one that I wholeheartedly welcome) is, given my current remission, how far ahead should I plan? To what extent should I invest in my future? Having been appointed to be a JP is just one sign that I have planned for a future. Another is pursuing my passion for flying. I’m aware of some myeloma patients who suffer badly. Others, though, have already survived and enjoyed an extended life. I’m glad to have this dilemma! 

If you love life, don't waste time,

for time is what life is made up of.

Bruce Lee

You will note that I have routinely ended my posts with the expression KBO. Well I've found a new one which those who text will probably be aware of. So....

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

Happy New Year

I've very little to report this month !

Christmas proved to be most enjoyable with visits from both our sons, their partners, and of course our grandson. No sooner than the festive holiday had arrived that it was time to dismantle the decorations and pack them away until needed again.

Enough waffle!

I visited my consultant this week and, again, my paraprotein was undetectable. My kappa reading was again slightly raised but I was assured that the numbers were so low as to be of no consequence. I'm thus still fit and well and ready to get on with 2015.

With that in mind I now must look for a suitable saying:

It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease

than to know what sort of disease a person has.    (Hippocrates)

Keep healthy and KBO

Stephen