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 Some of the information I found was out of date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was out of date.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
