Summary Text

SUMMARY: First diagnosed with myeloma October 2011. Recruited onto clinical trial Myeloma X11 (Lenalidomide) at Bristol Oncology and Haematology Centre. First High Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant (HDT&SCT) in July 2012. On maintenance until June 2017. June 2018 recruited onto Myeloma XII trial (Ixazomib). December 2018 Second HDT&SCT. On maintenance until February 2020. August 2020 Commenced treatment involving Daratumumab. April 2021 relapsed. June 2021 recruited onto Cartitude 4 clinical trial and infused with CAR-T cells in October 2021. My own immune system is now fighting the cancer . I am exceedingly fortunate.


Thursday, 14 May 2015

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