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| Spring has arrived |
I should first perhaps explain the rather cryptic title of this post. By definition, an odyssey is a long series of adventures especially when filled with experiences, a progress of one stage of life to another. It seems that odyssey perfectly relates to myeloma. Anyway I'm bored with the term "journey".
About four weeks ago I started to experience sharp pains in my breast bone. These gradually became worse and often spread throughout my chest. Coughing, sneezing and even laughing became less than comfortable. Bone pain is one of the symptoms of myeloma but this was new. My previous experience was of a dull ache; this was much sharper.
It was thus a relief to report this to my consultant this week. As usual, and prior to my appointment, I had a blood test. Given the pain, I had expected that my counts for red and white cells and platelets would have deteriorated. But they hadn't and my paraprotein level, as measured at my last appointment, was still rising at a fairly constant rate. Never-the-less my consultant has presumed, like me, that I have relapsed. Accordingly we discussed my options.
Having prepared myself for the meeting, I was pleased when we agreed that I should be recruited onto a fairly new clinical trial called Myeloma XII. First I would need tests to confirm my relapse and to ensure that I qualify for the trial. The tests will include a PET-CT scan, a bone marrow biopsy (oh joy!), an echocardiogram, and yet more blood tests.
My next appointment is in three weeks and hopefully by then the results of the tests will be known. I can then recommence my odyssey !
Onto much a much happier theme, during Easter, our younger son visited. Then last weekend our elder son, his wife and our grandson visited us. Such events are so enjoyable and reflect the closeness of our family.
You don't choose your family
they are God's gift to you, as you are to them
Desmond Tutu
Keep well
Stephen
