Fifth Re-induction Cycle

This week's consultant appointment confirmed my expectation that I will receive both cycles 5 and 6. This is due to my response to the treatment and this was confirmed with my latest paraprotein count of 6 at the end of cycle 3.  Being the same as the count at the end of cycle 2, this indicates that I am now in plateau.  I was accordingly prescribed for cycle 5.  Now that produced an interesting situation as, when I went to collect my medications, the trial drug (Ixazomib) was not available.  There had been a supply problem.  Ixazomib is taken on days 1, 8 and 15 so it was agreed that I would miss it on day 1.  It is to be hoped that I will have received stock in time for day 8.

Since the last my last post, Margaret and I have returned to Cyprus.  This is the first trip since we sold our holiday home 18 months ago.  I had discussed the timing of the trip with medical team and it was agreed that during cycle 4 would be the best.  This, of course, meant that the temperature in Cyprus would still be rather higher than we would have preferred.  In the event, it was 30 degrees every day!  Margaret had found excellent accommodation which proved very comfortable.  It was especially good to meet up with ex-patriot friends and to see some of the Cypriots that we had come to know so well.  We took the opportunity to re-visit many of the restaurants that were so much of our life.

Kyrenia Beach Restaurant

This picture show the Kyrenia Beach Restaurant on Avdimou Beach.  This is most definitely not on the tourist trail.  Instead the restaurant is known to a fairly select group of customers and the beach is the favourite haunt of kite surfers.

The only down side of the trip was the significant delay on the return flight of 2 hours 57 minutes.  Thanks easyJet !  But then there is a well-known saying:

Time to spare - go by air

Keep cheerful and keep well

Stephen