As the summary above and the title of this post indicate, I have been successfully recruited onto a new line of treatment involving a novel drug call Daratumumab (typically referred to as DARA. Its brand name is Darzalex).
On Tuesday I had a blood test followed with a face to face meeting with my consultant. She confirmed that I was suitable for this treatment and proceeded to set up the necessary prescriptions for the first, three week, cycle.
Those good people at Myeloma UK kindly sent me a face mask - quite the part!
On Friday I attended the treatment centre which had temporarily been established in a building called Chapter House. This is normally used for the training of dentists but Covid-19 had suspended that activity and the facility allowed better patient separation for Haematology and Oncology treatments. I had the 'pleasure' of reclining in a dentist chair for 8 1/2 hours ! A truly amazing facility never-the-less with multiple bays each set out as a dentist's clinic. I believe that there were around 60 such bays- very impressive.
I have a couple of appointments booked at the BHOC and from then on at The South Bristol Community Hospital which should be an easier journey from home. I have received appointment details up to and until 14th December. Somehow with all the disruption due to Covid-19, the BHOC has continued its patient care - very efficient.
In an previous post I mention the installation of a feeder specifically for our squirrel(s).
This is believed to be our male called Cyrill who has now found the feeder and visits regularly.
The foil acted as an indicator that he had been.
One of my RAF annual assessments included the belief that I feared the unknown. Reading all the literature I could in advance of my new treatment certainly left me apprehensive.
Apprehension, uncertainty, waiting, expectation, fear of surprise,
do a patient more harm than any exertion
Florence Nightingale
I'm pleased to report that despite all the concerns I had, they were unfounded. So far so very good.
Keep safe, keep well
