The very next day after I had written my previous post, I received a further CT scan, this time at Weston-super-Mare Hospital. The result was then interpreted by the consultant team at the BHOC who were satisfied that no further radiotherapy was required. They thus arranged for me to continue treatment with Cycle 4. This was to be with "platelet support". Accordingly the following week I first had an appointment to be transfused with platelets. The same morning I then received the medications required by the DARA protocol being Daratumumab, Velcade and Dexamethazone.
Receiving Velcade is noteworthy. Over 2 years ago I received my second High Dose Therapy and Stem cell Transplant. One of the outcomes was a lowering of my platelet count. Platelets are required by the body to respond to any bleeding whether external or internal. Accordingly my count has been monitored very carefully. Unfortunately the drug Velcade can further reduce platelet count. The consultants have thus reduced the amount of Velcade I receive. This has been insufficient so I've now needed to be given platelets. Its ironic since I was once a platelet donor!
A week later I again attended for platelets and chemotherapy. Meanwhile I have now been given access to a Community Nurse Specialist whose role (certainly initially) is to help me with pain control. She advised me to start a "pain diary" in which I record the relationship between pain medications, activities and my assessment of pain. She also agreed that my practice of taking oramorph with paracetamol was appropriate. She then arranged for me to receive a reliable supply. Little by little I seem to be getting pain under control - thankfully.
My quote this time is:
No pain, no sandwich
(I trust you speak sufficient French to understand this!)
Keep safe, keep well and KBO
Stephen
