April 2023 #2

I recently attended the BHOC for the last of Imunoglobulin infusion in this series.  Happily I again did not react and all went according to plan.  I am indebted to the nurses who took such care with my treatment.

Yesterday I returned to the BHOC and saw my consultant and yet again I was advised that paraprotein could not be detected and my light chains were normal.  In my last post, I mentioned my project to repair the loggia roof.  Since then I've been onto the roof of our dormer and made good where lead flashing had slipped causing one of the wall-hung tiles to drop.  My continued good health allows me to undertake such projects.

You will recall that in March I learned that the NICE appraisal for CAR-T cell treatment would not take place as scheduled and thus its introduction as an option in England could not proceed.  I've now learned that the treatment had been launched in the USA and accordingly the T cell processing facilities were now at capacity and that they could not take on further countries.  A massive shame.  I can only hope that further capacity will become available.

Two falcon chicks being fed - Click to enlarge

Every year I celebrate the arrival of spring.  Sometimes it's the appearance of flowers on the magnolia, sometimes the nodding of daffodils.  This year it has been the hatching of two of the Peregrin Falcons on the roof of Salisbury Cathedral.  This morning the BBC announced that a chick had been seen for the first time on the CCTV.  When I checked I saw that two of the four eggs had hatched and that the parent (mother?) was feeding them.  (To watch this simply Google "Salisbury falcons).  Presumably the other eggs will hatch over the next few days and we will watch the charming little chicks develop into the raptors they really are.  With luck we will see them fledge.

Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment
Ellis Peters

Keep safe, keep well 

Stephen

April 2023 #1

It seems almost routine to report that, at my recent consultant's appointment, I was given the continuing good news that my paraprotein level was zero.  In addition my light chain result was very good.  Both indications show that my myeloma continues to be controlled by the CAR-T cells.  Yesterday I again attended the BHOC for immunoglobulin  treatment and without any problems.  The next medical challenge is to get my spring Covid booster vaccination - I wait for details.

Click to enlarge

In my last post I reported that I'd re-decorated a bedroom.  Projects continue.  At the south side of our home we have a covered walkway (a loggia) under which we eat al fresco meals, gain access to a garden hut (called Jabba), dry laundry and grow a grape vine (from which I make Port wine).  

I recently noted that some wood rot had set in on the roof structure.  On examination I discovered it was far more advanced than expected and required the replacement of a beam extending over four meters.  The job which required significant planning is now complete.  Probably next on the list is some damage to the side of our dormer.  A wall-hung tile has slipped dislodging the associated lead flashing.  "Man's work is never done."

Getting older is no problem. You just have to live long enough
Groucho Marx

Keep safe, keep well 

Stephen