Summary Text

SUMMARY: First diagnosed with myeloma October 2011. Recruited onto clinical trial Myeloma X11 (Lenalidomide) at Bristol Oncology and Haematology Centre. First High Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant (HDT&SCT) in July 2012. On maintenance until June 2017. June 2018 recruited onto Myeloma XII trial (Ixazomib). December 2018 Second HDT&SCT. On maintenance until February 2020. August 2020 Commenced treatment involving Daratumumab. April 2021 relapsed. June 2021 recruited onto Cartitude 4 clinical trial and infused with CAR-T cells in October 2021. My own immune system is now fighting the cancer . I am exceedingly fortunate.


Tuesday, 18 July 2023

July 2023

Again I attended my consultant's appointment and my paraprotein remains undetectable and my light chains (another measure of any cancer activity) remain normal.  

So much is going on in my life and most of it positive.  

First the not entirely good news.  We were due to go on holiday and I discovered a lump in my neck under which I could feel my pulse.  I Googled the situation and became convinced that I might have an aneurism.  I decided to not tell HRH - why spoil her holiday - I would sort it later.  The day after our holiday I tried to get a GP's appointment but one could not be arranged within a reasonable timescale.  I therefore went to our local A&E.  From entering to leaving took a full eight hours during which I had been triaged, seen by a doctor, cannulated, CT scanned, and again seen by the doctor.  The diagnosis was that there was absolutely nothing of concern.

I also waited until after our holiday to get my eyes tested.  Two years ago the  optometrist had reported some cataract development.  Since then the affect has become more pronounced with a marked increase in glare.  This month's eye test resulted in a letter to my GP proposing a referral for cataract assessment and presumably surgery.  Today I was able to book a specialist appointment in September - excellent.

Now the fantastic news.  HRH and I had a holiday involving a cruise to the Norwegian fjords.  Just one of the highlight was my first view of a glacier.

Briksdal Glacier - Click to enlarge

The image above is of the Briksdal glacier which we reached from the village of Olden.  The whole holiday with the sights of Norway scenery and the experience of the cruise was truly awesome (a word I use sparingly)

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - 
they must be felt with the heart
Helen Keller

Keep well and KBO

Stephen