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.


Monday, 29 July 2024

July 2024

It's been an eventful month!

Margaret and I went on another cruise.  This time for two weeks visiting the Baltic countries of Sweden, Finland and Denmark. 

Copenhagen's Little Mermaid




Showing just one image from our cruise; The Little Mermaid which is situated in Copenhagen in Denmark.

She is allegedly the most-photographed statue in the world (and I've added to the count!)











On return to the UK both of us felt rather unwell.  I had to provide routine blood samples the day after we got home so I mentioned my condition to the nurse.  She promptly had a doctor check my lungs but they were OK. Never-the-less she had me provide a sputum sample.  A few days later one of the consultants phoned me and during the conversation it became clear that I had an infection which would respond to antibiotic.  After some problems, my GP kindly prescribed the necessary medication which is now doing its job.  

Still feeling unwell I had obtained a COVID test kit.  Be warned, the government has ended the ability for immune compromised people, like me, to order kits on line.  Finding my existing kit had time expired, I had to go to a local pharmacy in order to get one provided.




The result of us both taking our COVID tests was plain to see - both positive.

At least we now knew why we felt so unwell.

I find myself rather critical that in order to test, I must first risk infecting others in order to get a test kit. Crazy.








As things stand, whilst Margaret is still somewhat under the weather, I have almost recovered and will shortly be able to return to normal activities.

I enjoy convalescence.  It is the part that makes illness worthwhile.
George Bernard Shaw

Keep well, keep safe
Stephen