Another Very Good Month

The title says it all....

Firstly my myeloma status. On Tuesday, for the 3rd month in a row my consultant confirmed that my paraprotein level was 4. Having had a plateau of 5 for so many months, it is possible that I now have an even lower one. The consultant also checked my Free Light Chain Assay (now referred to as LITEs). This test is being increasingly used as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for myeloma. It is understood to be more sensitive than the paraprotein level. There are two important measures: the finite value and the ratio between the two light chain readings. My LITEs for the last two months have been the lowest since first measured. All this indicates that I'm doing very well - and I feel excellent.

That shiny pilot's licence that I mentioned last month has arrived from our CAA. Now I just need to identify a suitable aircraft.

The highlight of our month has been a visit by my cousin and her husband who live in Tasmania. It was wonderful to have them stay with us and to spend the time getting to know them both. My cousin had expressed the wish to visit a real pub. Now where I live, in a tourist dominated area, real pubs are hard to find. Most establishments have little history, serve packet food, and lager (yuck!). Fortunately I know of one pub, tucked away in a nearby village which is frequented by locals (always a good indicator), serves truly excellent value food, and offers a variety of genuine cask beers (and ciders). It seems that the landlord is a former brewmaster - and it shows.

No picture this month - but very good news.

This month's thought: The difference between try and triumph is a little umph

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

Life is Good !

Following last month's positive post, I can report yet another one !

We're just back from an extended (3 week) holiday in Cyprus. We had a wonderful time and were able to meet up with good friends, enjoy some wonderful Cypriot food and generally relax. This time I managed to limit the amount of work on the house.

One memorable lunch, at a favourite beach restaurant, was preceded by me walking along the coast in the glorious sunshine. I enjoyed the exercise and a shandy made with the local Keo beer awaited my arrival!

Cyprus isn't just Ayia Nappa. If you know where, there are superb secret beaches to enjoy.

On our return to the UK I had my usual visit to see the consultant. My paraprotein has remained at a count of four. Excellent news and especially as I've decided to return to one of my passions - flying. I persuaded by GP to countersign my Medical Declaration and have now traveled to Kemble where I was able to go flying with an examiner and pass my General Skills Test. I can now be issued with a (converted) licence. I'm a pilot again!

Someone recently asked me about "KBO". A good explanation is at:

http://susaneliamacneal.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/winston-churchill-and-kbo.html

So keep well and KBO

Stephen

April Clinic - Springtime !

The title says it all - it's spring !

Winter is finally behind us and as the weather starts to warm again the signs of spring are everywhere to be seen. Our daffodils have been wonderful, now come the tulips and cherry blossom. From the image above you will see that our magnolia tree is excelling itself this year.

By now you will have realised that all is well ! I've visited my consultant today and my paraprotein has actually fallen to 4. This is truly excellent news.

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

March Clinic - Fragility

Yesterday, Tuesday, I attended my routine clinic. I was also to have then received some infused medication called zoledronic acid. I receive this every 56 days and its intention is to account for the damage that myeloma has done to my bones. As it happened, I had been phoned last week and asked to attend on Sunday because the unit would be very busy with patients needing chemotherapy. This I was, of course, happy to do.

In the early hours of yesterday morning I was awoken by fairly intense pains, mostly in my legs but also generally through my body. It felt like flu. I have two potentially conflicting instructions from my health care team. Firstly, if my temperature exceeds 38 degrees to tell then and travel to Bristol for assessment. The second is to stay away from the hospital in case I should infect other patients! I had heard that zoledronic acid had side effects so I looked them up. Sure enough, the pains could be a reaction.

Before going up to Bristol I checked my temperature which was 37.6 so up a bit. I phoned the unit and received the reassurance that I should come in. In the event, although I still had some pains, the journey did me some good. When checked again, my temperature had fallen to 36.4 so there was no further concern. I saw the doctor and received the reassuring news that my paraprotein at the last appointment was still 5 - excellent news. Once I collected my prescriptions, I made my way home again.

I seemed to miss much of the evening. Having become so tired, I slept through much of it! On retiring to bed I realised that I hadn't felt ill for a great many months. All of us recognise when we feel ill. How many of us ever think to realise that we are well and have no pain?

Today I have almost completely recovered. The experience has served to remind me of my good fortune but also of my fagility.

Keep well everyone and KBO.

Life is like Mecano. Make of it as you wish

Stephen