Ups and Downs

First the "Ups". Today I attended my monthly consultant's clinic and again received truly excellent news. My paraprotein remains undetectable and my LITEs have reduced further. Dare I now say that the maintenance therapy, based on a drug called Revlimid, is truly working? Also at last month's clinic, though not mentioned in this blog, was a concern that my neutrophils (specialist white blood cells which fight infection) were at a lower count than acceptable. Revlimid is known to suppress them somewhat and I had been concerned that the consultant might have to take action if they remained low. Today, fortunately, they had returned to an acceptable level. All-in-all very good news.

And the "Down"? - Well, in a previous blog I mentioned my search for a suitable aircraft. On the 3rd of September, I drove down to Goodwood airfield viewed the aircraft of my dreams and bought it! (Don't assume anything about my wealth. This aircraft is single seat and was amateur built in the USA in 1962.) Five days later, a flying colleague drove me back there. After the usual checks and re-fuelling I taxied towards the runway with the intention of a flight to an airfield nearer home where I would keep the aircraft. Unfortunately I lost control during the taxi and collided with a fence. Fortunately nobody was hurt. Only my pride, the fence and the aircraft were dented. The damage to the aircraft, even with such a seemingly minor incident resulted in potential costs greater than its value. I've since had the experience of dealing with the insurers, the Light Aircraft Association, and the Air Accident Investigation Branch. Each organisation has needed extensive information. It's only now that the dust is settling that I can climb out of that hole which I'd sought when I had the accident. It will take the winter for me to decide whether to seek out another 'plane. I certainly still want to live a little. After all "time flies" - and so do I !

This month's saying then is:

“The successful man will profit from his mistakes and

try again in a different way.” ― Dale Carnegie

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

A Very Rewarding Month

Again, the title says it all. I've had a busy but rewarding month. First my clinic appointment this week brought yet more good news. For the second month, my paraprotein remains undetectable and my LITES ratio has again reduced. Such good news justifies my intentions to do more and I recognise my good fortune in being given this opportunity.

Margaret and I recently did our "Grand Tour". First we drove up to Yorkshire (somehow going North implies going up). In Ilkley I visited and photographed the War Memorial which bears the name of my uncle who was killed in the second world war. Having stayed overnight in our favourite hotel in Skipton we attended an excellent birthday celebration for my cousin.

Staying a further night in Skipton we then drove to Northampton to the Light Aircraft Association rally. We chanced upon a former flying friend and his wife. The wives were thus able to relax whilst the men walked around the aircraft - wonderful !

Our tour then took us to an overnight stay in Watford (not all hotels are good) and then in the morning to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio.





Our final night was in Cobham (in an excellent hotel). The next morning we drove to the Brooklands Museum. This is a wonderful place with both motoring and aviation exhibits. I wanted to see the Wellington which had been recovered from Loch Ness in 1985 (my uncle died in a Wellington).

This month's saying:

It takes rain to make a rainbow

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

Yet More Good News !

I consider myself extremely fortunate. Yet again my clinic appointment has brought good news. Perhaps not unreasonably I remain obsessed with my test results. At each clinic I provide blood samples. The consultant gets real-time test results for such measures as red and white cell counts. These indicate my general health.

The tests which define my cancer progress take some time to prepare and accordingly are reviewed at my next appointment. The good news I refer to above, therefore, relates to blood tests taken 28 days ago. My LITEs continue to show improvement. This has now been the 6th month in a row showing improvement. The normal ratio range is 0.26 to 1.65. My latest LITEs ratio is 3.22. OK so it is above the normal range but in December 2011, just after I had been diagnosed, the ratio was 1247.14 ! Clearly the treatment which I've received has worked and brought the pesky myeloma under control. I am so grateful that I live at a time when modern treatments have been developed, authorised by NICE, and received funding.

Last month I reported my quest for "a certain other aircraft". Well, the saga continues. It required a part which was ordered from the USA. It will not be until the middle of this month (maybe later?) before I can view the aircraft and decide whether it is for me. I confess to not being very patient!

Somehow I've volunteered to be Treasurer/Membership Secretary for a local aviation group. I will shortly be shown how the role is performed (training?). Unless someone else volunteers, then I will be appointed at the AGM early next month.

Nelson Mandela is famous for many quotations. This one seems apt:

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

A busy (and good!) month

Firstly, yesterday's visit to see my consultant brought yet more good news. My paraprotein count was again 4 thus indicating a continuing plateau. My LITEs also showed yet further reduction (improvement). I am reminded that it is now 2 years since my stay in hospital. Recent decisions to take on a volunteer role and to return to private flying would seem to have been appropriate. There is no point in simply waiting for relapse. Better to use and enjoy life!

My search for a suitable aircraft to fly has continued. I had viewed one near Yeovil but, at the time, I didn't have a medical signed off or flight test completed. I thus had to let the aircraft slip through my fingers. Another, located in Lincolnshire seemed to be just what I wanted. An all-day journey was thus arranged. All went very well until I decided to climb into the cockpit. Either it was too small, or I was too large. Before my cancer I had been just over 6 feet high. Damage to my spine resulted in a loss of about 2 inches but my leg length would have remained the same. Never-the-less my leg length was too much for this aircraft - a Druine Turbulent. A similar aircraft G-APNZ, which is currently undergoing restoration by the Derby Aero Club, was once flown by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. He is understood to be 6ft 2ins. It seems unlikely that I will be able to modify the Lincolnshire aircraft to suit my needs. Perhaps the cartoon on its tail, whilst identifying its French design, also says something of the size of its intended pilot !

In the meantime I have been advised that "a certain other aircraft might become available". Let's hope. I've also been researching where I might keep an aircraft and have today been made a firm offer. Sounds promising.

This month's thought (by Leonardo da Vinci):

For once you have tasted flight
you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards,

for there you have been and there you will long to return.

Keep well and KBO

Stephen