A Time of Reflection

Today saw me travel up to Bristol for my routine consultant's appointment. Yet again the news was excellent. My paraprotein remains undetectable and my LITEs continue to show improvement. In simple terms Light Chains (LITEs) are a more sensitive measure of the myeloma plasma cell fragments. There are two types; Kappa and Lambda. Since my cancer is IgG kappa myeloma, the actual quantity of kappa and its ratio to lambda is of interest. When last tested my kappa level had fallen to 22.2. This puts it into the normal range of 5.71 to 26.3. My ratio was 2.74 which almost puts it into the normal range of 0.26 to 1.65. If my LITEs continue to fall then I will potentially be considered to have entered Complete Remission.

In simpler terms, I feel very well indeed with only minor back pain (for which I'm prescribed paracetamol!). Being on the Myeloma XI trial I take a drug called Revlimid. It may be this which has brought my cancer under control. Like so many such drugs, there is a risk of side-effects. Without going into details, I only get one and it is entirely tolerable.

Given my current excellent health, I am beginning to question whether this can still be a "myeloma blog". Only time will tell. Certainly it is right to report the good as well as the bad.

It is perhaps inevitable that in visiting my consultant, who is based at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC), I will encounter patients whose health is far worse than my own. It is humbling to see some of them. When I was admitted for high dose therapy in July 2012, I met two patients who were end-of-life. It was heart rending to speak to them and to witness their courage. Even now in clinic, I see so many patients in very poor state of health. Unlike the ward, the clinic waiting room is not appropriate for conversation. I can only remind myself just how fortunate I am.

I am a living example of someone who has an incurable cancer but never-the-less has responded favourably to treatment and has an excellent quality of life.

Last month I reported my appointment to be a Magistrate. What I then discovered was a civic aspect of this role. I was invited, as a JP, to attend the Remembrance ceremony in Bristol. Margaret and I mark Remembrance every year so my decision to attend was an easy one. The day was clear and bright and there was a significant public attendance at the city Cenotaph. I found myself with around 60 of my colleagues alongside the Lord-Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor, the elected Mayor, and the city Aldermen. Of note were the many medals worn by young and junior service personnel - an indication of the service they have already seen.

The month seems to have been very much service related. Margaret and I took the opportunity to visit the RAF Museum at Cosford where the Wellington bomber is currently undergoing a major restoration which will take several years. It is only rarely possible for the public to be admitted into the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre. I thoroughly recommend a visit to the RAF Museum at Cosford.

We've also had the very enjoyable experience of attending a concert by the RAF Central Band to mark the 50th anniversary of the Red Arrows. And to think that a certain government considered disbanding them!

Finally I've had word from our Italian host and friend who showed us so much hospitality last year that he has placed a poppy I sent to him on the plaque I presented.

The poppy I left last year has now faded. Some unknown person has added a rose alongside the poppy I provided this year.

This month's saying:

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry,

show life you have a thousand reasons to smile

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

Reasons to be Happy

Firstly, more good news about my myeloma. I saw the consultant this week and, yet again, my paraprotein is not detectable. I'm extremely fortunate to receive my treatment in Bristol as the senior consultant is Dr Jenny Bird. She is one of the leading specialists in this field and chair of the United Kingdom Myeloma Forum. The UKMF sets the guidelines that are used throughout the country in the treatment of this cancer.

Next is the fact that Margaret and I have just returned from 2 weeks holiday in Cyprus. There was, as usual, lots of work (Gardening) to be done but it is always worthwhile.

The bougainvillea set against a clear blue sky always produces a cheerful sight.

Finally I have at last achieved an ambition I've held for a very long time. Last week I was appointed as a Magistrate (or Justice of the Peace, JP) and will sit in the Bristol Court. Many years ago, and aware that an uncle had been a JP, I heard a radio program about the selection and training procedure. When I retired in 2011 I decided that I would apply. I attended our local court and observed the proceedings. Having talked to some of the staff I was encouraged to return for an "open day". On this occasion I had the guidance of a serving JP who explained what was happening - I was hooked! At that time there were no vacancies but my name was added to a list of potential applicants.

It was a further year before I was invited to make a formal application. There then followed a long process which included attending two very searching interviews. The panel seemed only mildly concerned about my cancer and took my word that it was under control. I was then told that I had not been selected to sit on my local court but that my name would be kept on a waiting list which had a "life" of 18 months. After a further year, I was invited to become a JP to serve in the court in Bristol.

The court in Bristol is modern, highly efficient and surprisingly friendly (at least from my perspective!). Last week, and along with the other new JPs I attended a ceremony in Bristol's Crown Court where we each had to swear allegiance to the Queen and then to take the Judicial Oath. Over the next few weeks I will start to sit (as one of a three person team called a Bench). It is our role to decide guilt, or innocence, and then to award sentence by interpretation of guidelines. For someone who has not, perhaps, experienced the court process it must be difficult to understand why I would want to become a JP. For a very long time I have been interested in justice.

In the same year that I first observed in my local court, I was diagnosed with Myeloma. In July 2012 I was admitted to hospital for High Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant. I can only hope that my current good health will continue for the next 5 years until, by virtue of age, I will have to retire from the Bench.

In the musical South Pacific is the song "Happy Talk" the memorable line from which is

"You gotta have a dream, if you don't have a dream,

How you gonna have a dream come true?"

My dream has come true.

Keep well and KBO

Stephen

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