May 2024

You will have noticed that I didn't provide a post during April.  To explain, I now attend the BHOC every month but only see a consultant once every second appointment.  At all the appointments I see the Clinical Trials Team to have my observations (weight, blood pressure, oxygenation) checked and to provide both NHS and trial blood samples.  Accordingly my health is carefully monitored.  At the consultant appointments I get the chance to report symptoms in detail and especially to check my myeloma status.  

At this month's consultant appointment I learnt that my paraprotein level which had been at the low count of "2" had returned to zero.  My free light chain count (another measure of cancer activity) was also normal.  Put simply, my myeloma is currently undetectable; the CAR-T cells are still very much active and keeping things under control.  Given that I was first diagnosed in 2011, this truly extraordinary.  As I've said in the summary above, I am extremely fortunate.

And so to "Life Normal".  We've recently had a team in to remove a tree which had fallen in the strong winds and to clear excessive growth of intended shrubs but also an unintended infection of briars.  The team came equipped with every piece of professional equipment needed including chain saws, brush cutters etc.  They were also quipped with a chipper/shredded which converted the unwanted into useful mulch.  Once they had gone I covered the two large beds which had emerged with weed suppressant fabric topped off with the mulch left by the team.  My next task now is to choose and install plants which will enhance the re-found openness of our garden.  It seemingly will keep me busy!

Dianthus (Pink). Hopefully just the start!

I need my friends, I need my house, I need my garden

Miranda Richardson

Keep well, keep safe

Stephen

March 2024

This month I'm actually adding this post on time!  It must be spring. Of all the seasons, spring always promises so much and always delivers.  

This year, spring was first signed when a bumble bee appeared on the delicate flowers of our cherry tree

Our garden has been a riot of colour: the blue of Grape Hyacinth, the red of Ribes (flowering currant),and of course the yellow of Primrose and Daffodil.  Perhaps the greatest show was provided by our magnolia tree.  For once all the buds appeared at the same time and lasted for such a long time.

Just one issue though; we now have an awful lot of petals on the grass and just when my mower has decided to sulk.

I'm reminded that I must mention my health.  I can't deny that this winter has been a bit of a struggle with a bout of flu followed by a least one cold.  As the weather improves, so does my health.  I've visited  the BHOC for my routine appointment.  All my blood results are excellent.  The consultant checked my paraprotein and it seems to have been hovering for some time at the very low count of one.  So barely detectable and presumably being kept low by the CAR-T cells.

Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it
Confucius

Keep well, keep safe

Stephen

February 2024

OK, yet again I'm just a little late posting, this time for February.

So far as myeloma is concerned, there is nothing to report.  I attended routine clinic and without any drama.  In respect of my ongoing health issues, I spoke to my GP about my hearing problems and was prescribed some sodium bicarbonate ear drops for the left ear which contained some wax.  After using the drops for a few days I carefully washed the ear out and was rewarded with the offending wax.  He also prescribed some nasal spray to try to clear my eustachian tubes.  It seems to be slowly working.

I also consulted him about a small growth on my forehead which HRH had been nattering me about for some time.  That meeting was on a Tuesday.  

The BRI

By the Saturday I was at the dermatology centre at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.  

The GP's belief that the growth was a Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) was confirmed.  I was asked if I had spent much time in the sun. Yes, four years living in Cyprus not wearing a hat or sun screen probably did it. I was to return on the following day to have it photographed.  I did so only to have surgery!  This was just five days after I had seen the GP; amazing.

I've also attended a new (independent) opthalmologist.  The check he undertook was by far the most thorough I've ever had and justified my loss of faith in a certain high street opticians.  

Given my recent surgery for cataracts and now for the BCC rather suggests that I am getting just a little old - or maybe just "vintage".

Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength
Betty Freidan

Keep well, keep safe, and "KBO"

Stephen

January 2024

OK so not the best start to the year; late posting January's missive.  

January in fact didn't start too well anyway.  I went down with flu at the start of the month.  It lasted only days but then followed with a bad cough.  Even now I still have its remains.  Now I have deafness.  That shouldn't be a problem now that pharmacies can prescribe.  Except that to do so they must be first qualified on the otoscope (look it up) and most seemingly are not yet.  If they did find excessive wax then the NHS no longer offers syringing by GPs.  Seems rather like the failed NHS dental system.  Anyway, never mind, I've got a GP appointment booked before the end of February.

I had my second eye check-up and have now booked an optician's appointment later this month.

Oh, and I've attended two routine consultant's appointments and no I apparently don't need immunoglobulin (there is a national shortage) unless I develop repeated infections (like flu, cough, deafness?)

Just because nobody complains, doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect

Benny Hill

Keep well, keep safe, and "KBO"

Stephen