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

February Clinic

As I've said in a previous post, it can be difficult to know what to write when there is seemingly little news. I attended clinic today and again my paraprotein is at 5. What was previously described as a "bumpy plateau" is now more like a plateau. So excellent news, my routine blood tests (which are taken at every clinic) are also fine and I continue to feel very well.

Well that's my health news so I'll waffle on about something else then!

Those that know me will be aware that I publish a web site dedicated to my uncle who died in the war. Having marked the 70th anniversary of his death in ceremonies in November last year, and subsequently updated the website, I'd rather thought that there was little else to add. Destiny seemed to have other ideas. Margaret had intended to buy me two books about Wellington bombers for Christmas. In the event Amazon was only able to supply one at the time. The second title "Wellington Squadrons in Focus" has only just arrived. We were both amazed when turning to the page about 142 Squadron, we found a photograph of the exact aircraft in which uncle Stephen flew and crashed.

For reasons of copyright, I can't publish the image here, but do go to the web site at: www.hf694.org.uk/chap6.htm

While you're there, and if you haven't already, also have a look at Chapter 13 which tells the story of the 70th anniversary ceremonies in Italy.

Keep well, keep dry and "KBO"

Stephen