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

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