In Sickness and in Health

This week I have again seen my consultant and, again, my results remain stable and not giving any cause for concern.

So why the title? Well Margaret and I travelled to Cyprus again and had the satisfaction of meeting with several of our friends. That was wonderful but Margaret's health was giving us some considerable cause for concern. Reluctantly we decided to cut our trip short and returned to the UK after only one week. The airline and airports provided Special Assistance which we very much appreciated.

Now perhaps, you will see the reason for this month's title. For so long Margaret has supported me whilst I went through treatment for myeloma. She has attended some of my appointments with me, acted as taxi driver, visited me in hospital and, yes, probably worried about me. Right now the roles are reversed. It is me that is healthy, and it is Margaret who now needs my support. Strange how nature(?) makes such things possible. Hopefully the treatment she is about to receive will have a marked effect on her well being.

Health is not valued until sickness comes

(Thomas Fuller)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

Dawn Chorus

I make no apology for introducing this month's post with a collage of spring flowers. After all, they signal the return of life after winter.

The majestic magnolia has excelled itself this year, the perfume of the flowering currant is truly wonderful in the evenings. The grape hyacinth can push through anything (including our drive !). The Chinese (or is it Japanese?) quince is a welcome splash of red whilst the daffodil is surely the best indicator of spring.


The title of Dawn Chorus refers to the other noteworthy feature of spring. We are fortunate to live in a rural environment. For us the chorus starts at about 5 am and seems to last until beyond sunset in the evening!

This month has also been a time of learning for me. I've continued to sit as a Magistrate and discovered much about justice. It is, of course, our role to interpret Sentencing Guidelines. We must protect society and especially victims, but we must also seek to reform offenders. One of my fellow JPs explained much about the consideration of compassion. Another demonstrated the concept of offering hope to offenders whose lives are often so chaotic and seemingly dominated by evil. I have so much to learn.

Tell me and I forget,

Teach me and I remember,

Involve me and I learn.

(Benjamin Franklin)

I attended clinic today, and again, good news. My paraprotein remains undetectable and my Kappa remains at a very satisfactory low level.I have thus been prescribed for cycle 33 - amazing !

I've just been out to bring in the laundry from the line. The birds are singing their sunset chorus and certainly know its spring - amazing !

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

The Sun Smiled !

What ? you might ask, does this month's post title mean. Well, at 9:26 am here in the West Country, we were able to experience the partial eclipse of the sun: and it smiled.

We had an amusing time messing around with pin hole cards and a colander but by far the best device was manufactured in 1943.

A couple of years ago, a neighbour gave me this Mark IXA Bubble Sextant. These were used by RAF navigators to take celestial shots (sun, moon and stars). As such it has a series of 7 sun filters which can be selected. Here then was the ideal device to experience this wonderful event.

Earlier this week I attended my monthly clinic and again my paraprotein was undetectable. My kappa continues to bounce around at about 27 and my consultant says this is very much due to the accuracy/variability of the test itself. It seems that when first tested my kappa was in excess of 800 !

I have much to be thankful for.

There are things around, and I know where they can be got quite easily,

but I quite like waking up to the sunshine.

(Terry Pratchett 1948-2015)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

A Dilemma

I attended clinic this week and, again, all was good news. My paraprotein remains undetectable and my consultant continues to be very happy with my progress.

You may recall that I was discharged from the ward after High Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant in July 2012. It was not until two years later that my paraprotein had finally become undetectable. I've now just been prescribed maintenance cycle number 31. I continue to feel really well.

You may also recall that I have previously commented that we rarely recognise our good health, only noting when we feel unwell. This brings me to another such thought:  Only exceptionally do we consider our life expectancy. I don’t recall ever considering the potential to be “run over by a bus”. The more responsible amongst us perhaps ensure that we have a Will but that is as far as such thoughts typically go.

Discussion about cancer, of course, often includes a prediction of life expectancy – a prognosis. Probably in common with other myeloma patients I reacted to my prognosis by initially thinking very short term. As my treatment has progressed, and for the most part subconsciously, I have begun to think longer term. It is worth mentioning that, having received an initial prognosis from my consultant at the time, I also sought predictions from the internet. Dangerous. Some of the information I found was out of date and inaccurate. Even that published by Macmillan referred to data which itself was out of date. Cancer research has recently published survival data but even that requires some interpretation. Nobody can blame cancer patients from trying to understand their condition though.

My dilemma (and one that I wholeheartedly welcome) is, given my current remission, how far ahead should I plan? To what extent should I invest in my future? Having been appointed to be a JP is just one sign that I have planned for a future. Another is pursuing my passion for flying. I’m aware of some myeloma patients who suffer badly. Others, though, have already survived and enjoyed an extended life. I’m glad to have this dilemma! 

If you love life, don't waste time,

for time is what life is made up of.

Bruce Lee

You will note that I have routinely ended my posts with the expression KBO. Well I've found a new one which those who text will probably be aware of. So....

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen