Phew !

Margaret has had her procedure and seems to be coping well. It's early days but we're both very encouraged by the care she received at the BHI. She has her stitches out next week and has a review appointment in six weeks time. By then I believe we will know if this has been successful.

Two weeks ago I had my neck ultrasound scanned. I had reported a neck ache to my haematology consultant. Secretly I feared that the medication I'm on might have caused another cancer - lymphoma. My consultant probably had the same concern. It was with considerable relief to be given the all clear. My monthly consultant's appointment again contained excellent news that my paraprotein remains undetectable and my Lites are most encouraging. It had been a complicated day: Margaret's day surgery appointment, my consultant's clinic and my two monthly treatment appointment. Complicated but satisfying ! The day also exemplified the high quality of care that both Margaret and I receive from our NHS.

Looking for a suitable thought about "fear" I came across this:

Always do what you are afraid to do

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

There seems to be a strange truth in that, which I can't quite explain.

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

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