Testing the water

Just thinking about restarting the blog as I'm about to restart treatment. It may make things easier to have a single point of contact. I don't know if you get notified that I've posted but here goes!

End of September

Hi all. Well, here we are at the end of September, and what a wonderful month it's been here in Cambridge. I always think it's the best month of the year.
On Monday I went for the first of my 'childhood' immunisations. This one was for Meningitis. No wonder babies of 6 months scream when they get this one. Not the most comfortable of injections. This has no reflection on the nurse who administered it, as her technique was very good, (I know, I've had a few injections recently) but the vaccine was rather thick.
I'm still working 2 days a week. I do enjoy it but I find I am very weary at the end of the day. Everything happens so fast! I think I've got used to a slower pace of life. I hope to move up to 3 days soon as I can't achieve everything I want to in 2
Jeanette and I are planning an Orchard (sounds grand, but only 3 to 4 trees) at the end of the garden and with some help form friends have almost finished clearing the scrub and weeds. The next step is to get the fence fixed. We spent a day on Sunday at a show where there were fruit tree experts and they had lots of old local varieties which were very interesting. We have a tonne of info to work through before we make decisions on what to buy. But November is planting month so we need to get a shift on.
Keep well all of you.

Latest News

I'm not sure if any one is still reading this after so many months. Yesterday I saw my consultant and he has given me the nod as regards remission. My latest bone marrow biopsy shows between 1 and 2% infiltration and 5% would be OK. This means I can go about my life as 'normal'. I can't pretend that I am, so it'll take a few days to sink in properly. I'm not cured but at least we've got it on hold.
It's Jeanette's birthday on Sunday and she says this is the best present she could have had. Without her I wouldn't have got this far, so much of my 'wellness' is down to her strength and care. x

Update

I saw my consultant last night. I'm due for a bone marrow biopsy, probably at the end of the month. This is to check on what is going on following the SCT and to supplement blood test results. I had some blood taken yesterday but I won't know the results for a little while. I also requested that I have a scan of my hip as this is still causing me grief and pain most days, though it is controllable with pain killers.
I hope to be back at work at the beginning of September and have a meeting with my manager next week to discuss my phased return. The thought at the moment is to go back for two or three days a week and build up the hours over the next month or three. In a way I'm looking forward to being back. We'll see.

Sometime later

I just wanted you all to know, if you are still reading this, that I am feeling good at the moment. Just got back from 2 weeks in the far north of Scotland. There can't be many places left in the country that are as beautiful or as quiet. Here we can hear the constant drone of vehicles and aeroplanes, but to step out and listen to absolute nothing was a real treat.
My hair is just starting to grow back. My head resembles something like a small duckling. hopefully in a few weeks it will be presentable.
I'll try and post more frequently from now on.
Well done and thanks to Rob and crew for completing the journey from south to north. Next year we'll all tackle Mont Ventoux of Tour de France fame?
C

Day--? Lost count - about week 7 post SCT

Hey folks, Thanks for all the message's you've sent. I've put them all in the comments file from my last posting (day 36).
Life just seems so busy , I don't know how you all find time to go out and work for a living.
Phil, what am I going to do with all these F..ing gherkins that are growing in my greenhouse? Too bitter to eat as cucumbers. Thanks for the book and the post card. Hope it was a good break.
DM - yes good to see you in late August if you are over - I'm due back at work in September.
I saw my consultant last Friday. All well. Neuts. 2.68. Platelets normal. So all good. Paraproteins at 7 - these are what they measure to see if the cancer is still active. (Below 15 or there abouts is regarded as remission in my case) For you guy's they will be zero. They don't expect them to drop down much further for a month or few. Just as long as they don't go up we're all happy.
Strength and stamina are almost returning. At least I feel better. I'm on a course of steroids at the moment to try and tackle my nausea etc. Seems to be working so far.
Advertisement section: My very good friend Rob is tackling an 'end to end' in July. That's Lands End to John O'Groats on a bicycle.(The full length of the UK)
He's doing this with me in mind amongst others. For which I feel most humbled. I wish I could go too.. He's trying to raise some money for Leukaemia research in the UK and KWF Kankerbestrijding which is a Dutch cancer charity, -Rob's based in Amsterdam-.
So dig deep folks. Rob said he'd buy a pint for the first one so sponsor him on this site: http://www.justgiving.com/lejog-leukaemia-research/
Oh.....sorry that'll be my beer

Day 36

I went for a bike ride last night. I must have cycled, well roughly, I think, about a mile. I ended up in almost the lowest gear. Before I set off I had a route planned of about 4 miles of gentle scenic cycling on the flat mostly. I had to turn back not far from home. I cant believe how weak I am. So now I seriously need to start a regular programme. A little further and faster each day.
I guess being in hospital for a few weeks and sitting round on my a**e for the last few months has contributed to a lot of muscle wastage, despite my best efforts to stay (I thought) fit.
Message to all you Myeloma people out there. Take as much exercise as you feel able. Little and often. Keep your strength up.
A friend of mine is about to embark on and end to end cycle ride (Land's end to John O'Groats). He's based in Amsterdam so is sponsored for a Dutch cancer charity. I'll put a link to it here when he sends it to me.
R's last A level exam today.