09/09/21 Second Anniversary

Two years today from the date on my diagnosis letter from Dr.Ko at Broomfield Hospital. Two years on, and if this had happened just a few decades ago, that's about all I might have got. Maybe another year if lucky. Myeloma treatment has advanced so much since those days...

Some things you just get used to, even if they remain a nuisance. Keeping the pills organised and taking them four times a day. Having endless needles stuck into you. Dex nights... Daily bowel management. Walking much slower and not so far, and always with a stick or a walker outside the house and garden. Except when playing boules, of course. Knowing that you've got a terminal disease and that this is only going to end one way. But there's a strange kind of comfort in knowing that, at least as long as there's a fair bit of time left first.

Overall, the worst thing is perhaps the continuous drain on your energy levels. Even though I'm in "complete immunological remission" as Dr.Ch puts it, I've still got the disease and I'm fighting it with my own resources as well as the lenalidomide and the dexamethasone, and fighting the unwanted effects of them as well, and either of those might go wrong at any time, opening the door for the myeloma to come back actively again. It's peace, but an uneasy peace. Hence the tiredness, fatigue, falling asleep too often, whatever you call it. It's the body conserving resources for the fight that matters. That's an obvious good thing, but also a damned nuisance when you'd rather use that energy for something else, like staying awake or getting out of a  chair and out for a walk..

Speaking of walks, yesterday's expedition was to the Thameside Nature Reserve - a splendidly reclaimed landfill site on the Thames Estuary a bit past Basildon and close to the huge "London Gateway" container port. Good walking there (plus lots of nature) and we'll definitely be back.The Visitor Centre is built somewhat in the style of the old Thames forts and gives fine views from the top (accessible by a spiral ramp around the outside) but the railings aren't conducive to good photography. Nevertheless:

UPDATE: I forgot to mention the painful foot problem. The left one cleared up quit quickly, but as when this has happened before the right ons gradually localised to just behind the base of the big toe. It was OK during the walk, but started up again during the drive home. However, now just about completely gone (09/09/21, 11:50)