58) Sleep

Since clinic on Friday I have been thinking about going onto half dose of velcade, as long as enough drugs get into me even though its over a longer period I hope it has the desired effect, at least its being monitored over the month.
I start on velcade again on Tuesday and will let you know how things go.

Over the last 12/18 months I have been sleeping very well and I am sure this helps in recovery.
One thing I forgot to mention about the holiday, as much as the beds were comfy in Cyprus, those of you who have a tempur bed will know how good they are to come back to, ours has made a massive difference to my/our sleeping. Believe me they are as good as the adverts say.

57) What did the Prof say?

I have been to hospital today for blood tests. Platelets are still up at 68 which for my blood is good. Hb is 11.8 and neutrophils are 3.8, so all good.
I start velcade and steroids again on Tuesday along with all the other usual drugs (anti-sickness anti-biotics and anti- whatever you call it). My velcade dose has been reduced and will now be 1 per week instead of 2, the prof says this is because of my previous low platelet count and the whitlows I was troubled with.

This regime will be reassessed in a months time and adjusted if necessary.
All looks ok for the moment so that will do for me.

56) The Unknown

It's a strange feeling, we have had a great few weeks off the velcade and in Cyprus but now it's the waiting game again. I feel really well, eventhough I am a little tired, I have no reason to be negative about the results on Friday but there is always the fear of the unknown.
That's enough of that, we have 2 days to wait and I can't change what the blood says. Lets move forward.

55) Hospital

I have been in contact with the hospital and my clinic appointment is confirmed for Friday at 9.00am, with blood tests at 8.30am.
Lets hope the days in the sun have worked well on my blood.

54) If You Don't Plan You Don't Do.

It's funny when we go on holiday, if we are lucky enough we can forget any problems we have at home and enjoy ourselves, (we have the added help of knowing that my mum is well looked after by the many visits and phone calls she gets when we are away, it takes so much pressure off us, thank you).
It was a culture shock to leave 20+ degrees and then come back to the snow but that's life and let's just enjoy it all. It's important that we make the most of everything. Just think it's only a month ago that we thought there was no chance of going away and just look at the great time we have had, we plan to go again later in the year if possible, ( if we don't plan we "DON'T GO")
please have a look at the photos on this link.

It's back to medical things this coming week, I expect an appointment for clinic this coming Friday but will let you know when I know.

53) Last Full Day In Cyprus

Yesterday was our last full day on Cyprus, we still have most of Friday, we don't fly home to the winter until UK time 18.10 landing at 23.15 awaiting Fran's Taxi. (we will worry about the cold on Saturday)
Jess stayed at the hotel while I went to the market and Avi went for a walk she has been promising herself from our hotel into Pathos, with the promise or coffee and ice cream when she arrives.
The afternoon was relaxing around the pool and hotel and then the evening meal. What a great holiday we have had, I am sure the fact that we could get out in the warm weather will bring spring in the UK that little bit closer.

52) Sunset Photo

Got it.

Today we got up early and left the hotel at 8 after an early breakfast, we drove the 250 miles round journey to Ayia Napa unfortunately IT WAS SHUT, well about 90% was, we had a walk and a coffee and came back via Larnaka for lunch, eventhough the day didn't quite go to plan we still had a great time and a lovely drive mixing motorway with coast road.
When we arrived back the sun was setting and the photos were taken, even a fishing boat sailed past to complete it.

51) Market Day

I went to the Market for one thing and got it, result, a leather case for my iPod, the zip on the old one had broken and for €3 why not.
The afternoon was spent at Pathos Port where we found Ice cream, we then went to the fort and a walk round the historical mosaics, they were fantastic.
It's now about 6.15pm our time and I have been out trying to get decent sun set photo, it's not easy here because about 15 minutes before the sun would set at water level it hides behind thick cloud, not bad tonigh but will try the next two evenings.
Tomorrow we are driving to Ayia Napas, about 180 km so an early start  and that's after me planning on watching football tonight, it doesn't start until 10.00pm Cyprus time, might have a sleep first.   

50) No Ice Cream

On Sunday we went looking for a market, the hotel reception said there was a good one on Sundays in Pathos so we went to find, the only days it closes is this Sunday and Monday (bank holiday weekend) so we will go on Tuesday.
We went on to the Tombs of the Kings, a good choice, seeing excavations from hundreds of years ago. On the way back to our hotel we called at Coral Bay for ice cream only to be told that there was no ice cream because it's winter, it's "26 degrees" (I don't care what season it is, 26 degrees and that's summer I thought).
The rest of the day was spent relaxing at the hotel by the pool. In the evening there was a fire eater on for entertainment in the hotel, he also did an act of walking on broken glass and a bed of nails, Jess got volunteered to help (I was thinking of volunteering but think we might have been calling the emergency service to pull the nails out of his chest) (photo of Jess helping after 20th)
Today we set off early for a drive North to Polis and then east along the coast and beaches towards (but not all the way) the Border with Turkey. This area seems to be in a time warp with the locals living as they have for many year, it's good to see.
Back at about 2.00 pm for a relaxing afternoon at the hotel, it's good to get out and see the area but also good for us all to recharge our batterys ready for whatever we face (probably bad weather in the UK).
Started steroids again today for four days. So a breakfast of 10 steroids, Bonefoss, paracetamol, Aciclovir, antibiotics and a full English, life could be worse.

49) Troodos Mountains

Saturday was another full day. After breakfast we set off for the Troodos Mountains, (calling at a winery for a taste and a couple of bottles to bring home), what fabulous views were waiting for us as we travelled through the mountain range towards Cedar Valley, the smell of cedar was amaizing, I don't think I have ever seen so many trees, it was the same as thinking "how many hairs are there on my head"? (and I don't mean during chemo).
Further into our drive we found a dam that was completed in 2005, we managed to get through a hole in a wire fence to walk along the dam wall, it was fantastic to see the amount of water it was holding back.
We have driven about 470km in the first 3 days, so glad that there isn't a maximum mileage allowance. A couple of local days are on the agenda for today and tomorrow, but all that could change.

48) Giant Rock throwing or Rock throwing Giant

Yesterday we changed rooms after breakfast (the one we had been given was great but too much of a slope getting to it) this one is near to reception and the pool.

In the afternoon we went out driving to the Baths of Aphrodite, great drive, gardens and pools.
This morning was an early breakfast and then a drive to Limassol, some fantastic views along the coast, the best being Aphrodite's Rocks where tradition has it that the Giant Romios threw Rocks at Arab pirates. (he must have been some giant, they are massive).

I am finding that the warm weather is doing us all good, my back pain is a lot less than normal, and that's after nearly 2 weeks without steroids (they start again on Monday).

47) lovely Cyprus Hotel

After snow at Manchester we arrive last night, the hotel is great and we are looking forward to having an explore. Click on the link to see today's postcard

46) Holiday Time

We are off to Cyprus tomorrow during a break from velcade, I am sure a little bit of 20+degrees and sunshine will do us all the world of good.
We dont land until 8.30pm Wed so you will have to do without a blog until Thursday. I am told we have wifi so normal service will be resumed. (Any photos will probably be from the internet but I will bore you with mine when we get home.)

45) Chester Zoo

A lot of you know of my love of animals and also my love of photography, put the 2 together and I will probably have a great day.
I finished steroids on Thursday and start on them again on Monday 15th, today I had a few stiff joints but nothing some paracetamol and an electric schooter at the zoo couldn't solve. Averil had a walk and I went along on wheels, its great having a season ticket because we don't feel the need to see all of the Zoo in a day, just a few hours and we are happy. Another good thing about the zoo is the fact that I can walk a little and stop at another animal without others thinking that I am stopping just for a rest. I do think that exercise is important but somedays you can only do what you can do so today I took photos.

Have a look at the photos

44) The Power of Technology and the Blog

Last night I got a comment on the old blog from a 29 year old in America also suffering from Myeloma, its amazing how our therapies differ but both chasing the same goal.
We were talking about being positive and looking forward and I said how great the power of Family, Friends and Faith were, Phil said he says he has the power of the 4 F's Family, Friends, Faith and Facebook, its true, as I have said before we need to take on and be thankful for technology, how else would I be getting support and he hopefully from me from thousands of miles away without the likes of Facebook and blogs.

Have a look at Phills blog

43) Good visit to Hospital

After a foggy drive to Liverpool I had the blood tests and a coffee waiting for the results, and then the usual football banter with Jamie my Macmillan nurse and Paul in the day care unit, they both support Liverpool but I can't hold that against them, they both keep life real.

The blood results are good with the platelets that were 25 last week now at an increasing 68, not bad for 6 days, the neutrophils are 5.5 and Hb a healthy 12.1 so all looking good for Cyprus next Wednesday. The prof prescribed antibiotics for Cyprus as a precautions against infection on the plane and while away, I feel happy with that because if I were to get antibiotics when away there might be something in them that goes against my treatment.

Lets hope the valcade break helps the levels stabilise at a healthy level so that we can start again and get the protein level continuing on its downward journey.
After being out early this morning I feel tired when I get home so it was time for feet up and a rest. I must admit that the results this morning are a tonic in themselves.

Thanks for all your support and prayers we do appreciate it.

42) hospital tomorrow

I am in hospital tomorrow (Thursday) for blood tests, we just need to see how my platelets are doing before we go away to Cyprus next week, they were 25 last week and the hope is that they have gone up with having steroids and no valcade, if not I will probably have a transfusion, let's wait and see.
We bought a new camera last week ( thats we bought a new camera for me) and I am really pleased with the results. I went to Risley Moss today, click on the Red Risley moss link to see.

41) Experiments

When we were at the day centre the other day I saw the official opening plaque, one of the professors is a PROF OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE. It makes you think that the whole cancer and life thing is an experiment, I must say they can experiment all they like.

What got me thinking about the above statement???? Last night I was listening to a podcast and I heard this quote "TOMORROWS CURE IS TODAYS EXPERIMENT" I like that, long may we have the ability to experiment.