Now you know that multiple myeloma is a blood cancer, and I know that multiple myeloma is a blood cancer, but try telling that to my aching bones.

While I’m no stranger to myeloma’s common calling-cards of fatigue from anemia, the bruises and bleeding caused by having too few platelets, blood clots, and various infections such as pneumonia, it’s my skeletal system that seems to vie for center stage attention more often than not.

At my November 2008 stage III diagnosis, imaging tests revealed that I had more lesions on my bones …

Last March, after an unsuccessful three-month period on a clinical trial of a monoclonal antibody, I began a new regimen of Pomalyst (pomalidomide, Imnovid) and the steroid dexamethasone (Decadron).

After a bumpy beginning with some dexamethasone-related side effects, things went very well. My wife and I referred to it as a “honeymoon” interval – we knew it would end, but it was fantastic while it lasted.

I had a great summer. I swam several times a week, and even swam a mile across the Hudson River in an organized swim …

My daughter, who is eight years old, saw a commercial for a cancer hospital the other day. She’s seen these types of commercials before, but this time, something clicked in her brain.

“I don’t want to get cancer and die!” she exclaimed.

I reassured her that she was absolutely not going to get cancer and die because, well, that’s what you tell someone who is eight.

“And just because people have cancer does not always mean they’re going to die,” I explained. “A lot of people with cancer can have treatment and …

In one of my first few columns, I discussed how I liked my old normal and was adamantly opposed to accepting a new normal now that I had cancer.

It's been well over two years since then, and I've had time to reconsider that position, and whether it might be in my best interest to establish a new normal.

Specifically, as the euphoria of reaching a complete response and getting off treatment has worn off over the past several months, I find myself concerned with how long my remission will last. …

I once read an article in which the author described her habit of working herself into an illness requiring hospitalization about every two years. She did this routinely until a doctor finally pointed out to her that scheduling a vacation every so often would be a more cost-effective, healthier practice. The author, who had been eschewing vacations as a waste of time, became a convert.

I read that article decades ago. I read it back in the pre-computer, pre-cell phone, pre-tablet, pre-plugged in 24/7/365 era. Today, a similar article would have …

This summer was an unusual one here in Calgary. In June, after weeks of rain, a severe flood devastated parts of our city. The bike and pe­des­tri­an pathways and bridges that are heavily used along our river banks were partially washed out. The system was closed for awhile, until assess­ments and initial repairs could be made.

This impacted most of us here. I use the pathway system quite a lot, ei­ther on foot or by bicycle. I was relieved when later this summer we were able to get out along the rivers …

This was a very big summer in our household for family events.

My parents had their sixtieth wedding anniversary, my oldest nephew got married, and my daughter spent a month working in New York.

I was able to travel to and enjoy all of these events.

I mention this only because a year ago, when I started hearing about these upcoming festivities, I was in the hospital for my bone marrow transplant.  It was far from clear that I was going to be around long enough to make it to any of …