I went to my oncologist recently for my quarterly checkup and all is fine at this time. In fact, we decided that instead of visits every three months, we are going to see each other every four months.
Now that’s all fine and dandy, but… Lately, something has been starting to bother me. Having cancer, as devastating as it is, allowed me to wake up and begin to appreciate the gift of life that God has given me. What’s bothering me, is that I’m beginning to slip back into the slumber that most of humanity seems to exist. Maybe the long, dark winter lulled me into my slumber. Maybe my son’s spring wedding was the wake up call I needed.
As I yawn, stretch, and wipe the spiritual sleep from my eyes, life will again come in to focus. On this new day, I will appreciate the gift of life, the gift of each new day, and begin to live again.
2010 has been a year approaching normality in my life. Aside from the quarterly visits with my Oncologist, my life is little different from my pre-cancer life of ~4 years ago.
My last doctor visit was just this week and still no sign of disease. I still look back and think about all of the things that happened during my whole ordeal. I had a top notch medical team, supportive friends and family, and a wife who stood by me when my behavior would have driven any other woman away. I am a Blessed and very lucky man. I’m still amazed when I think about all of the people who rallied around me, especially the prayer warriors. Many of these warriors had no idea who I was, but prayed for me out of selfless love. I admire them.
If, for some reason you find yourself reading this blog with a heavy heart, physical condition, or any other life challenge, take heart my friend. God still works miracles! Get up every day, live your life, give some encouragement to someone else, and love yourself.
This song really spoke to my life situation and I thought I’d post it here. I’ve heard this song on the radio, but never took the time to listen to and feel it. I think cancer survivors can really relate to this. Thanks Stacy for posting this on your facebook wall.
Something crossed my mind and I wanted to share it. I’m well over a year out from transplant and I am in remission, but the future is not a given. I could go in for my next doctor visit and go through this all over again.
The point is, that you will get through your ordeal. You will experience the ups, and downs of treatment and all the other things that come with having cancer. Part of this website’s purpose, is to let you know that there is life after treatment. My wife and I just spent a wonderful week of vacation on Lake Erie. I went kayak sailing twice and had a fantastic time. Sure, I have lingering effects of my transplant, but I also have a new appreciation of life that I may not have had otherwise.
I just found out that my Oncologist, Dr. Mark Ellis passed away yesterday (Saturday) morning. Dr. Ellis was one of the first people Debbie and I met in March of 2006, when I was first diagnosed with Myeloma. Dr. Ellis and his entire office, went to work immediately to prepare me for the fight and give Debbie and I the love and support we would so desperately need in the following months and years.
I didn’t know at first that Dr. Ellis had his own battles with Cancer, yet he always seemed to give you 100% of his attention and energy when you had an appointment with him. There are so many who loved Dr. Ellis; not only for the help and support he gave them, but for the genuine and compassionate person he always was.
So my friend, I send you my blessings as you travel to your new home. You worked so hard, and helped so many. You may take your rest sir. You have earned it like few others have.
Over the last couple of weeks, I had a couple of little lumps biopsied and major blood work to check the status of my health. I got exciting news this morning. Biopsies negative, and blood work shows no traces of cancer. Complete remission!!!!!
God IS good.
As always; thanks to all for all of your prayers and well wishes. If you are a fellow warrior, always remember to keep fighting.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted here because not much has been happening.
As of right now, my blood work is looking good and I am taking Thalidomide. The Thalidomide is to control the tumors that have been left behind after my transplant. No one seems to know why I still have these tumors, but they exist. I am alive and pretty healthy, so I can’t complain. Oh yeah, my hair is curly now!
I’m going back to work next week and I got my new game plan for the doctors today. All of my blood work post transplant looks great, but I have developed several tumor like bumps on my arms and left leg. The biopsy was inconclusive, so we are going to treat it with a drug that I took a couple of years ago. The doctors are hoping that this drug will help my immune system fight off these tumors. I hope so, because I’m not looking forward to the alternatives .
All will be well. I’m looking forward to a paycheck again!
Things have been coming along fine and my strength is returning daily. I’m supposed to be returning to work on Sept 21st, but I’m not sure how effective I will be yet. I go tomorrow for a bone marrow biopsy, and next week I will see the doctor one last time before I go back to work to make sure I have the green light.
I do have a couple of weird things going on that are puzzling my medical team. I seem to be re-growing some of my tumors. We’re hoping that these things are just inflammation and not a relapse of my cancer, because that would suck . All should be fine though.
Oh yeah; I’m getting some hairs on my head! I’m starting to re-grow my facial hair too.
My apologies for the sporadic updates lately. I’ve been going through a time of physical and spiritual turbulence. Nothing huge, just enough to keep me distracted. Overall, my progress has been fantastic. There are still alot of things I can’t do, but I can drive, which is way cool!
Here is a basic otline of what I experienced since I went in for my transplant.
July 15th 2009 I was admitted to MCV in the morning and I got a massive dose of melphalan to destroy my cancer.
July 17th 2009 I got my new stem cells. The D.M.S.O. they store the cells in stinks and I smelled like that funk for days. I also slept for almost three days.
The week of July 20th was a week that I didn’t feel too well. Everything tasted like crap and I spent my time just getting by.
July 29th 2009 I was released from the hospital. 2 weeks after admission.. Awesome!
Since then, I’ve been going to the hospital on a regular schedule. My progress has been excellent and I’m slowly beginning to feel ‘normal’.
