My oh my what a wonderful day!
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.
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.
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’.
Wednesday will make the two week point in my hospital stay. I must say that the doctors and staff here at the MCV bone marrow transplant have been excellent. At no point in my stay have I ever felt that I had substandard care.
Now for the great news! Dr. Chung told me this morning that if all continues as is, I will be discharged on Thursday or Friday. I know that God has been working overtime answering all of your prayers. Thanks to God, and thanks to all of my family and friends.
Chemo done, apheresis done. Now I wait to get admitted for the transplant itself. The thing is this; For the most part, I think I may be healthy enough to work. I’m gonna give it a shot anyway. I plan on going back on June 29th, and working until they call me and tell me that they have an opening and they are ready for my admission.
On another issue. I want to take a minute to thank all of my friends on Facebook. Your encouragement, prayers, and support last week were such a blessing. I was having a tough time, and you people were always there for me.. Thanks so much!
As I wind down the first stage of this campaign, I thought it might be a good time to reflect for a few moments before I take my last treatment as a outpatient.
These last couple of weeks have felt “odd” to me. I really can’t put my finger on what it is either. As everything swirls around in my life right now, I try to put all my feelings in the proper box, but sometimes it gets difficult to keep the “public Chris” persona going. Don’t get me wrong, I get so many people commenting on how positive I’ve been in my blog, and that attitude and outlook is the real deal. Sometimes however, the devil tries to sneak up on me and take all that away. The thing I’ve battled lately is loneliness. Weird huh? The last thing I truly am is lonely, but the feelings come anyway. I have family, friends, and co-workers who always pray for, check up on, and encourage me, but the feelings still come.
This morning I spent my prayer time dealing with these issues and it was very helpful. First of all, there is the obvious. I am never alone. God is always with me. I know that is such a cliched phrase, but a few of you reading this will genuinely understand what I am talking about. I did come to an understanding. Sometimes, there are places we need to walk where no one else can go. Some doors we must pass through alone so I will go where God directs me. I will stumble, I will fall, but God will pick me up, brush off the dirt and place me back on my path.
That feels better! Now I can finish getting ready for my treatment.
I had the final treatment for cycle two this morning! If I stay on the same schedule, I’m two thirds done with the chemo portion of my treatment plan. I have my usual fatigue, sweats, etc., but I’m not complaining. My path has been comparatively easy compared to some others.
Today I will celebrate my Blessings. I’m getting ready to spend time out on the tractor mowing grass in the sun, followed by what should be an absolutely glorious day of riding my motorcycle tomorrow. I also get to spend the weekend with family and friends in Pennsylvania. It gets better! I’m going to attend my brother’s church for the first time on Sunday. I’m really looking forward to it.
Thank you God for turning tough times into Blessings!
Oh! To all of you who worry about me; I’ll be taking lots of breaks during my ride. I know better than to push myself. I’m allowing for lots of extra time for the trip. Thanks to all of you who have cared for, and about me so much!
I would like to ask something of those reading now. There is a couple in my church who are in need of some serious prayer. Their names are Rodney and Tara. From what I understand, Rodney has stage four lung cancer. Needless to say, times are very difficult for them. I don’t know them that well, but they sure are nice people. If you would, please mention them in your prayers.
Thank you.
I hope everyone enjoys this day as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ Jesus.
It’s been a few days since my last treatment and I’m beginning the week long process of giving my body a break from the poisons that have been pumped into me over the last couple of weeks. I am finally starting to feel the cumulative effects of the treatment, the worst of which at this point is that everything is starting to taste and smell terrible.
I’m also feeling other effects of the treatment. The neuropathy and pain in my leg and foot are really starting to become a problem. I’m taking one drug that seems to help some, but it’s becoming less effective as time passes. My big concern is that many myeloma patients using the drugs I’m taking continue having the nuropathy permanently. It goes away for some, so I’m hopeful.
Actually, I am thankful. You see, it really doesn’t matter which experiences one has in this life. The big thing is to remember that your experiences belong to you, and they all have a special meaning. Your experiences, good or bad, are a gift. So what if I don’t understand yet why my life is unfolding the way it is. The fact is, I wouldn’t trade my life for any other, because this is the life God gave to me.
Thank you God for THIS day.
Thank you God for THIS life.
I had my fourth and final treatment of cycle one today. My body seems to be holding up fairly well. The neuropathy of the past few days is subsiding temporarily. I’ll spend this next week doing lab work and getting some of this poison out of my body so I can start cycle two. The bad muscle cramps have let up some too. I’ll be very happy if they don’t come back.
I haven’t prayed much in the past couple of days. I guess right now would be a good time for some of that.