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.
Today, I will be experiencing a new birth of sorts. I will get my brand new immune system this afternoon. All should go well in my new beginning.
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!
I catch myself saying that more often as I go through this latest episode in my life. My latest bone head maneauver happend this past Wednesday. I decided to put out a Craigslist ad to see if anyone in the area had any bamboo they wanted to get rid of. As luck would have it, a nice woman from Richmond was reading Craigslist that same day and just happened to have a yard full of bamboo. Awesome!
Bonus! As Mindy and I began to correspond via email to arrange a time for me to come dig up this bamboo, I found out that I was corresponding with a potential new good friend. We have both had cancer, and we both like dogs. We had a wondeerful time chit chatting and getting to know each other while I was digging up her yard. . By The Way, meeting Mindy, was NOT the stupid part of this blog post.
Now to the stupid. The day I decied to do this was Wednesday. It was misty, wet, and funky overall. I loaded up my truck, hooked up my trailer and pulled my little tractor to Richmond. I got everythng into place, and began to dig. It took me all of an hour to realize that I was going to be sick for a few days, but what are you going to do half way through a job? I muddled along as best as I could, loaded up what I had, and got ready to go. Mindy was very helpful. She even got me an old colored sweatshirt to tie on the back of these big things. Wednesday was a tough day, Thursday was tougher, but I made a great friend. See, sometimes stupid pays off!
Things are rolling right along as I get closer to the big procedure! I had an appointment with my oncologist today and he said everything is on track and my blood work is looking excellent. The only thing new I’m trying is Lyrica. I was taking Cymbalta for my fibromyalgia and neuropathy, but some of the side effects were problematic. I hope the Lyrica works better.
I should be hearing more from MCV hospital in the next week, or so about the stem cell transplant. I’m looking forward to getting done with all of this and getting back to work.
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 hope everyone enjoys this day as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ Jesus.
My journaling class is really fun. I really like hanging out with Carol, Maggie, Francis, Shannon, and Walt. My homework assignment from last week was to come up with a philosophy or credo. I had some things from a prayer I prayed one day floating around in my head, but had some trouble forming the thoughts into a philosophy. I pieced something together while I was in the chemo chair today. Here it goes.
No other person has, or has ever been created exactly like me. Every experience I have is unique to me, and my life.
The things I see, no other has seen in the exact same way.
No human has experienced joy, sorrow, laughter, and tears as I have, and no other has experienced the love I have felt in my heart.
I am Chris, and I am like no other.
Today was eventful and fulfilling. I spent the morning getting prerequisite tests, followed by my first chemo treatment of this series. It felt good to finally get over this hump. I feel like I am “underway”.
The experience of IV chemo is quite unique. From the needle going through your flesh into you port, to all of the weird tastes in your mouth from the chemical poisons being pumped directly to my circulatory system. The feelings I experienced ranged from anxiety to fascination as the session progressed. I am so Blessed to have the Oncology team I have. I trust all of these people completely. They have become family to me over the past three years.
I just wanted to say a public ‘Thanks’ to an old High School friend who recently caught up with me on facebook. Thanks Troy Vale for your friendship, prayers, and support during this challenging time in my life. I really appreciate it bud!