July 29, 2009 9:45 PM

I am at a loss for words!

We made the monthly pilgrimage to the clinic today. When we reached the doctor's office and he looked at my blood counts, he commented that they were "amazingly" stable. Why me? Why has my journey through all of this defied the odds and surprised the doctors? As I write this, I have never felt the hand of God on me more than I do right now. It is inescapable! I am not supposed to feel this way! I am supposed to be exhibiting some graft vs host symptoms - especially as my immuno-suppressant dosage continues to be diminished. But it doesn't happen!

Of course, the bottom line from the visit is that the weaning process continues for the month of August as my 1 mg of Pro Graf twice a day is now cut to .5 mg twice a day. In a nutshell, the doctor, quite obviously, was more than pleased to meet with a patient that is doing so well.

We did ask the doctor a few questions. The answers are....

- no dentist until the 12 month period is over. Boy, is my mouth going to be a piece of work by the time next February rolls around!

- my current local doctor is retiring, I am not to seek a replacement until the 12 month period is over. My Dana-Farber doctor will handle all of my medical issues until then. This is certainly no problem as I have no other medical issues that I know of!

- the reason why there is not alcohol allowed is that alcohol is a drug and can interreact with the other drugs that I am taking in an unknown way. This is coupled with the fact that the alcohol will not be consumed on a regular basis which makes it's consumption harder to manage. However, the doctor was not willing to accept my offer to have two drinks every day at 5:00!

- I am not to get flu shots until the 12 month period is over. The doctor says that with my being on immuno-suppressants, they won't work and it will be just a waste of time. For me, the way to keep from getting the flu is to avoid people and limit the risk!

The mechanics of the visit went fine. My blood was taken immediately and we were ushered into the doctor's office right on time. The ride to and from the clinic was great - summertime traffic is less.

In conclusion, for me it's been a somewhat emotional day as I still try to fathom why I have weathered this process so well. I am not complaining mind you but I keep wrestling with it in my mind as I try to figure it out.

I can't...

Bob