Not much to report!
We're now 1 week gone in 2010 and things have gone as well as they possibly could have gone! It's most certainly great news but it ceases to be interesting news after a while. In fact, when I told my wife that I would be coming down to my computer to blog for today, she asked me how long was I going to continue to do this. At this point, I intend to retain my daily postings until the big "coming out party" on February 21st.
What happens after that - I don't know. Obviously, a significant input will be my health prognosis at that time along with what my doctor clears me to do.
Right now on a health basis, there is nothing to say except that everything is going great. And you all kind of know my daily activities of working on projects around the house,going to see my grandson wrestle(which we did today), or my granddaughter play soccer(which is tomorrow). That pretty much describes everyday for me. Restrictive, yet - rewarding.
I'm eagerly looking forward to turning the next corner - but I see nothing significant happening until my next doctor's visit which is now scheduled for January 27th.
However, your prayerful support is still very much needed and appreciated as I am certianly not out of the woods even if I am given clearance to resume many of my normal daily activities. The two year point is really the key hurdle to get over.
Still planning on having the pulpit on the 21st of February, I continue to make minor changes to my speech to keep it up to date...
Bob
January 7, 2010 10:35 PM 45 days to go
Aftermath!
Just a coupleof things that are left over from yesterday. One surprising development was that I had lost about 5 pounds since the previous visit no two weeks before. Come to find out that some people that I know who have been on the drug experienced the same side effect.
The other incident is quite comical. We took my mother-in-law out to breakfast after the visit and then stopped at a local Massachusetts supermarket where she bought some wine. The teller asked her for an ID! The woman is 92 years old! But it only gets better. When she had a problem finding her ID, my wife offered hers as a substitute. The teller said yes until she saw that the drivers license was from New Hampshire and she refused to accept an out-of-state license! What a joke! Meanwhile my mother-in-law located her ID and we continued on. What have we come to when 3 people all over 60 years of age have to produce an ID to purchase a bottle of wine?
Today was another good day - continued work on the bathroom and went out to dinner tonight with friends. Tomorrow work continues and we'll go see my grandson wrestle later in the afternoon.
I'm just marching ever onward and more than thankful for each step that I take...
Bob
Just a coupleof things that are left over from yesterday. One surprising development was that I had lost about 5 pounds since the previous visit no two weeks before. Come to find out that some people that I know who have been on the drug experienced the same side effect.
The other incident is quite comical. We took my mother-in-law out to breakfast after the visit and then stopped at a local Massachusetts supermarket where she bought some wine. The teller asked her for an ID! The woman is 92 years old! But it only gets better. When she had a problem finding her ID, my wife offered hers as a substitute. The teller said yes until she saw that the drivers license was from New Hampshire and she refused to accept an out-of-state license! What a joke! Meanwhile my mother-in-law located her ID and we continued on. What have we come to when 3 people all over 60 years of age have to produce an ID to purchase a bottle of wine?
Today was another good day - continued work on the bathroom and went out to dinner tonight with friends. Tomorrow work continues and we'll go see my grandson wrestle later in the afternoon.
I'm just marching ever onward and more than thankful for each step that I take...
Bob
January 6, 2010 11:45 PM 46 days to go
Happiness!
On many levels today was a great for happiness. The most obvious being our trip to Dana-Farber this morning and the net results. For the first time since I was diagnosed, my red blood cell, hematocrit, and hemoglobin counts were all NORMAL. But in order to get there a truly amazing thing happened. These counts that were slowly creeping upward toward a huge jump these past two weeks into the normal range. My doctor was very pleased to say the least(I was too!)
The other counts(liver function, etc.) that were elevated and precipitated my return to taking one of the immuno-suppressants and prednisone responded very positively to the medication and were either back to normal or approaching normal. Though I am staying on these medications for at least the next 3 weeks, the minor graft vs host disease and the abiliy to control it are precisely what the doctor wanted to see. Why? Because statististics show that those people who experience this behavior are less likely to suffer a relapse. So, what appears to be one step backward is, in reality, two steps forward.
As I commented on yesterday, I asked the doctor to assess my journey to this point, to be candid about my overall chances, and to give me a heads up as to what lies ahead for 2010. His assessment of my journey to this point was that I have been doing "remarkably well". This was a significant breakthrough because up to now he had always tended to assess at the moment and never the overall picture. You never really know where you stand in the grand scheme of things and his comment just provided further verification of the miracle that God has provided me. I have been truly blessed.
Am I out of the woods? Is full recovery in order? When we first met back in December, I asked him to give me my overall chances with a bone marrow transplant at that time. His answer - 40%. I asked the same question today. His answer - 60%-70%. So, I am not out of the woods. But I don't care. I am exactly where the ideal patient should be at this point in time and I cannot aske for anything more than that. The reason for his answer is that getting completely back on your feet is a two year process. The first year they expect to contend with graft vs host disease while the second year is devoted to looking for any type of relapse. But, he said that every day that goes by and nothing untoward happens always increases my chances.
As for what lies ahead in 2010. Starting at the end of the month, I will once again be weaned from my one immuno-suppressant. Next month is the start of my vaccinations and, depending upon what results, he is looking for a clearance to go back to work in a few months. Halleluiah! The end of the tunnel just got even closer!
I just got through watching a PBS program called "Redefining Happiness" that had an impact on me. As they discussed people who had faced adversities in their lives and how they chose to address them, it made me realize that I have come to know myself a lot better as well. If anyone had asked me if I wanted to contract leukemia - the obvious answer is no. If anyone asked me if I was sorry that I got leukemia - the answer is still no! Why? Because getting this disease has helped me tremendously to better understand myself! I feel that it is helping to better define who I am - giving both additional purpose and fulfillment to my life. As I watched people on the show struggle with their battles against cancer by being resentful and angry, I realized that my faith in God quickly helped me leap over those hurdles and look for the positives. I may not survive - but I want you all to know that I am happier now than I was beforehand.
Truly a very happy day...
Bob
On many levels today was a great for happiness. The most obvious being our trip to Dana-Farber this morning and the net results. For the first time since I was diagnosed, my red blood cell, hematocrit, and hemoglobin counts were all NORMAL. But in order to get there a truly amazing thing happened. These counts that were slowly creeping upward toward a huge jump these past two weeks into the normal range. My doctor was very pleased to say the least(I was too!)
The other counts(liver function, etc.) that were elevated and precipitated my return to taking one of the immuno-suppressants and prednisone responded very positively to the medication and were either back to normal or approaching normal. Though I am staying on these medications for at least the next 3 weeks, the minor graft vs host disease and the abiliy to control it are precisely what the doctor wanted to see. Why? Because statististics show that those people who experience this behavior are less likely to suffer a relapse. So, what appears to be one step backward is, in reality, two steps forward.
As I commented on yesterday, I asked the doctor to assess my journey to this point, to be candid about my overall chances, and to give me a heads up as to what lies ahead for 2010. His assessment of my journey to this point was that I have been doing "remarkably well". This was a significant breakthrough because up to now he had always tended to assess at the moment and never the overall picture. You never really know where you stand in the grand scheme of things and his comment just provided further verification of the miracle that God has provided me. I have been truly blessed.
Am I out of the woods? Is full recovery in order? When we first met back in December, I asked him to give me my overall chances with a bone marrow transplant at that time. His answer - 40%. I asked the same question today. His answer - 60%-70%. So, I am not out of the woods. But I don't care. I am exactly where the ideal patient should be at this point in time and I cannot aske for anything more than that. The reason for his answer is that getting completely back on your feet is a two year process. The first year they expect to contend with graft vs host disease while the second year is devoted to looking for any type of relapse. But, he said that every day that goes by and nothing untoward happens always increases my chances.
As for what lies ahead in 2010. Starting at the end of the month, I will once again be weaned from my one immuno-suppressant. Next month is the start of my vaccinations and, depending upon what results, he is looking for a clearance to go back to work in a few months. Halleluiah! The end of the tunnel just got even closer!
I just got through watching a PBS program called "Redefining Happiness" that had an impact on me. As they discussed people who had faced adversities in their lives and how they chose to address them, it made me realize that I have come to know myself a lot better as well. If anyone had asked me if I wanted to contract leukemia - the obvious answer is no. If anyone asked me if I was sorry that I got leukemia - the answer is still no! Why? Because getting this disease has helped me tremendously to better understand myself! I feel that it is helping to better define who I am - giving both additional purpose and fulfillment to my life. As I watched people on the show struggle with their battles against cancer by being resentful and angry, I realized that my faith in God quickly helped me leap over those hurdles and look for the positives. I may not survive - but I want you all to know that I am happier now than I was beforehand.
Truly a very happy day...
Bob
January 5, 2010 10:50 PM 47 days to go
Up in the morning...
Tomorrow is another doctor's day - so 5 AM it is. But with no traffic at that hour and no one at the clinic, it's in and out and the rest of the day is ours.
Well, we went to see our grandson wrestle as I mentioned yesterday. But he ran into a buzz saw! His opponent was a very accomplished wrestler. Short of pulling his hair and poking his eyes out, there was no way that my grandson could have prevailed - to his credit, he did neither! It was his opponents second match of the day - both pin victories! But it was nice to get out and to see all the activity at the school.
I also called our church and have trried to book my pulpit appearance for the 21st of February - tre same day as my "coming out party". It will be discussed at Thursday's staff meeting. I'm praying that the answer will be yes for a wide variety of reasons.
With the start of the new year, I want to get the doctor's best guess as to how 2010 is to unold for me. 2009 was a no-brainer - a year of relative hibernation. but 2010 will see that come to an end in some way, shape, or fashion.
I'm eager to hear his response...
Bob
Tomorrow is another doctor's day - so 5 AM it is. But with no traffic at that hour and no one at the clinic, it's in and out and the rest of the day is ours.
Well, we went to see our grandson wrestle as I mentioned yesterday. But he ran into a buzz saw! His opponent was a very accomplished wrestler. Short of pulling his hair and poking his eyes out, there was no way that my grandson could have prevailed - to his credit, he did neither! It was his opponents second match of the day - both pin victories! But it was nice to get out and to see all the activity at the school.
I also called our church and have trried to book my pulpit appearance for the 21st of February - tre same day as my "coming out party". It will be discussed at Thursday's staff meeting. I'm praying that the answer will be yes for a wide variety of reasons.
With the start of the new year, I want to get the doctor's best guess as to how 2010 is to unold for me. 2009 was a no-brainer - a year of relative hibernation. but 2010 will see that come to an end in some way, shape, or fashion.
I'm eager to hear his response...
Bob
January 4, 2010 11:45 PM 48 days to go
A good day as days go!
My grandson brought his elaborate housing project to school that he did here last week and got an A on it! Tomorrow he has another wrestling match that we plan on attending.
Today was just another continuation of my bathroom project. It really feels good to accomplish things. I even went out and bought paint this morning - my first day out since Friday.
But, since it's winter, I have to admit that it's no real punishment to be stuck indoors!
Going to be a short entry as there is really not much to say about today...
Bob
My grandson brought his elaborate housing project to school that he did here last week and got an A on it! Tomorrow he has another wrestling match that we plan on attending.
Today was just another continuation of my bathroom project. It really feels good to accomplish things. I even went out and bought paint this morning - my first day out since Friday.
But, since it's winter, I have to admit that it's no real punishment to be stuck indoors!
Going to be a short entry as there is really not much to say about today...
Bob
January 3, 2010 11:45 PM 49 days to go
A good day for me!
I am really feeling great. And now it's time to start preparing for my return to the choir and church. Of course the date is a ways away but I now have to confirm that I can have the pulpit on the 21st of February as well. I'm such a demanding person that people will regret ever wanting me to return!
On a more immediate personal level, I began the demoing of my bathroom so that the remodeling can begin. Some friends stopped by this evening and as I was discussing this latest project, he stated that one reason for doing it is that it's fun. And, you know, that's right! And, because it is fun, I look forward to it, and it serves as great therapy. It's important to have a reason to get up in the morning(but not too early!) and it's tough to find them when you are not allowed to go out into the real world very often!
I am still very curious how things will play out on Wednesday with our doctor's visit. I certainly see no further advancing of any graft vs host disease but it's the blood counts that don't lie!
At least we'll all have one day this week when I'll have some real news to impart...
Bob
I am really feeling great. And now it's time to start preparing for my return to the choir and church. Of course the date is a ways away but I now have to confirm that I can have the pulpit on the 21st of February as well. I'm such a demanding person that people will regret ever wanting me to return!
On a more immediate personal level, I began the demoing of my bathroom so that the remodeling can begin. Some friends stopped by this evening and as I was discussing this latest project, he stated that one reason for doing it is that it's fun. And, you know, that's right! And, because it is fun, I look forward to it, and it serves as great therapy. It's important to have a reason to get up in the morning(but not too early!) and it's tough to find them when you are not allowed to go out into the real world very often!
I am still very curious how things will play out on Wednesday with our doctor's visit. I certainly see no further advancing of any graft vs host disease but it's the blood counts that don't lie!
At least we'll all have one day this week when I'll have some real news to impart...
Bob
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