Last Tuesday, I visited my cardiologist for my annual check-up. As some of you may know, I have suffered from cardiac arrhythmia for many years. Many years ago, I dragged myself to the doctor's office and I was told my resting pulse was 220 bpm. I asked the doctor if you could die from it and he responded, "Usually, you do." A few hospital visits and several experiments with various medications and I am now fine.
I had a nuclear stress test which took about 2 1/2 hours. I then saw the cardiologist and he reviewed my results. After about ten minutes with him, he said, "You are doing great; see you in a year."
It is great to know that the rest of my system is working well. I am looking forward to a long and happy life. I hope that God and my M-spike numbers concur.
Wow, I sure miss those pecan waffles! Today's weight 182.5.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
A visit to Dr. Hema
We traveled to Big City today to learn the results of the CT scan and Dr. Hema's interpretation of the blood tests. Dr. Hema said that since my M-spike number had been as high as 3.16 and was now 0.35, that I had achieved about 90% of remission. He said that, while this is not complete remission, it is a very substantial success. He further said that if our goal is the resumption of good health and the enjoyment of life, we have achieved our goal. I am feeling very well and, according to my friends and relatives, look very good. I have energy and look forward to enjoying travel and leisure.
If I were to insist on further treatments to try to squeeze out every last particle of lymphoma and reduce my M-spike reading to 0.000, then I would have to undergo further infusions with unknown side-effects and be tethered to Big City. That, in my opinion and the opinion of my adorable wife, is a reduction in quality of life. Such extraordinary efforts might not even be effective. I shall therefor enjoy the renewed health that I have and be very grateful for the 90% remission that I have, rather that regret the 10% I lack.
He said the CT scan shows a very slight remaining area of lymphoma cells in my abdomen. He said it was slight before we started and is very slight now.
We will be seeing Dr. Hema in two months and probably every three months thereafter. In the meantime, we shall try to enjoy life to the fullest!
I continue to be alarmed by my weight. When I first saw Dr. Hema, it was 165. It got down to 157 in the darkest days of rituxan. Today's weight was 183! I am reducing my calorie count and I am increasing my exercise. Boy, do I miss those pecan waffles!
If I were to insist on further treatments to try to squeeze out every last particle of lymphoma and reduce my M-spike reading to 0.000, then I would have to undergo further infusions with unknown side-effects and be tethered to Big City. That, in my opinion and the opinion of my adorable wife, is a reduction in quality of life. Such extraordinary efforts might not even be effective. I shall therefor enjoy the renewed health that I have and be very grateful for the 90% remission that I have, rather that regret the 10% I lack.
He said the CT scan shows a very slight remaining area of lymphoma cells in my abdomen. He said it was slight before we started and is very slight now.
We will be seeing Dr. Hema in two months and probably every three months thereafter. In the meantime, we shall try to enjoy life to the fullest!
I continue to be alarmed by my weight. When I first saw Dr. Hema, it was 165. It got down to 157 in the darkest days of rituxan. Today's weight was 183! I am reducing my calorie count and I am increasing my exercise. Boy, do I miss those pecan waffles!
An open letter to Dr. Hema
May 3, 2010
Dr. Hema
and the entire staff
Thank you all for the wonderful treatment I have received for my lymphoma. My treatments have, at times, been very difficult for us all. Throughout all of it, you and the whole staff have treated me with the utmost professionalism, compassion and a bit of humor. I firmly believe that if we didn't find a way to chuckle through all of this, that the ordeal would be too sad. You and your staff have achieved, in my opinion, just the right touch of humor to make a tough process tolerable.
It is tempting to single out a few members of your staff that I feel did an extraordinary job. However, I believe that every member of the staff did their utmost to see that my care was given in a very professional manner. To the contrary, it would be impossible to single out a single person whose care was less than excellent.
I am very grateful to have such a skilled team working very hard to make my life healthier, happier and longer.
Please pass my thanks to each and every member of your staff.
I know that the Big City Medical system is concerned about customer satisfaction, as they should be. Please feel free to pass my comments on to anyone in the system.
Thank you again.
Bill-in-SC
Dr. Hema
and the entire staff
Thank you all for the wonderful treatment I have received for my lymphoma. My treatments have, at times, been very difficult for us all. Throughout all of it, you and the whole staff have treated me with the utmost professionalism, compassion and a bit of humor. I firmly believe that if we didn't find a way to chuckle through all of this, that the ordeal would be too sad. You and your staff have achieved, in my opinion, just the right touch of humor to make a tough process tolerable.
It is tempting to single out a few members of your staff that I feel did an extraordinary job. However, I believe that every member of the staff did their utmost to see that my care was given in a very professional manner. To the contrary, it would be impossible to single out a single person whose care was less than excellent.
I am very grateful to have such a skilled team working very hard to make my life healthier, happier and longer.
Please pass my thanks to each and every member of your staff.
I know that the Big City Medical system is concerned about customer satisfaction, as they should be. Please feel free to pass my comments on to anyone in the system.
Thank you again.
Bill-in-SC
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Preliminary results are in
Nurse K at Dr. Hema's office just called with my blood test results and they are great! The M-spike reading is 0.3 which she described as normal.
Pardon me, I just have to repeat that again: M-spike is normal. I love the sound of that! M-spike...normal. Normal.
She also said the IgM number is now 359, which is getting close to the normal range of 62 - 263. It has been a high as a sobering 5,000!
M-spike and IgM numbers that are not just high but sky-high are the primary indicators of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. To see them recede to normal or, at least near normal, is great news!
As my friend N said, hey, I might just beat this thing!
I still have to meet with Dr. Hema on Monday to discuss not only these results, but also the results of the CT scan. I am no doctor, but I imagine the good news will continue. Of course, I am realistic, there is no known cure for lymphoma. It can be brought to remission, but, if one lives long enough, it always returns. It may return in a year or five years or ten years. It may be brought to remission with a further round of treatments, giving another short or long period of normal life; or it may not. Every case is unique.
I am very happy with the news I have received so far! Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers.
Pardon me, I just have to repeat that again: M-spike is normal. I love the sound of that! M-spike...normal. Normal.
She also said the IgM number is now 359, which is getting close to the normal range of 62 - 263. It has been a high as a sobering 5,000!
M-spike and IgM numbers that are not just high but sky-high are the primary indicators of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. To see them recede to normal or, at least near normal, is great news!
As my friend N said, hey, I might just beat this thing!
I still have to meet with Dr. Hema on Monday to discuss not only these results, but also the results of the CT scan. I am no doctor, but I imagine the good news will continue. Of course, I am realistic, there is no known cure for lymphoma. It can be brought to remission, but, if one lives long enough, it always returns. It may return in a year or five years or ten years. It may be brought to remission with a further round of treatments, giving another short or long period of normal life; or it may not. Every case is unique.
I am very happy with the news I have received so far! Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Blood test and CT scan
This morning, I made yet another trip to my local physician's office for blood tests. This test includes the IgM and M-spike tests which are a pretty clear indication that something, such as lymphoma, is amiss. The other clear indicator is looking at the result a CT scan with and without contrast and I also had that today.
I will then see Dr. Hema on May 3 to learn the result. Of course, I hope to hear that my numbers are perfect and that I am in remission. However, I am fully aware that every case is unique and I am prepared for any result. Nevertheless, please join me in crossing our fingers and toes and let's hope and pray for a great result.
I will then see Dr. Hema on May 3 to learn the result. Of course, I hope to hear that my numbers are perfect and that I am in remission. However, I am fully aware that every case is unique and I am prepared for any result. Nevertheless, please join me in crossing our fingers and toes and let's hope and pray for a great result.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Blood test results
On Monday, I went to my local doctor for regularly scheduled tests. They are taken here and faxed to Dr.Hema. His nurse called yesterday afternoon to report that the hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet counts were, in Dr. Hema's words, low but safe.
I had been told previously by Dr. Hema that an expected result was that, as the fludarabine killed the lymphoma-bearing B cells, these factors would be lowered in response. So, hearing 'low but safe' is an entirely expected result.
I feel very well; I have more energy than I had a few months ago and I feel that my color is greatly improved. As I have reported before, my weight is certainly improved; perhaps a bit too much! Today's weight was 182.
Gosh, I sure miss the pecan waffles!
On April 26th, I go for the next round of blood tests and a CT scan. We will have more information to gauge my hopeful recovery then.
A very happy birthday to my adorable wife who has been my pillar of strength and encouragement throughout all of this. I love you, dear!
I had been told previously by Dr. Hema that an expected result was that, as the fludarabine killed the lymphoma-bearing B cells, these factors would be lowered in response. So, hearing 'low but safe' is an entirely expected result.
I feel very well; I have more energy than I had a few months ago and I feel that my color is greatly improved. As I have reported before, my weight is certainly improved; perhaps a bit too much! Today's weight was 182.
Gosh, I sure miss the pecan waffles!
On April 26th, I go for the next round of blood tests and a CT scan. We will have more information to gauge my hopeful recovery then.
A very happy birthday to my adorable wife who has been my pillar of strength and encouragement throughout all of this. I love you, dear!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Woo hoo!
We just finished the last infusion of my six-month long fludarabine regimen!
I said, "we." My adorable wife went along for every treatment, sat in the room to comfort me and has every bit as much treatment room mileage as me. She was with me for the highs and lows and never failed to smile and be as supportive and as helpful as anyone could ever expect. I am glad this is over for her, and for me. I am a very lucky man to have her in my life.
All of the staff at Dr. Hema's pierce-a-torium were so nice, so kind and so understanding. My special thanks and appreciation go to Nurse P and Nurse B. Dr. Hema is very lucky to have a staff of professionals who are also great at getting a smile or a chuckle out of most every patient. I am very lucky to have this great team of people working very hard to make my life longer, healthier and happier.
As we left to head for a late lunch or early dinner, I was struck by the day I was given. It was a glorious day with newly blooming dogwoods, cherry trees, wisteria, tulips and pansies. The temperature was perfect and the sky was cobalt blue, so we went to My Big Fat Pricey Mall and had a wonderful meal sitting outdoors. Life is good!
Next are blood tests two and four weeks from now and a CT scan. We are quite confident that we may hear the R-word in there soon.
I said, "we." My adorable wife went along for every treatment, sat in the room to comfort me and has every bit as much treatment room mileage as me. She was with me for the highs and lows and never failed to smile and be as supportive and as helpful as anyone could ever expect. I am glad this is over for her, and for me. I am a very lucky man to have her in my life.
All of the staff at Dr. Hema's pierce-a-torium were so nice, so kind and so understanding. My special thanks and appreciation go to Nurse P and Nurse B. Dr. Hema is very lucky to have a staff of professionals who are also great at getting a smile or a chuckle out of most every patient. I am very lucky to have this great team of people working very hard to make my life longer, healthier and happier.
As we left to head for a late lunch or early dinner, I was struck by the day I was given. It was a glorious day with newly blooming dogwoods, cherry trees, wisteria, tulips and pansies. The temperature was perfect and the sky was cobalt blue, so we went to My Big Fat Pricey Mall and had a wonderful meal sitting outdoors. Life is good!
Next are blood tests two and four weeks from now and a CT scan. We are quite confident that we may hear the R-word in there soon.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
