It is beautiful this time of year here in SC. I am very lucky to be able to enjoy my life unencumbered by illness.

Take time, my friends, to enjoy the time God has given you. Every day is a treasure to be enjoyed.

Follow up with Dr. Hema

Yesterday, I had a quarterly follow up visit with Dr. Hema. My blood tests were performed by Dr. Primary's office, so were available to Dr. Hema at my visit.

The two biggest indicators of the effects of lymphoma are IgM and M-spike. For reference, in April, they were 359 and 0.3, respectively. M-spike has been as high as 3.16. In a normal, lymphoma-free person, it is zero.

Yesterday's result was IgM of 284, teetering very close to the normal range of 60-263. That's a very nice improvement from 359 in April!

My M-spike number is 0.28. Now, I don't know if there is any real statistically significant difference between 0.3 and 0.28, but it sure isn't higher. All of this, according to Dr. Hema, indicates that my 90% remission is holding steady. My numbers may be steady, or, at best, very slightly better, but the good news is that they are certainly no worse.

I see Dr. Hema again in three months.

Dr. Hema's parting comment was to go enjoy my life. I intend to follow his orders strictly!

A new development

At my last annual physical, my tests showed somewhat elevated triglycerides. Dr. Primary recommended I treat it with Omega-3 fish oil and return for a follow-up in six months. I had the follow-up on Wednesday. Dr. Primary reports that my triglycerides are even higher. He asked me to discontinue Omega-3 fish oil and prescribed Tricor, a treatment for elevated triglycerides.

A search of the internet shows that elevated triglycerides, lymphoma and chemotherapy are often linked.

I think my cardiologist knew something was happening; at my last visit, he asked that I provide my blood test results at my next visit. I asked Dr. Primary to send them along to Dr. Cardio along with any observations.

I will discuss this with Dr. Hema when I see him October 5. I shall also moderate my gluttony and, especially, my appetite for greasy, fatty, yummy southern breakfasts!

Yeah, I know, but this time I really mean it.

I feel good!

...like I knew that I would.

My health continues to be very good. I have energy and a general sense of well-being. I sleep very well and I look forward to my daily two-mile walk and photo expedition.

My adorable wife and I had planned for a short cruise this autumn, however, the cruise we wanted is booked for 2010 and the waiting list is long. Instead, we will take a trip to Cape Cod to see friends and family.

I looked back at photos of me on a trip we took about a year ago and I looked, frankly, ghastly. If I may say so, I look immensely more healthy today. A year ago, my weight was 157; pretty puny for a guy 6' tall! Today, I am a slightly soft 183.

I see the wonderful people at Dr. Hema's office on October 5. I almost feel like I can hardly wait to show off my great blood test numbers!

Thank you again for all your prayers and well-wishes. I am very grateful for your caring concern.

Finally! A good report.

After not hearing from Dr. Hema's office neither last Wednesday nor Thursday, I telephoned for Nurse K. She explained that Dr. Hema was out of town and she was therefor not yet asked to report the result. We both realize, nonetheless, that the usual procedure is to call the patient and report the numbers.

She reported the M-spike number is now 0.3, which is, she said, "very good." That is actually lower, just a bit, than the previous report, which was 0.35. Needless to say, I am very happy that my number is so good. It appears that, so far, my 90% remission is holding.

My general health and energy certainly supports this. I feel very fine. My adorable wife and I expect to enjoy two vacations yet this year. I hope our New England friends will warm up their lobster pots. We are going to see them very soon!

Follow-up visit to Dr. Hema

It was off to Big City today for a regularly scheduled follow-up visit to Dr. Hema. After my weight, blood pressure and other vital signs were taken, blood was drawn for testing. Dr. Hema reported that my hemoglobin and platelet counts showed slight improvements, but improvements nonetheless. He confirmed that the most important indicator of my health, the M-spike number, would not be available until Wednesday or Thursday.

We discussed that curing lymphoma is unlikely at this time, given the state of medical science. However, remission, leading to a normal quality of life, is realistic. In his and my opinion, we have achieved it.

Of course, the question remains: how long will it last. We hope, long enough to enjoy a normal life expectancy or longer, even if it takes a few more rounds of treatments over a span of many years.

I will report the M-spike report as soon as I have it.

Thank you again for your well wishes. They buoy me up!

Testing next week

Next week I go back to Dr. Hema for a regularly scheduled visit and blood tests. I have been feeling so well, so full of energy and so optimistic about my life, that I feel like I can hardly wait to get to the doctor's office to show off my great numbers! Of course, I have no idea what my numbers really are, but, of course, I hope they are great. I will certainly report the news as soon as I learn it.

My friends and neighbors all seem to have the same remarks, "Wow, you look great." I must admit that I have compared photographs taken of me a year ago to the man who stares back at me in the mirror today and the change is remarkable. Even I think I look much better.

Cross your fingers, kids! Here we go to get some great numbers!