May I Live in Interesting Times!

As you will know from reading this blog, I have experienced cardiac arrhythmia for many years. In recent months, it has developed into atrial fibrillation. As you may know, a-fib is quite dangerous because it substantially increases the risk of stroke. My doctors attempted to contain the a-fib with drugs unsuccessfully. Finally, Dr. Cardio suggested a cardiac ablation: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cardiac-ablation/basics/definition/prc-20022642

It went pretty well and I spent a night in the hospital. Upon reporting a week later for a follow-up visit with the surgeon, I was found to be in atrial flutter. It was explained that it is a close relative of a-fib, but less dangerous. Well, at least I am going in the right direction; from dangerous to less dangerous.

To correct the flutter, I was given a cardioversion: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cardioversion/basics/definition/prc-20012879 The procedure has returned my heart to normal rhythm!

Next, I visited with Dr. Hema for my six-month check-up regarding my lymphoma. After undergoing preliminary blood tests, I found that my M-spike number, the primary indicator of lymphoma or other cancer in the system, was found to be 0.26. In other words, it is very low and steady and right about where is has been for several years. Dr. Hema said, in short, 'Terrific! See you in six months.'

My lymphoma continues to be about as close to remission as it can get. It may flare up some day, but not today!

I am very grateful and thankful that my lymphoma continues to be quiet.

Sunshine on my shoulder makes me squamous.

Step 1: Twenty years at the racetrack, bright sunshine, fresh air. The intoxicating aroma of 113 octane race gas! 

Step 2: Sunscreen is for babies and gingers, not for me.

Step 3: See a doctor about that little thing on my arm.

Step 4: Said doctor mumbles something about squamous cells, and with no sympathy, extracts the little thing and about an inch of flesh in every direction. Sutures.

Step 5: Pay the nice lady at the front desk.

Step 6: Use sunscreen too little and too late.

Step 7: See the doctor about that little thing on my face.

I am recovering nicely. The doctor says that, in 3-4 years, you will barely be able to see that 3 1/2 " scar on my arm! Woo hoo.

Frankly, with all the noxious chemicals that have been floating around in my system to treat my lymphoma, I was a bit surprised that anything remotely related to cancer could survive within a mile of my body, 

In early June, I go back to the Butcher of Fort Mill for a similar procedure on my face. 

Don't be foolish, my friends. Use sunscreen and plenty of it. If a little is good, more must be better!

The Great Results Just Keep on Coming!

Today was the postponed date for my six-month follow-up visit with Dr. Hema. Last Wednesday, the original scheduled appointment, we were enjoying an unusual bout of global warming. The temperature was 12F and there was a sheet of ice about an inch thick on our driveway. We rescheduled for today.

I customarily have blood tests about ten days in advance with my local primary care physician. The tests were done, however, the most revealing test, M-spike, was not performed. I wrote a stern complaint to Dr. Primary and emailed Dr. Hema. Dr. Hema said that the IgM result tracks alongside M-spike and, on the most recent test, looked entirely normal, as did almost every other test result. Based on the correlation of the two tests and the normal result from IgM, he felt comfortable omitting just this once, the M-spike result.

I have usually reported my M-spike result, but, unfortunately, all I can report today is 'good enough.'

Dr. Hema poked me a little bit, listened to my heart and lungs and said, based on the blood tests and the smiling, happy man with no swollen lymph nodes that stood before him, that no treatment or alarm was needed and to return in six more months with test results, ideally including M-spike!

I always feel a bit lucky, a bit blessed and quite fortunate when I pass the other patients at Dr. Hema's office. Some are too young to be going through chemo and radiation and other noxious treatments. Some are quite ill. Many wear funny hats to disguise that they have no more hair. Many are having a very tough time of it. I bounced out of the examining room with a big smile on my face and a little joke for the receptionist but I was quickly sobered by the other patients waiting for a life-saving treatment.

My good health has continued now for several years. I hope it will continue for several decades!

As always, a celebratory lunch was enjoyed. Glasses were raised and toasts made to good health!

Thank you, readers, for your well-wishes. They buoy me!

Todays results

We were off to Big City today for my six-month checkup with Dr. Hema. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I already had the blood test results in my hand and knew what the report was going to be before I walked in. To cut to the answer, my numbers are just about exactly in line with the last several visits, indicating that my lymphoma is still barely present but not getting any worse, or better, than it has been for the last two years.

This is excellent news, since the generally great health I've enjoyed for the last few years is likely to continue unhindered by lymphoma, chemo treatments, long hours in the infusion chair, etc. It is, instead, likely to be enjoyed to the fullest with my adorable wife and our family and friends.

I took the opportunity to seek out the people that treated me previously and thank them for their hard work and skill. They essentially saved my life.

After a few pleasantries and a thorough examination of my lymph nodes, Dr. Hema pronounced me approved to go enjoy life until my next six-month follow-up visit. Awesome!

I know that my particular strain of lymphoma will eventually return. Dr. Hema and I don't know if it will be six months, six years or even longer. It is, however, great to know that it won't be today!

We then joined friends for a very enjoyable lunch where we toasted, with sweet tea, life, health and happiness. It was a very welcome celebration of my good news.

Thank you, my friends, for all your support. Your well-wishes and encouragement buoyed me when I needed it the most.

'Tis the season

It is almost time to begin my semi-annual series of check-ups with Dr. Hema, Dr. Cardio and Dr. Primary. Yesterday I went for blood tests so that the results will be available for discussion in a few days with Dr. Hema. As you may recall, I am mailed a copy of the results simultaneously so that I know in advance what to discuss with Dr. Hema. Yes, yes, yes; control freak, Type A and all that. I know. However, I do believe after years of doctors visits, MRIs and, yes, even hospital stays, that the best person to manage my health is me. I don't want to get a call from a technician in the doctors office a few days after my visit saying my results look good. Instead, I want to look the doctor him- or herself in the eye and ask the exact meaning of the result. I also want to know the long-term prognosis and the prescribed course of correction, if any. The technician in the back office doesn't know all this.

Having said all this, I really feel great! Unless I told you, I doubt you'd recognize me as a long-term lymphoma patient or even any serious issue and especially one who has been through some very tough times. I am actually looking forward to my doctor visits so I can see if the measurements match my expectations. I am pretty confident that they do.

I also look forward to seeing all of the great folks who have taken such excellent care of me and giving each a hug and a thank you.

Finally, I look forward to a nice lunch afterwards with my adorable wife and a pleasant drive home the long way!

Another great result

Yesterday, I went for my semi-annual visit with Dr. Hema to discuss my progress and review the results of my regularly scheduled blood tests. As regular readers of this blog will remember, I get my blood tests locally well before the doctor's office visits. I have a copy of the test mailed to me so I can note the progress of my lymphoma and have an informed discussion with the doctor.

As a friend of mine says, "A little bit of a control freak, are we?"

My tests results are excellent! My M-spike number, the primary indicator of cancer cells in the body, is 0.26, or just about where it has been for the last several visits. That tells us that the disease is getting no worse over time. Since it can never be absolutely, positively cured, that is the best result I could expect. Woo hoo!!!

We had a frank discussion of the possibilities in the future. Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma usually returns after a period. It may be six months or six years or sixteen years or, as in a few cases, never. We will wait and see. Even if it does return, it may progress very slowly with no urgent need for immediate treatment. Accordingly, my adorable wife and I shall work hard to enjoy life to the very fullest.

As usual, we celebrated with a nice long lunch and a respectable Chianti Classico. We shall start planning our next trip. I hope we see you soon!

Three...count 'em, three great reports!

It is the season, purely coincidental, I'm sure, for all my doctors visits to converge. I suppose it's better to get the poking and prodding out of the way quickly.

About a month ago, I was asked to visit my cardiologist for an annual follow-up visit including an echo-cardiogram. It is a sonogram of the heart. For those of you who have not had this procedure, it is the procedure where a sensor is rubbed around the area of interest with a quart or so, it seems, of sterile lubricant. The screen makes all sorts of interesting images and the machine bleeps and honks meaning, I surmise, that I do have an operational heart. After the procedure, Dr. Cardio saw me and after reviewing my test result, pronounced me fine and suggested I see him again in a year.

A few days later, I saw my primary care physician to follow up my slightly elevated triglycerides now being treated with medication. After reviewing my blood tests, he told me my triglycerides and cholesterol were within normal limits. Evidently, the medication is doing its job as expected.

There seems to be a trend here and I like it! I appear to be in fine health and expect the visit to Dr. Hema will continue the trend.

Today I visited with Dr. Hema, filled with optimism. Part of my optimism was generated because I choose to manage my health care a bit more aggressively that most. I knew the answer before I walked in the door! I knew the answer because I insist that my blood tests be administered prior to my visit and that I obtain a copy. I then compare my results from previous visits and I know if my progress is trending towards better, same or worse.

My M-spike number was 0.24, about the same as the last several visits. My particular lymphoma, known by the tongue-tying name lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, never really goes away, so a decline in my M-spike number is very unlikely. Therefore, the best result is just what I got, no significant change. Dr. Hema scheduled another visit in six months.

That sure was a long-winded way to get to WOO HOO!

I feel very healthy and I'm able to do just about anything I want to do. My beloved wife and I intend to enjoy life to the fullest.

Thank you all, gentle readers, for your prayers and support. I appreciate all the help I can get!