My bone marrow was still clear of any traces of leukemia....whew!! I think my massive exhale could be heard throughout the tri-state area. My blood counts were also good so I will be starting the 5th and final course of chemo tomorrow at 10am. I will be getting a spinal tap and one other form of chemo as well as starting a whole new regimen of pills. Say some prayers that my body responds well and can handle this course. Time to go crack some champagne, dance in the streets.....or, more realistically, watch some more curling. Never forget that..
ALL Will Be Well
"The end for which we are created invites us to walk a road that is surely sown with a lot of thorns, but it is not sad; through even the sorrow, it is illuminated by joy."
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A New Man
It has now been a few weeks since I have had any chemo or any treatments at all. It is amazing how much more "normal" I feel. Just in these few weeks, my body has begun to recover. I have gained a little bit of weight, a little bit of strength, and alot of energy. I am walking more, eating more, and feeling way more like the Dan of about a year ago. I had truly forgotten what it was like to feel this way. I've been a little bit on top of the world the last few weeks. I think that might also have a little something to do with the fact that I soon get to be husband to the girl of my dreams.
Last week I had a bone marrow biopsy that will tell if the Leukemia is still in remission. This was a pretty rough biopsy because they had trouble shaving off a piece of the marrow and the doctor had to drill into my hip bone 3 different times until she was able to get the sample. This left me quite sore for the next couple of days.......there is something about taking a screwdriver to my hip bone (at least that's what I imagine is happening) that just doesn't sit that well with me. Anyway, I have a meeting with my oncologist, Dr. Claxton, today to discuss the results of the biopsy. So I have been nervous this week and letting my mind wander with the possibilities. So I will be happy to get in there today and get some good news. If my marrow is still leukemia-free (this is where the prayers come in), I will be cleared to start the 5th and final course of treatment. This is the long-term, maintenance treatment that is scheduled to last for the next 3 years (a little overwhelming when you think about it). But, this treatment is going to be way, way less intense and the doctors said I should be able to get back to a normal life during it. I will only be getting chemo injections once a month and most of the side effects should be pretty muted. My hair should also start to grow back.....I will be looking like Shaun White before you know it.
So, say some prayers that today's meeting brings nothing but good news. I just can't wait to get back to my old self and dive back into life. That does not mean I will be the same exact person. I have learned so much about faith, family, friendship, priorities, and perseverance through this journey. I will never forget any part of it and I hope to use these lessons to make myself better, help others, and live a more full life.
Well, I guess I had better get back to watching curling. This has been me and evan's favorite pasttime during the olympics. This sport has grown on me every day, plus how cool is an olympic sport where you could very easily be drinking a beer while playing. I'm gonna start prepapring for my bid for the 2014 games.....wish me luck.
I will let everybody know the results from my meeting today. Thanks for the prayers and thanks for being there. I can only imagine where I would be without the love and support of so many people. I couldn't have made it through the last 8 months. Much love and
ALL Will Be Well (hopefully pretty soon!)
“You can only come to the morning through the shadows.”
"Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it. "
Last week I had a bone marrow biopsy that will tell if the Leukemia is still in remission. This was a pretty rough biopsy because they had trouble shaving off a piece of the marrow and the doctor had to drill into my hip bone 3 different times until she was able to get the sample. This left me quite sore for the next couple of days.......there is something about taking a screwdriver to my hip bone (at least that's what I imagine is happening) that just doesn't sit that well with me. Anyway, I have a meeting with my oncologist, Dr. Claxton, today to discuss the results of the biopsy. So I have been nervous this week and letting my mind wander with the possibilities. So I will be happy to get in there today and get some good news. If my marrow is still leukemia-free (this is where the prayers come in), I will be cleared to start the 5th and final course of treatment. This is the long-term, maintenance treatment that is scheduled to last for the next 3 years (a little overwhelming when you think about it). But, this treatment is going to be way, way less intense and the doctors said I should be able to get back to a normal life during it. I will only be getting chemo injections once a month and most of the side effects should be pretty muted. My hair should also start to grow back.....I will be looking like Shaun White before you know it.
So, say some prayers that today's meeting brings nothing but good news. I just can't wait to get back to my old self and dive back into life. That does not mean I will be the same exact person. I have learned so much about faith, family, friendship, priorities, and perseverance through this journey. I will never forget any part of it and I hope to use these lessons to make myself better, help others, and live a more full life.
Well, I guess I had better get back to watching curling. This has been me and evan's favorite pasttime during the olympics. This sport has grown on me every day, plus how cool is an olympic sport where you could very easily be drinking a beer while playing. I'm gonna start prepapring for my bid for the 2014 games.....wish me luck.
I will let everybody know the results from my meeting today. Thanks for the prayers and thanks for being there. I can only imagine where I would be without the love and support of so many people. I couldn't have made it through the last 8 months. Much love and
ALL Will Be Well (hopefully pretty soon!)
“You can only come to the morning through the shadows.”
"Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it. "
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Recouping....
Well, the day has finally come. I'm still not sure that I believe it just yet but the worst of the treatment is supposedly behind me now. Course 4 finished up without any issues and that closed the book on the most aggressive part of the chemo. Now they are giving me a week or so off while my immune system and blood counts recover. Once they recover and stabilize, I will have to have a bone marrow biopsy (I already told them to check their morphine stock!). The results will show whether I am still in remission and if the cancer is still in retreat.....which it will be, if it knows what's good for it! If everything is looking good, I will start course 5 which lasts another two years but only involves a small amount of chemo and much fewer hospital visits. The side effects will also be much less prominent and I should be growing my hair back and getting my energy back......by summertime I will be ready to audition for the next season of 'Jersey Shore'...haha
Now I am in a bit of limbo because I am finished with the treatments and I am so incredibly ready to gain energy (and a few pounds) and get back up to speed with life but my body is still feeling the effects of the chemo and my immunity is still way down. It will take a few weeks to work the poison out of my body and to build up my immunity so I will just have to take it slowly for a little bit longer. But as Punxsutawney Phil reminded us this morning, we have some more time of being cold and having fires and drinking hot chocolate, so I can handle a few more slow paced weeks.
Its now just over 2 months til Hanna and I start our family together. I can't wait for everything that will come along with that. I think we got a bit of a headstart on "dealing with crises" so maybe we will catch some slack down the road.....I'm talking to you Powerball. We are going on our pre-marriage retreat this weekend so any thoughts and prayers will be appreciated. We have done a pretty good job on staying on top of the planning "stuff" (at least, I hope we are) with tons of help from family and friends.
Thanks for always listening to my rambling thoughts. Your support and prayers have been as important as anything throughout this year.
Life is good and
ALL Will Be Well
“Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.”
Now I am in a bit of limbo because I am finished with the treatments and I am so incredibly ready to gain energy (and a few pounds) and get back up to speed with life but my body is still feeling the effects of the chemo and my immunity is still way down. It will take a few weeks to work the poison out of my body and to build up my immunity so I will just have to take it slowly for a little bit longer. But as Punxsutawney Phil reminded us this morning, we have some more time of being cold and having fires and drinking hot chocolate, so I can handle a few more slow paced weeks.
Its now just over 2 months til Hanna and I start our family together. I can't wait for everything that will come along with that. I think we got a bit of a headstart on "dealing with crises" so maybe we will catch some slack down the road.....I'm talking to you Powerball. We are going on our pre-marriage retreat this weekend so any thoughts and prayers will be appreciated. We have done a pretty good job on staying on top of the planning "stuff" (at least, I hope we are) with tons of help from family and friends.
Thanks for always listening to my rambling thoughts. Your support and prayers have been as important as anything throughout this year.
Life is good and
ALL Will Be Well
“Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.”
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