Met with the doctor today and went over all test results from the last couple weeks, and it has been confirmed that I am in complete remission.
After my next visit to Rush in two weeks I will be returned to the care of my local doctor. I will have blood tests monthly to monitor my condition and will return to Rush yearly for check ups.
I have been cleared to return to work full-time.
It is time to get everything back to normal.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
October 2011 - Day +74
Well I couldn't wait 2 weeks to get the results of the missing test, it was driving me crazy. So I sent an e-mail to the doctor this morning and received a call back around 10:30 this morning. The results of the missing test were negative, which means complete remission and no second stem cell transplant. That is a load off our minds for now!
Now we wait for next Thursday (10/13) to see the next steps...
Had a good weekend and played tennis again yesterday and almost beat Alli. Played 12 games, which we both won six games a piece and then Alli won the tie breaker.
Now we wait for next Thursday (10/13) to see the next steps...
Had a good weekend and played tennis again yesterday and almost beat Alli. Played 12 games, which we both won six games a piece and then Alli won the tie breaker.
Friday, September 30, 2011
September 2011 - Day +71
Well back to the clinic yesterday to get the test results from last week or at least most of the test results. The doctor went over all test results but one, all the tests so far are looking good. The missing test result is one that is done against the extracted bone marrow, this test is much more sensitive in checking for any residual myeloma cells left in the bone marrow. So even if the blood tests have no tumor markers, this test goes a little deeper. Without this test the doctors cannot declare I am in complete remission.
My white blood counts continue on a steady decline, which is either from a medication by the name of Bactrim; that I take on the weekends; or just my body adjusting from the stem cell transplant. The doctor states there are other medications, but Bactrim is the best, so he won't change this medication until I am closer to being neutropenic. My current neutrophil count is 2.1, with a WBC of 3.01.
I have been feeling pretty good the last few weeks, pretty much back to normal, which means I am getting a little stir crazy, especially with all the rain this week.
Doctors won't let me go back to work full time until I get the the results from the missing test, so I am part time for two more weeks.
Be sure to wear yellow on Sunday October 2 - Livestrong Day, to show your support in the fight against cancer.
My white blood counts continue on a steady decline, which is either from a medication by the name of Bactrim; that I take on the weekends; or just my body adjusting from the stem cell transplant. The doctor states there are other medications, but Bactrim is the best, so he won't change this medication until I am closer to being neutropenic. My current neutrophil count is 2.1, with a WBC of 3.01.
I have been feeling pretty good the last few weeks, pretty much back to normal, which means I am getting a little stir crazy, especially with all the rain this week.
Doctors won't let me go back to work full time until I get the the results from the missing test, so I am part time for two more weeks.
Be sure to wear yellow on Sunday October 2 - Livestrong Day, to show your support in the fight against cancer.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
September 2011 - Day +66
Today is Alli's 16th Birthday, what did Alli want to do on her Birthday? Play tennis with her Dad. We played a full set of tennis and I lost 3 games to 6. Not bad since I have not played for 5 months. It was a lot of fun, my legs haven't had that kind of workout in a while.
She looks like a pro! This picture was taken last weekend at a tennis match.
She looks like a pro! This picture was taken last weekend at a tennis match.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
September 2011 - Day +63
Back to the hospital today for some tests for re-staging. The day started off with some of the worst rush hour traffic we have experienced. One of the commuter trains was delayed an hour, so many people decided to drive creating overwhelming traffic delays. It took us over two hours to get into the city. I was thankful to have Jane as my copilot, without her I think I would have lost my mind in the traffic.
Today I had a full skeletal scan, which consisted of about 20 Xrays. Every bone in my body was xrayed except my hands and feet. The Xrays are used to look for bone lesions, which is common with advanced stages of Myeloma. I have had two previous skeletal scans that have come out clean.
Next was blood draws, about six vials of blood. The blood tests consisted of Light Chains, Beta-2 Microglobulin, Quantitative Immunoglobulins, Immunofixation Electrophoresis and a couple others. At diagnosis my Lambda Light Chains were extremely high, before the stem cell transplant the light chains were normal.
Finally was the bone marrow biopsy. I had two previous bone marrow biopsies done at my local hospital, but today's I decided to have at Rush University. Today's bone marrow extraction was extremely painful, I believe I let out a verbal scream or yelp. What was different from the past bone marrow biopsies? Today's technician stated the bone marrow had to be extracted quickly where the other ones were not done that way, wow what a difference. Just to recap, my first bone marrow biopsy showed 80-90% plasma cells, the second (before the stem cell transplant) showed less than 5% plasma cells. A normal person will have less than 5% plasma cells.
Now we wait to get the results next week, if all is good I will be released to go back to work full time. If all is not good a second stem cell transplant would be discussed.
The last couple weeks I have been feeling really good. I have been walking 2 miles a day. Yesterday I even washed my car with the help of Jane, but this didn't go off without a hitch. I cut my finger while drying the car or I guess I should say drying the engine. Jane felt terrible about this, though it was not her fault.
Today I had a full skeletal scan, which consisted of about 20 Xrays. Every bone in my body was xrayed except my hands and feet. The Xrays are used to look for bone lesions, which is common with advanced stages of Myeloma. I have had two previous skeletal scans that have come out clean.
Next was blood draws, about six vials of blood. The blood tests consisted of Light Chains, Beta-2 Microglobulin, Quantitative Immunoglobulins, Immunofixation Electrophoresis and a couple others. At diagnosis my Lambda Light Chains were extremely high, before the stem cell transplant the light chains were normal.
Finally was the bone marrow biopsy. I had two previous bone marrow biopsies done at my local hospital, but today's I decided to have at Rush University. Today's bone marrow extraction was extremely painful, I believe I let out a verbal scream or yelp. What was different from the past bone marrow biopsies? Today's technician stated the bone marrow had to be extracted quickly where the other ones were not done that way, wow what a difference. Just to recap, my first bone marrow biopsy showed 80-90% plasma cells, the second (before the stem cell transplant) showed less than 5% plasma cells. A normal person will have less than 5% plasma cells.
Now we wait to get the results next week, if all is good I will be released to go back to work full time. If all is not good a second stem cell transplant would be discussed.
The last couple weeks I have been feeling really good. I have been walking 2 miles a day. Yesterday I even washed my car with the help of Jane, but this didn't go off without a hitch. I cut my finger while drying the car or I guess I should say drying the engine. Jane felt terrible about this, though it was not her fault.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
September 2011 - Day +56
Back to the city today for another follow up visit, it has been two weeks since my last doctor visit. As of today all CBC and standard blood chemistry counts have retuned to normal and have stayed stable for the last two weeks, which is good.
Next Monday is day +60, that means testing next week to re-stage the disease. So next Thursday I will have a bone marrow biopsy, skeletal scan and a slew of blood tests. Then the following week I meet with the doctor to find out the results.
I have been feeling pretty good the last couple weeks, with a few minor issues. My forehead has become really dry, started flaking and itches at times. I put moisturizing cream on twice a day to help with the dryness and itching.
The real doctors have said I can wash my car, but doctor Jane is skeptical, she doesn't think the doctors understand what washing my car really means. For me washing a car can take 4-6 hours. The real doctors say I can go out to eat, but doctor Jane is catious and thinks we need to wait longer. I guess we can't be too catious, so I do as doctor Jane requests.
I have been walking a mile and a half a day and ready to turn it up a notch. I asked the doctor if I can start jogging or playing tennis and he said that would be okay.
This was my first week back at work part-time, which went well. Though I think they are taking it easy on me, which is okay. I will be part-time until I get the day +60 results back.
Both Lexie and Alli had stuffy noses starting this week. This was the first real test for us and we had to be extra cautious. Lexie went to the doctor Monday and the doctor thinks Lexie's stuffy nose is due to allergies. Lots of Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer and dial soap being used in this house, I must be washing my hands 20+ times a day.
Next Monday is day +60, that means testing next week to re-stage the disease. So next Thursday I will have a bone marrow biopsy, skeletal scan and a slew of blood tests. Then the following week I meet with the doctor to find out the results.
I have been feeling pretty good the last couple weeks, with a few minor issues. My forehead has become really dry, started flaking and itches at times. I put moisturizing cream on twice a day to help with the dryness and itching.
The real doctors have said I can wash my car, but doctor Jane is skeptical, she doesn't think the doctors understand what washing my car really means. For me washing a car can take 4-6 hours. The real doctors say I can go out to eat, but doctor Jane is catious and thinks we need to wait longer. I guess we can't be too catious, so I do as doctor Jane requests.
I have been walking a mile and a half a day and ready to turn it up a notch. I asked the doctor if I can start jogging or playing tennis and he said that would be okay.
This was my first week back at work part-time, which went well. Though I think they are taking it easy on me, which is okay. I will be part-time until I get the day +60 results back.
Both Lexie and Alli had stuffy noses starting this week. This was the first real test for us and we had to be extra cautious. Lexie went to the doctor Monday and the doctor thinks Lexie's stuffy nose is due to allergies. Lots of Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer and dial soap being used in this house, I must be washing my hands 20+ times a day.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
September 2011 - Day +42
Wow it is September already, before we know it will be Christmas.
Back to the clinic today for a follow-up and everything continues to look good, so good the doctor does not need to see me for two weeks. The doctor says I look 10 years younger without my goatee, what do you think?
I call this my naked look, since I never leave the house without a hat and rarely does anyone see me without a hat. If you look real close you can see my hair is starting to grow back. In two months I should have a whole head of hair.
Wow now that I think about looking 10 years younger the people at the clinic probably think Jane is my Mom. (Ha Ha Ha)
Anyway all in all things continue to improve. No nausea this week, no naps this week. Walked a mile everyday and even helped Alli practice tennis Monday night.
Back to the clinic today for a follow-up and everything continues to look good, so good the doctor does not need to see me for two weeks. The doctor says I look 10 years younger without my goatee, what do you think?
I call this my naked look, since I never leave the house without a hat and rarely does anyone see me without a hat. If you look real close you can see my hair is starting to grow back. In two months I should have a whole head of hair.
Wow now that I think about looking 10 years younger the people at the clinic probably think Jane is my Mom. (Ha Ha Ha)
Anyway all in all things continue to improve. No nausea this week, no naps this week. Walked a mile everyday and even helped Alli practice tennis Monday night.
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