December 2012

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and your are having a blessed time preparing the Christmas.

I was back at the doctors office Friday for my one year follow up tests for my stem cell transplant that was done July 2011. I had a few blood tests, a full skeletal survey and a 24 hour urine test. We only have a few of the blood tests results back and those numbers are looking good. I will get the rest of the test results sometime next week. My doctor is not planning on a bone marrow biopsy unless any of the tests come back with poor results.

The doctor actually said he has nothing to say, everything was looking very good so far. I had a list of questions (as always) so we had plenty to talk about. One bit of good news is Rush University is opening an office in Lisle, which will be much closer than going into Chicago. My doctor will be seeing patients on Fridays in Lisle, which will be perfect for me. The facility in Lisle will be able to do all the needed tests also.

I have decided to start taking an herbal supplement by the name of curcumin, I have read about this supplement as having an anti-myeloma affect along with boosting memory and mood. I feel at times I suffer from Chemo Brain, though not sure my doctor believes in chemo brain. His take on it was some people believe such a thing exists and others do not. He stated people have had MRIs of there brain and no changes have been found. He attributes memory issues could be related to the stress from the overal diagnosis, transplant and job related. Either way I want to start taking Curcumin, a lot of people in the Myeloma community believe strongly in the supplement. I wanted to start with 2 grams a day, but my doctor stated he did not want me to take more than 1g a day, at least until my next blood test. Some people with myeloma take over 8g a day.

I mentioned job stress above, there is an added job stress above and beyond normal working. Let me just say, if you are ever diagnosed with a terrible disease (God forbid), don't tell your employer anything besides the fact you are ill or you need surgery... By law you don't have to tell them anything and by law they cannot ask. Some free advice, my Chirstmas gift to everyone.

Merry Christmas and wishes for happiness and health for everyone in 2013.

September 2012 - Update

Last Friday, September 7th I was back for my check up a Rush University. All my numbers are still stable, actually the doctor was surprised how close my blood test results were to my numbers from the last visit. The doctor remarked that even healthy people don't have numbers numbers so close between blood tests. The doctor is pleased with the progress and is extending my blood tests from every 4 week to every 6 weeks and visits to see him from every two months to every three months. All in all it was a good visit.

I am down to just one vaccination left, then I will be done being the nurses human pin cushion. As I received the vaccines, the more vaccines the more reactions. By the last round of vaccines my arm was turning red, a little swollen and itchy. I asked the doctor about this and he stated it means my immune system is working. I guess that is a good thing.

The family is doing the 5k walk/run this year for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). This walk is intended to raise money and awareness for Multiple Myeloma. The doctor I saw at the University of Chicago is one of the honorary chairs for the 5k. Use the following link to get more information on the walk/run:MMRF Race For Research - Team Brinker

August 2012 - Update

Well a year has past since my Stem Cell Transplant and things are sailing along.  July 21st was the one year anniversary and I spent that day (along with several other days) on the island of Grand Cayman with my wife, daughters and parents.  What a difference a year makes.  One thing my diagnosis has taught me is it is time to live and experience life to the fullest.  I would have never dreamed of leaving the country, flying over large bodies of water or experiencing this wonderful adventure before my diagnosis.  This was one of the best times of my life.

With this adventure I did catch a cold, I believe I might have caught the cold from someone on the plane, but it was no big deal.

Going for my monthly blood test tomorrow and back to see my Myeloma doctor in September.  I will start my last round of vaccines next Monday.  Not much else to report, which is good.  All my counts have been holding steady.

I hope everyone is having a great summer!

June 2012 - Update

Everything has been sailing along. I started my second round of vaccinations last Monday. Two shots in the left arm and one shot in the right arm. The right arm received the dTAP (tetanus) shot, this time there was swelling, bruising and a rash. This all seems to have gotten better over the week. The three shots also zapped some energy this week, but that has gotten better also. Back to the doctor a week from Monday for two more shots.

All my blood counts have been holding strong, at my last doctors visit my doctor stated my hemoglobin is higher than his.

Time to reward the family with a grand vacation this year, everyone worked so hard last year. No Smokey Mountains this year for the Brinkers, we are going big. One thing last year taught us, it is time to live life to the fullest. The Brinker's are flying this year, and leaving the country for the beautiful island of Grand Cayman. First time flying for my daughters (16 and 11). Time to try all those things we have never done before.

Speaking of living we are also taking the girls to their first concert this year.

Hope everyone is having a great start to the summer.

April 2012 Update

I have been putting my immune system to the test the last couple weeks. A couple weeks ago I spent the weekend traveling to and from St. Louis, eating out at restaurants, staying in hotels...and all went well. This was our first big adventure since the stem cell transplant and it was a great time. The last week both my daughters were sick with sinus infections and ear infections, and I have stayed well so far (knocking on wood). My youngest just finished her antibodiocs and my oldest has three days to go. I guess constant use of hand gel is working. All in all things have been going good. I had my monthly blood test in April and all the numbers are good. Back for another round of blood tests and to see the doctor in the middle of May.

March 2012 - Update

It has been a while since my last post. Everything is getting back to normal. A couple weeks ago I spent two days out of town for work. First time in a hotel since the transplant. I have slowly started eating out at restaurants, even though the doctors have said it would be fine for months, we approach everything with a new level of caution.

Last Monday I started my vaccinations at my primary doctors office. First time the nurse there has ever given such vaccinations to an adult. Everyone knows about the tetanus shot right, you get one every 10 years. I will get 3 over the next 4 months. For the next four months I recieve 3 vaccines, then two weeks later two more. Then I wait 6 weeks and do it all over again. At this point a shot in the arm or stick in the vein has no impact on me, pretty used to it by now. After the four months of vaccinations then blood tests are done to see if the vaccinations worked.

I was back at the clinic in the middle of March for a blood test and check up and all blood counts are looking good. I will have another blood test mid April and then back to the clinic mid May for another blood test and checkup. This cycle will go on indefinitely.

Hope everyone is enjoying the early spring weather, it has been amazing in Chicago.

January 2012 - 6 Months Post Transplant

Well it has been a while since I have posted anything, with the holidays and working fulltime I have been busy.

All in all everything has been going well. We continue to walk 2 miles a day despite the cold and snow. Went back to Rush for my 6 month visit and everything continues to look good. My plan now is to have a series of blood tests monthly, and visits back to Rush every other month.

There were a series of issues with my local hematologist / oncologist, so I have eliminated him from my care and soley go to Rush.

Happy New Year to Everone.