Saturday, June 9, 2012

SHORT UPDATE

First, I have to clarify from my last post, in which I stated that it has been 28 months since my diagnosis.  CHEMOBRAIN.  Some followers of the blog pointed out that it had been 32 months since my diagnosis in Aug. 2009, with the accompanying 32 months of chemo and other drugs and treatments.  Apparently to me it only seems like 28 months.  And for those sticklers, it's been 33 1/2 months from now.

I reviewed my latest labs with Dr. Malone yesterday.  After my numbers and condition had declined so much over the past months, it was GREAT to see that many of the lab indicators showed some improvement in many areas.  Not huge improvement, because it's only been 3 weeks since I stopped the daily chemo, but improvements that indicate my internal organs that were going down hill fast are responding favorably and improving.  We're happy and excited.

It has also been interesting to see how even though the chemo is truly poisoning my cancer into submission, my body has been going through withdrawals as it is getting out of my body and system.  I have much more empathy for those that suffer from addictions and go through the withdrawal process.  Mine is likely just a fraction of the reaction of those that have long term use addictions.  So to you out there, in a small way I have shared your pain and understand better.

Now the wait for the return of "Jaws".  We're hoping for never, but it's likely going to happen.  There are new and improved drugs coming out in the next year which should treat the cancer as well as the Revlimid has, but with lesser side effects.  So even if the cancer comes back, hopefully, it will be a better experience for me next time.

Thanks again for all of your love and support.  We truly appreciate it and can't wait to greet and thank each of you in the future.