Saturday, August 7, 2010

August 7, 2010 Update

It's nice having to make too many updates. Things are going well for me. Fatigue seems to be my only big after-effect of the treatment. I have resumed biking regularly, although the heat here is pretty unbearable and I can't seem to get many miles in like I used to.

My final treatment is September 1st. A year and half later, I'll finally be finished. Of course, I'll still have regular checks to ensure I'm still in remission. I only go to MDA for treatments and rechecks, so I can go 2 months inbetween. For someone that had to go 2-3 times a week for a while, it is great.

Anyway, I'll make another post after the September 1 milestone.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Update April 14, 2010

I know I've been bad about updates, so here we go. I am 3 treatments away from being done, and that should happen in late September. I can hardly wait. For the most part, things are going well. I've had a delayed reaction to my treatment medication Rituxan, so my blood counts have been very low. The latest issue is my white count - if I don't get it fixed soon, Ted and I will miss our long-planned Caribbean cruise. I've got a week and half before we'll have to cancel. I was given a pretty potent medication to stimulate my bone marrow - not a pleasant thing, but I'm hopeful it will do it's thing and work.

I've been trying to get back to a somewhat normal life, which isn't always easy - too many doctor's appointments. I am back to working (too much) at my job, but did have the opportunity to fly a small helicopter recently.

I have been biking, and did a 20 mile ride on Sunday. I finished, but it took 2 days to recover. The MS 150 ride from Houston to Austin is this weekend and I can't help but compare myself to the shape I was in just 2 years ago and was able to complete the 165 mile bike ride.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed I can go on my cruise. More later.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Update for 2010

I don't know about everyone else, but I was happy to usher 2009 out and welcome 2010. I had a pretty rough last few months of last year, but am finally beginning to feel more like myself.

The Zevalin (radiation) treatment I had at the end of September wiped out my bone marrow and I ended up having multiple transfusions of red cells and platelets. Thanks to all of you that donate blood. You really are helping so many people. When I received one of my transfusions, one bag of blood came from Austin. I asked the nurse why we needed to get blood in Austin when we're in the 4th largest city in the US. She said the city donations don't amount to enough - they probably take care of Ben Taub alone. So if you are able, please donate. It's really important.

This treatment was much harder than I had expected. I am hoping that it was a big benefit to my continued remission. I know it wiped out my bone marrow, so I'm hoping it got rid of all those pesky cancer cells that were left after chemo.

I have 5 more Rituxan (monoclonal antibody) treatments left and then I hope to be done. Those don't generally make me as sick as chemo or the radiation, so it shouldn't be too tough. Again, thanks for all of the support.