Howdy,
I have again failed to do timely updates. My apologies.
A lot has transpired in the last month. I spent month 3 making steady progress in my overall health. I have gained back enough energy to start doing normal functions again. In fact, 2 weeks ago I was cleared to start working part time from my apartment near Stanford. 2 days ago I was released to come home with once a week appointments still to take place at Stanford. We are getting set up again here at home. Its funny, after 3 months Stanford started feeling like home. I still have a ways to go in full recovery (approx. one year) but steady progress is being made.
I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and support during the initial stages of my treatment. It was the support of all that kept my attitude positive and a strong desire to recover.
I will still update my blog (better than the last month) and keep you posted. There are some very important test results that I should hear about in approx. 1 week.
Take care, Mike
PS. Work is a good thing for me. Almost therapeutic to some extent. I love what I do and who I work with. Like a family away from home.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Blood, counts and the Ritz Carlton
Howdy,
First let me apologize for how long it's been since my last post. I will be better.
Got some pretty good new today on the donor vs. my own cell counts. I've come from 9%to 29% in Donor grafted status. While not on a normal schedule, (were playing by Mikes rules) I've come from 3% to 9% to now 29% donor cells grafted in. We are headed in the right direction, just on a different path of progression. Ya know, I've never been completely normal so why would I expect anything different here. I consider this good positive news. It will be a month until they check again and if the ratio's hold true, count should go from 29% to mid 80's next time. My white blood cells also hit a all time high of 3.7. Only .3 away from being in the low side of the normal range which is generally where I hang. I did need 2 units of blood today, bring me to a total of 8 units now infused in me. This should give me a boost on the energy side. All good stuff.
Your probably wondering what this all has to do with the Ritz Carlton. Let me explain. The coast is only 30 minutes away from us. We drove down yesterday and in Half Moon Bay saw some side streets marked "to the coast". Followed the signs and it drove us right to the Ritz with a huge spread on the ocean and beautiful golf course on the beach front. So we said, "what the heck, lets give it a try". Had to get a special pass to get in with our own gate code for parking. When then walked to the back side of the Ritz and wondered up to their overlook for the beach and golf course. Parked ourselves in some nice wooded beach chairs and kicked back for a few hours watching the 18th hole and coast. We even brought our own lunch so had a very nice afternoon in Ritz style for free. With my mask, shades, and hat, looked so scary the staff didn't dare approach me. I was giving Darth Vader a run for his money.
Well life is good. Progress is being made, and we are on the down side of getting to come home. Stay well, enjoy and see ya all soon.
Take care, Mike
First let me apologize for how long it's been since my last post. I will be better.
Got some pretty good new today on the donor vs. my own cell counts. I've come from 9%to 29% in Donor grafted status. While not on a normal schedule, (were playing by Mikes rules) I've come from 3% to 9% to now 29% donor cells grafted in. We are headed in the right direction, just on a different path of progression. Ya know, I've never been completely normal so why would I expect anything different here. I consider this good positive news. It will be a month until they check again and if the ratio's hold true, count should go from 29% to mid 80's next time. My white blood cells also hit a all time high of 3.7. Only .3 away from being in the low side of the normal range which is generally where I hang. I did need 2 units of blood today, bring me to a total of 8 units now infused in me. This should give me a boost on the energy side. All good stuff.
Your probably wondering what this all has to do with the Ritz Carlton. Let me explain. The coast is only 30 minutes away from us. We drove down yesterday and in Half Moon Bay saw some side streets marked "to the coast". Followed the signs and it drove us right to the Ritz with a huge spread on the ocean and beautiful golf course on the beach front. So we said, "what the heck, lets give it a try". Had to get a special pass to get in with our own gate code for parking. When then walked to the back side of the Ritz and wondered up to their overlook for the beach and golf course. Parked ourselves in some nice wooded beach chairs and kicked back for a few hours watching the 18th hole and coast. We even brought our own lunch so had a very nice afternoon in Ritz style for free. With my mask, shades, and hat, looked so scary the staff didn't dare approach me. I was giving Darth Vader a run for his money.
Well life is good. Progress is being made, and we are on the down side of getting to come home. Stay well, enjoy and see ya all soon.
Take care, Mike
Friday, August 28, 2009
From Mike's better half
Hello everyone;
I thought I would jump in here on Mike's post to give you my view on life....
We are trying to hang tuff.... We take each day as it comes. It reminds me of a roller coaster ride with it's ups and downs and we are seat belted in for the long hall. However,we find focusing on the ups is far more positive then dwelling on the downs..
We are together 24-7 and still are madly in love.. Somehow we are surviving in our little place pretty well. I don't shop anymore because there is no place to put anything..hum I told Mike, if we sell our house and live like this at home we would be rich...
I love the maid service here. I haven't scrubbed a toilet or cleaned a tub for two months.... It's the best....
At clinic there is a group of 7 of us that just clicked right from the get go. We were there all at once today and had such a fun time. We are making great plans for reunions when we can all look back when this is all behind us......
On a more serious note. We feel the Lords hand in every step of the way. We also feel of your love and prayers.... We truly feel blessed to even have this opportunity for hope. Our children's strength continues to motivate us along with those 4 beautiful grandchildren.
We truly hope that you are all doing well. We think of you often. Life is so precious, I hope we can all find joy in each day, even through adversity and the challenges of life. We have so much to be grateful for and we so enjoy your comments on this sight.
Lot's of love,
Sheila
I thought I would jump in here on Mike's post to give you my view on life....
We are trying to hang tuff.... We take each day as it comes. It reminds me of a roller coaster ride with it's ups and downs and we are seat belted in for the long hall. However,we find focusing on the ups is far more positive then dwelling on the downs..
We are together 24-7 and still are madly in love.. Somehow we are surviving in our little place pretty well. I don't shop anymore because there is no place to put anything..hum I told Mike, if we sell our house and live like this at home we would be rich...
I love the maid service here. I haven't scrubbed a toilet or cleaned a tub for two months.... It's the best....
At clinic there is a group of 7 of us that just clicked right from the get go. We were there all at once today and had such a fun time. We are making great plans for reunions when we can all look back when this is all behind us......
On a more serious note. We feel the Lords hand in every step of the way. We also feel of your love and prayers.... We truly feel blessed to even have this opportunity for hope. Our children's strength continues to motivate us along with those 4 beautiful grandchildren.
We truly hope that you are all doing well. We think of you often. Life is so precious, I hope we can all find joy in each day, even through adversity and the challenges of life. We have so much to be grateful for and we so enjoy your comments on this sight.
Lot's of love,
Sheila
Monday, August 24, 2009
Fighting the good fight
Howdy,
The last 3-5 days seem to mark a bit of a turn for the worst, but maybe not totally outside of what can occur. Some of the more recent issues landed me back in the hospital for overnight. It's kind of a bummer when you experience some pretty good days and then go south, but the key is not to let it get me to down. It's the long haul were looking at that is important.
Tomorrow they will take a blood test to determine the donor vs. my own cell production. The test takes a full week to complete so won't know for while. Hopefully it will be up significantly from the 9-10% range (donor cells) last time. The doctor is hoping for 40+% range. That would be sweet.
Ya know each day (quoting from the movie) has a bit of "ground hog day" to it. A continually repeat of activities without a lot of variation. Another to be expected situation for someone going through a transplant.
Stay well, enjoy, and I'll talk to ya soon. On the next "ground hog day" that is.
Take care, Mike
The last 3-5 days seem to mark a bit of a turn for the worst, but maybe not totally outside of what can occur. Some of the more recent issues landed me back in the hospital for overnight. It's kind of a bummer when you experience some pretty good days and then go south, but the key is not to let it get me to down. It's the long haul were looking at that is important.
Tomorrow they will take a blood test to determine the donor vs. my own cell production. The test takes a full week to complete so won't know for while. Hopefully it will be up significantly from the 9-10% range (donor cells) last time. The doctor is hoping for 40+% range. That would be sweet.
Ya know each day (quoting from the movie) has a bit of "ground hog day" to it. A continually repeat of activities without a lot of variation. Another to be expected situation for someone going through a transplant.
Stay well, enjoy, and I'll talk to ya soon. On the next "ground hog day" that is.
Take care, Mike
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A lot of the same - ups and downs
Howdy,
This last week can be characterized as a lot of the same. I did have a minor reaction to a blood transfusion and ended in the hospital overnight. Counts at times go up, then back down. Hard to develop any firm trend. The one real positive is my platelet count is almost normal. Now if the red and white cells would follow suit we would be styling. I've been out on disability now for 2 months. I was hoping to be working part time by now but need the body to kick it up a notch first. The mind is willing but the body is weak.
Someone asked me the other day, "so what major take away that will change your life going forward will be the by product of all of this?" I hope compassion, understanding, being more willing to think of others before myself. Right now it's hard to focus outside of my current situation. But when this to passes, and it will pass, I pray to have a keener understanding and awareness of serving others. For when we give, we seem to always get more in return. The key is not to have and expectation of deserving anything for service given. I hope my attitude remains giving because it is the right thing to do, and nothing else.
Take care, Mike
This last week can be characterized as a lot of the same. I did have a minor reaction to a blood transfusion and ended in the hospital overnight. Counts at times go up, then back down. Hard to develop any firm trend. The one real positive is my platelet count is almost normal. Now if the red and white cells would follow suit we would be styling. I've been out on disability now for 2 months. I was hoping to be working part time by now but need the body to kick it up a notch first. The mind is willing but the body is weak.
Someone asked me the other day, "so what major take away that will change your life going forward will be the by product of all of this?" I hope compassion, understanding, being more willing to think of others before myself. Right now it's hard to focus outside of my current situation. But when this to passes, and it will pass, I pray to have a keener understanding and awareness of serving others. For when we give, we seem to always get more in return. The key is not to have and expectation of deserving anything for service given. I hope my attitude remains giving because it is the right thing to do, and nothing else.
Take care, Mike
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Holding the course - with ups and downs
The last week since I posted has shed some very good news. My donor cells went from 2-3% to 9-10%. I should be at 40%+ right now, but this is a good start. My doctors say I can be cautiously optimistic. I'm still experiencing graft vs host problems, receiving blood and other drugs to keep me going. I'm at a point now where they need to give it 2-3 weeks before another cell check. Most of my other count (with the exception of platelets)are still going down and need booster shots for cell projection. Monday I was very close to being full blown neutropenic (very disease susceptible) and one that can land you back in the hospital.
I find an interesting emotion, trying to stay somewhat neutral at this critical stage of the game. While I'm optimistic the donor cells will continue to rise, I'm also aware they may not. Getting to excited makes for a bigger let down. However this does not change my optimism, hope and belief that things will continue in a positive way.
I'm close to half way into my stay. Eventually being able to go home will be outstanding. I miss home, my friends, and the ability to go to work and contribute. I really like my job, I find it challenging and theraputic. Now if my body will act with a greater sense of urgency and take this 21 year old cells as my own, it will all be good.
Thanks again for all your comments. They keep my strong.
Take care, Mike
I find an interesting emotion, trying to stay somewhat neutral at this critical stage of the game. While I'm optimistic the donor cells will continue to rise, I'm also aware they may not. Getting to excited makes for a bigger let down. However this does not change my optimism, hope and belief that things will continue in a positive way.
I'm close to half way into my stay. Eventually being able to go home will be outstanding. I miss home, my friends, and the ability to go to work and contribute. I really like my job, I find it challenging and theraputic. Now if my body will act with a greater sense of urgency and take this 21 year old cells as my own, it will all be good.
Thanks again for all your comments. They keep my strong.
Take care, Mike
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Survival mode - still smiling
Howdy,
4 of the last 5 days have been brutal. Each day brought decreased energy, more shakes, and continual flu like symptoms. It's like you feel you body is slowly tapering off all source of energy. You mind is still there but the body just doesn't respond. Today has been a gift. I actually got to go outside for and extended drive which was really nice. I'm hopping that today's small burst of energy is good signs of things to come. It will be between tomorrow and Friday before we find out if my new cell production has risen from the 2-3% level. They are doing a score of new blood tests given my status. Took 14 viles of blood yesterday. My critical counts haven't started to rise yet, but the good news is they aren't dropping.
Oh, I've also become a Stanford research patient. It's nice to know that Stanford is constantly trying to improve transplant processes. When something goes out of normal, they want to study to find ultimate reason and when enough data becomes available, processes can be changed. I can't help to think of all the parties before me and what they gave to make the processes today the best available. If my results could make the difference in life with just one person, it makes it all worth it.
I want to thank everyone who continues to pray and has fasted for me. The outpouring of support is truly humbling. Thanks again to my wife, who without her support this would not be possible. Through my 13 year battle with cancer, she has always been right by my side.
Take care, Mike
4 of the last 5 days have been brutal. Each day brought decreased energy, more shakes, and continual flu like symptoms. It's like you feel you body is slowly tapering off all source of energy. You mind is still there but the body just doesn't respond. Today has been a gift. I actually got to go outside for and extended drive which was really nice. I'm hopping that today's small burst of energy is good signs of things to come. It will be between tomorrow and Friday before we find out if my new cell production has risen from the 2-3% level. They are doing a score of new blood tests given my status. Took 14 viles of blood yesterday. My critical counts haven't started to rise yet, but the good news is they aren't dropping.
Oh, I've also become a Stanford research patient. It's nice to know that Stanford is constantly trying to improve transplant processes. When something goes out of normal, they want to study to find ultimate reason and when enough data becomes available, processes can be changed. I can't help to think of all the parties before me and what they gave to make the processes today the best available. If my results could make the difference in life with just one person, it makes it all worth it.
I want to thank everyone who continues to pray and has fasted for me. The outpouring of support is truly humbling. Thanks again to my wife, who without her support this would not be possible. Through my 13 year battle with cancer, she has always been right by my side.
Take care, Mike
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)