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Journey to Remission: Where We Are

Hey all, writing to give you a clearer picture of where we are, and some idea of where we are going. I did spend yesterday morning at the hospital, pretty typical that I get the boot and then head right back like I never left, but it was expected. Anyway through a chain of “coincidences” and a comedy of errors I managed to get my CAT Scan done, get my blood taken and get the Positive results, as well as have my PICC line “pulled” from my arm. The PICC line was in my left arm and used for IV access, but with the rapid improvement of my blood levels, it became unnecessary, so it’s out and at present I am “access free”. Which means I have no central lines, or IV’s, I’m completely closed to the outside, no holes, which is nice.

The main concern with my blood levels was my Potassium, which we’ve talked about before, and moments ago I received my blood results from today and we have hit normal levels!! Those 2 bananas a day did the trick for now. All other levels continue to improve as well, which is encouraging and will only help me continue to rebuild strength.

The Road Ahead.

It looks like this; bone marrow test tomorrow morning at 9, that is where we’ll have a good look at the “map” to see where we are in relation to our Remission destination. Results will probably take a day or two, thus I should know by Friday or Monday. Additional plans are to head to Toronto – Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), where I had my first Transplant – and meet with the Docs there for a Pre-Transplant assessment. My Dad (and Donour) and I are expected in TO in two weeks, not quite sure of the date but it will be that week some time.

Upon learning of my relapse over a month ago Dr. Lipton (PMH Transplant Doc) confirmed that they would be willing to Transplant me again as I did manage to stay in Remission for over 2 years. That date is very significant, as those of you who’ve been with me for a while know. It usually means that your risk for relapse drops significantly. And while I made it to that point, I did so just barely.

So I have about 2 weeks here at home to continue my “training” (eating), then I’ll head to Toronto for our meeting, at which point I’ll get a much clearer idea of the process ahead. Initial talk a month ago was that if we could find Remission after one meeting with Mo, then I would head straight for Transplant – around late September, early October. During my Original Series I had 3 rounds of chemo prior to Transplant, but they have changed approaches for my new situation.

As I have mentioned all along, my mind-set is very day-to-day, and I’m not allowing myself to advance down the road anymore than is necessary for planning purposes. The night prior to learning of my relapse I searched inside for a “gut” feeling, as I do often, but I found none. Perhaps very much contributing to my “what it is, it is” mind-set. And I feel very much the same about tomorrow’s bone marrow test. The early signs are Positive, but I have no “gut” feeling either way, and I will say again, what it is, it is. If we have reached Remission after one “dance” with Mo, great then we’ll proceed with the next stage of my plan. If not, then we’ll adjust the bar and tackle the new Challenges that will accompany that situation.

I say with great confidence and faith, everything that happens to us, happens for absolutely the right reason. At some point very soon I will talk to you all about some of these reasons, and the more intangible realities of my situation.

For those of you who are newer to the group, welcome, it’s great to have you along, and I’m slowly getting all the past messages on the website so you can read back from late July to present. They are most all there now, and over the next couple of days I should have some more images to put up, they’ll give you some visuals of my chest and the infection that was challenging me for over 2 weeks.

You’re pretty caught up at present, and to leave you I would like to say a Happy 50th Birthday to my Mom, who hit the half century mark yesterday. Last week all she wanted for her birthday was Neutrophils, and when they came late last week she got greedy and wanted a discharge. Glad she got greedy, as if she hadn’t “asked” for a discharge I might not have gotten one.

Have a good one, and don’t forget to…

 

Always…
Live Life. Love Life.

Geoff

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