More Positives, The Road Ahead, Day to Day – 01/08/28
Just a few short hours ago I did receive final confirmation that my marrow looks great and that I am absolutely in Remission, which was the word we got on Friday. Nice to get the final final word from the full range of tests performed. Had blood taken again this morning and my levels are continuing to rise nicely. Hemoglobin is 114, Platelets are 205, white cells – 5.4 and neutrophils – 3.5, all of which are great, and my Potassium has moved into the comfortable normal range. Not due back at hospital until Friday to continue the monitoring of my blood.
With today’s final confirmation of my reaching Remission I feel it is now very appropriate to share the details of the plan from here. The next stage of my journey will actually see me focus on staying where I am, there won’t be a new destination, no major travels, but a continued focus on staying put – here in Remission. While the traveling may not be a major element of this stage I can assure you that the journey and all the lessons and experiences that come with it will not stop, thus I won’t stop popping up in your inbox.
As I understand from my Docs we have no entered a period of testing for me, more specifically it’s a testing period for my marrow. The Docs are most interested now to see how “durable” my Remission is, and simply put the longer I can go without treatment and remain in this magical Remission place, the better. The words that have been used are checking to see if I have a “good” Remission, and the way to determine that is with time, and no treatment.
From the beginning my Transplant Docs in Toronto said they would Transplant me again if I could reach a Remission status, which we have now done. But the difference between this journey and my Original Series, is that the first time out they didn’t want me to have too long a delay between chemo treatments and Transplant. This time it is different. Simply if I can remain here in Remission until late September or early October, which are tentative Transplant dates, then I will most definitely have another Transplant. The thinking is that if I can maintain a Remission state for that long without treatment, which would be roughly 2 months, then the Transplant has a greater chance of working. That is the ideal scenario, however as always there is also a less then ideal scenario.
You will remember my “day-to-day” focus, well that has never been more appropriate than at present, as should I relapse at any time between now and late September/early October then the Docs in Toronto will most definitely not Transplant me. Leaving me to look for other options.
A brief discussion with one of my Docs here highlighted that if I do relapse the approach here would be to attempt to maintain me on a low dose of chemo. That approach would give me a very limited time, we discussed a one year period, but that is not specific. Essentially the approach would involve giving me as much time as possible. Not my first choice, but something we may have to face at some point.
Of course those of you who know me best, you know that I require a strategy for most every situation, and when I don’t like the present options I will look for others. This situation is just like that. Through some of my great support I have made contact with the University of Pennsylvania, and spoken with a Doctor there who shared some of their approach to Leukemia and relapses. The U of P is a very advanced medical center and at present they are doing medical trials with a new treatment for Leukemia relapse, which I’ll tell you about later. For now I will say that this option may be something I’ll look to take advantage of in the future, and the Doctors at U of P are expecting a call from me should it be necessary. Outside of the traditional medical treatment I know there is a world of “alternative” treatments that I have yet to discover, and when the time is right I may look to discover some of them.
For now I am remaining very focused on my next blood test, and will be watching my blood levels to see which way they are flowing. I am feeling stronger every day, some days I have more energy than others, but at present I have far more energy and stamina than I figured I would have. I am really quite surprised with myself. I’m still “training”, which will continue tonight at my Dad’s 52nd Birthday dinner, I may even sneak a piece of cherry-chip cake, which I spied in the kitchen yesterday!! Happy Birthday Dad.
That should bring you all up to speed on where we are at present. I have had many thoughts running through my head over the past few days, as I’ve had some “Geoff Time”, which I value so much, and that usually leads to some profound thoughts. I will share soon. Have a fantastic day and I’ll be back shortly.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
