Laying low today, as I had a jam packed day yesterday, full of all good stuff, but a little on the tiring side. Went for my first walk in a while yesterday morning, with my Dad, down to the end of the street and back. 15 minutes of standing is a first in a while for me, add in the walk and I know it did me good. I then complemented that with my daily stretching, which left me a little beat considering I haven’t been sleeping too well.
Had a great lunch on Signal Hill with my Mom, definitely one of my favourite places in the world, rain, shine, fog, whatever, it’s always awesome up there. Then had a nice visit with my grandparents, went to my old house for some more personal stuff, home for a little rest, quick conversation with a great friend and then did an interview with another great supportive friend for her show. Her show is Up at St. John’s Lane and you can see Krysta and our interview tonight on Cable 9 at 7:30 (the show runs in a loop tonight and tomorrow morning). Another way of communicating my message and getting the word out about our on-line community, which is growing incredibly.
While I’m on the topic of our community that we have created I would like to share some thoughts that most of you probably aren’t aware of. They relate to the rule and regulations of being a My Friends Email Group member. While we did cover many of my thoughts a couple of messages ago there is one part that I didn’t get to, and it relates to the open and honest principle. All the high school students in the group, who I have interacted with over the past year, you will know that when I speak to any group I do have one rule, and that rule applies here as well. It’s simple and straight forward, you can ask me anything. Remembering that we are here to learn, and I know that many times my descriptions and explanations aren’t complete or extensive, I want you all to know that you can ask me to fill in the blanks. More to the point, I’m sure if you are having questions, there are many others with the same thoughts.
I can’t promise that I’ll get back to you personally every time, as my responses are really dependent on my energy, which you know I hold as my most precious resource. But I will say that I’ll give it my best effort and many times will answer your questions here in this group forum.
On that note I want to cover a few things that many of you questioned after my last message – they relate to why wait to have a Transplant and what are my options should I relapse.
As I understand it the purpose for waiting to Transplant me is that because this is my second time around the Docs really want to make sure that my Remission is “good”. The thinking is that if I can maintain this Remission for a significant period of time then the chances of a Transplant working, for the long haul, are much better. The reality is that a Bone Marrow Transplant is a very involved, invasive procedure with many serious side affect and a ton of risks attached, so the Docs make their best effort to Transplant those who they feel have a prognosis that out-weighs those risks. The body, while incredibly resilient, can only handle so many complications. That is my understanding of the thinking behind this approach.
As for my options should I relapse, if I was to remain here I got the feeling that the approach would be to give me a low dose of chemo and maintain me for as long as possible. However chemo is pretty nasty stuff – the nurses wear gloves when they are handling it, and that goes right into my system – so there is a limit as to how many meetings with “Mo” the body can have. He does tough things to you, but also hopefully guides you along to your desired destination, as has happened so far. So because I am not immediately in-favour of the “maintenance” approach I have chosen to and would continue to look for other options. There are lots of choices and decisions to be made, but for now I’m staying right here in today. As Challenges arise I’ll deal with them, in the same manner that I have dealt with this Challenge from the beginning, constructively, Positively.
Hope that clarifies things for everyone, and as I said please do forward your questions and I’ll do my best to get them answered, by me or whoever the appropriate person may be.
Please know that I’m relaxing today, re-charging my batteries and am feeling stronger every day. Stepped on the scales again yesterday and the weight seems to be moving in the wrong direction – 168 lbs – and believe me I’ve been putting my share of cookies, cake and other junk into my system to complement the good healthy stuff. Perhaps it’s related to my dramatic increase in activity. Whatever the reason I’m feeling better each day, stronger – mentally and physically, and I’m extremely content right here in this moment.
Have blood work tomorrow and I’ll connect once I get those results. Have a great day.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
