This Pilgrim's Progress

Going back to work

Well I decided I needed to go back to work.  Thankfully, they are more than willing to have me back, and it will feel nice to see everyone again and get back to business. I'll be starting back next Monday, August 31.

The near future looks like I'll be going through a number chemo sessions in the next several weeks.  Long term, I'm not sure what the options are, but we'll probably find out more when we get back to my Scripps oncologist.

Tomorrow we drive Heidi up to Azusa-Pacific for the orientation, then early Sunday morning they fly out to Heidelberg, Germany. She'll be there in the study-abroad program for 3 months.

I and my family appreciate everyone's prayers.  Please continue to remember us. My uncertain future is weighing on us a bit, but we are still relying on God's providence for all things. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Feeling better, still low energy

Monday we had to drive out to Moores Cancer Center to give two blood draws.  The first was the normal Complete Blood Count/Metabolic.  They wanted me to come back so they could get a draw to start the matching process. First they have to type my blood, etc.  then later if we go that route we'll be checking for donors. 

So I was pretty worn out after those 2 excursions, but I bounced back later in the afternoon after a short nap.  My energy levels were just about coming back to normal after recovering from the transplant and flu, now they are way down again. I will just need to calibrate my exertions and not over-do anything. Usually the first chemo after the lymphoma resurgence seems to be the toughest because your body is dealing not only with the effects of the chemo itself, but getting rid of the dead cancer cells as well.  I usually find subsequent courses not as tough as the first one.

It's still pretty much of a question mark as to what is next for me.  I'll have have another round of chemo in a few weeks (outpatient this time).  Then it's probably back to my Scripps oncologist to figure out the rest.  The transplant specialist at UCSD thinks another tranplant (with stem cells from someone else) will be the next thing.  I'm not so sure. One is the question if my insurance company will cover it, and two, if I've actually had enough time to recover from the first transplant.  The transplant is pretty grueling for the body, so we'll have to see what my oncologist's at both places decide or recommend.  I could probably continue on with occasional chemo, but I don't know if that's something they normally can do for lymphoma. We'll see.

I'm going to go back to work next week, Lord willing, so that will be nice to get back to something other than myself.  I'll probably work from home a lot and come into the office when I need to. 

I'm going to kick back today and just relax and nap.  Feel free to call or stop by (call first), I love the company.

Soli Del Gloria!

Back from the Hospital

They released me at 2:30 p.m. today. I was only supposed to be in overnight, but they were worried about my kidneys, so they kept me any extra day. I'm home now, feeling pretty weak, mostly pain free. The  chemotherapy cocktail they gave me this time is Gemcitabine Hydrochloride and Oxaliplatin.  It will take a day to two to flush it out of my system, the the usual side affects and some different ones to watch for.  I'll go in tomorrow for another blood test to check out my kidneys. 

It's great to be back home.  Thanks for all your prayers!!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Lymphoma is back

Hi,  just got off the phone with my UCSD oncologist. He said the PET/CT scan shows that the lymphoma has come back aggressively.  I’m checking into UCSD Thornton 3W for some chemotherapy at 1:30 today.  Won’t know my room number until I’m there. But I’ll have my cell phone with me.

 

Dr. Ball, the oncologist, said that down the line a little we will need to look at getting another type of BMT  (either gene- related, or stranger-unrelated).

 

In the meantime, thank you all for your prayers and support, they are much appreciated.

 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Doing well

I'm feeling pretty good these last few days, so I'm hoping to make it to church tomorrow.  We've finally got the pain-killer dialed in, so I'm feeling a lot more comfortable.  The congestion and cough has diminished greatly, so I feel it's safe to go out in public. I'm certain that the flu is long gone.

Next week we've got the PET/CT scan on Thursday. That should show us where I'm am with the cancer. We are hoping and praying of course for a good result.

If the diagnosis is correct, and my "protruding disk" is the cause of my back-pain and sciatica on the left side, then it will mean a referral to a specialist to see what can be done about it.  Debbie has sciatica too, so maybe they'll give us the "gimpy family" rate!!

Regardless, I will be ending my medical leave and going back to work September 1. Even if the pain is still ongoing from the messed up disk, I'll be able to manage it with the meds and work effectively.  I'll probably work from home a few times a week, and maybe try to carpool with someone. I'm looking forward to getting back into "the world" and having something to focus on besides myself!!  My energy levels and strength still have a way to go, but that's typical for BMT patients. It can take 6 months to a year to get back to normal.

Thanks to our friends and family for your continual prayers and encouragement.  Heidi is getting ready to go to Heidelberg next Friday, and Andrew starts college this week. We are all very excited for the future and praise the Lord for his provision for our family. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

"Better" news

Well, we know now what has been giving me a lot of back and hip pain the last 2 or 3 weeks.  The MRI I had Friday shows a "protruding disk, between 3rd and 4th lumbar" in my spine.  It's nice to know that it's not the cancer, but something more mechanical.  Still hurts like heck, but knowing why is a great comfort.

The struggle we now have, and have had the last week, is getting the right pain-killer so I don't go over 2000 mcg of acetaminphine (tylenol) in a day.  This is because of the Warfarin I'm taking for the blood clot, the tylenol affects the INR.  Normally 4000 mcg of tylenol is fine, and the vicodin and darvocet take care of most pain. But, trying to cut back on dosage, leaves me with more pain.  The doctor has prescribed Norco, and supposedly it only has 325 mcg. of tylenol in it, which should make the dosing easier to figure out.

Even my cough is finally starting to fade away, the zithromycin is doing it's magic!!

Praise the Lord for the good news!!  Please keep those prayers coming. While figuring out the pain-killer dosage, sometimes I can really tell that only thing helping me endure the pain is the Holy Spirit's constant presence.

Soli Deo Gloria!!