THE UPDATE My counts were good this morning, so they hooked me right up to the centrifuge!  A pint of my blood (at a time) is in this machine being spun at just the right speed to extract those extremely useful little stem cells that will be used to reboot blood and immune cell production in […]

THE UPDATE I think I usually wait to report good news.  It’s not exactly the plan, but when I’m feeling really bad I am not really able to write…then when I feel good enough to write things are better.  Well, let’s keep this realistic…I am doing the cancer thing. Just when things were going so […]

THE UPDATE Recovery Day 5, R-ICE Chemo Cycle #3: I’ve been through 9 chemo cycles now, and it is still surprising…how lifeless you can feel during the chemo and  then how life just comes back to you a few days later.  I’m feeling much better…and probably a couple of days ahead of where I “turned […]

THE UPDATE: The Road to Transplant I’m all checked into room 2144 at Chateau Robles for my last R-ICE chemo in prep for transplant at City of Hope.  It’s been great having my sister visiting/helping for a few days.  I should be home by [late] dinnertime tomorrow.  What happens from here: 7-10 days of recovery […]

THE UPDATE COH “Big Test Day”: we spent the whole day in Duarte getting tested (well, that was just me…but Tracey was there with me the whole time!) to make sure I’m ready for the transplant.  Looks like I passed…respiratory, cardiac, kidney, and all other systems ready to be stressed.  Marrow clear of Lymphoma.  And […]

THE UPDATE The results of my PET scan from yesterday: the cancer is responding well to the chemo…the bad guys are nearly all gone and the retreat is fully underway!  That means that I’ll be very busy being tortured (for a good reason) for the next 8 weeks.  This is very good, since if the […]

Today’s a big Update day, so pardon the lack of balance.  And I’m also on new pain meds for the leg…they’re working better than anything has so far (sleep!), but they are making me a little loopy, so forgive typos or any reduction in clarity! THE UPDATE R-ICE (chemo) cycle #2 complete.  Went OK – […]

THE UPDATE Here goes cycle #2 of my R-ICE chemo (yes, a little ahead of The Schedule posted last time): Tues: outpatient drip at Dr. Meyering’s office for 3 hours or so Weds-Thurs: at Los Robles for the nasty stuff…hopefully out by dinnertime on Thursday We’ll be heading to City of Hope Friday for a consultation […]

THE UPDATE (status & plan) Status: Feeling a bit better each day out of chemo…probably feeling better today than I have in weeks – just a bit tired (not having blood cells can do that to you!).  Plan: Met with our Round 2 lead at UCLA yesterday.  No big surprises, but here is a summary […]

Starting with this post, I’ll try to provide a little variety by dividing things into sections: The Update: how do I feel?  Uh…not so interesting, just the way it is, but some of you ask and this’ll be a good place to let everyone know. The Musing: random musings on the state of my mutant […]

Round 1 complete…on my way home.  Thanks for all the visits, deliveries and calls to make it all pass quicker.  My immune system is now on its way down, so just a reminder to avoid me if you’re at all sick and to do the sanitizer-thingy when you come by.  OK, more later…I’m outa here!

Just a quick note while we digest the situation.  Preliminary biopsy result confirms lymphoma as expected.  Generally prescribed course from here includes chemo, radiation, spinal treatment and autologous stem cell transplant as outlined in last post.  First round of chemo starting tonight.  The other parts of the regimen and overall coordination will be led by […]