Well.... Its been quite a long time since I posted and a lot has happened since that time. I can't believe that it's been almost 2 yrs. I said at the beginning that I would keep everyone up to date as required, so here goes.
I am currently in remission from this beast and have been since Aug 2014. I am doing very well, very healthy, gained back some weight and generally feeling good. In July/Aug of 2014 I was given a autolongus stem cell transplant that came with an extended stay at KGH. I am happy to say the we got through it with only some minor problems. There was some recovery time afterward for about 3 months.
This was a tough time for our family, I was mending and not feeling the best, Vic was taking the reigns and taking the slack around the house and, well, Rae was her normal 9 yr old self. We all weathered the storm, and by Dec 2014 I was getting back to my old self.
For the next year, I continued to improve and get stronger while being a maintenance treatment of chemo every 3 months. Only 2 left yippee.
In Jan 2016 I returned to work for the first time in two years. I enjoyed my time off, doing chores, running errands and home improvements but I believe it was a good decision to return to work. I have also returned to my duties as a part-time firefighterIt was Cancer that had the upper hand that made me stop working and now it's me that has fought the Cancer and put it at bay. Quite fitting that everything has of come full circle and I can now say that I have the upper hand.
The last two year
Friday, March 30, 2018
Friday, February 5, 2016
Long coming update
This morninig I logged into Facebook and lo and behold I had a memory to look back on. It tells me that two yrs ago today, I posted my first blog entry after my cancer diagnosis. After not posting for quite some time I thought this would be a great opportunity to post on the happenings and progress over the last 18 months.
I am currently in full remission.
After my last post of May 2014, I was scheduled and took part in a Stem Cell transplant procedure. There are two types...AUTO where they harvest your own stem cells from your blood and a ALLO where they get stem cells from a doner match. I was given the AUTO. The theory and hope being that after killing all the cancer new stem cells will rebuild your immune system which will continue the fight.
I spent approx 3weeks in hospital in July- Aug 2014. It was an often grueling procedure with many down days. There were also good days such as when Bill showed up with a pizza. After hospital food or not eating anything that pizz was a piece of heaven, ate like it was the last one one earth. I paid for this the next day but what a freakin pizza. Thanks. The procedure, overall, zaps any energy and good you have in you. After returning home the several months were spent gaining strength and normal function to get on with living.
With only a couple of minor setbacks everything progressed fairly quickly and my oncologist gave me the news that I was in remission. We were ecstatic. To make sure I asked for a paper copy of the oncologist report stating I was in remission, nothing beats seeing it in black and white.
Through all of this I couldn't ask for more support. My wife was there when ever I needed her, she single handedly ran the home, took care of Rachel worked and took care of me. Just like Dr. Suess says.........."the strength of 10 grinches plus two."
I stated in one of my posts that my daughter was a trooper through it all and the biggest complaint was I couldn't go play in the pool with her because of my PICC. Well, the minute I was able to get that "pain in the ass" taken out, I joined her and she was one happy kid. Unfortunately it was late in the season and pool time was very limited. Nonetheless she was very happy and so was I.
My comrades at Kingston East Volunteer Firefighters Association took care of the lawns around our place. No small job living in the country. Thank you Sean and Tanner and Association. Not having to worry about this was a lifesaver for Vic and myself.
Over the susequent months, my strengh slowly returned to pre transplant normal and I was able to do some home maint like painting, run errands and be productive. Our summer was back to normal as well with pool and camping and real sunshine.....not through a window.
In Jan 2016, I returned to work on a full time basis. In my eyes, while I certainly enjoyed not working, it was a fitting step in the jouney. I quit work because cancer caught me. I returned to work because for now I am in control and have won the first battle. Things have come full circle.
I have been in remission for approx 18 months, but certainly I look forward to many more years, but take nothing for granted in this fight.
I am currently in full remission.
After my last post of May 2014, I was scheduled and took part in a Stem Cell transplant procedure. There are two types...AUTO where they harvest your own stem cells from your blood and a ALLO where they get stem cells from a doner match. I was given the AUTO. The theory and hope being that after killing all the cancer new stem cells will rebuild your immune system which will continue the fight.
I spent approx 3weeks in hospital in July- Aug 2014. It was an often grueling procedure with many down days. There were also good days such as when Bill showed up with a pizza. After hospital food or not eating anything that pizz was a piece of heaven, ate like it was the last one one earth. I paid for this the next day but what a freakin pizza. Thanks. The procedure, overall, zaps any energy and good you have in you. After returning home the several months were spent gaining strength and normal function to get on with living.
With only a couple of minor setbacks everything progressed fairly quickly and my oncologist gave me the news that I was in remission. We were ecstatic. To make sure I asked for a paper copy of the oncologist report stating I was in remission, nothing beats seeing it in black and white.
Through all of this I couldn't ask for more support. My wife was there when ever I needed her, she single handedly ran the home, took care of Rachel worked and took care of me. Just like Dr. Suess says.........."the strength of 10 grinches plus two."
I stated in one of my posts that my daughter was a trooper through it all and the biggest complaint was I couldn't go play in the pool with her because of my PICC. Well, the minute I was able to get that "pain in the ass" taken out, I joined her and she was one happy kid. Unfortunately it was late in the season and pool time was very limited. Nonetheless she was very happy and so was I.
My comrades at Kingston East Volunteer Firefighters Association took care of the lawns around our place. No small job living in the country. Thank you Sean and Tanner and Association. Not having to worry about this was a lifesaver for Vic and myself.
Over the susequent months, my strengh slowly returned to pre transplant normal and I was able to do some home maint like painting, run errands and be productive. Our summer was back to normal as well with pool and camping and real sunshine.....not through a window.
In Jan 2016, I returned to work on a full time basis. In my eyes, while I certainly enjoyed not working, it was a fitting step in the jouney. I quit work because cancer caught me. I returned to work because for now I am in control and have won the first battle. Things have come full circle.
I have been in remission for approx 18 months, but certainly I look forward to many more years, but take nothing for granted in this fight.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
May 28, 2014 The End.
It's not what you may think from the title! This morning is the beginning of the end of my Chemoherapy treatments. This is treatment number 6 of 6. This is a big day, while the apprehension and anxious feelings are there, the same as the first time, it feels so good to reach this point. Sorry for not posting sooner.
We, as a family has weathered it with flying colors. My daughter Rachel has been an absolute trooper. she never questioned the rules as far as contact and not being able to do certain things are concerned. She take it all in stride, goes with it and sees the silver lining. As an example due to PIC line inserted in my arm I am unable to go in our pool ( something we both enjoyed with each other ). she went in herself and suggested I just sit on the side and put my legs in......she said " this will be like your in here with me." What a kid!!!!
Vicki has been my shoulder to lean on, my therapy and the thorn in my side (of course in a good way). In the beginning she would listen to me talk about my fears, and hopes, and be the shoulder to lean on. When not able to do things around the house, she would take over and get it done. Accompanying me to my treatments has been the best thing. Just having someone to talk to, someone to do the small things but most of all to be there and support. All this strength when I know that she is, on occasion, fighting her own emotions with MY disease. She is also the thorn by "reminding" me to do take care of myself, take my meds etc. Couldn't ask for a better thorn. Thank you for being there for me, thank you for being a shoulder to lean on and believe it or not thank you for being my thorn.
My friends and family have also been wonderful, offering well wishes and just plain questioning how things were going. The support is so greatly appreciated.
The staff at KGH have been incredible especially the nursing staff at the chemotherapy clinic. They are quite a group. The professionalism, and attentiveness show through all while being so friendly, upbeat and humorous, making the treatment regime as stress free and enjoyable for me and all their patients. Simply the best. They are a special breed.
While this is the end of my initial chemo therapy treatments, the next phase will prove to be more challenging. Within the next few weeks I will be prepping for a stem cell transplant procedure which will take place at Kingston General Hospital in July. After the procedure there will be recovery time, the length of which is tough to estimate. This time will be challenging, but with the support of our family and friends, and each other, wewill come out the other side.
This procedure, in a nutshell will mean harvesting my own stem cells, recieving a VERY high dose of Chemotherapy to kill any residual cancer cells and consequently kill my immune system. My own stem cells are then reinfused and begin to develop a new immune system and put the cancer in remission. To say I am looking forward to it would be a bigger lie than that told by Bill Clinton! It will be tough, but it is all necessary in the long run. After the initial consult there was some question on if I should go through with it. There were questions about risk .....and the risk of infection is real and could be serious.....the reward and the procedure itself. After some thought, reflection and conversation with previous patients, there was no question....I had to do it, I had to have this procedure to get better, to prolong survival, for me and for my family. In the words of the immortal Larry the Cable Guy (for those of you who know who this is).."let's git er done".
I will blog and keep everyone updated as much as possible in the future.
Onward and Upward
Thank you all for reading and following.
We, as a family has weathered it with flying colors. My daughter Rachel has been an absolute trooper. she never questioned the rules as far as contact and not being able to do certain things are concerned. She take it all in stride, goes with it and sees the silver lining. As an example due to PIC line inserted in my arm I am unable to go in our pool ( something we both enjoyed with each other ). she went in herself and suggested I just sit on the side and put my legs in......she said " this will be like your in here with me." What a kid!!!!
Vicki has been my shoulder to lean on, my therapy and the thorn in my side (of course in a good way). In the beginning she would listen to me talk about my fears, and hopes, and be the shoulder to lean on. When not able to do things around the house, she would take over and get it done. Accompanying me to my treatments has been the best thing. Just having someone to talk to, someone to do the small things but most of all to be there and support. All this strength when I know that she is, on occasion, fighting her own emotions with MY disease. She is also the thorn by "reminding" me to do take care of myself, take my meds etc. Couldn't ask for a better thorn. Thank you for being there for me, thank you for being a shoulder to lean on and believe it or not thank you for being my thorn.
My friends and family have also been wonderful, offering well wishes and just plain questioning how things were going. The support is so greatly appreciated.
The staff at KGH have been incredible especially the nursing staff at the chemotherapy clinic. They are quite a group. The professionalism, and attentiveness show through all while being so friendly, upbeat and humorous, making the treatment regime as stress free and enjoyable for me and all their patients. Simply the best. They are a special breed.
While this is the end of my initial chemo therapy treatments, the next phase will prove to be more challenging. Within the next few weeks I will be prepping for a stem cell transplant procedure which will take place at Kingston General Hospital in July. After the procedure there will be recovery time, the length of which is tough to estimate. This time will be challenging, but with the support of our family and friends, and each other, wewill come out the other side.
This procedure, in a nutshell will mean harvesting my own stem cells, recieving a VERY high dose of Chemotherapy to kill any residual cancer cells and consequently kill my immune system. My own stem cells are then reinfused and begin to develop a new immune system and put the cancer in remission. To say I am looking forward to it would be a bigger lie than that told by Bill Clinton! It will be tough, but it is all necessary in the long run. After the initial consult there was some question on if I should go through with it. There were questions about risk .....and the risk of infection is real and could be serious.....the reward and the procedure itself. After some thought, reflection and conversation with previous patients, there was no question....I had to do it, I had to have this procedure to get better, to prolong survival, for me and for my family. In the words of the immortal Larry the Cable Guy (for those of you who know who this is).."let's git er done".
I will blog and keep everyone updated as much as possible in the future.
Onward and Upward
Thank you all for reading and following.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Apr 4, 2014 UPDATE. Dance like nobody's watching!!
It's been a while since my last post, to bring you up-to-date we are past the halfway point and so far everything is going according to plan. Today is the second day of part 4 and only two more to go.
The results of a progress CT scan were very encouraging and described by my Dr. as an excellent response to the treatment regimen. It was good to hear this news to validate efforts so far of the medical team, my family team ,my friend team and of course myself. It's all worth it. There will be more trials and tribulations to come but we'll get through them.
When all of this started, it was of course a shock, its was scary, it brought so much uncertainty. You go to sleep thinking the worst, wake up thinking the worst, wondering why. What caused this and what could I have done different to prevent it......nothing. In my opinion nothing, we live our lives as we do, and they turn out how they turn out....FATE. I believe in FATE. To analogize, we all have a number painted on our back and when that number is drawn there is absolutely nothing we can do.
It is this idea that should make us see that it is so important to live our lives to the fullest everyday, always eat your chocolate cake first, dance like nobody is watching and sing like nobody is listening. Most will say I am not good at either but what do they know.
Think about this and try singing along with you music even though you might not be able to carry a note in a bucket, or dance even though you know you have the dance skills of a moose. You my be surprised how it feels and how life's outlook changes.
IF IT FEELS GOOD IN YOUR HEAD AND GOOD IN YOUR HEART DO IT!!!!!!!
The results of a progress CT scan were very encouraging and described by my Dr. as an excellent response to the treatment regimen. It was good to hear this news to validate efforts so far of the medical team, my family team ,my friend team and of course myself. It's all worth it. There will be more trials and tribulations to come but we'll get through them.
When all of this started, it was of course a shock, its was scary, it brought so much uncertainty. You go to sleep thinking the worst, wake up thinking the worst, wondering why. What caused this and what could I have done different to prevent it......nothing. In my opinion nothing, we live our lives as we do, and they turn out how they turn out....FATE. I believe in FATE. To analogize, we all have a number painted on our back and when that number is drawn there is absolutely nothing we can do.
It is this idea that should make us see that it is so important to live our lives to the fullest everyday, always eat your chocolate cake first, dance like nobody is watching and sing like nobody is listening. Most will say I am not good at either but what do they know.
Think about this and try singing along with you music even though you might not be able to carry a note in a bucket, or dance even though you know you have the dance skills of a moose. You my be surprised how it feels and how life's outlook changes.
IF IT FEELS GOOD IN YOUR HEAD AND GOOD IN YOUR HEART DO IT!!!!!!!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
February 7, 2013, Second Round
Second day of a 2 day regime. Yesterday was fairly uneventful. Almost exactly 4 hours in duration...as scheduled. Felt very good for the remainder of the day. Slightly fatigued but nothing to be concerned about. Now the night was a different story. In keeping with tradition there was no sleep to be had (at least very minimal) this night, at least very minimal. This was the same thing after the first treatment. Was this the Chemo? Was it stress. Who knows.
The no sleep problem has been resolved. It is caused by a pre treatment medication. apparently gets the body revved up, and it takes some time to come back down. Could be the same thing tonight. All I can say is that the Home Shopping Network is on 24 hrs.......hide the credit card. LOL
DING DING DING : End of Round 2. Everyone back to their corners.
The no sleep problem has been resolved. It is caused by a pre treatment medication. apparently gets the body revved up, and it takes some time to come back down. Could be the same thing tonight. All I can say is that the Home Shopping Network is on 24 hrs.......hide the credit card. LOL
DING DING DING : End of Round 2. Everyone back to their corners.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Feb 5, 2013 Take what we get!
In a pre chemo therapy appointment today, there was some good news. Now when I say good news, it was information from the doctor and it wasn't bad news. Through an exam he was unable to detect a lymph node that was enlarged and noted during my very first exam. Not spectacular......but we'll take it and run.
Chemo round 2 tomorrow. Hopefully the days after are as relatively uneventful as the first. Would it be believable to say that I'm kind of looking forward to it? Well, in a strange way I am. It's another step in the journey, another step in getting well, and living life everyday.
Again I will have a spectacular partner by my side. Since day one we have always said we are in this together and we have.
Thanks to everyone for your messages and well wishes.
Remember life is short so eat your chocolate cake first............anonymous
Chemo round 2 tomorrow. Hopefully the days after are as relatively uneventful as the first. Would it be believable to say that I'm kind of looking forward to it? Well, in a strange way I am. It's another step in the journey, another step in getting well, and living life everyday.
Again I will have a spectacular partner by my side. Since day one we have always said we are in this together and we have.
Thanks to everyone for your messages and well wishes.
Remember life is short so eat your chocolate cake first............anonymous
Sunday, January 26, 2014
January 24, 2014
Well the decision has been made after a lot of thought and conversation. Today is my last day of work for at least 4 months. With the support of my great family and my work I decided the time was perfect for me to take the time off. It's going to be a strange transition. For 30 years I have been getting up every morning and going to work..not now. This will not be like a 2 week holiday. Now the only thing I have to do is keep the "honey do" list from getting out of control. This transition marks the beginning of another section in this new life we lead.
Throughout the last few weeks it has become quite apparent that not only have our lives changed but the outlook in general has changed. The little things don't seem so large...most daily chores we have no control over so don't even try. Don't sweat the small stuff....its all small stuff.
Well the decision has been made after a lot of thought and conversation. Today is my last day of work for at least 4 months. With the support of my great family and my work I decided the time was perfect for me to take the time off. It's going to be a strange transition. For 30 years I have been getting up every morning and going to work..not now. This will not be like a 2 week holiday. Now the only thing I have to do is keep the "honey do" list from getting out of control. This transition marks the beginning of another section in this new life we lead.
Throughout the last few weeks it has become quite apparent that not only have our lives changed but the outlook in general has changed. The little things don't seem so large...most daily chores we have no control over so don't even try. Don't sweat the small stuff....its all small stuff.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)