Milestones

Good Evening all:

The kids are in bed and I figured I'd take a few minutes to let those who are still keeping up with me know what has happened over the past week and what lies just ahead . . .

I learned on Tuesday that my bone marrow biopsy and the PET scan came back absolutely clean. In the words of one doctor I am now considered to be "clinically cancer-free". Note that I have not been told that I am in remission. I believe this will only happen following the the two years of maintenance therapy where I will take a daily dose of oral chemotherapy. In any event it feels good to have confirmation that the therapy that has taken the majority of a year to complete has done the job it was intended to do.

Additionally, this week I met with the radiation oncologist to discuss the potential therapy as a follow-up to my chemotherapy. The radiation therapy would center on my mediastinum (read: chest) in an effort to try and prevent a relapse in that region. After my meeting with the doctor and talking it over with Marla we have decided to undergo the radiation therapy. The benefits are obvious but there are drawbacks in the form of possible cancers stemming from the treatment that could arise 10-15 years down the road.

Finally, I am poised on the brink of a physical improvement to the quality of life. Tomorrow morning I will go 'under the knife' to get my hickman catheter out. Once that happens the physical limitations that I have been operating under for 7 months will be over--I can lift heavy objects, not worry about repetitive motions, go swimming, and take a normal shower. Marla, of course, is thrilled to not have to play nurse any longer. All this time the catheter has required a daily flushing and weekly dressing changes--all of which Marla has done will patience and acquired skill. But just as my trips to Hopkins became a chore so did these tasks. Marla is ready to retire from nursing and I'm eager to no longer be her patient.

In fairly short order things are returning to normal and the quality of life is returning as well. It feels very good to have finally gotten to this point. Thank you to everyone for your support, thoughts, and prayers.

--Russ.