Well, today is Thursday, December 19/07…. My last radiation treatment was on Monday, December 3/07. My radiation specialist Dr. Larrson, has unofficially given me a clean bill of health on my Merkel Cell Skin Cancer. I will see him on January 4/08, when he will hopefully make this official. I will then be able to wear the pin that says “CANCER SURVIOUR”. Yay!! That is great news!
Here’s the latest news... My bone marrow is not doing its full job and the oral chemo treatment I was taking, “Fludarabine”, didn’t work successfully. So, to fight back, I am now on an IV chemotherapy (for you technical people) called Cyclophosphamide. It’s far more aggressive chemo treatment so, unfortunately, I might loose my hair… yes, yes, whatever I have left…. (LOL)… so it will be correct for you to say “soon Yul look like Kojak” (LOL). My goatee is thinning but it’s still there - some of you have never seen my face without a goatee or mustache. Yep, get your cameras ready, because it’ll be your “2nd chance” to catch a glimpse of my face…. That is, your first and last chance!! (LOL). Even Ann hasn’t seen my face naked, for so long.
My two daughters, Julie and Sandra, have come home for Christmas. They’ve been cooking/baking a storm. I musta’ put on some 5lbs!
Hopefully… my last Chemo Treatment is scheduled for December 24/07. Yep, Santa didn’t forget me(LOL)…
My White Blood cells are continually dropping and I have to do a “self-injection” (actually, Ann does this for me) of Neupogen, a drug that brings my white blood back up to normal levels. Without this drug, my immune system drops far below a safe level.
I still have many doctor appointments, blood tests (3 x a week), daily pills, etc. to deal with but it’s all a manageable routine.
The bottom line is that through all this, I still feel very good. The Chemo (and Prednisone) makes my finger tips tingle and I occasionally get cramps in my hands and feet. The cramping is not the greatest for my close up magic, but I deal with it… You try hiding a card or coin in your hand for one minute, and you’ll know what I mean…
The way I see it, I figure I’m about 2/3 of the way through these health problems and the outlook is very positive and promising.
I’ve been practicing my magic and playing my guitar which keeps me occupied; I’ve also used the time at home to putt in my workshop, to play on my lathes and to work on other various projects. Though I haven’t been fly fishing lately… I plan to in the new year. I’m also planning to re-join the YMCA in February 2008.
I’d like to take this time to thank everyone for their continued support. Your emails, phone calls, cards, thoughts and prayers have really lifted my spirits and taken a huge weight off my shoulders.
From my family (Ann, Julie & Suley, Sandra & Ted) to yours…..
Our Christmas wish is for EVERYONE to have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Here’s the latest news... My bone marrow is not doing its full job and the oral chemo treatment I was taking, “Fludarabine”, didn’t work successfully. So, to fight back, I am now on an IV chemotherapy (for you technical people) called Cyclophosphamide. It’s far more aggressive chemo treatment so, unfortunately, I might loose my hair… yes, yes, whatever I have left…. (LOL)… so it will be correct for you to say “soon Yul look like Kojak” (LOL). My goatee is thinning but it’s still there - some of you have never seen my face without a goatee or mustache. Yep, get your cameras ready, because it’ll be your “2nd chance” to catch a glimpse of my face…. That is, your first and last chance!! (LOL). Even Ann hasn’t seen my face naked, for so long.
My two daughters, Julie and Sandra, have come home for Christmas. They’ve been cooking/baking a storm. I musta’ put on some 5lbs!
Hopefully… my last Chemo Treatment is scheduled for December 24/07. Yep, Santa didn’t forget me(LOL)…
My White Blood cells are continually dropping and I have to do a “self-injection” (actually, Ann does this for me) of Neupogen, a drug that brings my white blood back up to normal levels. Without this drug, my immune system drops far below a safe level.
I still have many doctor appointments, blood tests (3 x a week), daily pills, etc. to deal with but it’s all a manageable routine.
The bottom line is that through all this, I still feel very good. The Chemo (and Prednisone) makes my finger tips tingle and I occasionally get cramps in my hands and feet. The cramping is not the greatest for my close up magic, but I deal with it… You try hiding a card or coin in your hand for one minute, and you’ll know what I mean…
The way I see it, I figure I’m about 2/3 of the way through these health problems and the outlook is very positive and promising.
I’ve been practicing my magic and playing my guitar which keeps me occupied; I’ve also used the time at home to putt in my workshop, to play on my lathes and to work on other various projects. Though I haven’t been fly fishing lately… I plan to in the new year. I’m also planning to re-join the YMCA in February 2008.
I’d like to take this time to thank everyone for their continued support. Your emails, phone calls, cards, thoughts and prayers have really lifted my spirits and taken a huge weight off my shoulders.
From my family (Ann, Julie & Suley, Sandra & Ted) to yours…..
Our Christmas wish is for EVERYONE to have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
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