ON THE MEND ...

January 10/08 - I feel I’m slowly on the mend. Ann and I have been going “out” a little more often. Yesterday, we attended Murray Hatfield’s Magic ‘n Miracles at the Royal Theatre (terrific show). This afternoon, we went for “tea” at the home of Jim & Galina Lewis (fly fishing buddy). I’m feeling good…

January 11/08 – Ann and I went to Glenwarren Lodge (Seniors Home) to perform a 30 minute magic show for the residents. No cramps and not tired…

January 14/08 – The doctor has started to “cut back” on my medicine. e.g. My Prednisone was originally at 50mg and now it’s been cut down to 5mg. Also had a chemo treatment today.

January 18/08 – We went for “tea” at the home of Case & Doris Emke. Case (retired baker) made his famous Cinnamon Buns. They were deliciously awesome. I’m the President of our Good Sam Victoria Wanderers and the Emkes are members of the same Chapter. I did have a rest before heading out for this visit …. Didn’t feel tired all…

January 19/08 – I was feeling very good and Ann & I built a “feature wall” made of knotty cedar in our laundry room, downstairs in our basement. We cut, nailed and oiled the wall (7’ x7’). Looks great!

January 21/08 – Ann and I drove to Whistler, BC. I performed a close up show for a group of Financial Planners (Western theme – Rawhide & Rhinestones). We stayed at the Fairmont Whistler Chateau. I was feeling good but my nurse phoned long distance and said my white blood count was very low and not to rush back for my Chemo Treatment, as it had been postponed. I was a little disappointed as I wanted to keep a steady continuation on my treatments…

January 25/08 – I finally found my dream ¾ size guitar through “Used Victoria”… it’s called a “Baby Taylor” guitar. It’s perfect for traveling. I was very happy… made me feel really good…

January 26/08 – Mike & Nicole Norden came from Vancouver (President of the Vancouver Magic Circle) to stay with us for the weekend. We attended the Victoria Magic Circle’s annual Dinner/show, at the Edelweiss Hall. I even performed close up magic at this event. Again, I rested up before going out. I wasn’t tired at all.

January 26/08 – Mike Norden and I attended a magic lecture given by John Kaplan at the Langford Fire Hall. To our surprise, after the lecture, we had a snow fall of 4-5 inches. Ann was working, so I cooked supper for the Nordens and myself… again, I didn’t feel tired or sleepy…

January 28/08 – I went in for my tri-weekly blood tests. Again, my white blood count was low. At that time, my white blood count somehow dropped down to 2.5, which is extremely and dangerously low (average is 4-10). My medical team goes crazy when I’m NOT in the “average”. Ann had to give me a shot of Neupogen, a drug which brings my white blood cells up.

January 30/08 – Again, I went in for the tri-weekly blood tests. I had an 11:40am appointment with Dr. Yee (My Hematogist). Later, I had a 2:00pm Chemo appointment. After two sessions with Neupogen. This drug brought my white blood count up to 9.0 (again, average is 4-10). Nurse Ann Eng does it again. She’s the one who punctures my arm to administer this medication. Everything went very well with the chemo session. Doctor Yee put me back on 100mg of Prednisone (which periodically makes my hands and feet cramp up). Apparently, I need this drug on these “double whammy” chemo sessions… part of the over all treatment. Other than the cramps, I feel great…

January 31/08 – I had another Chemo session at 9:30am (2nd part of the “double whammy”). Neighbour Fred Allen dropped me off at Cancer Clinic. This is the “long Chemo treatment” following up session from yesterday. I brought down some books and 4 DVDs to watch during the treatment to amuse myself. The reason for the “long day is so that the medical team can monitor how I react to these medications (Vincristin aka Oncovin; Cyclophosphamide; Prednisone and Rituximab aka Rituxan). Sometimes, these drugs may cause the patients to become nauseous, get fatigue and/or sleepy, itchy, fever, hair loss or break out with hives. Ann picked me up after the treatments, to bring me home. Other than the fact it was a long session (6 hours)… so far, I’m feeling good… no side effects what-so-ever.

The bottom line is that I’m ON THE MEND!

HEALTH IMPROVING ...

Well, today is Thursday, January 10/08….

My radiation specialist Dr. Larrson, finally gave me a clean bill of health on my Merkel Cell Skin Cancer. I saw him on January 4/08, when he made this synopsis official. I can now wear that pin proudly that says “CANCER SURVIOUR”. Yay!

I went into the hospital 3 days prior to Christmas Eve for a Pre-chemo "check up".... Dr. Margaret Smith (Oncologist) ended up hospitalizing me for those 3 days (due to a "fever"... and I was only 2-3 degrees over normal and they really jumped on me, for this). They did let me go home to enjoy Christmas with my family.... My two “little girls” came home for a month. It's been GREAT having Julie and Sandra, visit. They’ve both since gone home…

I thought my last chemo was going to be on Christmas eve BUT they ended up doing this treatment on New years eve, instead. This Leukemia situation is still in its "beginning stages"... My medical team is just starting to get aggressive with my chemo treatments.

Now, I will be doing Chemo sessions for 5 weeks (every Monday) for January 2008. Then in February 2008, they will increase my dosage but slow down the time frame... only ONCE, every three weeks, thereafter, but spread over 24 weeks. This will take me into the summer (groan….)

I will be glad when these Chemo sessions are through. Right now, I’m taking a drug called Prednisone. They call it the "wonder drug" but it gives me cramps in my hands, especially when I'm tired. I'm GREAT from about 8:00am until about 3:00pm. Then, I must take a nap otherwise, in the early evening, I get these cramps (at least this is what I tell Ann, LOL). When I'm able to catch a "few winks" in the afternoon, I'm good for the rest of the night.

re: YMCA

I was really hoping to enter the Y Open racquetball (my partner Steve Hendry and I are the defending “B” Open champions) at the end of February 2008, but that's not going to happen...

Right now, I'm feeling fine. I was very ambitious, the other day. I helped take down the Christmas Tree; lights around the windows, etc; even vacuumed the front room; made lunch; did two loads of laundry. Then I took Ann to work and went to the Golf Range to knock a couple bucket of balls. Later, went home for a nap...

Saturday, January 5/08, Ann and I treated the girls to the Blethering Place for supper... we stayed for the Brit comedy show with the "two characters" (Eric & Mike). We had lots of fun and laughs.

Sometimes with my daily scheduling, I get choices “back to back”… as an example, I had to choose between attending a magic meeting; a Fly Fishing meeting or to Murray Hatfield’s Illusion Show. My choice this time was going to the Royal Theatre to enjoy Murray’s show. I can’t do everything as I’ve done in the past. With my White Blood count so low, I have to be very selective with my public outings ... but I will slowly get back into the swing of things...

The way I see it, I figure I’m about 5/8 of the way through these health issues and the outlook is still very positive and promising.

Julie, Sandra and especially Ann, have been very supportive with me through this whole ordeal. I certainly realize the importance of having loved ones being around to care and look after me… and just being there…

I really appreciate every ones concern with my health. I’d like to take this time to thank everybody 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.