For those of you who have been following my progress and all, I finally have the news you (and I) have been waiting for.
I went to the doctors' on Tues. March 4 for my assumably final check-up (while on chemo). After searching through my files, he just turned, smiled, and said, "Um... yeah. You're done. All finished. No more Leukemia in your system."
Since getting cancer around July 2005, and beating it in 30 days at that time (after having only two days left when they got the tests done)... I am completely finished with all my maintenance chemo. No more shots or pills. All done. Woo hoo!
BUT... I was reminded that I cannot use the word "cured" yet. They usually have a 5 year waiting out period before they feel sure enough that everything is safe. So for now, I have 2 1/2 years left where I will be monitored on occasion just to make sure everything is still good. But as of my last molecular blood test (and all the previous tests), I show NO signs at all of any Leukemia in my system.
As a reminder... I have (had) one of the rarest and deadliest forms of cancer, but it also happened to have the highest cure rate (if caught in time). So right now I am at at least 85 - 90% sure. Can't get better odds than that.
So? Where's the party? Where's the cake? hehehe...
Now I can finally get back to doing some travels.
:)
To note: During the hour while I waited for my doc appointment, I was musing about my last blood test. That's when a new script idea flooded my head. I began writing furiously for a new vampire concept - of one being "addicted" to blood, while being a "social vampire." Inspirations lie everywhere, but this one wouldn't stop. I had the complete idea and a good portion of dialogue completed in that one hour.
Showing posts with label chemo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chemo. Show all posts
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Saturday, December 3, 2005
Swimming in a pee of green-blue... Leukemia update for Dec.
Hello one and all...
To some whom I have talked with quite a bit, I may seem to have disappeared for a bit. True. I had just been doing 5 days straight of a new chemo (for me), which I just finished yesterday.
For those of you taking notes and doing research - it's Mitoxantrone. And it was nice to find out AFTER I just finished it, that this was by far the most intense in the series of chemos I had done. So... I had been feeling not quite ill, but more in a flustered state of mind where I didn't really want to have any conversations that required putting too many sentences together. And as most of you know, me not being able to communicate is truly frustrating.
But that's all done with, and I thought I'd put up a blog to fill you in with the - always adventurous - new news. For one... amongst the side-effects, I only had a bit of a headache and very subtle nauseated feeling. I found that ginger works pretty good and dealing with that.
Then... I had a very neat party trick. About an hour after each chemo shot... I would pee a green-blue. That was fun.
The first time was the freakiest. I had already been warned, but forgot. So... I got out of the hospital and went straight to the Whole Foods Market to shop. While there, I had to pee (in the bathroom, not the store). I casually glance down and "WHAT?!" It was an odd mixed color of green and blue. Certainly not the yellow that we all take for granted. My mind began thinking frantically about if I had eaten some really bad vegetables earlier in the day.
But upon remembering the effects notes, I quickly resumed my normal day. HA!! Yeah, try it. It's fun.
OK... so yesterday was Friday, Dec. 2.
Right before going to the hospital, I remembered that Trans-Siberian Orchestra was playing in town. I had to go. Their show is amazing, and it was seated, so I wouldn't have to worry about overly exerting. So, promptly after receiving my final dose of major chemo, off I went straight to the concert. Amazing how loud music removes all nausea and fatigue. hehehe... Good stuff.
I ran into friends I hadn't seen in at least 10 - 15 years, met with the band, and home I went. And now, I feel "ugh!" Not too bad, but I could choose to feel a bit more... "peppy". Of course, at 3 am, I might just be tired. Hmm... there's a thought.
I had mentioned to the nurse at the hospital that I can see how others might feel bad and that I'm lucky to not feel that way. But she gave me more of an assurance that it really is myself to thank for my relative well-being, as I am always "up" all the time. Always busy, always pretty cheery, and just plain don't have time to mope about silly crap like... well, cancer.
A nurses’ assistant laughed the previous day and had said, that she couldn't see me dying... ever! Ah well, I guess I'll keep my attitude. it seems to work, and inspires others to stop whining. Thank God! hehehe...
And with that, I bid you adieu, as I head to bed. Ciao 2 all, Phillippe :)
PS... for those new friends out there who don't know what's fully going on... I reccomend reading my earlier blogs, going back to the beginning of August. Fun stuff. Yes, I'm still planning on writing a book about it all. PSS... Oh yeah, and for anyone who is sick and getting treated, I might mention that after 5 days of getting chemo IVs, OUCH!! My arm has it's spots of dull, throbbing pains from where they stuck me. Trust me, they missed more than a couple of times and had to "re-do" a few times. Grrr... but, grin and bear it. Gotta do what you gotta do.
To some whom I have talked with quite a bit, I may seem to have disappeared for a bit. True. I had just been doing 5 days straight of a new chemo (for me), which I just finished yesterday.
For those of you taking notes and doing research - it's Mitoxantrone. And it was nice to find out AFTER I just finished it, that this was by far the most intense in the series of chemos I had done. So... I had been feeling not quite ill, but more in a flustered state of mind where I didn't really want to have any conversations that required putting too many sentences together. And as most of you know, me not being able to communicate is truly frustrating.
But that's all done with, and I thought I'd put up a blog to fill you in with the - always adventurous - new news. For one... amongst the side-effects, I only had a bit of a headache and very subtle nauseated feeling. I found that ginger works pretty good and dealing with that.
Then... I had a very neat party trick. About an hour after each chemo shot... I would pee a green-blue. That was fun.
The first time was the freakiest. I had already been warned, but forgot. So... I got out of the hospital and went straight to the Whole Foods Market to shop. While there, I had to pee (in the bathroom, not the store). I casually glance down and "WHAT?!" It was an odd mixed color of green and blue. Certainly not the yellow that we all take for granted. My mind began thinking frantically about if I had eaten some really bad vegetables earlier in the day.
But upon remembering the effects notes, I quickly resumed my normal day. HA!! Yeah, try it. It's fun.
OK... so yesterday was Friday, Dec. 2.
Right before going to the hospital, I remembered that Trans-Siberian Orchestra was playing in town. I had to go. Their show is amazing, and it was seated, so I wouldn't have to worry about overly exerting. So, promptly after receiving my final dose of major chemo, off I went straight to the concert. Amazing how loud music removes all nausea and fatigue. hehehe... Good stuff.
I ran into friends I hadn't seen in at least 10 - 15 years, met with the band, and home I went. And now, I feel "ugh!" Not too bad, but I could choose to feel a bit more... "peppy". Of course, at 3 am, I might just be tired. Hmm... there's a thought.
I had mentioned to the nurse at the hospital that I can see how others might feel bad and that I'm lucky to not feel that way. But she gave me more of an assurance that it really is myself to thank for my relative well-being, as I am always "up" all the time. Always busy, always pretty cheery, and just plain don't have time to mope about silly crap like... well, cancer.
A nurses’ assistant laughed the previous day and had said, that she couldn't see me dying... ever! Ah well, I guess I'll keep my attitude. it seems to work, and inspires others to stop whining. Thank God! hehehe...
And with that, I bid you adieu, as I head to bed. Ciao 2 all, Phillippe :)
PS... for those new friends out there who don't know what's fully going on... I reccomend reading my earlier blogs, going back to the beginning of August. Fun stuff. Yes, I'm still planning on writing a book about it all. PSS... Oh yeah, and for anyone who is sick and getting treated, I might mention that after 5 days of getting chemo IVs, OUCH!! My arm has it's spots of dull, throbbing pains from where they stuck me. Trust me, they missed more than a couple of times and had to "re-do" a few times. Grrr... but, grin and bear it. Gotta do what you gotta do.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
It's official... I'm in remission, Leukemia-free
Alrighty kiddies... the news many of you have been waiting to hear. I had written to a few of you to fill you in on the bone marrow biopsy test results, but now can share the news with everyone.
According to the Stanford labs, they could not even find any sign of my ever even having had cancer at all, and no signs of having taken chemo. Now I'm considered "not human", as they expected me to feel horrible and be laying around.
No way. I've been out and about since a couple of days out of the hospital. (And for those of you who are new to what I'm talking about... read my earlier blogs. I had gotten one of the rarest, deadliest forms of Leukemia in July, and beat it in about 60 days.)
So, I finally saw my oncologists on the 19th and was given the clear bill of health. I am now officially in remission. And that was from just one chemo treatment (of four separate shots) while I was locked in the hospital room for the month of August.
Apparently that is not the norm (although some people do do as well), and now I can actually say that I have the 90% chance of being completely cured with no relapses. Now it's just down to two more chemo shots in the next few weeks (starting this Monday), and then those fun ATRA (All-Trains Retinoic Acid, a Retin-A derivative) pills for one year.
I should be fully back in action by around December. Good deal. I'm going to be locked down for the next 2 - 4 weeks (for the most part), so I'll be online and answering my phone more often for whomever wanted to chat or get a hold of me. I will be a captive audience, and not pull my disappearing acts. Anyway... just wanted to let everyone know. Miracle Boy beats Leukemia.
Woo hoo! Thanks again, as always, for everyone's support.
According to the Stanford labs, they could not even find any sign of my ever even having had cancer at all, and no signs of having taken chemo. Now I'm considered "not human", as they expected me to feel horrible and be laying around.
No way. I've been out and about since a couple of days out of the hospital. (And for those of you who are new to what I'm talking about... read my earlier blogs. I had gotten one of the rarest, deadliest forms of Leukemia in July, and beat it in about 60 days.)
So, I finally saw my oncologists on the 19th and was given the clear bill of health. I am now officially in remission. And that was from just one chemo treatment (of four separate shots) while I was locked in the hospital room for the month of August.
Apparently that is not the norm (although some people do do as well), and now I can actually say that I have the 90% chance of being completely cured with no relapses. Now it's just down to two more chemo shots in the next few weeks (starting this Monday), and then those fun ATRA (All-Trains Retinoic Acid, a Retin-A derivative) pills for one year.
I should be fully back in action by around December. Good deal. I'm going to be locked down for the next 2 - 4 weeks (for the most part), so I'll be online and answering my phone more often for whomever wanted to chat or get a hold of me. I will be a captive audience, and not pull my disappearing acts. Anyway... just wanted to let everyone know. Miracle Boy beats Leukemia.
Woo hoo! Thanks again, as always, for everyone's support.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Things are good (so far)...
Howdy kids!
Sorry for the long wait between blogs, but I have been a bit busy getting my life back in order since getting out of the hospital.
So, where am I now...
Well, I moved out of the roommate's house.
We settled our financial differences (with her coming out with the better deal, but I don't want to deal with it anymore), and I did get some of what was coming to me. So that's fine and done. I'm settled in elsewhere and all is well now.
I have basically been feeling great. But, during the recent oncologist appt., I was told to still not tell anyone that I am in remission. I have a bone marrow biopsy (again!) coming up this Weds (Sept. 21). which will tell me more for sure if the treatments all worked.
For the moment, there are no Leukemia cells at all in my body. Hopefully it will remain that way. Most of my blood cells are all back up and working order (especially the white cells), except for the reds that are still below normal, but above dangerous.
Anemia is bugging me a bit. It is a bit frustrating for someone like me who, as many of you know, is so damned gung-ho and ready to move. But I'm OK, so long as I don't hit my limits.
Other than that, I have been given the clean bill of health... am more healthy than I ever have been before, and I can go out, eat anything (and anyone... hehe), and travel (in between the next two one-day treatments in Oct. and Nov.).
Alrighty... all that being said, I recently attended the Mexican Independent Comic Book Day lecture / autograph session featuring my friend Rafael Navarro. Rafael is best known for his comic book "Sonambulo" (www.sonambulo.com), but also is infamous for his works on Nickelodeon and elsewhere.
A couple of other friends came along - my sidekick Keith, and friend Christin. So.... after the shindig, we all hung out at Pizza My Dear - the company that supplied the life-saving (and taste-bud saving) pizza while I was in the hospital. That was the Maui, by the way (you know it as a Hawaiian, for those who are interested).
Soooo.... it was about time to take photos of the New "Do" (or lack of it). So many of you had asked for photos of my new look, I finally put them online. Enjoy!
All your well-wishing's and thoughts and prayers have been working tremendously... and I appreciate them all, so keep them coming. I'm not out of the woods yet, but am getting pretty close.
Sorry for the long wait between blogs, but I have been a bit busy getting my life back in order since getting out of the hospital.
So, where am I now...
Well, I moved out of the roommate's house.
We settled our financial differences (with her coming out with the better deal, but I don't want to deal with it anymore), and I did get some of what was coming to me. So that's fine and done. I'm settled in elsewhere and all is well now.
I have basically been feeling great. But, during the recent oncologist appt., I was told to still not tell anyone that I am in remission. I have a bone marrow biopsy (again!) coming up this Weds (Sept. 21). which will tell me more for sure if the treatments all worked.
For the moment, there are no Leukemia cells at all in my body. Hopefully it will remain that way. Most of my blood cells are all back up and working order (especially the white cells), except for the reds that are still below normal, but above dangerous.
Anemia is bugging me a bit. It is a bit frustrating for someone like me who, as many of you know, is so damned gung-ho and ready to move. But I'm OK, so long as I don't hit my limits.
Other than that, I have been given the clean bill of health... am more healthy than I ever have been before, and I can go out, eat anything (and anyone... hehe), and travel (in between the next two one-day treatments in Oct. and Nov.).
Alrighty... all that being said, I recently attended the Mexican Independent Comic Book Day lecture / autograph session featuring my friend Rafael Navarro. Rafael is best known for his comic book "Sonambulo" (www.sonambulo.com), but also is infamous for his works on Nickelodeon and elsewhere.
A couple of other friends came along - my sidekick Keith, and friend Christin. So.... after the shindig, we all hung out at Pizza My Dear - the company that supplied the life-saving (and taste-bud saving) pizza while I was in the hospital. That was the Maui, by the way (you know it as a Hawaiian, for those who are interested).
Soooo.... it was about time to take photos of the New "Do" (or lack of it). So many of you had asked for photos of my new look, I finally put them online. Enjoy!
All your well-wishing's and thoughts and prayers have been working tremendously... and I appreciate them all, so keep them coming. I'm not out of the woods yet, but am getting pretty close.
Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Sept. 9 - Out of the hospital, and no complaints
I have been paroled from the hospital. As I was Neutrapenic (meaning susceptible to any infections), I was kept in my own room and not allowed many people to visit me, for 30 days.
I just went to my first of many check-ups. As of now, it appears that the Leukemia is dead. My white blood cells had jumped up, as had some other cells but they are still in the low end. My primary doctor said that he is excited with how everything is turning out, and is "giddy with joy" that all will be well. Now of course, I cannot say that I am totally cured yet... not fully for at least 3 to 5 years. But I am going to be getting some maintenance treatments and they are going to check my bone marrow again very soon to make sure that there are no more reproductive cancer cells now. Then it will be safe to say that I am OK for at least a while. Personally... I think I am going to get through this just fine.
In expectation (and in actuality eventually) of my hair falling out (which finally started), I have shaved my head bald and grown a goatee. My friend Sue flew down from Reno to do the deed. She even bought the clippers. (Clippers? I thought she was going to shear sheep for a minute.)
Now I have some news to tell you.... I have been finding out some very interesting facts and side-effects that have been occurring to me. In the end, these are actually good things.
1) My hair apparently will be growing back thicker and fuller. Yippee!
2) The Tretinoin (Vitamin A derivative) treatment that I am taking to actually kill the cancer cells, is actually a form of Retin A. For those of you who don't know, that is used to clear up acne and scars. I had begun some strange peelings on my face, and a bit on my arms. And... I had discovered in the hospital bathroom one afternoon... other, more "private" areas of my body, began to peel and shed skin as well. This was quite unnerving at first. It became more distressing when the doctor had never heard of that happening. Well... the end result is this... as it is Retin A in my system, I have basically been having a "facial"... an exfoliating peel from the inside out. The result is this - My face is now flawless. I have no pores and no acne at all... anywhere (and including some very clean privates). This has brought me some nice comments about having a very nice face, and looking years younger. No complaints there.
3) With all the antibiotics, antivirals, having my bone marrow stripped, killed, and redone... and making new blood... I am about the healthiest person you could want to know. (Which I suppose would also make me the safest sex partner.)
4) Although it looked as though I was going to gain weight in the hospital, I have actually lost 30 lbs so far. Nice!!
All in all, how can anyone complain about the above information happening to them? Now, so long as I fully recover and get through the Leukemia, I am going to have one happy new life. Sweet!
A main thing that I want to emphasize about what I think in reflection about all that has recently happened to me...
I hate the term "cancer survivor". It sounds so "victimized." Sorry, but I am not a victim.
The fact is that I am not going to curse God, I'm not going to find someone or something to blame, and I am not going to pity myself.
Things happen to people. Thousands die from influenza (the flu) around the world.
Do the rest of us call ourselves "influenza survivors"? No! Leukemia is something that happened.
In my personal case, I was able to handle it fittingly. I made NO complaints for the literally dozens upon dozens of blood draws that I had taken. I did not complain about the IVs. I did not complain about the chemo.
Do what you must when someone is trying to help you or cure you. I may have been a bit onry once in a while, but I always kept my cool, and I always tried to be the most productive.
I went in expecting to die. I resigned myself to it, and then tried to figure out how much productive time I would have left. As it was, I got lucky.
To anyone who complains about the minor inconveniences of having to deal with things... get over it.
If it's helping you, accept it.
Anyway, I am out now and enjoying everything. I've been out since Aug. 28, and most of that time has been on my feet, running around doing errands, and making my best attempt to get back to work. I don't have time to lay around. I do rest to get myself healed up, but anyone who personally knows me knows that I am ancy and have to be on the move. So that's my story for now.
I just went to my first of many check-ups. As of now, it appears that the Leukemia is dead. My white blood cells had jumped up, as had some other cells but they are still in the low end. My primary doctor said that he is excited with how everything is turning out, and is "giddy with joy" that all will be well. Now of course, I cannot say that I am totally cured yet... not fully for at least 3 to 5 years. But I am going to be getting some maintenance treatments and they are going to check my bone marrow again very soon to make sure that there are no more reproductive cancer cells now. Then it will be safe to say that I am OK for at least a while. Personally... I think I am going to get through this just fine.
In expectation (and in actuality eventually) of my hair falling out (which finally started), I have shaved my head bald and grown a goatee. My friend Sue flew down from Reno to do the deed. She even bought the clippers. (Clippers? I thought she was going to shear sheep for a minute.)
Now I have some news to tell you.... I have been finding out some very interesting facts and side-effects that have been occurring to me. In the end, these are actually good things.
1) My hair apparently will be growing back thicker and fuller. Yippee!
2) The Tretinoin (Vitamin A derivative) treatment that I am taking to actually kill the cancer cells, is actually a form of Retin A. For those of you who don't know, that is used to clear up acne and scars. I had begun some strange peelings on my face, and a bit on my arms. And... I had discovered in the hospital bathroom one afternoon... other, more "private" areas of my body, began to peel and shed skin as well. This was quite unnerving at first. It became more distressing when the doctor had never heard of that happening. Well... the end result is this... as it is Retin A in my system, I have basically been having a "facial"... an exfoliating peel from the inside out. The result is this - My face is now flawless. I have no pores and no acne at all... anywhere (and including some very clean privates). This has brought me some nice comments about having a very nice face, and looking years younger. No complaints there.
3) With all the antibiotics, antivirals, having my bone marrow stripped, killed, and redone... and making new blood... I am about the healthiest person you could want to know. (Which I suppose would also make me the safest sex partner.)
4) Although it looked as though I was going to gain weight in the hospital, I have actually lost 30 lbs so far. Nice!!
All in all, how can anyone complain about the above information happening to them? Now, so long as I fully recover and get through the Leukemia, I am going to have one happy new life. Sweet!
A main thing that I want to emphasize about what I think in reflection about all that has recently happened to me...
I hate the term "cancer survivor". It sounds so "victimized." Sorry, but I am not a victim.
The fact is that I am not going to curse God, I'm not going to find someone or something to blame, and I am not going to pity myself.
Things happen to people. Thousands die from influenza (the flu) around the world.
Do the rest of us call ourselves "influenza survivors"? No! Leukemia is something that happened.
In my personal case, I was able to handle it fittingly. I made NO complaints for the literally dozens upon dozens of blood draws that I had taken. I did not complain about the IVs. I did not complain about the chemo.
Do what you must when someone is trying to help you or cure you. I may have been a bit onry once in a while, but I always kept my cool, and I always tried to be the most productive.
I went in expecting to die. I resigned myself to it, and then tried to figure out how much productive time I would have left. As it was, I got lucky.
To anyone who complains about the minor inconveniences of having to deal with things... get over it.
If it's helping you, accept it.
Anyway, I am out now and enjoying everything. I've been out since Aug. 28, and most of that time has been on my feet, running around doing errands, and making my best attempt to get back to work. I don't have time to lay around. I do rest to get myself healed up, but anyone who personally knows me knows that I am ancy and have to be on the move. So that's my story for now.
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