Category Archives: Uncategorized

Looking for a stress free zone.

29 Thursday May 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

The last month has been one of those months where nothing seemed to go right.  The last few weeks has just topped it all off.  

I had to have laser treatments in both my eyes and boy let me tell you what an experience that was.  Before my first treatment the doctor told me that there was no words in the English dictionary that would describe just how bright the laser was.  He was right.  I’ve never experienced anything like that before and I hope I don’t have to go through that again any time soon.

All the doctors seem to agree that the CML was the cause of my vision problems and not the Gleevec.  I am now back on my medications.  Although, I do believe my vision is getting a little worse as the time passes.  I don’t go back to either of my doctors until mid July.  

The weather here has been nice enough to ride my bicycle and I’m really glad.  It’s really been nice to be able to get out and do some riding to get rid of some of this stress that I’ve been having to deal with.  My job has really got me to a point where I’m counting the days until I can retire; 4 years, 2 months and 15 days.  In the last nine days I’ve been able to ride seven of those days at at least twenty miles each day.  I’ll be traveling to Dothan, Alabama on the sixth of June to ride in the Tri States Ride on the seventh of June.  I’ll be riding the 45 mile loop.

A lot of changes at work within the past month.  The manager we had resigned and now we have a new manager.  He’s got a military background and is very strict on policies and procedures.  Right now I don’t know if I like him or not.  I’ll have to give him another week or so.

The last two weeks I’ve been repairing air conditioning units on the roof of a warehouse.  Fifteen units to be exact.  Most has had bad compressors and or bad condenser fan motors.  It’s been a real hot job and we’re finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  However, rain has entered the equation and the lack of parts so we’ve had to put the repairs on hold until next week.  At least we’ll get a break for a couple of days.  

People keep asking me how I’m doing with my CML.  I’m doing good I guess.  Other than the eye problems and the leg cramps I’ve had no other symptoms of either the CML or the Gleevec.  I’m finally able to see some results of my bike riding plus the dehydration factor of being on the roof for two weeks has really helped out as well.  

Bumps In The Road

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

It’s been way too long since I’ve posted anything. I’m still here and I’m still alive. As I’ve written before, I’ve been diagnosed with CML, Chronic Myloid Lukemia. I was on Gleevec for over a month when I started noticing my vision starting to get blurry. I thought my sugar was high or my blood pressure was up. My blood sugar was a little high but has been much worse and my blood pressure was normal. Over a period of two weeks my vision got so bad I couldn’t see the keys on my keyboard.  I looked up the side effects for Gleevec and there it was. Blurred vision was one of the side effects.   I called my oncologist and discussed it over the phone. He set me up to see an ophthalmologmists. I saw him and he sent me to a retina specialist.  All this to be diagnosed with peripheral diebetic neuropathy. The big question is what caused it?  Was it the diabetes?  Was it the Gleevec?  Or, was it the CML? 

I went to see Dr. Albert, the retina specialist and he gave me injections in both eyes to reduce the swelling and to stop the bleeders in my eyes. I have an appointment to go back in two weeks to start the laser treatments.  Since the injections I have noticed a small improvement in my eye sight. I have new glasses ordered so maybe I will be able to see more clearly once they come in. 

All the doctors seem to be in agreement that the CML caused the blurred vision and not the Gleevec or my diabetic condition. Although, the doctors aren’t going to rule out the diabetes as a contributing factor. All this time since the onset of my blurred vision I have been off the Gleevec for fear that it could be causing the vision issues. As of last night I started back. I feel much better about that. 

Day 30 All is Well

15 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

So far only minimal side effects with my Gleevec.  I feel a little fatigued but that can be related to a lot of other things such as staying up too late and the time change. i am also experiencing some bone pain in my right hip.  Again, this could be related to a number of other circumstances.  It’s not as bad today as I got a chance to ride another 20 miles this afternoon.  

I’ve got to get a hold on my dieting.  I got on my scales this morning and I’ve gained nearly all my weight back.  This is not good.  I am determined to do better.  I’ve got a meeting tomorrow at 1:30 pm so I’m planning on getting up early and doing a 20 mile loop.  That is if ‘it’s not raining.  

Day 23 Roller Coaster Ride For Sure

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Last week was one wild emotional roller coaster ride.  The week started out trying to find out why I haven’t received my Gleevec.  To make a very long story short the nurse at the doctors office sent the script to the wrong place.  I had been told earlier that my co pay was going to be $75 for the prescription.  Well, they were wrong.  It wasn’t $75 but 75% and with my deductible being $1000 that meant that my script was going to be $1000.  One of the things that people are not aware of is that many drug manufacturers offer financial assistance. I called Gleevec and got approved for a drug card.  My script went from $1000 to $100 for the year.  Happy Dance.  I called the pharmacy and got everything ordered yesterday and the Gleevec arrived this morning.  

I got up real late this morning.  I’m on call this month and I don’t usually sleep well while on call.  When I got up my daughter told me that my meds came in and I started reading all the side effects that this med has.  It’s got a long list but hopefully I won’t have any of them.  I ate two pieces of toast with peanut butter with a glass of milk and afterwards took all my meds.  Thirty minutes later I got real dizzy so I went to the kitchen and had an early lunch.  The dizziness went away.

Later this afternoon I got the urge to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.  I hopped on my bicycle and got twenty miles in.  It really felt good to be outside after having to deal with all this weird winter weather we’ve been having.  Spring time is coming to the deep south, it’s just taking it’s sweet time.

Day 14

26 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

On February 13th, I was diagnosed with CML, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Yesterday, after the bone marrow test last Monday, my doctor confirmed his diagnosis. Fortunately, this type of Leukemia is less aggressive than most that you hear about today and can be controlled by oral medications.

I don’t want to make light of this situation. It is still Leukemia and my family and I have a long road ahead of us. At least I hope so. There are still a lot of “IF’s” but I am confidant in my doctor with his decisions and most importantly I have faith that the good Lord will take good care me and my family.

Twenty years ago when someone who was diagnosed with CML, the life expectancy was only 3 to 5 years. Today, thanks to the advancement of medical technology, the survival rate went from 5 percent before the year 2000 to 95 percent today according the Leukemia Societies website.

Thanks to all who have said a prayer for me and my family and I would appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers at least until we get through the treatment phase. I feel that if it were not for your prayers this could have been a whole lot worse. Again, thanks for all your prayers.

So, How do you feel?

21 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

I get this question all the time.  Before now I would always answer, “I’m fine”, or “I’m wonderful, how are you?” expecting the same type answer. I never expect to hear all their ailments when I ask someone in passing how they’re doing so I guess it’s appropriate for me to answer in the way I have in the past.  With that said, am I telling them a lie if I tell them I’m feeling fine when in fact I’m worried sick that the doctor’s are going to tell me that I have Leukemia and in doing so will these people get mad at me because I didn’t tell them when they do find out?

If someone asked me right now how I’m doing or how I felt, if I told them that I felt fine I wouldn’t be lying to them.  I don’t have any ailments to speak of.  So right now I wouldn’t be lying to them.  I have told a few people that I may have CML but it’s not confirmed.  It won’t be confirmed until one day next week.  By now I”m sure the word has gotten out that I’ve got Leukemia so I’m sure that when some people ask me how I’m doing it’s because they know and when I tell them that I feel fine I get some of the strangest looks. I guess they’re expecting me to tell them that I don’t feel fine and that I have Leukemia.

I don’t want to bore people with my ailments nor do I look for sympathy.  I do not want to be treated any differently than I have been treated at any other time in my life.  Yes, I have CML.  Yes, I could get worse but don’t treat me like I’m on my death bed right now because right now I’m fine.

 

Day 5

17 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

I had my bone marrow biopsy today.  It was one of the most painful experiences I’ve had and not be doing something I enjoyed.  If you’ve never had one let me tell you what they did.  First they made me undress and put on a backless hospital gown.  The did give me a pair of disposable terrycloth shorts to put on underneath.  I lay there for a while until the doctors come in and he tells me to lay on my left side in a fetal position.  The doctor then injects the area on my hip with a local antithetic which hurt like hell.  Then the real pain begins when he begins to drill into my hip with some sort of needle.  That hurt worse than hell.  The whole procedure didn’t last thirty minutes but it felt like an eternity while he was doing it.  I call the doctor next Monday to make yet another Dr. appointment to find out the results.  

Trying to keep my spirits up.