Tag Archives: Cancer

365 Photo/Weight Loss Challenge

01 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by in Weight Loss

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Hello.  I’ve debated whether or not to do this or not but here goes.

This is me with all my “glory”.  My current weight as of this morning is 300.4 and as of today I’m doing a 365 day weight loss challenge and I’m going to use the 365 Photo Challenge to help me keep track of my progress.  No, you won’t see a picture of me everyday but maybe once a month or so.  If I were to set a goal it would be about 5 lbs a month.  That’s 60 lbs in a year.  I think I can do it.

I will be taking pictures of my everyday life whether it be at work, home or at play.  I enjoy photography so there’s no telling what you might see.  I have a lot going on in my life so be prepared for some interesting stuff.

Wish Me Luck.

I Lost it Today :(

17 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by in Cancer, Depression, Leukemia

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Today was not a good day for me.  I guess all the troubles in my life finally caught up with me.

For those just finding out about this blog, I have CML, a form of Leukemia.  I was diagnosed with it this past February.  I’ve been taking Gleevec and until last week I thought I was doing pretty good.  My BCR AbL started off at 138 and had gotten down to .134 three months ago.  My last report last week the test showed that it went up to over 2. It was a big disappointment.  I go back in six weeks.

Last week was the beginning of my trouble when my 17 yr old daughter was involved in an accident.  It seems that an 88 yr old man pulled out in front of her.  My daughter is fine with the exception of some back pain in which she is seeing a doctor about.  This was my wife’s 14 yr old van that was totaled by the insurance company.  We do not really have the funds to get another vehicle at this time especially since Christmas is just around the corner.  Just don’t know what to do at this point.

And to add to already what’s going on I’m having eye issues and I’m going to have eye surgery the first part of January.

This is the Christmas season and it’s supposed to be a happy time.  It usually is but the last few years it get’s harder and harder to get into the Christmas spirit.  With my health the way it is and not knowing what the future holds it’s easy for me to get depressed.  I’m the father of three and I’m supposed to be strong and not show emotions but I’m here to tell you that it’s difficult for me to hold it in.  Especially today.

It was while at lunch today.  We were listening to the company choir sing some Christmas songs when it hit me.  I was remembering the times when my kids were younger and times were much different.  I got to thinking just how much longer do I have?  I was doing ok until the choir started singing a song that I haven’t heard since my childhood and that’s when I started to loose it.  Not wanting to show my emotions in public I had to get up and leave the table.  It took be several hours to get my act together.

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Good News for Now!

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

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Heard from my oncologist this afternoon. My levels has dropped down to .134%.from .734% two months ago. It’s still not zero but it’s slowly getting there. The doctor feels confidant enough to leave me on my current medication. The only thing that was discussed that I’m not to pleased with was the topic of another bone marrow biopsy. We will discuss this more in depth at my next doctor appointment in three months

No News Yet plus Furious

22 Monday Sep 2014

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There’s a saying that no news is good news.  Well, in my case that’s not necessarily so.  I started several times today to call just to see if they had come in but I refrained from doing so.

On another note.  I am so furious right now I can’t see straight.  I have never had to deal with such things until my teenage daughter turned 16 and started dating.  These boys these days are so horrible.  A few weeks ago my daughter got a dear john text.  That within it self made me furious.  What a coward.  About a week later to my disappointment they got back together.  Guess what!  He did it again.  I wished I could put my hands around his neck and teach him the necessity of breathing.  He better be glad he’s away a college right now and not down the road where his parents live.  No one hurts my daughter and gets away with it.  This is part of fatherhood that I’m not prepared for.  Ho does one prepare for such things?

Thanks for following me!!

21 Sunday Sep 2014

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Went to the my oncologist last Wednesday.  He was not happy with my last results that was taken over two months ago. BCR ABl test results was .73% which I thought was pretty good until he told me it HAD to be down to zero and had to be within the first six months.  I was diagnosed in February so six months would make it in July.  I’m currently waiting for the doctor to call me to tell me what my results were last week.  If it’s not zero then I’m going to have to get on some other type of meds.

I don’t do this or any other blog for followers but just to be able to get things off my chest.  As I am honored to have each of you follow me I am somewhat surprised to see some what I would call super bloggers that are following me.  I’m really glad to have each and everyone of you on board.

Looking for a stress free zone.

29 Thursday May 2014

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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.  

Day 30 All is Well

15 Saturday Mar 2014

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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

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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

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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

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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.