28 Monday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
This is going to be short and sweet. I’ve got a headache that I’ve had for several days and today my chest started hurting when I breath. These are all listed side effects of the new meds. I called my oncologist today and he has taken me off the meds for a week. I’m hoping that I’m coming down with a cold or something and it’s not my new meds. If it’s not one thing it’s another.
21 Monday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
365 Day Photo Challenge, Cancer, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Chronic Pain, CML, Cycling, Diabetic Nerve Pain, Pain Relief
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/2015-Cheaha-Challenge/i-p3mcRJb/A
I was thinking earlier this afternoon when the last time I had a day that I went pain free. Yesterday. I would have to say yesterday I was relatively pain free for a day. Lately it’s been my feet giving me problems and now my kidneys. But yesterday I was pain free because I didn’t have any pain in my feet and my kidney didn’t hurt. Today, however, my feet were barking toward the end of the day but my kidney remained calm and pain free.
As I sit here whining about my pain, I’m reminded that there are a lot of people that are worse off than I am. There are days that I hurt, a lot. But, like yesterday, I didn’t have any pain whatsoever. Some people can’t say that. They have to live with chronic on a day to day basis. There is no pain medication that can give them any relief whatsoever. Knowing this makes me feel like a heel complaining of my insignificant pain when on most cases I can take a pain pill and for the most part feel better within thirty minutes or so. There are those that medications can’t do anything for them. I can’t image that.
I’ll say a prayer for all those in need of pain relief and I’ll include myself in this prayer.
“Life Goes On!”
17 Thursday Dec 2015
Posted in Cancer, Leukemia, Photography
I heard from my oncologist today and I’ve got a new drug to take for my CML. The survival rate is no more than the previous drug but as long as it keeps me alive I’m good. It also has about the same side effects as the other so unless there’s something I don’t know about I guess I’ll be ok with it as well.
I stayed home again today with this kidney stone that has yet to pass. I had to get up early this morning to take a pain pill but so far today I’m moderately pain free. I’ll be going into work tomorrow regardless if I’m pain free or not. I’m low on time so I have to go in.
14 Monday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
365 Day Photo Challenge, Christmas, CML, College, Kids, Leukemia, Medications, Twins
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/Botanical-Gardens/i-ZK8ZW7w/A
I go through this every year. It’s nearly Christmas and I’m just not in the mood for it. It’s not that I’m depressed; it’s more of disappointment that I can’t afford to more for my kids. The older they get the more expensive their needs or wants get and we can’t afford to get everything they ask for.
This year my wife and I discussed the fact that the girls will be going off to college next year so we’re going to make sure that we help them with things like laptops and other necessities for college. With that said, that will be two of everything. One of the things that we will be trying to get them within the next few months is a car. This brings up another problem. The girls haven’t decided on where they want to go to school. Each one has stated that they want to go to separate schools and if they do go to different schools then we’re going to have a huge problem. We can only afford one car. I want the girls to make their own decision on where they want to go to school but in reality they will have to go to the same school or else one will be walking.
And of course I’m somewhat concerned about my CML levels going up the way they have. I’ve been back to the oncologist and they’ve done more blood work to determine what the next step will be as far as the medications that I will be on, being that the ones that I’m on isn’t working anymore. I’m hoping to hear back from him this week.
“Life Goes On!”
01 Tuesday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
365 Day Photo Challenge, Cancer, CML, Lukemia, Me Time, Oncologist, Sick
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/HDR/i-M4pCJfS/A
I have an oncologist appointment tomorrow afternoon. All I’m going to do is give some blood so that they can do some more blood work to find out why my BCR abl has shot back up. Afterwards I’m going to have some much deserved ME time. Right now I’m fighting off a cold and I’ve got a sore throat and some congestion. I think I’ve caught my daughter’s cold. If I’m not much better tomorrow I may be spending my me time at the doctor’s office.
“Life Goes On”
26 Thursday Nov 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
365 Day Photo Challenge, Cancer, Cast Iron, CML, Cooking, Dutch Ovens, Family, Leukemia, Recipes, Thankfull
I’m stuffed to say the least. I’m thankful that my family is here with me today. With the kids getting older I’m not sure how much time we have with them. I know that they will always try to come home for the holidays.
I’m also thankful that I’m still here to be able to spend time with my family. With the diagnosis of CML my life was changed forever. I’m thankful for the men and women who discovered the drug and for all those patients who did the case study that allowed the passage of this drug to take place.
We spent time with my wife’s family today. Tomorrow I’ll be able to spend time with my mom and dad. I’ll get up early tomorrow and cook breakfast for my family then I’ll start working on a Dutch Oven dish to take to my parents. This will be the first time that I’ve cooked for the parents in my Dutch Ovens so I’m excited about this.
Speaking of Dutch Ovens, I have a new blog that I would like for you to check out. It’s going to be full of different recipes that I have gathered over the past several years. If you like cast iron cooking this will be for you. If not, then don’t feel obligated to follow. I posted my first post just moments ago. https://thecastironblackpot.wordpress.com/
Again, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
“Life Goes On!”
17 Tuesday Nov 2015
Posted in Photography
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/Botanical-Gardens/i-GdvLpxK/A
Have you ever have one of those days where you just wanted to go back to bed and crawl under the covers and hide from the world hoping that no one would find you? Today was one of those days for me.
It started when I got on the scales this morning. Another 2 pounds gained. It’s tough seeing weight that you’ve already lost appear back on the scale. Where’s the encouragement to keep going if all you do is see is weight added back to the scale even making sure that you’ve stuck to your exercise program and your diet. Oh well, I’m going to keep going. Don’t really have a choice but to keep going.
What really made me want to hide from the world was the phone call I got from my oncologist this morning. If you’ve been following this blog long you will remember that I’ve got CML, a form of Leukemia. When I was first diagnosed my blood levels were at 133%. Six months ago at my last appointment my blood levels were down to .05%. A very good report indeed. Not today however, my levels went up to .65%. I go back to my oncologist in two weeks for more blood work then after that blood work comes back the doctor will make his decision as to what my next step will be.
“Life Goes On!”
29 Tuesday Sep 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
365 Day Photo Challenge, Appointment, Cancer, Cats, CML, Diabeties, Doctor, Leukemia, PTO
I have a doctors appointment tomorrow with my general practitioner. I see him every six months and have been every since I’ve been diagnosed with Diabetes. If you don’t have a regular doctor I would highly suggest that you get one. If it wasn’t for my biannual checkups my CML would not have been diagnosed until it was too late.
I’ve got to talk to him about several items that I’m having problems with so it might be a longer visit than normal. I will not be going back to work after my appointment. I’m sort of looking forward to a little time off.
06 Thursday Aug 2015
Posted in Photography
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/Botanical-Gardens/i-VHCv9xc/A
Today was my day. It’s been so long since I’ve had a day when most things went without having a problem. I even had a civil conversation with my boss this morning. My day was pretty well planned out so I went straight to it. I stayed pretty busy and the day went by pretty quick. About 2 pm the receptionist from my oncologist called and said that the doctor wanted to speak to me. My results weren’t due in until next week so I immediately went into panic mode. The doctor came on line and told me that my levels were lower than they had been since my diagnoses. That was exactly what I was needing to round out my day.
I had a meeting after work so I got in really late but both my daughters were still up and they both had a great first day back to school. That made me happy too. Maybe this will keep going at least one more day until the weekend.
“Life Goes On!”
03 Monday Aug 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
365 Day Photo Challenge, Alabama, Bike Ride, Cancer, Chemotherapy, CML, Cycling, Eye appointment, Eye Surgery, Oncologist, Photography, Waterfall
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/Botanical-Gardens/i-LpJ69bk/A
I spent the afternoon at my oncologist today. I never really like going there because it breaks my heart seeing all those people sitting on those recliners getting their chemo treatments. Not knowing their situation I always fear the worse for them. My blood work for the most part turned out ok. However, they won’t get the results from the main test for at least a week or more. The toughest part is the waiting.
Going to the eye doctor tomorrow to get a new prescription for new glasses. Since my eye surgery my eyesight has diminished quite a bit so I’m actually looking forward to being able to see again.
I was not able to ride tonight due to a scout meeting I had to attend. With tomorrow’s eye appointment I’m not sure if I’ll be able to ride or not. Wednesday looks good but Thursday is out because of another meeting after work. The weekend looks good but there is a waterfall I want to find and photograph so getting a ride in on Saturday may not happen. We shall see.
“Life Goes On!”
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