Well there it is, the only thing you want to hear when you have the big C.
I am officially in remission. My SED rate is ridiculously low (3) and aside from a small mass, which could very well be scar tissue, I am all clear.
I am still taking the prednisone and my face feels and looks about twice its normal, yet still gargantuan size, but it is a small price to pay if it will revive some lung function.
I am hoping to return to work on May 4 (Monday) and am really looking forward to it. Things will definitely have changed when I get back, I will have a new manager and the members of the team, that are still there, will have moved on both in terms of competence and personal development, so it will be interesting to see how I fit into the new dynamic. In the short time I have been away the product (code base) will have changed markedly and it will take me some time to absorb the changes and new development patterns.
I think I will just keep my head down for a couple of months and try and find my place in the grand scheme.
I will not be posting regularly over the next couple of months, reflecting the irregular nature of my treatment going forward. I will however be starting a new blog more focussed on my technology dealings and thoughts. When it becomes active you can find it at
http://hackles-raised.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
All done ... bar the shouting
I have officially completed my treatment.
I have a veritable frenzy of appointments over the next couple of weeks to check my oil and top up the washer fluid, so to speak, but I am now officially ramping back up to return to work.
It will take a few weeks for me to put myself back together again but I am hoping to be back at work by beginning of May.
I have to say that I am looking forward to getting amongst it, although the thought of weaving my way through thousands of cagers, all intent on my destruction, is a somewhat terrifying.
I have an appointment with my oncologist next Tuesday, I'll post again then.
I have a veritable frenzy of appointments over the next couple of weeks to check my oil and top up the washer fluid, so to speak, but I am now officially ramping back up to return to work.
It will take a few weeks for me to put myself back together again but I am hoping to be back at work by beginning of May.
I have to say that I am looking forward to getting amongst it, although the thought of weaving my way through thousands of cagers, all intent on my destruction, is a somewhat terrifying.
I have an appointment with my oncologist next Tuesday, I'll post again then.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Cough cough
Nicky and I have just returned from the pulmonologist's office.
He thinks that it is too early to say conclusively that the damage to my lungs will be permanent.
For now, I will continue taking prednisone and hope for the best.
Nicky has confirmed that I am, in fact, a miserable bastard, so the steroids are definitely making me irritable.
I also seem to have a somewhat insatiable appetite which is doing nothing for my otherwise svelte, athletic physique. Everything wobbles when I move. With luck I will be able to exercise a little more in the coming weeks and try and counter my ever increasing waist line.
I'll post again when my radiation therapy is complete. Cheers.
He thinks that it is too early to say conclusively that the damage to my lungs will be permanent.
For now, I will continue taking prednisone and hope for the best.
Nicky has confirmed that I am, in fact, a miserable bastard, so the steroids are definitely making me irritable.
I also seem to have a somewhat insatiable appetite which is doing nothing for my otherwise svelte, athletic physique. Everything wobbles when I move. With luck I will be able to exercise a little more in the coming weeks and try and counter my ever increasing waist line.
I'll post again when my radiation therapy is complete. Cheers.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Oops I accidentally my blog
Just tried to respond to a comment from Pat (FinderGuy) and something went horribly wrong. Post deleted.
So here we go again.
So it has been confirmed that my breathlessness is bleo toxicity, currently my lungs are able to exchange gases at 66%, down from 95%.
I am continuing the prednisone in an effort to relieve some of the problem and am being referred to a pulmonary specialist but bleo toxicity is not, as far as I understand it, reversible.
Slow and slovenly though I am, I did used to enjoy the occasional run which, as things stand, will be pretty much beyond me. It's a depressing thing to admit at 39.
But, all things need to be kept in perspective. The bleomycin helped arrest my lymphoma, throughout my treatment my lungs were constantly checked, it just so happens that the last dose pushed me over the cliff.
Because the radiation can also adversely affect my lungs I am not ready to see how far I can push myself until I have finished that course of treatment; thereafter, I will start seeing how far I can go and start working out a schedule for regular exercise and hope that a healthier diet can help me balance calories in and out.
Obviously this is disappointing but, all things considered, it is better than the alternative outcome.
Hope you are all keeping well.
So here we go again.
So it has been confirmed that my breathlessness is bleo toxicity, currently my lungs are able to exchange gases at 66%, down from 95%.
I am continuing the prednisone in an effort to relieve some of the problem and am being referred to a pulmonary specialist but bleo toxicity is not, as far as I understand it, reversible.
Slow and slovenly though I am, I did used to enjoy the occasional run which, as things stand, will be pretty much beyond me. It's a depressing thing to admit at 39.
But, all things need to be kept in perspective. The bleomycin helped arrest my lymphoma, throughout my treatment my lungs were constantly checked, it just so happens that the last dose pushed me over the cliff.
Because the radiation can also adversely affect my lungs I am not ready to see how far I can push myself until I have finished that course of treatment; thereafter, I will start seeing how far I can go and start working out a schedule for regular exercise and hope that a healthier diet can help me balance calories in and out.
Obviously this is disappointing but, all things considered, it is better than the alternative outcome.
Hope you are all keeping well.
Friday, March 6, 2009
I huff and I puff
but I can't even blow down the straw house.
Over the last couple of days I have become increasingly breathless.
A chest x-ray yesterday seems to suggest more changes in my lungs. We aren't sure if this is the result of bleo toxicity or something else.
I am starting a course of steroids that will hopefully arrest and reverse the symptoms, but if it is the result of bleo, well, best to just wait until we know that is the case before contemplating what that means.
I have just completed my first week of radiation. Nothing special to report, no super powers and just a little lethargy.
I'll post again when I have completed my pulmonary function test and we know a little more about what is going on with my lungs.
Have a nice weekend.
Over the last couple of days I have become increasingly breathless.
A chest x-ray yesterday seems to suggest more changes in my lungs. We aren't sure if this is the result of bleo toxicity or something else.
I am starting a course of steroids that will hopefully arrest and reverse the symptoms, but if it is the result of bleo, well, best to just wait until we know that is the case before contemplating what that means.
I have just completed my first week of radiation. Nothing special to report, no super powers and just a little lethargy.
I'll post again when I have completed my pulmonary function test and we know a little more about what is going on with my lungs.
Have a nice weekend.
Monday, February 23, 2009
PET Scan
So, just got back from the oncologist where we reviewed the results of my latest PET scan.
Not much has changed. There is still no sign of activity in my neck/chest/abdomen, but the mass remains. There is also some evidence of a problem with my lungs but we are not sure whether this is the result of bleomycin toxicity or just something that will eventually resolve itself. Another pulmonary function test will be scheduled to check the actual lung function so we can at least rule out bleomycin toxicity.
Needless to say I wanted a definitive and positive result and although my Doctor, the very capable and patient Dr. Kankipati remains positive about my prognosis, I still feel somewhat in limbo.
Radiation starts next week and that may yet shrink the mass, perhaps not. It may be something that I just need to accept will always be there, a trophy if you will :-)
I'll post again as soon as I determine what super powers I have developed from being irradiated daily. Knowing my luck I will become the Spleen; "Weapons check, pull my finger".
Not much has changed. There is still no sign of activity in my neck/chest/abdomen, but the mass remains. There is also some evidence of a problem with my lungs but we are not sure whether this is the result of bleomycin toxicity or just something that will eventually resolve itself. Another pulmonary function test will be scheduled to check the actual lung function so we can at least rule out bleomycin toxicity.
Needless to say I wanted a definitive and positive result and although my Doctor, the very capable and patient Dr. Kankipati remains positive about my prognosis, I still feel somewhat in limbo.
Radiation starts next week and that may yet shrink the mass, perhaps not. It may be something that I just need to accept will always be there, a trophy if you will :-)
I'll post again as soon as I determine what super powers I have developed from being irradiated daily. Knowing my luck I will become the Spleen; "Weapons check, pull my finger".
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
If it's not one thing, it's another
Just returned from my post chemo blood test. I was expecting a pretty simple in and out but while I was there I was collared by my oncologist.
Apparently my SED rate has spiked back up to the mid 40's. It might be a lab mistake or it may be an indication of some new activity, I have a PET scan on Feb 20th which should pick up anything that we need to be concerned about. I'll be on tenterhooks till then.
Just when you think you are almost through...
Apparently my SED rate has spiked back up to the mid 40's. It might be a lab mistake or it may be an indication of some new activity, I have a PET scan on Feb 20th which should pick up anything that we need to be concerned about. I'll be on tenterhooks till then.
Just when you think you are almost through...
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