Today, we had a phone consult with the oncology nurse. The main purpose was to check in and for us to get the results of last weeks blood work.
My input to the checkup is that I’m feeling fine and still riding the bike regularly. I also reported on my weight (classified) and temperature – normal at 36.2 so no fevers etc.
Shirley was on the call to so the two ladies quickly move on to talking about cooking, Christmas, COVID and other non-me related stuff. I almost dropped off the call.
I did get a couple of questions in:
- What are you thoughts on me getting the upcoming COVID vaccine?
CancerCare currently has no guidance on this but is likely to have some information by the time I’m likely to get a shot at “the shot”, which in my best guess will be late in 2021. - When will my immune system be considered “back to normal?
Sadly, 1+ years post stem cell transplant which would put it out to July 2021 at the earliest.
Blood testing results continue to be sort of holding steady, dropping a bit or small slow improvements. Still waiting patiently (sort of) for the big breakthrough improvement. I’ve updated the charts with what the “normal” targets are for your viewing pleasure.
The LDH numbers are good as higher numbers indicate inflammation in the body, aka “something is going wrong”.
Speaking of numbers, the journey has been a lot longer that I’d ever imagined. How long you ask? Well, here are the “highlights”.
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| 0 | Initial Detection – 2018/05/10 |
| 8 | Biopsy |
| 35 | First meeting with the Oncologist |
| 41 | Chemotherapy starts |
| 57 | Port installed |
| 165 | Chemotherapy ends |
| 175 | PET scan post chemotherapy |
| 179 | Cancer Free |
| 223 | Port removed |
| 663 | In the ER – X-Rays, CT scan – re-occurance – 2020-03-03 |
| 669 | Oncologist meeting – Round 2 |
| 680 | Port Insertion (again) |
| 690 | Chemotherapy starts (outpatient at St. Boniface Hospital |
| 697 | Bone Marrow Transplant / Stem Cell Transplant Consult phone call |
| 761 | PICC line installed & HSC Admission |
| 762 | Seven consecutive days of chemotherapy start |
| 769 | Bone Marrow Transplant / Stem Cell Transplant – 2020/06/07 |
| 782 | HSC discharge |
| 838 | PET Scan |
| 845 | PET Scan results – not good |
| 875 | Radiation Starts (Daily for 5 days except weekend) |
| 881 | Radiation Ends |
| 971 | Final PET Scan 2021/01/05 |
I guess I have too much time on my hands thanks to COVID.
Looking back it seems both long and short all at the same time. Time really does fly, Tempus Fugit. I’ve learned a lot along the way. The value of friends and family. The trust, hope and confidence in the Word of God. My secure salvation in Jesus Christ, His amazing grace and faithful promises. He was always with me in what has happened and will always with me in whatever might come.
Be safe, be well, be blessed.