Time for a Boost!

It has been a while since I have posted, but since things have been relatively uneventful, thats a good thing right?   In mid 2018, I had a lump in my neck show up as a hot spot on my PET scan, and when it was removed and biopsied, it came back as negative, which was a very big shock to myself and my oncologist.   But I will take it.  Late in 2018, I got sick twice in a month and a half, so I started to watch things closer as my numbers were dropping.  Beginning of February 2019, another illness hit me and the cough was brutal.   Had bloodwork done so the Onc could see if a treatment of immunoglobulins (IVIG) was in order, bubbles as I call them, and on March 13th, I started again with a few months of treatment for my immune system.  Looking forward to fighting these viruses better with a stronger immune system.  For now, this is why I call them bubbles. :)

Bubbles

That's a wrap!

This morning, a piece of me was removed that has been the conduit by which the drugs that put my cancer in remission flowed.  4 years and 85 days ago, seems just like yesterday, but today it was pulled.  I asked to see the port after the procedure, and a sight it was.  Smaller than I though, but something so powerful.  I am now left with a new cut that closes out this amazing journey I have talked about, and hopefully, I will continue on with my remission for a long time.

For 2 years and 141 days, my cancer has been in remission and the spot found months ago seems to be doing nothing at all.   So in 6 months, we'll see what is up, and I plan to keep on pushing.  For now, a little over 4 years ago, this part of the journey ended today.

February 22, 2011                                                                         May 18, 2015

Port-tastic

Hard to believe that it has been a year since I have created a post here, but its been pretty steady with 3 month or 6 month checkups.  So all was well until 3 months ago in February when they saw a new spot on the CT scan so this checkup was very important.  But the spot did not do anything so they consider it just a spot right now, no reason for concern.  Since this was great news, my oncologist decided that we could pull the port out if I wanted.  On Feb 11, 2011, I received my port that would be the key to all the drugs pumping into my body for chemotherapy.  Every 6 weeks I have had to flush it so that the socket would not dry up.  

Ironically, I found out on 5/18/2011 that I was in remission, and on 5/18/2015 just 4 years later I will remove the most important piece of my chemotherapy.  Has it really been 4 years.  Man, this will be a great day, but also my birthday.  Seems fitting to me.   

I will post my favorite quote, because of this great day!

Never Give Up!

Counts dropped again, looks like bubbles are in my future.

Bloodwork came back, and I dropped a little more in the immune system counts.  I believe that more bubbles will be in order.  I call them bubbles because the immunoglobulins as they go out form bubbles in the bottle.  But they will come right before my 7 day cruise which i am so looking forward to.  All is well, just need a little boost to fight the fight with.

Defy

All Clear yet again! Next checkup, 6 months!

475 days ago I went into remission from my second battle with Stage IV Non-hodgkins Lymphoma.  I have had two immune system crashes, and many months of immunoglobulins, AKA Bubbles, to help boost my immune system.  Today was my second 3 month checkup since stopping the bubbles.  I received an all clear, with no evidence of disease.  I am still waiting on blood work to see where the immune system counts are, but all indications are that things are going well.  If the counts are good, the onc has mentioned taking out the port, something that has been a symbol of all that I have gone though.  It doesn't hurt, just kinda sits there, and is the catalyst to my recovery.   Hope to get good news tomorrow, but for now, I am head to checkups every 6 months now.   Couldn't be happier.

I couldn't have done this without the huge support system I have and I will always iBelieve, and never give up.

The numbers tell it all

Had my 3 month check up today, initial counts are all good.  Calcium is still a little low, but just barely.  It will be a day or two before the immune system counts are in, but all indications are going well.  I have avoided the crud that many have been posting about and those I hear in the office.  So my plan is to stay away and not catch it, so as of today, everything is going great.  Next up is a port flush in 6 weeks, and in 12 weeks we will do a CT Scan to look inside and see whats up.

All is well!!

Didn't have bubbles to take a photo of, so I just grabbed one of the lab vials :)

Come Sail Away

Cruising right along.  2014 is just around the corner and mid year I will go on my first cruise with friends, and am very much looking forward to it.  I had my appointment with the onc on Oct 31st, and for the first time forgot to post how it is going.  Oooppssss. :)  Talk about my numbers as this was my last round of Immunoglobulins, AKA bubbles.  Everything is looking good and I won't go back for a checkup until late January.  So lets see if I can cruise right on into 2014 with a good start and keep on moving forward.  All is well, here we go sending off 2013 with a bang!

iBelieve.