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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

20 months and counting, 2013 and a look ahead

Welcome to 2013. I didn't take any time off from work during the holidays. But today really feels like I'm back after a vacation. Time to get back to work and refocused on the job at hand.

I've said this before though, I think.  It's getting hard to do the hum drum stuff. For much of the past year, just coming to work was sufficient. It was my connection to the real world and my escape from cancer.  But I've been full time for a few months and the meaning of my job is getting lost.  Generally I like what I'm doing. But, and here's that word again, the passion isn't there.  The functioning of the port is meaning less and less to me. Forecasts, projections, memos, meetings....blah.

Today is January 2. 20 months since my diagnosis. Wow, that is crazy. I feel great, getting back into shape, kidneys improving, cancer being kept at bay.  All positives. I've got a puffy face and expanding jowls from the steroids. I bruise easily and bleed like a dickens from any small little cut.  But, I'll tell you what, I'm so damn lucky to be where I am at with this.  The plan for 2013 is to keep it going. Get better, get fitter, get my head screwed on even straighter, and all that. No specific resolutions. Just goals. I must learn to play an instrument this year. I must write my screenplays. I must spend more time in and around water. I must get back on my bike.  I must continue being honest with myself and other people. I must continue to appreciate every day. I must not get hung up on what ifs.

This week I have maintenance chemo. Pretty easy at this point. Friday we see the kidney doctor. The goal is to get some relaxation on the diet restrictions. I'd love to have a banana or marinara sauce on pasta or some nuts. That's not asking too much is it?  Saturday I'll get some acupuncture and also Saturday is the key thing....Vikings playoffs. A rematch against the Packers.  Remember to wear your purple this Friday!!!

One last thing, I wouldn't mind seeing this blog get input and thoughts from other myeloma or cancer survivors. I.e. guest writers are welcome. A post here, a post there might be cool.

1 comment:

  1. Matt,

    I enjoy reading your blog and I follow it fairly regularly. I decided to respond to your post because I have been blogging myself and I appreciate it when someone responds to one of my posts.

    We recently met online to record a video teleconference with Pat Killingsworth, you, and me for the WEGO Health Network, which hasn't yet been published. I find your perspective on your MM experience interesting and informative.

    I was diagnosed with Stage 1 IgA Kappa MM in July 2011. I chose to embark on an aggressive treatment regimen, which involved a clinical trial induction therapy with MLN9708/Rev/dex, followed by an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and consolidation therapy with Velcade/Rev/dex. I achieved a complete remission and am now on long-term Rev maintenance. So far, it has worked very well for me.

    I am quite interested in the differences in treatment philosophies between your Dr. Berenson and my Dr. Richardson. Both are giants in the field, but differ in their approaches to ASCT, as well as to heavy up-front induction regimens, topics which are being hotly debated in the MM medical community.

    I plan to continue following with interest both your blog and the developing research into this infernal disease.

    Happy, Healthy New Year to you, and I hope we have an opportunity to meet again.

    Regards,
    Bill

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Berenson Oncology Success Rate

 Some reading about my myeloma specialist's success rate. A press release and an article from Targeted Oncology.