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Saturday, April 27, 2013

Rise to the Occasion

Less than a week until my two year diagnosis anniversary. In the words of Joe Biden, this is a big fucking deal.  When I was first diagnosed, I was hoping for two years. For a while there, I figured I might make it to the end of 2011. Well, we're coming up on two years and I am going strong. This past week, I made it to the gym twice, rode my bike to work twice, got chemo, worked a full week. Not bad. Not bad at all. Now I figure I have another 20-30 years to go.

Thursday before chemo, we saw Dr Phan. I was scolded by the doctor and Leslie for being too impatient with my kidneys. I went from having creatinin over 8 last year, with the kidney doctor wanting me to start dialysis ASAP. Well, I didn't do dialysis and my creatinin is now consistently under 4. But I want it under three. But as Phan pointed out, we are trending in the right direction and I need to be patient with the kidneys as the clogs created by the myeloma protein get cleared out. It is almost 100% likely that I have kidney scarring,so they will never be normal, but as long as they work, we're doing good. Lesson learned. Stay patient.

And as the doctor pointed out, it's pretty good that this is our conversation as opposed to conversations where we discussed getting a chemo mix that would work. That was a lifetime ago.   Phan also said how he is always impressed by how much his patients endure and persevere. He said he couldn't do it if put in that position. I disagreed. I think any one can do it if they have to. We rise to the occasion. Two years ago if you told me everything I'd be going through, I would have said no way, I won't be able to do it. Well, I have done it. Many people have done it and will continue to do it. It's not right, but it happens.

My Thursday chemo went off without a hitch. I slept just over two hours Thursday, was wired Friday and now it's Saturday and I have tiredness creeping up. The steroid wears off and the chemo drugs hits me. It's pretty routine. My port removal site has healed nicely. There are a couple of little scars. I realized today I am getting quite an assortment of little scars, from various procedures.

One last note...not myeloma related. The Vikings just had an awesome draft and unveiled their new uniforms. This means that my excitement is now building up for the new season. Too bad it is a few months away. I'll try my best to stay calm.

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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.