Hey there, long time no see! The last month has been a roller-coaster, full of ups and downs. In that order.
This is going to be really long. Check with your stomach first: is it growling? Grab a snack before starting to read. I care about your comfort!
At the beginning of December we did a bunch [...]
In writing about my specific lymphoma situation, I think it’s important to know how exactly lymphoma works. So let’s talk briefly about some mechanics.
A few major components of our immune system are known as B-cells and T-cells. They attack invading viruses and bacteria in different ways. Those ways are real interesting, but out of the [...]
I’ve finished my first round of chemotherapy! Heading home now. I’ll write in much more detail when I get home.
As long as I don’t vomit on my keyboard.
The pain from last night only got worse as I slept. I spent the night sitting up in bed, a position that didn’t hurt as much as others.
After waking up I had the pleasure of finding that all attempts to get out of bed were met with intense pain. Pain that motivated me to stay [...]
Current state of lymph node biopsy: the analysis is “complex” and they’ve sent it to the UW to have more subtyping done. Hopefully I’ll get a call early tomorrow with results and an invitation to come in and start chemo same-day. I really want to try out this neat chest port!
Speaking of chest ports (and [...]
The surgeon (Dr Kent) called a few hours ago in the middle of a nap; I’d had a Percocet, I was tired, and the loud fan was on. He was politely asked by a 2007 recording of myself to leave a message.
The message was that the initial pathology from the lymph node biopsy confirmed the [...]
Yesterday I did yet another test; this one to check the strength of the left ventricle of my heart.
A few of the chemotherapy drugs, especially one named Adriamycin, can (but don’t always) have a toxic effect on the heart. Before starting treatment with it, Dr Norman wanted to find out the current strength of my [...]
We started early today, with a check-in time of 7:30am. My brother woke up really early and made the trip up to be our designated driver.
This weekend we had a moment of doubt; the surgeon (Dr Kent) had recommended that we remove a lymph node from underneath my arm, but the oncologist (Dr Norman) was [...]
Within twelve hours I should be plus one chest port and minus one very-biopsiable lymph node.
Then we’ll keep checking for biopsy results and seeing how soon we can start treatment.
Wish me luck!
I’m fairly certain that we’ll get good data on this cancer from a biopsy of the neck lymph nodes that the PET scan pointed out.
I say this because I can feel a couple nodes when I press beneath my jaw bone. It’s fascinating, creepy, and scary all at once. I’m pretty sure they’ve got the [...]