My LP
I really wish this part was about me cutting an album.  Unfortunately in this case “LP” stands for Lumbar Puncture.  They may literally stick a needle in your back, but it’s figuratively a pain in the tuchus.  I’ve had 7 lumbar punctures in my lifetime.  All occurred in 2013 when they’d take out some spinal fluid to test for cancer and then put back some chemo “just in case.”  It was especially fun when they needed to train one of the residents so the guy sticking that needle in your back might try a time or two before they didn’t nick a nerve or hit bone.

Thankfully the spinal fluid was always clear.  This time was no different.  Unfortunately I usually had side effects from the LP.  This time was no different.  Now on the plus side, this time wasn’t as bad as my worst LP.  That was when I couldn’t stand for a week without headaches and nausea.  This time around I can at least stand and move around a bit.  Riding in cars is difficult and I get a headache if I stand up too fast, but both are manageable.  Usually the side effects will pass once the fluid balances back out.  Hopefully that is sooner rather than later.

Continue reading Curveball

Happy Anniversary!
Nine years ago today, Lindsey and I said “I do.”  While I was kinda hoping things would go more on the health and wealth side of the vows, we’ve managed to get through the sickness portion pretty well.  I can’t imagine going through this without my Lindsey Bear and I look forward to Anniversary #10 being somewhere other than a hospital.

Hotel Simon
Now all things considered, I did pick a rather expensive place to celebrate our anniversary.  I mean, we’ve never stayed in accommodations that cost $1,500/night and has someone available at the push of a button.  Here you don’t have to walk anywhere.  They will come to you with a wheelchair or a bed and whisk you off to CT, PFT and other places.  You don’t even have to tip the driver!

Check in at Hotel Simon went smoothly.  I went to clinic to get labs and the Katie (Dr. Cripe’s Inpatient Nurse) took me to radiology for an x-ray to confirm the PICC was still in an appropriate place.  From there we went to my room in C-pod (poor view, but it’s only for 2 days) and settled in.

Since I’ll be here for 2 days and don’t have much going on, we are going to get a lot (or maybe all) of my transplant testing out of the way.  The afternoon turned into a whirlwind of people and tests.  Here’s the latest…

Continue reading Back In The Blinatumomab Saddle

It’s Been a Whirlwind of a Day
Wow!  We can definitely feel and see the love.  It’s been a whirlwind of a day and I haven’t been able to keep up with all the emails, texts, and facebook well wishes.  So let me just give one big thank you to everyone via this blog.  Your support means so much to us and everyone rejoicing with us just gives me more energy and confidence to move forward.

Plan A and Plan B
Plan A and B were something I was going to write about in 2013.  Then treatments got routine, I didn’t write as much, and the plans were never revealed.  Plan A and B are something I’ve thought about this time around as well.  They are the plans that have kept me going.  The plans for my treatment, cure and life.    Plan A is what I’m on right now for my treatment.  I’ll explain both plans, but let’s back up a bit to see how the current version of my Plan A started.

The Original Diagnosis
For those of you that need a quick recap of how I found out I had leukemia in 2012, you can go here: Recap.  When Lindsey and I were talking about my lab results on December 5th, 2012 and the potential of a leukemia diagnosis, she asked me what we were going to do.  My plan was to go to the hospital, get treated, and then continue on with life.  Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that, so let me explain.

Continue reading Sharing My Plans