Results are in!

March Madness is upon us, folks. And today is one hell of a mad day for me! Although the Gophers got bounced, I received the best news I could hope for--my bone marrow biopsy reveals no evidence of residual disease. So, I guess I sit here and can call myself cancer-free. 

I am still dealing with some chest gunk, low-grade fever and intermittent headaches, but who cares. For now, I can believe that I will see Nora grow, go to school, get her heart broken, find someone to love forever and maybe, just maybe, she'll have kids of her own! What a trip.

My biggest fear was and still is her growing up without so much as a memory of me. I never necessarily saw myself as the father type, but now, she's my only focus. I look forward to improving health, so that I can be there for her the way my family has been for me. I need to be a rock for her.

Angela, Nora and I cannot begin to repay the kindness you have all given us in so many forms. I do swear, though, to continue to pay it forward. Despite these fractured political times, I have learned one thing and that is that people are inherently good. I hope to find ways to inspire that thought in others as you all have done for me.

This is clearly not the end--there will be further testing and hoops to jump through and maybe even setbacks, but I feel so empowered knowing I have you all behind me.

A thousand-thousand blessings on you all. We did it. Go us!

 

 

 

 

What we know so far

Hi All-

Just a quick update:

On Friday, I had a PET scan and blood draw. Today, Angela and I met with my oncologist to go over the results. The good news is that my scan revealed no signs of cancer. The one negative is that I did have some inflammation of the lungs, but that could be from any of several reasons including a viral infection or as a side effect of the chemo drug bleomycin. I will get another PET scan in roughly 5 weeks to see if that has gone down.

I will be getting a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow, which I must say I am a little nervous for. None of the testing thus far has had anything to do with how my bone marrow is reacting to treatment, so it's hard to feel confident one way or the other. I should get a call from my oncologist from the results of that hopefully by early next week.

There's reason to be optimistic, so we certainly are. We'll keep our fingers crossed that things continue to look good and we can begin to think about long term care plans.

A big thanks to all of you for your continued support and well wishes. We'll send out an update once we've processed the results of the biopsy.

Thanks!

 

1 treatment to go!

Hi All-

Just a quick update:

I just finished my 11th of 12 planned treatments today. It's starting to take its toll--I feel pretty drained. Could definitely be worse.

After what will hopefully be my last treatment on 21-Feb, I will get a PET scan mid-March and meet with my oncologist. We have our fingers crossed that this scan will be like my first--cancer free! We don't have specifics yet, but should the PET scan look good, my oncologist will schedule me for another bone marrow biopsy--gulp--which will have me laid on my side while some demented, evil scientist drills into my hip and steals the inside of my bone. Disgusting!

Nora continues to grow like a weed. She's been walking around a lot, working up the courage to do it totally on her own. She's also starting to model behavior (she's so lucky to have me to idolize) and repeat words. What a fun time it is to be a parent. Little tiny babies have their appeal, but that girl is making me laugh everyday and that has probably been the best medicine.

With Tuesday, 21-Feb (8:30AM - roughly 12:30PM?) being my planned last treatment, Angela and I would like to invite anyone who can swing by the Maple Grove Park Nicollet Clinic (9555 Upland Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55369, Floor 2) to visit. The room is pretty small and we have no idea who or how many people will show up, so quick visits are best to keep things moving and to prevent my nurses from trying to kill me. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Angela or me. 

Again, thanks to all for the support in the nearly infinite ways you all have given it. You continue to be a great foundation for us through this and we would like to share this last experience with those of you who can. If not, please, please, please do not worry. You should all have plenty opportunity to be annoyed by me in the future!

Cheers!