I started this blog so that my loved ones could keep up with my progress as I underwent this difficult procedure. Since my last post, very little has happened in the way of news. Most of you also keep up with me and my family by direct contact over the phone, and for that I thank you. However, I felt that an update of some sorts was in order considering what will be happening in the next couple of months.
I continue to take two immune suppressing drugs, an anti-viral, an anti-fungal, and supplements, which are depleted in my condition, several times a day. I am rarely hungry because I'm always full of pills, but I'm trying to eat healthy when I do. Since being admitted back in February I have lost half of the weight I gained from taking steroids during my treatment years. Even though I've lost 30 pounds, I have another 30 to go before I can fit back into what I call my normal clothes, which are collecting dust back home in my closet. This is not vanity, though, and I'd like to stress how important it is for us to take care of our bodies no matter what shape we're in. Whether you're young or old, healthy or sick, exercise your body however you can because you only have the one, and it was designed for activity, not inactivity. So, get out there and do something today!
But before you do, please say a prayer for me as I will be having another bone marrow test this week. The drugs that I'm on have been making my blood counts drop steadily, especially my platelets, all month long and the doctor wants to check to make sure that the drugs aren't affecting the marrow, but only the peripheral blood.
Last Wednesday I was waiting for my labs in one of the hallways at MD Anderson, and I overheard a nurse asking another patient how he was feeling. He was a fit young Hispanic man in his early twenties who had a look like he played tennis regularly. He had only recently started his treatment for whatever cancer he had, and was wearing a headband to hide his bald head. He told the nurse that he was recovering well from his cardiac arrest. I was shocked when I heard this. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him for having gone through that, and at the same time feel fortunate that through all the crap the doctors have pumped through my body I haven't had any major organ failings myself, which is amazing considering how lazy I was all throughout college. I must have jogged a total of ten times, although I did use the gym more often than that, it obviously wasn't enough.
Nowadays I spend most of my day seated or laying down because I just don't have the energy to do much of anything else. I try to go walking at least once a day, but in all honesty, I am tired all day long. Today is day 81 and the doctor will reduce my medications substantially by day 100 if I continue to do well. Let's hope that's the case because I know that half of my lethargy is from the medications themselves. Not being able to do anything in public like go to the grocery store, mall, and other places also cuts back on my regular everyday type activities, which isn't good for my energy.
The good news is that I have been able to concentrate better. Perhaps by the time I get to go home for a month, at the end of June perhaps, I will be able to spend blocks of time studying like I used to.
I would also like your feedback on starting a family bible study. I know that many of you currently attend churches with this available to you, but I think that a more intimate setting at our home or some other family gathering place would be nice as well. Let me know what you think since I know that you are all busy people. God bless you, and thank you for your prayers.
