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Day +75 update

Hello friends and family,

I hope everyone is having a fantastic start to the new year and optimistic that 2021 will be a much better year than 2020.

Sitting here at Day +75, I am doing well overall.  My blood counts continue to fluctuate between a low and "close to normal" level.  I continue to be on way too many medications.  The exciting news is that Connie and I have a target date of February 10th for our return drive to Colorado.

My doctor refers to the fluctuating blood counts and how I feel overall as "a battle raging between your original cells and the donor cells".  This is expected at this point with the recovery not expected to be a continual, straight line improvement.  There are constant ups and downs, with the overall trajectory looking very positive.  The +100 day mark is a key milestone since history shows that issues are most common during the first 100 days, but it is not uncommon for issues to arise in the first year, into year 2 and beyond.  This currently translates into an up and down to my energy level and mood (just ask Connie who gets me back on track), continued monitoring and adjustment to my medications. 

I'll be the first to admit that medications have saved my life.  Medications have both controlled my cancer and prevented new complications, especially during these past 4 months of my stem cell transplant journey.  The cancer treatments have got me through the past 12+ years since my initial CLL diagnosis, the chemotherapy eradicated the cancer to prepare my body for the transplant, the prophylactic medications have keep me infection free, and new medications have addressed the complications I've experienced during the critical 100 day post-transplant phase.

The combination of the cellular battle and medication side affects have created a series of "speed bump" issues.  Gout, which was induced by the chemo is mostly under control.  More recently, I was diagnosed with medically induced diabetes which was caused by the Prednisone to treat Gout along the myriad of other medications.  I now am checking my blood glucose level 4 times per day, on 2 diabetic medications and on a strict diet. This seems to be working

The reality is that I will continue to fight these type of issues as they arise for the foreseeable future, but remain incredibly optimistic that this journey will lead to my overall objective - cure my cancer.  As I sit here today, it is just a 3 week countdown to our packing up the car and heading back to Colorado.  All I can think about is being in the comfort of our own home, playing with Goose, seeing the kids and friends, and hiking / biking on our amazing trails. Can't wait!

Gary


Recent photo with Colorado painting at MD Anderson


Comments

  1. Kris RowellJanuary 25, 2021 at 11:59 AM

    Hi Gary & Conster!
    I’m so glad things are progressing well.
    What a journey this past year!
    Crossing my fingers you’ll both be home soon. Love the blog updates!!
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 29, 2021 at 9:00 PM

    You two are inspirational. Keep up the great fight. We do not take anything in this life for granted. Stay strong and we'll be in touch. Much love, Belle and Mike

    ReplyDelete
  3. NeilFebruary 4, 2021 at 7:32 PM

    Glad to hear things are still on a positive trajectory. Hope things continue moving in the right direction for your trip home. Take care and hope to hear more good news down the line.

    ReplyDelete

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