People keep asking, so I gather it is about time for a near end of the year medical update on my leukemia. Really there is not a lot of news to report, one year after diagnosis and eight months after stem cell transplant. I was able to get off the steroids and insulin and also maintain an appetite this time. We don’t know why the tremendous increase of fatigue causing me to sleep more than half of each day and attenuating muscle pain. It could be side effect of the blood thinner or GVHD. Doctors are unable to determine. I am able to pull it together to meet with folks for an hour or two, so I gather it will resolve with time. Marcia is a good encourager when it comes to exercise and getting into the community.
My other symptoms are minor in comparison to what others are going through at this time and the doctors are quite happy overall with the progress. (“You are still alive, that is good, yes?”) They remind me that it is a long process and regardless, vital childhood vaccinations will not be completed for 18-24 months. The doctors are doing an admirable job at managing the amount of GVHD that manifests itself. They do this largely through medication, and then another medication to manage the effects of the first one, etc. 🙂
As I have commented often before, this unexpected journey has allowed Marci and I to discover blessings we would never have found on another path. Suffering is seldom a welcome stranger. but if it comes to your door, do not be too quick to dismiss it. It is often key to us discovering our real purpose in life.
