So the theme for me recently has been fatigue. My apologies for not posting daily. However, the fatigue has been significant and the blog has taken a backseat. 

Today has been a decent day thus far. That makes a couple good days in a row for me this week. Although, my MD continues to assure me that I will have some rough days in the next week or so related to side effects of the radiation. Today, I remain hopeful that much of the worst is behind me and that what is before me is only temporary.

Sorry about not posting yesterday. I was just too tired and not in the mental place to make a post. Today, however, is better. I’m making progress everyday. 

Today is best remembered by HVAC issues. After two days of a 64F degree room, my room today was a balmy 83F. So…I am now in a different room and the HVAC feels good. 

Day One has been tough. Being here alone is beginning to set in. Additionally, the AC was locked on and it was 64F in my room and I couldn’t get warm. Maintenance seems to have solved that issue thankfully. 

Transplant was completed by 10A this morning. I’m exhausted and resting. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life. 

Rounds 7 & 8 are now done. Sorry for not posting last night. I just posted it now. In short, the radiation is tough. I’ve had nightly nausea an vomiting with hopes that tonight is better. 

Today, rounds five and six are in the books. I’m hoping for less nausea. So far, the meds are controlling it better than yesterday.

Rounds three and four are in the books. I’m half way through the radiation and learning that this is a tough course of treatment. 

Today included Rounds 1 & 2 of Total Body Irradiation (TBI). It is a relatively simple process. I stand in a frame that keeps everything properly aligned and then get radiation for six minutes anterior and another six posterior. 

It has been quite a while since I posted, nearly one month in fact. I hope that each of you are doing well and are enjoying Summer. June has been exactly what I needed. 

Sorry for not posting last night. I was simply too tired. However, I got a good night’s rest and am happy to say that I am heading home later today. 

Day Two in the hospital has been a success - no side effects from the Blincyto.

I was able to re-admit and start the Blincyto treatment today. With that, I am now connected to an IV for the next 28 days. However, I can also look to the future with confidence that I will achieve the deep MRD negative (really low or undetectable levels of cancerous cells) in advance of a bone marrow transplant.

This is a quick update making a long story short. We were not able to start the Blincyto because of some uncertainty on my discharge plans. Rather than sitting in the hospital and running up a bill while we worked out details, my doctor graciously discharged me with plans to readmit in the next week or so. Until then, I am back home with family. 

So, I’m writing tonight from my hospital room. This was a planned readmission to start the Blincyto that I mentioned in my last post. I hope to start the Blincyto tomorrow and get back home early next week. As a point of clarification, the Blincyto is administered through my PICC line and not through my abdomen. I was glad to receive that news today.

I’ll begin by apologizing for not updating my blog in real-time for the fact that I am officially in remission. Remission is defined as fewer than 5% cancer cels in my bone marrow. My numbers came back at 0.05%. Technically, these are great numbers and better than expected. 

I am able to write this entry from the comfort of my home. The reunion with family was sweeter than I could have imagined. 

Well, Round Four of IV Chemo is in the books. I must say that I am excited to be finished with this part of Chapter One. Today, was a day that I knew would come but didn’t focus on. Instead, I focused on each day as it would come and go knowing that today would eventually come.

I’ve started and stopped this entry a few times out of an abundance of caution. I want to be sober-minded in writing what will be the first of several entries exploring why I am fighting my battle with ALL.