Flashback to previous life

Had a nice visit with Brenda yesterday, bringing me greetings and love from my medical colleagues and friends.  I cut off ties with them rather abruptly when I became ill, and it all seems like a previous life right now. I have tried to create an oasis of calm here in our home situated among the trees and looking out to the sea, with music playing and a gentle breeze coming in the window. As passionate as I have been in making positive changes to the delivery of health in our community, that role is now passed to others as it should be. I am grateful to have been part of it and hope to resume a perhaps different role in the future.

As far as effects of chemotherapy go, it seems to be working, as I continue to pee out lots of toxins and drink lots of fluids. Appetite is still good and keeping up my nutrition. Going for walks in the nearby forest with Caroline.

Today, riding friend, Todd, came by with a mocha (my riding energy drink) and magazines and stuff. I put him to work, as I do many of my visitors who help on "The Journey". He cleaned out the pool filters, and took away residual pesticides from the house and garden shed and took them to the disposal depot.  Their lingering presence disturbed me and I was glad to see them go.

Now, time for a rest...

from haircuts to pisspots

Got a badly needed haircut today from my father with assistance from my mom, like the days when I was a pre-teen and my dad did all my haircuts. It's not falling out yet, just unruly. Had a nice chicken soup lunch with them.  And then I started to pee. And I have hardly stopped since. Peed out 5 pounds, and the tumours are visibly shrinking! I must be peeing out the tumour cells, and taking my accumulated water with them. So my double chin is gone and my puffy feet are gone. Rash is fading but the itch molecules are still blasting me, but there is light on the horizon.

Oncologist called and suggested a change to my treatment program, alternating CHOP and GDP chemo every 3 weeks. Then bone marrow transplant at VGH when it is in remission.  Success rate of up to 80% reported with this protocol. Yes, reasons for optimism.

first chemo day

Had my first chemotherapy today and went well with virtually no side effects. And the good news is that bitchy itch is finally starting to subside, which means the chemo is already doing its job. And my energy is better thanks to the prednisone. No naps today. Expect ongoing improvements until the next round in 3 weeks.  Great ongoing support from family and friends.

I understand that the news has been a shock to many people, but unfortunately this vile disease can strike anyone at anytime, and it is a reminder to look around you, take stock of what is really important in your life, and give a hug to those you care about and let them know you love them.

seeing the oncologist

Today was my intake appointment with my oncologist. We reviewed the history and he did his physical examination. He was able to clarify the diagnosis with me and Caroline.  Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma. A rare and aggressive form of lymphoma.  I start chemotherapy tomorrow, once every 3 weeks, and after about 6 cycles I could be getting a bone marrow transplant.  Fortunately, I have lots of relatives nearby and finding a good match should be easy.

It may sound odd, but I am really looking forward to the chemo tomorrow, as it is likely the only thing that will get rid of this darn itch.

Surviving the long weekend

The nights are the worst. When the sun goes down,  the conversations end, and the house goes quiet, the pruritis demon raises its ugly head. The body rash of lymphoma can be unremitting and unresponsive to conventional treatments. A few nights ago, it took 4 atarax and 3 imovane before the itch let up enough to fall asleep. I used so much cortisone cream that my hands and feet started to pulsate in protest. Doctors are the worst patients, as we take liberties with medications that would normally be crazy, but we feel we can get away with because we tell ourselves we understand the drugs.

One of my cycling friends came over today, and as warned, was put to work helping me complete a small rec room project. It gave us a chance to catch up. My parents came over and brought a great meal, which I enjoyed. Appetite and weight intact!

I called the oncologist on call this evening about the unrelenting itch, and he suggested doubling the prednisone to 100 mg, and increasing the sleep medicine, but warned me that the itch would not go away until the cancer did the same. Fortunately, I see my cancer specialist tomorrow and hope to start therapy soon after. It has been a challenging long weekend, but it is almost over, thanks to a bit of help from my friends....

Making the diagnosis

“It takes a village to raise a child.” We've heard that expression before. If it is true, and I believe it is, then “It takes a community to heal an illness”.

My life as a doctor came to a crashing halt two weeks ago when I developed fevers, night sweats, itching, and fatigue and was unable to work. I was already under investigation for swollen lymph nodes, and initial investigations including bloodwork and chest xray were negative. Fine needle aspiration of a lymph node and biopsy of the skin rash were inconclusive. Mono was suspected briefly, but when mono tests were negative we proceeded to open lymph node biopsy, and two days ago we got the diagnosis: Aggressive immunoblastic lymphoma (to be confirmed Tuesday).

You may ask why I would want to blog my cancer? Purely selfish reasons. I have many friends and family and patients and rather than explain it to each and every one, I can post it once and it is done. And, it is therapeutic and passes the time.

Of course, if it helps someone else survive a trial in their own lives, then that is a bonus.

Now, whenever you have the word blast in your diagnosis you can imagine it is not a good thing. These are aggressive tumours that multiply quickly. The good news is that lymphomas are highly sensitive to being blasted by chemotherapy agents and I have already been in contact with my cancer specialist and he is planning to start CHOP or CHOP-R next week which should "chop" it down to size.

Incidentally, the workup is a package deal, and with that you get a bone marrow biopsy. This is much like getting a root canal but instead of getting it in your mouth, you get it in your butt and it is way more fun.  I had mine 2 days ago and awaiting the results.

Friends and family are calling and dropping by as they learn the diagnosis and help out. Beware, because I will put them to work, running errands for me and doing odd jobs around the house that I did not get to before my hands and feet became ridiculously sensitive. Of course, my wife Caroline and daughter Zoe help me out. And Jason will soon be coming back from McGill for the summer.

So you can see there is a tremendous team of people helping me, and I am just at the beginning of my journey....