7 Years Since My SCT – So Many Things to Be Thankful For

 11/25/20 – On November 27^th I will be celebrating 7 years since my stem cell transplant. With 2020 being as crazy and challenging year as it has been you may wonder what is there to celebrate. COVID-19 has certainly had its effect on all of us… But as I sit here and think about my life… even with everything that is going on in the world… I truly have so much to be thankful for.

 For one thing, I am in the longest stretch of time that I have been in remission since I was first diagnosed back in 2008.

 And for some more great news… I had my scans on October 19 and I continue to be all clear. If that’s not good enough... I will not need to get scanned again for another year. This is a great relief. I am feeling like I no longer have anything to worry about. As far as I am concerned my Mantle Cell Lymphoma is very distant in my rearview mirror. Now I can simply just roll on down the highway… completely carefree... and enjoy life. This is such a fantastic time of Thanksgiving for me.

 Speaking of Thanksgiving… I will say that the anniversary of my stem cell transplant falls at a great time of year. It always falls right around Thanksgiving which gives me the wonderful opportunity to thank the people in my life who have always been there for me. This all starts with my beautiful wife, Sue. I doubt I would have gotten through everything without her love and support. There are also my daughters and their husbands who have been there to keep a huge smile on my face. And on top of them, I now have my granddaughter who is just a gigantic joy in my life.

 There is also the rest of my family and friends who have supported me and have prayed so hard for me to be well.

 Last… but not least… I am so thankful for all the doctors and nurses who treated me. I consider all of them as part of my family. They are all such special and gifted people.

 And of course, I would be completely negligent if I didn’t thank God for all the good health I have been blessed with.

 To mark both my 7^th Anniversary and the Holiday of Thanksgiving, here is a YouTube link to a wonderful song by Chris Tomlin that features Thomas Rhett & Florida Georgia Line. It is called: “Thank You Lord” Enjoy!!!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOgAmQvOUM0

 Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!  Jeremiah 33:11

 More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

A Happy 12 Year Anniversary

07/17/20 – Today I am celebrating 12 years since I was originally diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. Me and my family make it a point to approach the anniversary of the day we learned of my illness with happiness and celebration in our hearts.

Now one may think that we are crazy to look at the day I was originally diagnosed with cancer as an anniversary… let alone a day to celebrate… but most we certainly have something to celebrate. We look at it is a time to celebrate the God given gift of life that we have all been given.

On top of this year’s celebration… and please know that I am not looking to jinx myself… I am currently experiencing my best and longest run of good health since My Adventures With Mantle Cell Lymphoma began. Back in June of 2016 I had clear scans and they have been so since then. This makes 4 years and 1 month of good health for me. Prior to this I went exactly 4 years (March 2009 through March 2013). So, saying this this is not only time for us to celebrate life… it is also a time for us to celebrate my good health.

There is no doubt that I truly have so much to be grateful for. I have a wonderful wife, who has been by my side throughout my journey. I have 2 beautiful daughters (and their husbands) who I love dearly. And I have an 8-month-old granddaughter who brings immense joy into my life.  

Here is a picture of me and my granddaughter Millie from a couple of weeks ago

For those who wonder why someone would put themselves through so much to battle for their lives… well you just need to look at the picture and the answer is easy. It is all about the love someone has for their family and friends. Yes, as the song goes… “LOVE ALONE IS WORTH THE FIGHT”. Here is a YouTube link to the song. Enjoy this awesome tune by Switchfoot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk9Pj3ID0UE

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son in truth and love.

2 John 1:3

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

A Social Visit

06/16/20 – Yesterday I had my 6 month check up with the transplant team at the John Theurer Cancer Center. I met with my AVN extraordinaire, Melissa Baker. She was happy to report that all my counts are just great. She even mentioned that it’s safe to say that when it comes to MDS we could look at it as a thing of the past.  Although we didn’t run any tests, she said she would bet that if I had a bone marrow biopsy it would come back clear.

To add to the good news, she said that I will not need another follow up visit with anyone from transplant for another year. “You are at the point where your visits here are social visits.” Of course, that was fantastic to hear.

This did led us to chat about living through this COVID19 pandemic and the importance of being careful, exercising social distancing and that I should wear a mask and those around me should wear them as well. It’s interesting how people who have gone through cancer treatment and stem cell transplants know full well the why we need to wear masks. I often kid that I have a PHD in mask wearing. Masks are not for our own protection; they are for the protection of the people around us.

I had a recent conversation with a friend who was insistent that he could go anywhere he wanted to and that he didn’t need to wear a mask. He said he wasn’t afraid of getting COVID19 and that he did not think the mask helps him in any way. I countered his comment with “you’re not wearing your mask for you, you’re wearing it for me. How bad would you feel if I caught the virus from you?” He conceded that it would make him feel terrible. So, my point… be safe, be mindful of others, social distance and wear a mask. My guess is the corona virus will be with us for a while before we have a handle on it.

As far as what’s next for me… I have my annual scans in October. I am confident that all will continue to be great for me.

I am wishing you all the best as we navigate through this pandemic. Here is a link to a fabulous new song by NEEDTOBREATHE. It’s appropriately called “Survival” Enjoy!!!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBXNuzLHvSM

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous.

1 Peter 3:8

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/