11/27/21 – I am celebrating another anniversary. It is 8 years since my Stem Cell Transplant. I find it lands at the perfect time each year. It always right around Thanksgiving and I truly have so much to be thankful for. I have two beautiful grandchildren; Millie is 2 years old and Calvin is 2 months old. I have two fantastic daughters; Jill and Alli and of course there is Sue, my wonderful wife of 37 years.
I am also very thankful to be
in my longest stretch of good health since I was originally diagnosed back in
2008. I am pleased to say that it has been 5 ½ years since I have had any health
issues of note.
If I was being nitpicky, I suppose I could point to me not having the best immune system. I do seem to get sick easily. There is not doubt if there is a germ in the room, it will find me… and when it does, I have a difficult time recovering. With this in mind, my friends at the John Theurer Cancer Center have referred me to a doctor who specializes in Allergies and Immunology. His name is Dr. Mohammad A Younus and I had my first appointment/consultation with him on November 1st. After looking at my case he had me go for a comprehensive blood test. This blood test would take a deeper dive into my immune system than anyone has done before. I have a follow up appointment on November 29th.
Via the My Chart application I have had to chance to see some of the results from the blood test results. Some of my results of note (those that were either above or below normal values) include:
- PNEUMOCOCCAL AB (23 SEROTYPES) – all 23 were Low
- IGG – Low
- Abs CD8 Suppressor – High
- % CD4 (T Helper) – Low
- % CD8 Pos Lymph – High
- CD4/CD8 Ratio – Low
- Platelet Count – Low
The CD4 and CD8 are areas I do not believe have been tested for in the past. It will certainly be very interesting to see what Dr. Younus will have to say about them. I have heard great things about Dr. Younus. I am truly very hopeful of what he can do for me.
With all this said, even if
Dr Younus can’t help me, I am just so thankful and blessed. In all honesty my
health challenges are becoming a distant memory. The one thing from my adventures
with mantle cell lymphoma that I will always carry with me is that everyday is a gift.
With us entering the season
of Advent here is a YouTube link to my favorite version of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”.
It’s performed by Third Day. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7igzA8uupU
A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the
wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley
will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven
ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. And the glory of the
Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the
Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 40:3-5
More to come…
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