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My early morning visit with the Oncologist had me back home before NOON toady with good news...  There has been NO PROGRESSION of my two cancers and a lesion on my lung has actually disappeared which is good.  The lesion on my liver is benign and seems to be a collection of blood vessels so there is no need to do a follow up MRI unless it starts increasing in size and it is doubtful that it will increase but one never knows.

My blood work continued to show that I am anemic, have a low immune system because of a low white blood count, and my platelets continue to be about 2/3 of what they should be...  so, basically I have remained consistent month-after-month for the last two years...  and, because of all the infections that I have been experiencing, my Oncologist wants me to receive monthly IVIG treatments and since it is too late for anything this month, and since I have a treatment scheduled for May, my monthly treatment will begin in June...

All-in-all, it was a good report.

What was really encouraging was the fact that apparently my gastrointestinal doctor sent my colonoscopy results (which included his concerns about a lesion on my liver) to my family doctor who in turn had corresponded with my Oncologist about those concerns...  and now, my Oncologist will follow up with my family doctor to let him know that the lesion on my liver is a benign collection of blood vessels...

I like it when the system works and doctors are interlinked and actually correspond with each other in order to ensure positive patient outcomes.

On Going Health

Just as my weight fluctuates fractions of a pound up and down so too does my overall health as I continue to take daily immunotherapy pills and month immunotherapy infusions to halt and contain my two types of cancers:  non Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Melanoma.  Up and down side effects include:  nausea, fatigue, night sweats, loss of appetite, anemia, sinus infections, and a low immune system.  At the end of this week, I will have an infusion of IVIG which will improve the way I feel, stop the infections, and boost my immune system...  that good feeling will last about 2-3 weeks and I will return to the way I was feeling before IVIG unless my Oncologist is approved for me receiving the infusion every month like before.

I also will be receiving my second COVID Vaccine later this week which will mentally improve my outlook on life especially since my overall health puts me into an extreme risk category for DEATH if I were to contract COVID.  It did not bother me that my health condition did not put me at the top of the vaccine list because I knew my age would put me high enough on the list that it would not make that much difference, especially since I rarely leave the house...  and when I do, I do not interact with people...

On March 31, 2021, I will be teaching (in the classroom) a class in PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING for college students in Knoxville.  The classes are small and everyone is required to wear a facemask, but the fact that I will have had my second COVID Vaccine shot before the class begins gives me a lot of reassurance.

My Declining Life

 At the age of 25, our cells stop regenerating 

and start dying...

SO...  I have already been dying for 47 almost 48 years...  and if it is God's Will, I will continue dying for another 20 to 25 years... or until I am 98 years old...

At the age of 60, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's "B" Cell Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) and 2 years later I experienced a severe heart attack that I did not feel while walking on the treadmill except for a sharp pain in my chest.  I tried to duplicate that pain by walking as fast as I could on an empty stomach on the sand at Myrtle Beach but it did

not happen.  An exploratory heart surgery a few months later revealed that I had 3 blocked arteries:  LAD 100% and two other left side arteries 90% each.  It was recommended that I have a triple bypass but I found a cardiac surgeon at NY Presbyterian Hospital who cleaned out my arteries and inserted 5 stints by performing 3 surgeries over a 12 month period of time.

At the age of 67 and probably because of my Lymphoma chemo treatment, I was diagnosed with Melanoma and it was surgically removed with  ABSOLUTELY NO follow-up treatment at all which was the PROTOCOL for the stage of my Melanoma.  Almost 5 years later, my Melanoma migrated from my foot to my groin and later to my neck. 

Shortly after this second diagnosis, I was taking a cocktail of 2 drugs that eventually led to dropping one of those drugs and replacing it with 6 doses of concentrated and strong radiation.

At the age of 72, it was discovered that I had a hyperthyroid which was causing most, if not all, of the side effects that I had been attributing to my cancer(s) treatment.  It was also discovered that my PSA numbers had double and have been seeing a Urologist who is considering performing a biopsy of my prostate.

It would appear that old age and cancer has been trying to hasten my dying process...

Living With Cancer

Living with Caner is simply horrible and I would not wish this experience on anyone because:

1. I have had over 150 chemo/immunotherapy infusions
   
2. I have become anemic because of my cancer treatments
3. I have no immune system because of my cancer treatments
4. I have had 2 Oncology surgeries
5. I have had 6 intense radiation treatments
6. I have had daily nausea & fatigue for years
7. I have had 6 weekends of violent vomiting ending in the ER
8. I have lived with uncertainty and anxiety/fear
9. I have had 5 skin cancers removed caused by my cancer treatments
10. I have lost my sense of taste to most foods
11. I have gained 30 pounds due to steroids taken with my cancer treatments
12. I have had a serious heart attack that may have been cause my cancer treatment
13. I have hypothyroidism that was caused by my cancer treatment
14. I have contracted Melanoma that may have been caused by my cancer treatments

2020 began my 13 year of FIGHTING CANCER(S)...   since I have Lymphoma and Melanoma and while I am thankful and grateful that I have lived this long...  I also live with the anxiety that my cancers could become so AGGRESSIVE that modern day medicine cannot stop it and my life will become forfeit.

With every new morning...

I am grateful for waking up...   and, while that may seem like a silly feeling to have, it  is nonetheless a powerful function of my waking up routine.

At 72, I am having to deal with the following health issues:

1. Lymphoma Cancer
2. Melanoma Cancer
3. Squamous Cell Cancer
4. Heart Issues
5. Thyroid Issues
6. Lower Back Issues
7. Prostate Issues
8. IBS Issues
9. Acid reflux
10. Arthritis
11. Fatigue
12. Nausea
13. Weight
14. Eyes

Many of these issues are simply what happens to older people as a natural part of aging but they are nonetheless an irritation when coupled with some of my other issues.  I am the only member of my immediate family that is experiencing these issues so I hope they appreciate how lucky they are...

I remember my brother every time I talk about LUCK because his famous quote is LUCK FAVORS THE PREPARED...