Season's Greetings

Hello everyone, been a long time since I have done any writing. Need to apologize for that, on numerous occasions got heck from people why I was not writting on the blog. Just really never new what to wirte about. Well in the last 5 months lots has changed. Had some ups and downs, with more ups with things going in the right direction. Had gotten sick a couple of times more recently with a cold but am clear of that now. Everyone that I run across mentions how good I look. I have my normal color back to me and have been feeling pretty good lately. Energy levels are coming back as well is my stength. Have been eating ok and have no problem eating whatever I want. For the last 3 weeks have been working out wtih a personal trainer. Sunlife whom my long term disability is through thought it would be a good idea that I starting doing some conditioning and strength training with the presumption that I might be returning back to work in January. Trainer must be doing her job, some days I am kinda sore but it is for the better. Only real set back will be my back. Gives me some greif at times but as long as do propper lifting and watch what I do will be ok. Have to think that in time back will stregthen up and shouldn't be a concern.

Well time to get to nitty gritty. Met with my oncologist on Fri.11. For lack of a better of term got excellent news, I am in 100% remission. My doctor stated that looking at the blood panel results that you would never know I was fighting Mulitple Myeloma this past year because my results were so clean. Words cannot explain the emotions I felt, was so happy wanted to cry. Probably should have, likely would have been good for me. KIm and kids pretty estatic over my new found health. Just won my lottery.

So not sure how long I will be in remission, but at least now I know what I will be looking for. As for follow-up I need to perform blood and a urnine test every 3 months. FRom the results I know what to look for, but likely my body will tell me too. As work goes likely starting back Jan.4 on a gradual return. For the first 6 weeks will be working Mon-FRi at 2 week intervals of 4hrs/day, 6hrs/day, and 8hrs/day. The last 2 weeks would be working 4 days at 12hr/day. BY march should be off and running if everything goes well.

Going to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I know that my Christmas will mean alot more. Once again want to thank everyone for for all the support, thoughts, and prayers.

Everyone take care, I will!!!

Good News

Had my appointment at cross cancer inst. Fri July03. Met with oncologist, DR. Belch, and things looked real positive. Basically Dr. Belch said I did not have to come back to the cross cancer any longer unless there was some sort of a problem. Basically all I have to do now is go for blood work every 3 months here in town and my doctor will analyze the results. AS my energy level goes the doctor said it might be up to 3 months before I start doing a little more other than basically just sitting around. In about 6 months time should be back to work. Otherwise things seem to be going ok. Starting to sleep aa bit better but still using sleeping pills. Eating seems to be better, not getting the sour/bitter taste in my mouth as much. Finding some foods tasting good again as compared to a couple of weeks ago. Also got my central line removed Friday so that is real nice. Well everyone take care, I will try and keep in touch as much as possible.

Hello everyone. Sorry taking so long updating you all, almost hard to beleive its been 3 1/2 weeks since I have been home. Well the question alot of you may be asking is how I am doing. Up to a few days ago still feeling pretty worn out and lathargic. This might have been partially due to fact I was still have trouble sleeping even with the use of sleeping pills. About the last 4-5 days starting to sleep through most of the night, but still on sleeping pills. The road hasn't been totally smooth. This past Friday had to go into the hospital here in town. Woke up with a full blown cold. After blood work to see what kind of shape I was in got prescribed some antibiotics. The pills seem to have done the job as I am feeling better now, except pills are kinda screwing up my eating a little bit. Should be done the pills for Monday I figure. Well to answwer the question how am I. I beleive I am doing GOOD as per what the cross cancer has indicated. From what I am being told the stem cells took and I am on the road to recovery. The road to recovery might be as quick as I would like it to be, but one day at a time. I was informed that it might be up to 6 months before my energy levels are allright and possibly up to a year before I am completely feeling normall again. As the doctor on hand for my stem transfer stated most people don't relize or consider my procedure to be overly serious but as the doctor stated just becuase I don't have a scar a stem cell transfer is classified as major surgery. To give an example of my energy level I felt ambitious the other day and thought I would pick-up a flat of drinking water. I carried to the flat 200-300 yrds and I was competely wore out. Lots of everyday stuff that I really can't do yet but slowly it all comes back. WEll now that I home now my eating is pretty descent. Definelty not eating like I used to but alot more than the hospital. Pretty partial to chicken for so reason. When I got home I was 200-205pd mark. For some reason about a week after I got home I was still losing weight, almost 10pds. Weighed myself tonight and back up to about pds so starting to put some weigh back on. Well I don't do to much during the day. In the mornings I fell more energetic so I try to get out of the house and do someting. BY the afternoon I am pretty lazy and usually take some form of a nap. Come evening I try aqnd go for a walk. Well I am back at the cross cancer center this Fri July03. Going to do more blood work and get my central line removed. I will meet with my oncologist, DR. Belch, and we will review my condition. I'd say cross your fingers but I know I am going in the right direction. WEll everyone thanks agian for all you support, thoghts, and prayers.

Following up

Well been home a few days now and it sure is nice. THe boys and my useless cat seem to be happy I'm home. Feeling pretty tired/larthargic still, I was told that this feeling would last 2-3 weeks and I'd start being a little more ambitious. Starting to eat a bit more now, the big thing I am able to snack throughout the day. Still have that wierd taste/sensation in my mouth. Finding some foods are tasting real wierd. Hopefully will start to eat more soon. Not holding my breathe though, the nutrionist at the clinic told me it might be up to 3 months before my eating is back to normal. The good thing is I'm not getting sick anymore when I eat. Well went to see my family doctor today. While in the clinic I was getting some real high blood pressure's. Got checked out today and my blood pressure was normal, thank god. THe other bonus was I got a prescription for sleeping pills becuase I'm still not sleeping at night (this might be part of the reason why I feel so lathargic throughout the day). The other huge bonus was that I can get my blood work completed here in town so I don't have to travel to Bonnyville. WEll everyone thought I'd give you a quick update, and thanks for all your prayers and thoughts.

I'm home

Sorry to everyone, haven't put a post out for a few days. Well I'm finally home! Got home Wednesday around 17:30. Feels good to be home, got to see the kids and have my own bed. The boys were happy to see me. Right from the beginning Liam had a big smile on his face. Aaron was a little strange. Aaron gave me a strange look, then took my hand and sat with me. After about 1/2 hour Aaron was back to normal. Taylor was happy I was home.

Well I'm taking it easy. Still feel pretty worn out. This might be partly to do with the fact I haven't been sleeping that well at night even though I was taking sleeping pills. MY hips and back were pretty sore from the hospital bed. Well my first night at home was nice, still didn't sleep that well but at least hips and back fell better. Hopefully withing 2-3 weeks will start feeling better from what doctors have said. Also hopefully within this time will start to eat a little bit more. I've lost about 20pds. Now that I'm home can try eating a few different things. I don't really have a big appetite, the boys are probably eating as much as me. My stomach kinda feels strange and I have a weird taste/sensation in my mouth. Doesn't feel like nausea.

The nice thing is I don't have a pile of meds to take. All I was given was some anti-nausea pills to take as needed. I need to go for blood work once a week. Likely will have to Bonnyville to the cancer center to get blood work done. If I.m lucky can do it here it town. We want to do the blood work through my central line and Cold Lake generally does not work with them, thats why Bonnyville. We are trying to avoid sticking me to draw blood because my blood platelettes are still low. The blood platelettes are what causes the clotting. I mentioned earlier that I lost whatever hair I had left on the old coconut. I've got some hair growingback but it looks like peach fuzz. I have lost my facial hair, so fair eybrows and eyelash holding on. From what we can tell stem cell replacement seems to have taken and is working. On July3 back in Edm for a follow up appt and will know what exactly is going on.

Well tonight we are going to celerbrate to boys 2nd bday. THey turned 2 on May28. The ususal hot dogs, cake n' ice cream. The boys will have a few of their freinds over. THe only other thing I know has to get done is my one twirlly bird is squeaking pretty good. This will have to wait, I know I'm not crwaling up on the roof anytime soon.

Step Backwards

Well my day went pretty good. Trying to get less drugs through my IV so that I don't have to be continously hooked up. Kim and I had a long talk with doctor and he thought I would be going home on WEd. That would be so good, would like to see kids already. Also would have the freedom home seems to offer. Well had a minor step backwards at diner time. Not ssure why but started to gag while finishing my sandwhich and ended up throwing up. Had nice surprise visit from my frien Rob Parker. One of Robs dughters had a doctors appt. close by so he had time for a visit. I've gor more freedom now so I walked Rob back to his van and go to visit with Parker crew. I failed to mention but also had an axcellent visit Sunday morning with Murray Ireland. Murray said that he had fence to build this afternoon. I told him I likely coudn't help, but to still enjoy himself, ha ha.

Relay for Life Results

Thank you all who supported Kim during the Relay through donations or just being there during the event. The Lakeland Relay raised over $250000 to go to the Canadian Cancer Society so research for a cure can continue. Way to go for all the participants who stuck it out through the cold, wind, and exhaustion. Here is a picture of Kim walking the track after all the luminaries were lit and the luminary from the kids.





I am getting to go out with Kim for a bit today and leave the hospital. Still really tired all the time, but it will be nice to get a change of scenery.