Saba Beats Cancer

Ring the bell on the chemo - we are done!  On Sunday, based upon the issues with the methotrexate and my kidneys I emailed Dr. Fowler and asked - since I have been in remission since chemo #2 and I truly believe that no cancer cells could survive the onslaught at this point - do I need chemo #6 (actually chemo 11 at this point) or is the risk to the kidneys too much? He called me on the way to the airport and said that is a good question. He has had 7 patients who ended early and all are still in full remission.  So I asked the question - is there a compelling reason to do #6 - he said he would consult with the very doctors who developed R-EPOCH and ask.  Well apparently at dinner at the big cancer conference last night they discussed my case. Their answer on whether I needed chemo #6 based on all that has happened from those that know the treatment the best:  "absolutely not". So no more chemo. He called me from Switzerland as we were walking the pups on the w...

The norm today - a little off, a little tired, a little head ache, a little bone ache.  This is what gets old.  Just feeling off. So you don't feel like doing much. Luckily had work in the morning when I feel better - but by the PM - just feel like doing nada. When we had our appointment yesterday, I felt pretty good and the nurse just kept saying - wait until you are done. Man, are you going to feel good. But not today. And not for the next three weeks or so while we finish. Getting up and knowing that's the best you will feel gets old.  That's when 19 days seems like a long time still. But - doing all my daily activities and getting ready for the final two chemo's and keeping that positive attitude that keeps me on the right side of this. Getting closer every day.

The first Sunday in June is National Cancer Survivor da y.  According to the website it  "is a CELEBRATION for those who have survived, an INSPIRATION for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of SUPPORT for families, and an OUTREACH to the community." There are great inspirational signs all over MD Anderson.   You are a survivor the day you are diagnosed. I can absolutely say that you are not just surviving cancer but surviving treatment.  And we started treatment March 1 - so we have been at this for three months.  And I feel pretty damn good as a survivor.  Sunday, June 2nd marks 9 chemo treatments complete (more if you count the 7 spinal treatments) - a brutal pace for the three months. That's 46 days in the hospital - 46 days and that is not easy. But it is working - remission after the second chemo.  9 out of 11 - that seemed so out of reach a month ago and yet here we are. Survival.  But there are 2 more to go.  21 more days...