I'm doing fine...aside from an infected finger (which was saved through the miracles of Neosporin), all clear.
I unfortunately didn't plan ahead very well and do not have pictures to post from my latest project, but I'll share anyway. We decided to plant a raised bed garden this year. The kids are now old enough to learn about plants, the planting process, food sources, etc and frankly, I just wanted to do it. I built the beds last weekend out of 2x4 cedar stock - they are just shy of 1' deep and will be filled with Mark's Mix ( a mixture of mushroom compost, peat and top soil ). I have two beds that are 4' x 8' with pvc canopy supports so I can top them with plastic to extend the growing season about a month in either direction.
We started seeds a couple weeks ago and Maris helps me keep them watered every other day. Our beans and peas are already about 7" tall and everything else is coming along nicely ( herbs, carrots, cherry tomatoes, beets, radishes and a lettuce mix ). I hope to get them all outside by mid next week so we can really let them grow. I suspect the beans are already root bound so waiting any longer is not an option. I should have probably waited another month to get this stuff going, but I refuse to wait until July before we can start harvesting.
Anyway - that's it. Pretty exciting - great project ( under budget ).
Next up, religion by John. More soon.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
the cure.
Gleevec is not a curative drug. Howevever, a recent study showed that with Gleevec, 86 percent of patients are still alive after 7 years (I know, that also means that 14 in 100 still die in the same time frame).
An article on CNN.com (click here) talks about approaching cancer more as a chronic condition vs curative treatment. In short, treating cancer more like we treat heart disease and diabetes. For me, that's kinda what we're already doing. I often talk about the challenges/mortality of the stem cell/marrow transplant which to date is the only cure. Most doctors seem to think that managing chronic conditions is natural progression in medicine and one that can benefit overall patient outcomes.
So, what do you think?
An article on CNN.com (click here) talks about approaching cancer more as a chronic condition vs curative treatment. In short, treating cancer more like we treat heart disease and diabetes. For me, that's kinda what we're already doing. I often talk about the challenges/mortality of the stem cell/marrow transplant which to date is the only cure. Most doctors seem to think that managing chronic conditions is natural progression in medicine and one that can benefit overall patient outcomes.
So, what do you think?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
sooo....
I got my PCR-ABL news yesterday and unfortunately, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
The number of PH+ (leukemia cells) was up instead of down. Needless to say, we'd like it headed in the other direction. Its all a little to confusing to understand (Majors, Minors, PH+, etc)
If there is any good news to be derived from this - it is the fact that these results were from the Clarian (local hospital) lab and my other results were from the lab out West (Washington or Oregon I think). In this type of test, the results are very dependent on the lab and the only way they really measure progress is in reductions of the number of cells vs the actual number of cells.
My oncologist seems to think that I am really in no danger right now so we are sticking with the six month routine at which point I'll be tested again using the Clarian lab. His confidence reassures me, however I'll probably have a lot more on my mind in the coming months until we figure out what is going on.
I doubt that I am failing the Gleevec and it should be noted that I'm on the lowest active dose right now so we can always increase it if need be. Still, the news weighs a little heavily on me.
Onward and upward.
The number of PH+ (leukemia cells) was up instead of down. Needless to say, we'd like it headed in the other direction. Its all a little to confusing to understand (Majors, Minors, PH+, etc)
If there is any good news to be derived from this - it is the fact that these results were from the Clarian (local hospital) lab and my other results were from the lab out West (Washington or Oregon I think). In this type of test, the results are very dependent on the lab and the only way they really measure progress is in reductions of the number of cells vs the actual number of cells.
My oncologist seems to think that I am really in no danger right now so we are sticking with the six month routine at which point I'll be tested again using the Clarian lab. His confidence reassures me, however I'll probably have a lot more on my mind in the coming months until we figure out what is going on.
I doubt that I am failing the Gleevec and it should be noted that I'm on the lowest active dose right now so we can always increase it if need be. Still, the news weighs a little heavily on me.
Onward and upward.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Quickie.
I got stuck this morning...
It was only one stick with the usual 3 vials to follow. I'm sick as the proverbial dog so I wasn't expecting much, but I'll be damned - good numbers.
Whities - 4.4K
Platelets - 156K
HGB - 14.6
Hell, I'm almost normal.
I won't get the all important PCR-ABL results back for a couple weeks. The good news is, Clarian is now processing the results themselves so I am told I will know how good or bad things are in half the time. I'd be delighted to hear that I'm in a cytogenic remission or some variant of it. At this point, I think the only measurement isn't really remission and really more of how many log reductions in Leukemic/PH+ cells they find. My first results last summer were terribly good so I am hopeful for a turn around.
Stay tuned.
Still kicking, one year down.
It was only one stick with the usual 3 vials to follow. I'm sick as the proverbial dog so I wasn't expecting much, but I'll be damned - good numbers.
Whities - 4.4K
Platelets - 156K
HGB - 14.6
Hell, I'm almost normal.
I won't get the all important PCR-ABL results back for a couple weeks. The good news is, Clarian is now processing the results themselves so I am told I will know how good or bad things are in half the time. I'd be delighted to hear that I'm in a cytogenic remission or some variant of it. At this point, I think the only measurement isn't really remission and really more of how many log reductions in Leukemic/PH+ cells they find. My first results last summer were terribly good so I am hopeful for a turn around.
Stay tuned.
Still kicking, one year down.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
ok. ok. i'm sorry.
needless to say, I'm down to about one post per month (two at best).
In this case, the old adage - no news is good news. I don't go back to the doc until early February and even then I probably won't see blood results back for three or four weeks (this is the test they send out of state to be read). I am hopeful that it will say that I am well on my way to a cytogenic response but have prepared myself in the event that it is not the case. I am still on 400mg daily of the Gleevec which is the lowest dosage so they could probably just increase my intake if I don't get the results Dr. Cripe is looking for. The only downside is going to 600mg daily would increase the cost of my drugs $1,500/month (of which I would still only pay $30) which is probably killing our HR person at the office.
Kristin is hopefully boarding a plane home as we speak. Been a busy travel month for her with a couple trips to NYC and one to Chicago. This in turn means a little more single parenting for me - though our kids a pretty awesome and easy 90% of the time. Even tonight I've got them both fed, read and happily in bed by 7:30 (which is good since our little guys start their day at exactly 6am).
It was a pretty awesome day outside. 12" of snow in fell last night - very much reminds me of home. Only 9 of us made it into the office (3 on time) so it was a really quiet day. I spent the first half on snow removal duty which included a shovel, snowblower and Bobcat and the second half knocking out some boring research that I had been putting off.
Eli turns 5 tomorrow, hope to get some photos of the festivities after the weekend.
Anyhoo.
I'll be around.
In this case, the old adage - no news is good news. I don't go back to the doc until early February and even then I probably won't see blood results back for three or four weeks (this is the test they send out of state to be read). I am hopeful that it will say that I am well on my way to a cytogenic response but have prepared myself in the event that it is not the case. I am still on 400mg daily of the Gleevec which is the lowest dosage so they could probably just increase my intake if I don't get the results Dr. Cripe is looking for. The only downside is going to 600mg daily would increase the cost of my drugs $1,500/month (of which I would still only pay $30) which is probably killing our HR person at the office.
Kristin is hopefully boarding a plane home as we speak. Been a busy travel month for her with a couple trips to NYC and one to Chicago. This in turn means a little more single parenting for me - though our kids a pretty awesome and easy 90% of the time. Even tonight I've got them both fed, read and happily in bed by 7:30 (which is good since our little guys start their day at exactly 6am).
It was a pretty awesome day outside. 12" of snow in fell last night - very much reminds me of home. Only 9 of us made it into the office (3 on time) so it was a really quiet day. I spent the first half on snow removal duty which included a shovel, snowblower and Bobcat and the second half knocking out some boring research that I had been putting off.
Eli turns 5 tomorrow, hope to get some photos of the festivities after the weekend.
Anyhoo.
I'll be around.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
just a quickie.
No time to write. Working on my next hobby. Backyard Chickens. Still need to check and see if Marion County zoning allows it, but stay tuned. If you're interested - you can check out some more info here.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The holidays...
We did our part this year to keep the economy going. Lots of great, fun gifts for the kids. Around October, I decided to try and make a few 'heirloom quality' toys for Maris. She had really wanted crib and high chair for her dolls and the stuff in the stores was grade A crap. I spent a couple hours over the last two weekends putting some stuff together that I'm really proud of. It still needs a once over sanding and some poly, but take a look.
We also adopted a family of four through the United Christmas Service. This year we have a single hispanic mom with three boys (2, 6, and 9). We were able to get them coats, hats, gloves, bedding, cookware, towels, toys, books and more. I think it was the first time I every went to Walmart and had two heaping carts of goods. I anticipate we'll deliver this stuff next week and am really looking forward to seeing their faces when we pull up with a van full of gear. Admittedly, we probably over did it on them - but Kris and I are hopeful that we can make this the best Christmas the boys have ever had.
We also adopted a family of four through the United Christmas Service. This year we have a single hispanic mom with three boys (2, 6, and 9). We were able to get them coats, hats, gloves, bedding, cookware, towels, toys, books and more. I think it was the first time I every went to Walmart and had two heaping carts of goods. I anticipate we'll deliver this stuff next week and am really looking forward to seeing their faces when we pull up with a van full of gear. Admittedly, we probably over did it on them - but Kris and I are hopeful that we can make this the best Christmas the boys have ever had.
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