Christmas 2010

Well its amazing to me that four years ago jsut before this time we were just back from a trip to Canada to "say goodbye' of course I didn't tell anybody that's what it was about. I had total confidence in Doc Schoozenbootz but I'm a bit practical and wanted to cover my bases. At this time four years ago I was just back from the hospital from getting my big giant spleen out in prep for my bone marrow transplant
     - Actually I've found out the more correct term is Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Treatment. but I digress
I'm doing great btw. and I'm getting ready to celebrate Christmas with family and friends in our new house.
Its a lot different this year.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a...
more later.
Chris

A long overdue update

Hi gang

I've been so remiss that maybe no one will see this post but since its more for me that you ...

Shoeszenbootsz says "everything is good, liver is good, kidneys are good, keep on this level of drugs, I AM VERY HAPPY"

yes isn't that amazing. As you know when he is happy I am ecstatic!

It's been a slow climb over the past few months and you know I don't notice the effects of this stuff but lately have noticed that I do seem to have a little more energy and pep.  Each 4 weeks we were getting 'there is improvement in the liver/kidneys but still not happy'  So you could have slapped me with dead fish and I would not have noticed when he said he was Happy!

Joyce is good. She is on a Wild Women weekend. I'm not allowed to know what that even means so ...

more later

Cleared for take off

Okay to recap: five weeks ago shoozenbootz  said my "kidneys are crap" yes a direct quote! A bit exaggerated but he made his point. No booze, lots and lots of water some adjustments to several medications and re test in a two weeks. See the previous post about the logic conundrum. Thanks Kirkie for responding. I did call and rebook the phone call and got him later.  He then said "still crap, slight improvement, retest in a week". I never did hear back on that one but last Friday I saw him at my treatment day in Brisbane and he said the were just crapish now. (My words) The levels of crud...creatine etc was still a little higher then he likes but the reduced immunosuppression has helped. Apparently the side effects are renal issues, high blood pressure, and glucose issues. All of which I have. It didn't help that the normally prescribed blood pressure tablet had been reduced the month before because it made my ankles huge. They are very nicely turned not thank-you very much.  The side effect of lowered immunesuppression are, in my case,  rashes on the inside of elbows and kness, tummy upsets more often, a tickle in my throat.  All this can easily be controled so its all good.

Anyway both Bluey and I were quietly worrying that he was going to put the kibosh on the Paris trip. But my kidneys have come through! He specifically said have a good time!

We are packing like mad for takeoff on Thursday!

Guess who's got lunch at  l'Tour Eiffel booked!


more later

Two Week tests

Hi all; I did the two week tests like Shoesenboots wanted and called but didn't hear back. Which leaves the old conundrum.....
If he saw the results and they are normal and he skipped the call to deal with others that are more sick then I, I should just leave it.
If he just didn't get the results or he got swamped then he MAY call me later, I should just leave it.
If he got swamped or didn't get the results then when he does get them they come in with  a hundred other results and if I'm not on his call list for Monday or Tuesday and he doesn't call me then gives me shit next time I see him, for not doing what he asked "make sure we talk in two weeks after your tests" then I should call him again.

Logic lovers please decode this for me.
more later
Chris

Write something

in this blog...

Okay I just felt I needed to make a post but I have no news, Bluey is good, Floydd is good, Chilli is good, I'm goodish. I'm just really aware that I need to study up for my next test in ten days.

Oh I have started another blog for Stage Management students! I've been thinking for sometime that I want to provide tuition in this area and am trying a blog format.

That's all really.
more later
Chris

update for the 3rd anniversary of BMT

That's Doc lingo for Bone Marrow Transplant but that's even not really true because its and Analogous Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant. I like BMT because it sounds like I'm really just talking about a sandwich. (BLT). Anyway I went to a great concert and then the next day, April 1st I did blood tests and a dermatological exam.

Picture a guy with glasses and on top of that a magnify visor and this magic wand magnifier....he drips what I presume is saline on me and then applies the wand and looks at every odd spot on my body. Yep EVERY ONE. At least this time three interns didn't come in to look at my rare skin condition. Then picture them suing a sharp punch to chop out a tiny chunk of my skin from two places stitching me up and there you have my annual derm review.

Then I went to see Shoozenboots and he also used medical language. "your kidneys are crap". I think it was just an anomaly because I had been partying for the concert but I have a slightly new regime for my meds and have to do a make up exam in two weeks. Bluey is watching me like a hawk and I have a zero tolerance policy until....... ? whenever?

Three years is pretty good and we are going to france for three weeks so that's pretty cool use of my time I rekon.

more later

Chris