Cancerversary

Today is the day. It is one year since I was diagnosed. I remember the day well. I had been at work all day and stopped on the way home to pick up Chinese food for dinner. As I walked in the door, my wife said that the ophthalmologist who I saw that week had called and told me to call him as soon as I got in. I was expecting bad news, but not what he told me. Needless to say, he said I had leukemia and told me to go to the hospital. I was admitted that night and spent the next five days trying to confirm which type of leukemia.

I am not sure if this is a day to celebrate or to mourn. I certainly feel a little odd. I was supposed to be in New York celebrating my cousin's Bat Mitzvah. Instead, I am home because my oldest daughter has strep throat and is feeling very sick.

Anyway, one year has passed quickly and my adventure continues. Thanks to all of the people who have supported me during the past year and made this situation as easy to deal with as possible. Let's hope that this year brings complete remission and CML might be something I can start thinking about in the past tense. Not that it ever goes away, but at least if it is fully in check, I will hopefully think about it even less.

Here is a recent picture of my daughters and nephew since some of you have asked for a recent picture.

A Little Piece of Heaven

Let me start by apologizing for not writing for some time. I have received complaints (rather suggestions) to update my blog. It has been almost 2 months since I have written. There are a number of reasons. Not much has happened with me in terms of CML. I have not had a doctor's appointment or blood work since December. I am going in later this month for my 3 month check-up and the ever so exciting bone marrow biopsy. The other thing that will happen in 2 days is my Cancerversary (to borrow a phrase from Erin Zammett Ruddy). March 3rd will be the one year anniversary since I was diagnosed. That is kind of amazing to me that the time has gone by so quickly. The good news is that I continue to feel very healthy and as far as I can tell, the CML seems to be in control. After my last check-up, my counts were all excellent and I was ahead of schedule in terms of where the doctors wanted me to be at this point (then again, I have always been an early bird).

I find it interesting that I have not been thinking about CML very much at all. Whereas last year at this time, it was dominating my life, it has taken a back seat to other, potentially more important things. That is not to say I forget about having CML, I just don't dwell on it. I used to spend a lot of time reading the CML discussion groups. I am doing that less and less. Perhaps it is denial, but I will be reminded again later this month during my trip to Dana-Farber.

So what have I been doing to occupy my time. The picture above should give you a clue. I just spent an incredible week with my family (wife and kids, brother, sister-in law and nephew, and parents) in beautiful Colorado. Some of you may not know this, but I was actually born in Colorado, so I guess you could say I was a native.

The picture is of Beaver Creek where we stayed and skied for a week. It was so sunny and warm that I came home with a sunburn. A big thank you to the Horvitz family for letting us stay with them and enjoy this little piece of heaven. We were not that far anyway, since we were 10,000 feet up. It took a little while to get adjusted to the altitude and the time difference, but it was worth it. I have found that taking time for myself and my family is essential. That is good advice no matter what you are dealing with.