Normal Tuesday?

If it were not for the highlights such as having lunch with some of my favorite people (Paul Howard, Vicki Shumate-Jackson, and Greg Murray - can I get a round of applause for these folks- these people are of the highest caliber and are, without question, highly respected and loved members of our community), dinner with my great friend Paul Helmick, a good phone conversation with a great vendor Troy, and also my friend Keith, some effective actions at work, paying for insurance for August, the sun shining, speculating about my future and new life, two coaching phone calls, losing count of blessings, laughs with Kate and updating the blog I might not have had a great day. 

I have to admit that one of the side effects of Gleevec has been bothersome today.  My muscles ache from head to toe.  Even your eye lids?  Yep, even my eyelids.  Still adjusting to the fatigue.  I’ve decided to look into Yoga.  I think it could help.  With that I bid you good night as my body insists that I lay down and stretch.  Thank you so much for the continued visits, support, prayers and for keeping your sense of humor.  By the way, if you would like to put a link in your comments to something funny or of value,just cut and paste it from the address bar in another browser window into the comment box.  Remember this too….if you want me to pray for something for you….ya’ gotta let me know.

Love,

Chip

Be sure and visit the links in this message! 

Learn why they call Paul Howard “The Hall of Famer.” 

A Better Monday

It’s great to be back to work again!  To be back in the game!  The day started off with the trip to Dr.’s office to get a sample of blood taken for the blood count.  Report was more good news.  Wbc is down to 37,000 so it looks like I won’t have to go back to using the hydroxyurea as the Gleevec is helping to reduce the wbc.  Platlets are still a little high at 542 but it has been that way since I went in to the hospital.  Drinking plenty of liquids to keep the blood fluid and it works well with the Allopurinol.  Here’s a great link to Gleevec FAQ in case your the curious type.  http://www.newcmldrug.com/faq.htm#How_Long 

I also attended the program committee meeting for our Rotary Club.  Great to see friends and having things return to normal.  At least as I know it.    Caught up with friends Brad and Sarah….they’re always fun.  I really wish I had more to report on but I’m tired after a full day of work, nice tuna, asparugus and garlic mash taters and then I nice walk through the neighborhood with Kate.  Thanks so much for support and prayers.  Let me know if I can say a prayer for you.  I will anyway.

Love,

Chip

Sunday 7-29-07

Hey there.  First I need to follow up on the rest of Saturday.  Kate and I ventured out to Kanawha State Forest just outside of Charleston for an easy hike down the Davis Creek Trail.  There aren’t too many more places I enjoy than the woods.  It is ever changing and teaming with life of all sorts.  We hiked half the trail and walked the paved road back to the car just beating a cloud burst.  Made a nice dinner and met up with friends Christy (host), Steph and Luke and aforementioned “cleaning lady”, Leslie.  There was a pool party at Christy’s “subdivision?” with live music, food and drink gathered around the swimming pool.  Great to catch up with friends and to get back to living in the present.  Thanks again Diana for the book! 

Apparently that running around was a little more than my body has been used to lately so I didn’t labor out of bed until 10ish today.   Kate treated me to a matinee.  Transformers was a good movie though I’m a little more partial to the cartoon I watched as a lad.  By the way, for those of you who don’t know it my Mom’s grandparents lived just 20 miles north of Charleston when she was little.  My grandma used to talk about the families special trips to the big city.  She was a wonderful grandma.  Can’t imagine living 100 years.  Who knows what God’s will is for me….we’ll see.  Then dinner with Kate’s parents.  Her dad, Eli, is a great cook.  They treated us to dinner and Paula (mom) served us all a nice sorbet.  Though I can’t recommmend lemon rosemary sorbet.     The McCoy’s are great hosts and there is never a lack of laughter over dinner.  Looking forward to starting back to work tomorrow!  I miss being in the game.  Hope everyone had a great weekend! 

Love,

Chip

Saturday’s Blessings

Kate had a great morning and I enjoyed making it great for her.  Made us pancakes, she made coffee and we enjoyed a nice brunch together.  Had an opportunity to catch up with the leader/owner of our company, Dan, and that was great.  We discussed strategy, breakdowns, opportunities, actions, plans, football, quality life, family, fun, dreams, vision and success.  It’s interesting to me to observe how a business and personal conversation can blend so naturally together.  That’s one of the aspects about business that has always intrigued me.  What types of conversations bring forth new understandings of how business operates, moves, acts, produces and takes care of what’s important to us personally and professionally.  No, I’m not a work a holic.  I don’t sacrifice the quality of life for profession anymore, especially since the onset of what brings us all here today.  Or whenever you may read this.   Anyway, Dan is great.  The company is going to be a success and we’ll all have fun along the way.  At least with those that get it. 

You would think that would be enough to say, “that’s a great day!”  But no, caught up with Cuz Tommy on the phone and that’s always a laugh.  We’re going camping and kayaking (on a calm lake) in the fall.  I’ve committed to catching a Walleye big enough so that it can pull me around the lake.  What?  It’s only 9hp lake .  That’s feasible.

 Spoke with a great friend, Scott Eafrati.  It just doesn’t get any better than this.  Ok, we’ve been great friends for a loooong time, he works for the Steelers, can get seats for Pirates, Steelers, or Pens game at any time.  We’re going to have a get together in Pittsburgh with all the ole boys from Sig Tau someday soon.  Of course new friends too!  Big fun, right?!  Yes.  YOU WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH!  Turns out his little boy, Mario, has special prayer requests before going to sleep.  He prays for his Uncle Shawn (he’s in Iraq) and for Chip.  That touched me deeply.  Whew.  Make it a great day!  Maybe I’ll update later…who knows what might happen next……

Love and God Bless,

Chip

        

TGIF

Wow…I slept almost 11 hours last night.  I don’t know if it was because I stopped taking the Hydrea or if I just tired of being tired and slept it off.  I offered to make pancakes this morning but Kate ordered me back to bed.  Can’t say that I minded but she deserves whatever she wants for breakfast.  I think Kate and Mom have become good friends in a short time.  Kate wrote Mom a note this morning before she left around 7:30a on the dry erase board and, of course, Mom read it and had one ready for Kate this evening.  By the way, Mom travelled back to Swanton today.  It was great to spend time with her this week.  Really brought peace to my home.

Ventured out to Kate’s company picnic this afternoon.  I have to admit that I was a little nervous going.  It was going to be the first time I had been around a large group of people that I knew intimately and as friends.  Of course the conversation about the disease is going to come up.  It was fine.  I think I’m going to come up with a sixty second standard response to succintly define the “present”.  (Thank you Diana!  I enjoyed the book!)  I think it will help improve my posture in a public sense.  Soooo many people to call back……get ‘em to the blog…..get ‘em to the blog.  Don’t worry, I’m not stressing about it.  In good time all things come to find their balance. 

I’m going back to work on Monday.  I’m really looking forward to it.  With the wbc down and stopping Hydrea (even only if temporary) my physical state has found a new and different balance.  I feel mentally and physically well and at the same time I know to watch out for; signs of fatigue, bumps, bruising etc.  I am taking good care of myself and will continue to do so.  Ok, that’s it.  Hope you have a great weekend!  I’ll post again tomorrow.

Love,

Chip

Important Update!!! :-)

Couldn’t wait to share the news…..several wonderful things happened today!

First- wbc down to 49,000 and Dr. Frame took me off of Hydrea.  Even if only temporary this is awesome!

Second- Insurance approved Gleevec……yeah!

Third- Just found out my co-pay is $20 per month for Gleevec.  Amazing when you consider the fact that retail price is $3,435 per month.                                    Total scrips = $30….  quality life….. priceless. 

This is the first time I’ve cried out of joy through this……praying for more tears of joy!

 This all makes up for not sleeping at all last night!  Yes, while you’ve been toiling away at work I’ve been napping.  I’m sure you wouldn’t trade though! 

Love,

Chip

Great news and more…..

I’ve really enjoyed spending this time with Mom.  She says this is the most time we’ve spent together since I was a baby.  Thirty-some years goes by quickly.  One of the things that has made our visit so pleasant is the fact that the house is clean and she can relax.  That wouldn’t have happened if Kate’s friend Leslie hadn’t volunteered to help out.  She helped me clean the house and for that I am very greatful!!  Even though everyone and I mean everyone has volunteered their help it’s still difficult to receive it.  There is something about us, as humans, that doesn’t want to be a burden to our friends/family but at the the same time we are quick to offer our help to others in need.  If there is one thing I notice about the people I call friends and family it is that there is an inherent humbleness in our lives.  If you were to do a personality profile of the people who have commented on the blog and those that regularly visit this blog I speculate that you would find people of such high caliber that any of us could be trusted with each others lives.  That’s pretty profound when you think about it and maybe a little on the optimistic side when you consider would it would take to put your life in someone elses hands.  My point is that you are all great people and I am very grateful to call you friends and family. 

So, do you want the great news or the great news?  I had my routine blood work done this morning and I got the results back late morning.  My white blood cell count is down to 53,000. That’s great considering it hadn’t moved out of the 80k range, even after being on a double dose (2g) of Hydrea for three days.  The other great news is that the insurance company is now saying that I exist.  Isn’t that something we all want?  Just a little recognition in the world.  Sorry, sarcasm comes to me very easily.  I found a true appreciation for it early in life after reading J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye”.  I recommend it.  Anyway, I asked the polite customer service rep about the approval process for my Gleevec and I was transferred to a very helpful young man.  He was using all his resources to expedite the process and just before hanging up he asked me to hold while he researched his all-knowing system for my former employer.  Upon his return he said…(are you ready for this?…promise to laugh!)  “Sir, we no longer represent that company“.  It was hard, but I dug deep and found a place inside my body that was able to contain the outburst of laughter.  I quietly responded with ”Thank you for your help” and “Have a nice day”.  Needless to say that was an inaccurate statement on the young man’s part, I spoke with my former employer and confirmed that the company IS covered by the insurance provider.    

Well, that was my day.  Oh and just in case you’re wondering…..Kate had coffee waiting on her this morning before she left for work.   ;-)  Hope your day was interesting and full of opportunities to count your blessings!  Thanks so much for the continued prayers, thoughts and comments!

Love,

Chip

Two for Tuesday

Well…..today started with it’s usual routine.  The only difference was that I couldn’t get warm.  After Kate bundled me up and set off for work I  finally warmed up….just a normal side effect.  I find myself wishing I felt better so that I could get up while she’s showering and make her coffee.  Soon enough though. 

After I finally got out of bed at 9a for the allopurinol I read a few scriptures and pondered on life for a while.  I’m wondering if my goals in life have really changed.  True, taking better care of my body (I was taking good care of it)  is necessary to have the best results from the medication and to keep up the fighting spirit.  My definition of a quality of life seems to be taking a back seat to listening to what God wants me to do and focus on keeping my spirit up and continue to work on returning balance to life.  Spent the rest of the morning sitting outside enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.  That was peaceful until the never ending paving project funded by the the city users fee came to the neighborhood.  I’m not complaining…..especially since my job is not located within city limits and I no longer have to pay the City of Charleston $52 a year for the right to work in the city.  Ironic that the mayor now makes as nearly as much as the Governor.  

 Mom came in today bearing gifts of food and love.  We hung out most of the day just reading, relaxing and napping.  It’s great to have Mom visiting.  Great to have her here to provide comfort and the security.  Great to be able to spend this time together without thinking about getting in the car the next day and going home or travelling.  Just time to relax and spend time together as friends and family. 

Received a few wonderful surprises in the mail today!  Vonda and Nancy of yet another previous employer, WV Media, sent me a card and Joel Osteen’s “Your Best Life Now.”  I’m so grateful for the gift and look forward to starting to read it tomorrow.  Also got a moving and inspirational card from a friend from the Rotary Club of Charleston, Nancy.  Thanks Nancy!

As far as medical update….. no bad side effects today.  It’s a little after 8p and I’m totally exhausted so I’m going to wrap up and go to bed.  Thanks for checking in, thanks for the continued support, thanks for the prayers, thanks for the love and thanks for being you.  I love you all and wish a great day for all.

Love,

Chip 

Monday….monday

As I started this I was thinking about the day and not the weekend.  The weekend was fantastic!  Cousin Tommy came in from Cincy on Saturday.  That was a great suprise.  We had been close as brothers for many years and yet it had been at least five years since we had REALLY visited.  Kate, Tommy and I were hosted at the WV Power game by a genuine good guy, Ryan.  In the short time I’ve known Ryan I come to hold him in very high regard.  Needless to say, he treated us like royalty.  That wore me out good so I slept in a little on Sunday.  Spent a few hours with my friend Gregg, his dad “The Vet”, his son Alex.  After watching the playoff from the British Open they golfed and I rode around in cart for 9 holes and walked a little.  Hit two golf balls but were not gonna talk about my slice or follow through.  It was an incredible day outside, sun shining, 74 degrees and breezy.   Great day to spend with friends.  It seems to me that one of the best ways to deal with fatigue is stay active, safely active.  We all know what an idle body and spirit does anyway.  By the way, there are people who take hydroxyurea for their entire lives and live into their 90’s.  I’m starting to see how I need to train for this fight for the longterm.  Anyway, Kate and I hosted Gregg for dinner….we had a delicious grilled chicken salad with plenty of fresh vegetables.  Yes, the diet is improving.  Kate took some time for herself on Sunday and relaxed.  Keep her in your prayers too!  All and all it was a fantastic weekend! 

Though time seems to all blend together lately I saw this Monday as the jump start day.  Plan, strategy and action for the week ahead.  Besides the disease itself there is still a good deal of work that has to be done just to deal with the logistics of having a disease.  Instead of talking about those challenges lets talk about the day in general.  Today was the first day in a new routine.  7:45a M-W-F stop by the David Lee Cancer Center and have blood drawn and tested for complete blood count, uric acid and phosophorous.  Later they call me with the results.  Today, wbc is down to 81,000.  Started Gleevec today.  The approval process with the insurance company will take a few days as it has to be to go through their pharmacology board and the channels related to it.  So, I bought two days worth for now.  The price of this fantastic drug has dropped considerably since it’s introduction to the market 5 years ago.  $114 a dose is still expensive.  Just imagine how those people felt 5 years ago when they had no options and the drug was their last medical hope.  Anyway, the drug has been let loose in my body…. just continue to live day by day and work on returning some balance to life.  When you think about the fact that these things become ritual and the work to be done is maintaining a positive perspective on life and seeing what God’s plan is for you then living becomes more peaceful.  Personally, I would prefer to live life as a champion, not as a victim.  By the way!  Visit the new page Kate created last night!  Look in the top left hand of the screen…look for the Pic Page box.  Make it a great day!  By the way, feel free to ask questions in your comments if you think it’s something everyone would like to know.  That way I can share with all.  I know this blog may make me look smart but I can’t think of everything. 

Love,

Chip    

A new day

Slept ok last night…it was actually weird to sleep in my own bed. Where to begin…. starting today, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I will visit Dr. Frame’s office so they can draw blood and get my complete blood count results. This is necessary to see how I am reacting to the Hydroxyurea. Today my WBC hopped to 96,000. and Dr. Frame has increased my Hydrea dosage to 2 mg per day to counteract the increased count. Being that I haven’t had any real bad side effects from the original dosage I think it will be ok. We got a bone marrow genetics test back today that reconfirms it is CML (the philadelphia strand) and it gives the Dr. the go ahead to begin Gleevec. That will probably start Monday or Tuesday. As far as the insurance goes, switching jobs has been the breakdown in the system. Good call Rick! They have received my check and the enrollment process has begun. It could take at the least four weeks until I am “officially” insured but the key is that everything will be retroactive back to July 1st. Read that again if you are concerned about this. The only downfall to it is that I may have to pay for my chemo up front. I only had to pay co-pay on my hydroxyurea and allopurinol so hopefully that will apply to Gleevec as well. Not to worry, I have the means to take care of this if necessary. By the way, I am very thankful for all the information about handling insurance companies. It will be very useful in the very near future as the bills start coming in. A dear friend in the insurance business will be helping me make sense of the bills. He and his firm are true professionals so this will help immensely. Thanks Geoff! My mood is still positive and my body is still pretty much in the same state. The only change being that I seem to have a pretty consistent dull headache all the time. It will be nice to get the surprises behind us and focus on managing my mood and working to improve my physical state. I know each of you can appreciate how difficult it is at times to not let anxiety overcome your thoughts and actions. I struggle with it a little now and then but for the most part I’m doing well with it. The hardest part is not having the energy to talk to everyone. It might seem inappropriate but I almost feel bad at times that I’m not up to returning calls. I can’t imagine what this would be like without having the blog. The blog has become a means of venting, expressing and sharing that I would not be able to do otherwise with everyone. The journey has just begun with this disease and I am already learning so much more about myself and what life is to me. Excuse the nuances in this post….Kate and I are ameteurs at inserting pics into blogs. If you see the little blocks in the type those are pics you can actually click on and see. Thanks for continuing to visit and for your love and support!

Insurance anyone? Welcome to modern healthcare…..

Today started out great!  Actually slept until 6:30a before the sticking and prodding began.  Had a decent breakfast of bisquits and gravy.  I know I heard Renny’s stomach grumble with that.  Sorry… they weren’t as good as Mom’s.  Was feeling so good that I started working through 160 emails.  That went well until the mornings dose of chemo (it’s oral) kicked in around 10am.  I was basically just staring out the window after that.  Hydroxyurea has a host of side effects including being “loopy.”  Not long after that the hospitals liason between me and the insurance company stopped by for a visit.  According to her, the insurance company refuses to pay for anything after July 14th.  This obviously concerned her.  It concerned me as well until I thought it through, it was simply a mistake.  Shortly after that she informed me that the insurance company stated I was now not covered at all.  Needless to stay it didn’t take long to get me discharged.  While most of you reading this may feel automatically inflamed or concerned,  be assured that everything is ok!  Just a little breakdown.  This, in my opinion is actually a blessing.  My wbc has stabilized and we anticipate it decreasing in the near future.  Neither of the doctors assesses my health to be at great risk.  If there is a better place to be while under medical care for a serious problem it is obviously the hospital but that doesn’t mean that I’m not receiving quality care.  So, those that need to, take a deep breath in, hold it for a second or two, let it out and repeat.  Everything is ok.  I will go to the hospital everyday, get a blood sample and they will monitor my progress.  I will visit Dr. Frame three times a week as well  speaking with him daily.    I have great people to help me, both professionally and personally, so if I need any additional help I will let you know.  If you happen to know someone that could specifically help in a professional capacity as it relates to not letting the health care system work you over then I would welcome their contact information.  Anyway,  the very capable and professional doctors were working to provide me with the best possible care and the insurance company disagreed with their interpretation of the best possible care.  Most of you that know me intimately, know that when I feel very strong about something then I’m usually very verbal and action oriented.  I have taken the necessary actions in the interim and will be following up on other actions.   I am sitting here at home on the sofa with Kate and I said, “is the post a little bland?”  She said, “well, it was a bit of serious day.”  So, in the spirit of laughter here’s a fun story…..apparently the charge nurse, Andy, found it quite funny that I was sleeping with an eye patch.  No, not a patch for one eye like a pirate.  A patch for both eyes because the sun rose right in my window.  I retaliated with a witty remark and then when it came time to remove the IV Andy found joy in slowly ripping the hair out of my arm with  the all purpose hospital tape.  I’m sure if you stopped a guy in maintenance you’d find a spool or two of this torturous tape in his work belt.  Ready for a multitude of uses such as structural reinforcement, HVAC repair, possibly towing a car or even a security gaurd using it to restrain unruly patients.  Ok, I’m exhausted from the days events and the 9pm dose of hydroxyurea.  Hope you have a great day!  God Bless you all!  Keep the prayers coming….hopefully we’ll have a diagnosis tomorrow.  

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It’s been a week?

I can’t believe it’s been a week!  And what a week it’s been!  Today started better than yesterday but not with much improvement.  My mood is good and am mostly consumed with positive thoughts.  Had some wonderful visitors today….Kate, of course, was my first, best and last visitor today.  She really is a strong and caring person through and through.  She has been as long as I’ve known her.  Some of you know my friend Chris Bostic, well, his Mom stopped by today and that was a fantastic surprise.  It had been many years since we had seen each other and it brought back a few fond memories.  For me it was mostly memories of her cooking.  Always enjoyed eating at Irma’s.  What’s funny to me is that each time I read your comments I have a memory of you or a visualization of you in my mind.  I do that with each of you that I’ve met.  If I haven’t met you then I imagine what you might look like.  Now if you’re thinking to yourself, “I think he may have started chemo”.  You are correct.  Just took my second does of hydroxyurea.  There was a nice flurry of visitors mid afternoon…first Pastor Jones, shortly after that Gregg stopped by bearing gifts of Inta Juice and Ipod and finally my former manager Bob Fahner.  Many of you don’t know that I had just left the cable company and was only on my sixth day with Lincoln Standard Publishing before being admitted to the hospital.  I will give more detail at a later date but I will tell you that I feel better about this company and opportunity that I ever have with any other.  Needless to say that I am anxious to return to work soon!  I would feel differently if I were a logger…..there are 110 deaths per every 100,000 workers per year.  Leukemia (cml) occurs in one to two people per 100,000 every year.  According to wikipedia.  I finished “A Walk in the Woods” today.  Reading about the outdooors made me feel less closed in and I’m convinced that there is some hiking to be done in the Cranberry Glades with Gregg and T.  Let’s see if they read the blog and commit.  Heh heh!  No real “bad” side effects as of yet from the chemo.  Just extreme fatigue, some light nausea and the already existing abdominal tenderness.  Well, this was not my best work but I’m struggling to finish.  If you sent an email…I promise I’ll get back to you.  If you left a voice mail….I promise I’ll get back to you.  If you left a comment….GOD BLESS YOU and keep ’em coming.  I always read them two or three times because your comments bring me peace, laughter, joy and encouragement.  Pray for good results from the bone marrow tests……they will be back soon.  Thank you very much for your love and support!

Love,

Chip  

Tuesday 7/17 Update

Even if you’re a visitor please post at least one comment.  That way I get your email and when the blog is updated it will be automatically sent to you…..thanks!  Be sure and read back through the previous posts if you’re a new visitor. 

Again I am humbled by the number of friends that are showing up to lend support, help and prayer!  I been thinking very much about how you all reach out to me and how I reach out to you.  The one thing that consumes my thoughts is that we all need prayer and support.  We all have situations, challenges and difficulties.  My wish is that as you (my friends and family) find comfort in reading the comments of each other.  That is what is awesome about the blog….it brings us all together under the common theme of love and support for each other.  I’m just amazed by it!  It’s God’s work unfolding right under our noses on computers from California, Texas, Illinois, Missouri, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, New York, Colorado, West Virginia and, of course, Room 569 at CAMC.  I struggle to express how much I appreciate all of your emails, phone calls, flowers, cards, plants and visits.  This brings Kate and I much comfort.  Forgive me if I’m very slow to return voice mail and emails. 

I think everyone understands my mental and spiritual well being so let’s talk a little about my physical state.  Honestly, the majority of my day (remember we’re talking physically in this paragraph) just plain stunk!  The ritualistic 5:30am blood draw was timely and unwelcomed.  I quickly realized that my spleen, liver and kidneys ached like I rode 65 miles on a mountain bike the day before.  Which, of course, I hadn’t.  From there it progressed to a steady unforgiving headache until I gave in around 2p and requested “anything” from the nurse.  Got a pill and took a cat nap.  The remainder of the day was spent with the shades drawn with some light reading and some tv.  Very few phone calls and this is the first time I’ve been on the internet today.   

There was a delay in getting my “swimmers” sent to the cryogenic lab so the chemotherapy (hydorxyurea) starts first thing tomorrow morning.  If that frieezing them becomes my future reproductive option I’m sure the kid will appreciate me posing with the package.  Hope you can find the humor in that.  Dr. Frame said my wbc is down again but it’s normal for it to fluctuate.  The hydroxyurea will start to lower it and, unfortunately, it will lower my red blood cells as well (they’re already a little low–this is the major cause of fatigue I’m told).  So, I could write much more but I’m exhausted and you’re probably tired of reading.  Let’s keep each other in our thoughts and prayers and embrace life together!

 Love,

Chip

Monday July 16th

Other than “WOW!” I don’t know what to say!  So many dear and wonderful friends and family have posted comments conveying love, hope, patience, enthusiasm, prayer, faith, encouragement and determination.  It is amazing to me that these things are a reflection of how I feel.  Yes, there are times when thoughts about the unknown creep into my mind but they are becoming more and more rare as I read your comments and it reinforces my faith and resolve to stay positive and accept God’s plan for my life.  I encourage everyone to go back and read through the comments that have been posted on the other entries.  I thank God that we all can share this experience and be helpful to each other.  We all need love, strength, hope, patience, prayer, faith, encouragement, peace, enthusiasm and determination. 

Well, might as well report on the medical stuff too.  By the way, for now on, wbc means white blood count.  WBC is back up around 85,000.  Dr. Frame says that’s not surprising.  It will fluctuate.  Had an ultrasound on the spleen and liver today.  They are a little larger and more tender.  If I remember correctly, the wbc’s tend to start loitering there when the wbc remains high for an extended period of time.  Still taking in lots of fluids to keep the blood watered down (that helps prevent clots–blood is thicker with high wbc counts). 

Let’s talk about what I did today.  This was the first day I didn’t have any visitors before Noon.  I LOVE company but it was nice to lounge a little and read the book my friends T and Charly bought for me.  It’s called “A Walk In The Woods” and it is funny!  It’s a true story about walking the Appalachian Trail.  (Supposedly T and I might hike a bit of the trail…we’ll see!)  When you can laugh out loud no less than five times before noon that’s a good day!  Kate visited after lunch as did, Pastor Jones, Sarah, Gregg and Geoff.  Thanks for the smoothie Gregg…that was great!  Dr. Frame did his rounds around 5:15p and was pleased that my wbc wasn’t fluctuating too much and let me loose for a few hours.  Kate and I visited with her parents for a bit, went to Coonskin Park to feed the ducks and visited a friend on the way back to the hospital.  I really appreciated Kate taking us around town.  Needless to say I am wiped out!  I wish that equated to sleep.  I’ve notice my energy level slowly decreasing.  That’ll change once the chemo starts taking the wbc down.  I’m looking forward to that!  Received a fantastic bouquet of sunflowers from my dear friend Sean and his wife and got to catch up on the phone finally after he called three days ago.  Sorry buddy!  Just glad we caught up.  My friends from Suddenlink Media – Beckley office - sent a great big plant so the room is starting to “green up”.  I already know where in the yard I’m going to plant it when I get out of  the hospital.  Need to rest and go to bed.  Tomorrow will start off just as it always does.  5:30am get woken up, stuck with a needle, have blood taken and told to have a nice day.  Of course I reciprocate with best wishes for a great day!  6am- have my weight taken.  I’m working on moving up a weight class to fight a big disease.  I hope you find the humor in that!  6:30a- blood pressure and temperature.  Then they usually leave me alone for an hour and a half.  Hope you enjoyed this entry….sorry I rambled….I’m just very enthusiastic about having such a great family and so many wonderful friends.  Enthusiastic about getting chemo started too so we can really get in the ring and fight Leukemia!

Weekend Update

Just a quick update for today…

First let me say how thankful I am that each of you has taken the time to reach out.  Some of you I haven’t spoken with in years and yet the memories that we share are as fresh as the warm summer air.  It really lifted my spirits to hear from everyone! 

Today was a good day.  Kate and I spent the day visiting with friends and enjoying each others company.  My friends Chuck and Gaytha stopped by for a quick visit.  T & Charly came in from Weston, WV.  That was especially nice since they picked fresh blackberries and Charly made a cobbler.  Yum!  I started a non-chemo drug today called Allopurinol.  It will help to reduce the white blood cell count.  No side effects other than feeling a little more tired than the cancer is already making me feel. 

Tomorrow will be a big day as I will be taking some action to make sure that long term concerns are taken care of.  Tough decisions to work through but easier to make now than when under chemotherapy.  My mood is very good most of the time.  It still hasn’t completely set in that I have Leukemia.  What has set in is my resolve to beat it and continue living a good life.  Please continue to pray for me, Kate and my family and pass on the blog to people we both know.  This blog thing is new to me so bear with me as I am working to make it a good experience for us both.  Please don’t hesitate to send suggestions!  

Love,

Chip

Hello my friends

Welcome friends and family!

My dear friend Paul was kind to set up this blog so that it would be easy to communicate with everyone as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Here is the quick version of what is happening….  I went for annual physical on Monday 7/9.  Dr. Chapman (great friend and Dr.) called me Wednesday morning because the blood test results indicated  a high white blood count of 83,000 (should be around 5-10,000).  Had another blood test that morning and it indicated 89,000.  Dr. Chapman acted quickly to get me in the hospital (took me less than 15 min. to get admitted and into a bed).  Thank you Dr. Chapman!  Dr. C referred me to Dr. Jim Frame who is the Director of the Cancer Center at Charleston Area Medical Center.  After blood tests it was confirmed that I have chronic myelogenous leukemia.  A bone marrow sample was taken on Thursday and within 7-10 days the results will come back to determine which specific strand it is.  From there they will know which chemotherapy will be the most appropriate to use.  I should start a chemotherapy on Tuesday to reduce the white blood cell counts.  It is called hydroxyurea.  I can’t start that until I make a deposit into the bank.  The chemo can possibly affect my ability to be a father so it made sense to do that before starting.  Dr. Frame supported that decision because my white blood count isn’t considered to be at a “critical” level.     

I can’t even begin to explain how much love an support has been poured upon me by friends and family.  Throughout this Kate has been right by my side.  It is difficult to explain in words how much her love and support has meant to me.  Of course my Mom has been here too!  The three of us have had shared laughs, prayers, shock, pain, joy, confusion, frustration and peace together.  I have been truly blessed to have their company.  By coincidence my brother Rex and his wife Sharon were driving from St. Louis to Rhode Island and had the opportunity to stop and visit today.  That was truly a blessing and we had a great time.  It’s 10pm on Saturday night and I need to get some rest.  I will work on more updates and thoughts tomorrow.  My thanks and love to all who have been so kind to me in this difficult time.