Blood work results

Rather exciting news to share today.  Received a call from my Onc’s assistant, Sheila.  I have had what they call a Hematologic response.  The test that was run on my blood indicated 0.000 leukemic cells in my blood.  There are also cytogenic and molecular tests as well but they don’t typically run those early on because it is rare to have a response this early in treatment.  You can imagine our enthusiasm and joy upon hearing the news.  Kate and I met for a few minutes this afternoon to talk and celebrate.  This doesn’t mean it is cured.  The only known potential cure is a stem cell transplant and even it has it’s complications. Ithank God and all of you for your support, prayers and love! 

I learned yesterday that my friend’s wife has AML.  It’s a great deal more serious than CML but what cancer isn’t serious. If you would all include Stephanie, Carl, baby Cooper and their families in your prayers and add them to your prayer lists at church I would be especially grateful.

Almost forgot.  Other blood work came back fairly normal.  A little anemic but barely worth mentioning.

good times

Despite all the stress lately I’ve managed to squeeze in some good times.  I went to Mom’s Wednesday.  We went snowboarding for a few hours Thursday.  Well, she waited in the Lodge.  Went for some nice walks.  I love walking in the cold weather.  Winter air so crisp and fresh that it almost tingles the mind.  Anyway, we had a great time catching  up. 

Visited with Jim and DeDe Burnell for a few hours Saturday before heading out to the greater Barrackville area to visit with long time friend, former roomate and Sig Tau brother, Chris Bostic.  Chris and I rode mountain bikes, snowboarded, camped alot in college and has been a good friend for many years.  We hiked the property he lives on with his wife and in-laws.  Nothing like having about 100 acres to play on.  Very nice!  Again, the cold winter air really improved the hike.  Their three dogs went with us too.  Some people like culture.  I like Chris.  Ha! 

From there I stopped byKC Carlson’s place.  He is another long time friend, Fraternity brother, mtn biking cohort and generally credited for at least 1/3 of any mischievious activity I participated in in college.  We had a great dinner with his two children.  Well, Marley, who is absolutely adorable, slept through dinner.  So, it was KC, me and his son Mika.  Very good seven year old boy.  I’d be proud to call him son. 

Then I made my way to Weston.  Ah, Weston.  I’ve made so many friends in Weston in just 18 months.  Most would take a bullet for me as I would for them. There is much more to catch up on but there are immediate concerns I have to address.  Namely, finding a job.  I’m guessing there are at least 60 former employers of the Lincoln Standard Company in the same situation as I am.  If you don’t mind, say a prayer for them, myself and the owner, Dan Butcher. 

More to come…..

Ok then….

Some of you have and some of you haven’t heard that the company I was working for closed, then opened…no wait!  We’re open again.  But wait, no you don’t have a job.  Sorry, don’t mean to poke fun but this was one of the worst work experiences in my life.  Looking back now it was work and not adjusting to Gleevec that was causing me so much pain.  Ever notice how if you’re suffering mentally that it effects you physically.  For example, boss yelled all day and no one was pleased with my work (probably go home depressed and ready to kick you beloved pets or even the neighbors-if you caught the rodent in your flowerbed again).  As opposed to, I’m happy (or even content) with my work (probably go home, have a nice dinner, continue to live a nice life and it’ll all be nice).  Or even this, we solved problems today, we gained the trust of a new client, the team is working so well together that our work seems effortless and even playful at times (don’t have to explain that one now do I).  Anyway, what’s the point?  If you know what the canvas of your work life is in the first place you can then, at the least, allow your minds eye to open up the possibilities for happiness.  Maybe you’re not that complicated?  How about this….I enjoy fishing and drinking beer.  When I think of fishing and drinking beer then I am happy. Please don’t retort with it starts with being happy on the inside.  I am happy and a big part of my happiness is work.  Not in laboring though (well I do sometimes wonder if I would make a good timber man).  In conversations where dialogue and actions brings happiness to myself and others.  Business is social and that’s a fact.  It was designed by us humans to language how to take care of our concerns and the concerns of others.  Be patient here….I’m coming out of a funk.  I’ll be back with some good stories in the near future.  In three days there will be closure with work and that will be the hard launch of my start over.  Nervous?