Appointments done

The results are in. The cancer is undetectable, the GvHD is bizarre and my next appointment won't be until December.  My last appointment for this visit was yesterday. It was with an eye doctor across town in Seattle.  There are a few GvHd symptoms that can occur in the eyes.  Although the nurse was friendly and the doctor seemed competent, it reminded me that the staff at the SCCA is world class.  They display a professionalism that just doesn’t occur in other medical offices.   

As far as my medical status, the news is that I am "perplexing."  That was the term the nurse and doctor used to describe my status.  This is nothing new.  Similar descriptions were used for my GvHD symptoms for several months.  I keep displaying symptoms that only occur to a tiny percent of transplant patients.  It's neither good or bad news.  The cancer is virtually gone and that's all that matters. 

Back in Seattle Again

To the tune of Gene Autry's "Back in the Saddle Again"

Back in Seattle again,
Back to getting treatment with my friends,
Where they're fighting a disease,
And putting patient's mind's at ease,
Back in Seattle again

The striking thing about attending the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is to see the dozens of new patients.  I can't help comparing them to the hundreds patients I met during my own treatment.  They have new faces but they have the same disease.  Some will beat it and some will not but all of them are giving it their best, putting their lives in the hands of the latest technology and care offered by the SCCA.

Off to my appointments....

Memories

Retirement is going to be a treat.  My last day was two weeks ago but I worked eight more days just to set up the band room for the new teacher.  He's from out of state so everything will be new to him. At least he will have a good start with an organized room and notes about the classes.

In just six days, I'll be heading south again to the SCCA for a one and a half year follow-up from the allogeneic transplant.  That was the final stem cell transplant from a donor in Europe.  It occupies my thoughts almost constantly with memories of several months of treatment.  Some are positive memories but most are not.  Much of the time was spent trying to turn depression into happiness or using humor to distract from the reality of cancer.

Still, I look forward to going back.  I so much enjoyed the clinic staff with their positive and friendly attitude.  I admired their care for people as well as their hatred for the disease.  I am likely going to be told that everything is fine with no signs of cancer.  The medical staff will view my case as another victory in an ever growing list of survivors.