I know it's been a while since I posted. It's partly because I did not meet with Dr. Singh for almost two weeks and because I was doing pretty well with nothing noteworthy to report. That's all good!
So let me catch you up regarding our appointment on Friday at 8:30 am:
- I had another bone marrow biopsy. This one is for a bench mark at this point in time.
- Look at the chart here! Pretty much as we expected at this point, my numbers are all in the green [normal] for the very first time since the end of February. That is an amazing witness to how well I am doing. We are so excited.
- For the first time since my 'journey' began, I am not taking any antibiotics or any other meds. They ended on Friday. Hooray again.
- Now I'll go monthly for labs. Probably that will be the routine for at least the near future.
- Did you see this that I wrote a while back? I asked Dr. Singh about it Friday. Of course, Dawn and I wanted some perspective on the future. And, the million dollar question that has no solid, definitive answer is, "What are my chances of leukemia coming back?" At this point I am in remission. That means there is no evidence of leukemia in my body. I don't have cancer. Dr. Singh said that a guess is 50/50. 50% chance it won't come back and 50% chance that it will. But he also said that those odds are about the same as anything happening...in life. Dawn and I are really pretty comfortable with those odds. Dawn said, I thought the odds might not be that good. If it comes back, we'll deal with it and we do have other options. Here's what I wrote:
Here are some things that I would like
you to know about cancer from my perspective.
1. The new normal is scary. I have now been through 4 rounds of
chemo and found that I don't always know what tomorrow will be like. So as hard
as I try to be optimistic and upbeat, the fact is, I don't always know what
tomorrow brings.
2. You can't catch cancer
from me.
3. It might be over but it
might not. At
this point, there is no evidence that I have leukemia. But I have had
additional rounds of chemotherapy to ensure that it does not return. However,
it can regardless of the fact that I've received the best treatment protocol
available.
4. Everything might not be
OK. I know that many in my family and many
friends want to say that they know that "everything will work out
perfectly." I prefer to think that way, too. However, I have learned that
it doesn't always happen that way. Nobody "knows" for sure. I still
choose to be positive every day.
5. Everyone's experience
with cancer is different.
I don't mind hearing the story of how your sister's cousin's father-in-law beat
a completely different kind of cancer. But, understand that it does not
necessarily apply to me.
6. Chemo brain is not just a
funny excuse.
Actually, chemo does have an effect on memory. So please be patient with me.
7. There is more to my life
than my cancer. Some
days I really do feel lousy. But, I can and do work most days and pursue many
other interests and activities even while I was in the hospital. So, I am still
pretty much the same person I always was and enjoy talking about the things we
enjoy and have in common.
8. Life with cancer is an
emotional roller-coaster.
So, yes, you might find me excited and optimistic one day and trying to hide
disappointment the next.
9. You are more important
that you might think. I treasure the
cards, phone calls, emails and Facebook comments from you more than you can
imagine. They often are just the boost I need when I am feeling a bit down or
sorry for myself.
10. Learn from me. I hope that one take-away is that you
live your life like tomorrow could be turned upside down by an accident, a
health crisis or even an event totally out of your control. But that does not
mean you can't live without joy, optimistism and thankfulness.
11. You can beat cancer. Yes, total remission and a long life is entirely possible.
That's why I cherish your encouragement.
By Bob Marcom 2015
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Now we are making plans to do things. I have started playing tennis again. I am so excited to be back on the courts. You have no idea. Exercising is really important to recovery and continued good health and tennis is just the ticket.
We are flying to Nashville for 4 day next month for just a visit with our friends. We loved living there and miss them and the city. We are heading up to Wisconsin this weekend for the first time in a very long time, too. Then we are considering organizing some kind of Marcom family reunion in Santa Barbara this summer; maybe a trip to the UK and a trip to meet some English friends in the south this summer. I am back to working pretty much as usual and getting back to all my meetings here. In fact, now I am out looking for just a bit more work. I like working as you know.
You all my been our rock and prayer warriors through out this year. We are great full and thankful for you! With our love, Bob and Dawn
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