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I wanted to give members I know from the "other sandbox" an update on my ability to go campin'.
Some of you here on the forum may know that I have been battling health issues for quite some time. The battle is what it is but what really pisses me off is missing a whole camping season. This forum has provided me with hours of entertainment and camaraderie. To those of you that have wished me well and sent good thoughts my way, I thank you. I think you helped.
Yesterday, after a 22 day hospital stay, I was sent to my recovery "halfway house" after receiving an autologous bone marrow transplant. My immune system numbers are recovering rapidly and I'm "engrafted". I have to live close to the clinic for a while for monitoring and rehydration but my doctors tell me my response was far above average. I told 'em I was a tough old bird and I'd get through this. The day my numbers came up I celebrated by walking 2 miles up and down the halls. Beast mode! So far, so good!
On 11/25 I underwent 8 straight days of high dose chemotherapy, wiping out my bone marrow along with any traces of undetectable cancer leaving me with no immune system. This was the end of my "old" life. On December 6 the third of three infusions of healthy stem cells collected from my blood several weeks earlier was completed. This was a new birth. Then it was watch and wait to see if the graft would take. On day 11 post infusion my neutrophils began to show up. By day 13 I was into the normal range and beyond!
This was no cake walk. This was the most difficult physical and mental challenge I've endured. I was fed from a bag for about 9 days and connected to tubes 24/7. Mucositis, I hate you!
I believe my active life working outdoors every day helped me through this along with a healthy helping hand from the "Big Guy." I had a sense of calm knowing that when I couldn't carry the ball I had some great back up on my side.
The party isn't over but I'm headed in the right direction. I'll have to be very careful about eating and drinking and exposure to environmental insults. Lots of tests and more medical stuff awaits. Right now I'm a bit giddy. We already have 6 trips on the books for next year! YeeHawwww….
Happy Birthday To Me! 12/6/2019
Chiefblueman
Some of you here on the forum may know that I have been battling health issues for quite some time. The battle is what it is but what really pisses me off is missing a whole camping season. This forum has provided me with hours of entertainment and camaraderie. To those of you that have wished me well and sent good thoughts my way, I thank you. I think you helped.
Yesterday, after a 22 day hospital stay, I was sent to my recovery "halfway house" after receiving an autologous bone marrow transplant. My immune system numbers are recovering rapidly and I'm "engrafted". I have to live close to the clinic for a while for monitoring and rehydration but my doctors tell me my response was far above average. I told 'em I was a tough old bird and I'd get through this. The day my numbers came up I celebrated by walking 2 miles up and down the halls. Beast mode! So far, so good!
On 11/25 I underwent 8 straight days of high dose chemotherapy, wiping out my bone marrow along with any traces of undetectable cancer leaving me with no immune system. This was the end of my "old" life. On December 6 the third of three infusions of healthy stem cells collected from my blood several weeks earlier was completed. This was a new birth. Then it was watch and wait to see if the graft would take. On day 11 post infusion my neutrophils began to show up. By day 13 I was into the normal range and beyond!
This was no cake walk. This was the most difficult physical and mental challenge I've endured. I was fed from a bag for about 9 days and connected to tubes 24/7. Mucositis, I hate you!
I believe my active life working outdoors every day helped me through this along with a healthy helping hand from the "Big Guy." I had a sense of calm knowing that when I couldn't carry the ball I had some great back up on my side.
The party isn't over but I'm headed in the right direction. I'll have to be very careful about eating and drinking and exposure to environmental insults. Lots of tests and more medical stuff awaits. Right now I'm a bit giddy. We already have 6 trips on the books for next year! YeeHawwww….
Happy Birthday To Me! 12/6/2019
Chiefblueman
My heart is glad and there's a big ol' grin on my face. 
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