Sunday, January 18, 2009
Now is the time that tests my body
The title of this post, of course, paraphrases Tom Paine's immortal line, "Now is the time that tries mens souls." Florence and I are in Rochester, and the next few days will be occupied by a long list of tests to determine if I am healthy enough to undergo the chemotherapy and the stem cell transplant that will, God willing, get me into remission. Here are the tests (leaving our routine blood and urine tests), in the order in which they will be administered: bone marrow biopsy, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, transfusion access evaluation, dental examination, general x-rays, echocardiogram, pulmonary function test, PET scan, psychiatric evaluation, MRI, and renal function test. If I pass all of these, we can then proceed to harvesting stem cells for eventual transplantation. If I don't pass, my doctors will prescribe whatever it takes to get me to pass. Actually, I feel as if I have already passed the most rigorous test: the first two nights that Florence and I were in Rochester, the temperatures dipped to minus 26 and minus 24 degrees F. Now, temps in the mid-20s seem balmy, indeed! We will let you know the outcomes of these tests as soon as we can. Unless, that is, the keyboard freezes solid!
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3 comments:
Thank you for the update Joel. I wish you strength and comfort as you move through this trying process. I know you'll be ready for the procedure in no time. Keep your head up and know you are always in our thoughts!
Joel we are thinking about you all the time and hope that your tests go well this week. By the way, I am honored to be one of your "followers". Love to Florence and many hugs!
Hi Joel - I was chatting with my dad today about his coin collection - and we were talking about you - I remembered that you had written some books on numismatics - so I googled you so I could give him the names of the books. I found a comment about your illness, instead. So, I connected to your blog, and I'm stunned and dismayed at what you have had to deal with and go through.
Your straight up attitude is a huge help in this sort of fight. My dad has been near death several times over the last decade (he is only 66 yrs old now), but he continuously thwarts doctors predictions/expectations. He has good days and bad but enjoys his life, family, and friends tremendously. We are blessed to enjoy him too.
I'm glad you have tons of support from those that love you. It is a beautiful gift to be able to share love and friendship when it matters so much, and you in turn give them that same gift by accepting their love and friendship.
Well, I know you like the funny comments best, but I don't have any right now. Being poked and prodded is not anywhere near the ideal way to spend the week, but it does move you to where you need to go. Hmmm, maybe this is the right time to take up ice-fishing. Everything on your body could freeze and you won't feel any pain;)
You've come a long way from not being so excited about computers over fifteen years ago - you blog! I'm impressed.
I suspect you are going to have wonderful fodder for a new book on healthcare/pharma when you feel up to it.
Wouldn't it be nice to have that Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory stretching machine and a little less gravity for a short time - to make your back and bones feel better.
My best to you and your family! Wishing you well every step of the way.
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