A Brief Update
in [Motorcycles]
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From: Road Glidin' Don on 25 Jan 2010 19:27 As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago (or was it three?) and some here were very kind in the concern and advice they expressed. For that reason, it's probably appropriate that I post something here on how things stand now. Don't worry, this ain't gonna be a frequent thing. Actually, the thought of posting something here occurred to me after (finally) writing something to place in the weekly bulletin of our church (I have been asked repeatedly to do so, but never got around to it until now). So with the context understood, how about if I just re-post here what I sent for the bulletin? Here it is: *** begin *** On behalf of myself and family, I wish to express appreciation for your prayers and the concern shown to me over the past few years, upon learning of the cancer I was diagnosed with. Having just returned from a 6 month check-up at the Cross Cancer Clinic, I would also like to let the congregation know where matters stand, regarding my condition. It is good. The oncologist informed me she now thinks it is no longer necessary to see her at 6 month intervals; switching to once a year instead. One of the things she said was, "If I didn't know you had CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia), I would not be able to tell, on the basis of your blood tests." This form of leukemia, although slow-growing, is not a type that chemo therapy is able to eradicate, so the term "in remission" is not used to describe my state. I am told this is a type of cancer that will eventually come back. However, when asked about how the term applies, the doctor also added that my status can be understood as in remission, for practical purposes. Basically, the hope is that it takes a long time (hopefully 5, maybe even 10 years?) for symptoms to return and require intervention again. This provides the possibility of more effective treatments (perhaps even a cure) being developed during that time. Also, because the treatments have harmful side-effects (e.g. I now take intravenous, immune-boosting therapy once per month indefinitely), the fewer I receive over time, the better. So this can be understood as very good news; an outcome as good as could have been hoped for really. We have seen how the Lord hears our prayers and is gracious to us in our times of need - not only in terms of the effectiveness of medical care, but also in terms of the communion of saints that we have been privileged to experience through you. Thank you all again and my apologies for taking this long to write something about this for the bulletin. *** end ***
From: BryanUT on 25 Jan 2010 19:57 On Jan 25, 5:27 pm, "Road Glidin' Don" <d.lan...(a)gmail.com> wrote: > As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years > ago (or was it three?) and some here were very kind in the concern and > advice they expressed. For that reason, it's probably appropriate > that I post something here on how things stand now. Don't worry, this > ain't gonna be a frequent thing. > > Actually, the thought of posting something here occurred to me after > (finally) writing something to place in the weekly bulletin of our > church (I have been asked repeatedly to do so, but never got around to > it until now). > > So with the context understood, how about if I just re-post here what > I sent for the bulletin? Here it is: > > *** begin *** > > On behalf of myself and family, I wish to express appreciation for > your prayers and the concern shown to me over the past few years, upon > learning of the cancer I was diagnosed with. Having just returned > from a 6 month check-up at the Cross Cancer Clinic, I would also like > to let the congregation know where matters stand, regarding my > condition. > > It is good. The oncologist informed me she now thinks it is no longer > necessary to see her at 6 month intervals; switching to once a year > instead. One of the things she said was, "If I didn't know you had > CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia), I would not be able to tell, on > the basis of your blood tests." > > This form of leukemia, although slow-growing, is not a type that chemo > therapy is able to eradicate, so the term "in remission" is not used > to describe my state. I am told this is a type of cancer that will > eventually come back. However, when asked about how the term applies, > the doctor also added that my status can be understood as in > remission, for practical purposes. > > Basically, the hope is that it takes a long time (hopefully 5, maybe > even 10 years?) for symptoms to return and require intervention > again. This provides the possibility of more effective treatments > (perhaps even a cure) being developed during that time. Also, because > the treatments have harmful side-effects (e.g. I now take intravenous, > immune-boosting therapy once per month indefinitely), the fewer I > receive over time, the better. > > So this can be understood as very good news; an outcome as good as > could have been hoped for really. We have seen how the Lord hears our > prayers and is gracious to us in our times of need - not only in terms > of the effectiveness of medical care, but also in terms of the > communion of saints that we have been privileged to experience through > you. Thank you all again and my apologies for taking this long to > write something about this for the bulletin. > > *** end *** That is truly good news Don. I wish you continued good health. I look forward to many years of honest debate[1] (and maybe a few flames) on a wide range of topics from religion to politics to motorcycles. Best Regards, Bryan [1]If your travels bring you this way, my door is always open. Perhaps someday my travels will take me up to your neck of the woods.
From: Twibil on 25 Jan 2010 20:07 On Jan 25, 4:27 pm, "Road Glidin' Don" <d.lan...(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > So this can be understood as very good news; an outcome as good as > could have been hoped for really. I hope you can keep riding for many years to come. ~Pete
From: Sean_Q_ on 25 Jan 2010 20:12 Road Glidin' Don wrote: > I am told this is a type of cancer that will > eventually come back. Keep riding. Maybe you'll outrun it! Here's hoping, anyway. [raising shot glass of Pusser's genuine 15-year-old British Navy rum] SQ '06 Zuk S40 / '85 Dnepr MT-11 / the usual fixer-uppers
From: saddlebag on 25 Jan 2010 21:18
On Jan 25, 7:27 pm, "Road Glidin' Don" <d.lan...(a)gmail.com> wrote: > So this can be understood as very good news; Indeed. I presume this means you will continue to regale us with all the great PacNW stories and pics for years to come... Hope so anyway :) |