I had my INR checked yesterday and it's at 5.0, so the doctor is lowering my Coumadin to bring the level down. I think that is great news, my blood is working properly. Maybe I am finally getting to a point where my body can manage without medical intervention. I'm getting excited about Light the Night, Thank you everyone who is committing to the walk and those who donated too! It's going to be a fun evening! I'm glad it's a holiday weekend and an extra day off even though it's the unofficial end to Summer. I like warm weather!!!

The Light the Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma is exactly two weeks away. I would like everyone who is going to walk with me to get registered. Once I know who will be joining MattAtomic, I'll be able to plan a meeting spot for everyone the night of the walk.

Here's the link again: http://teams.lightthenight.org/MattAtomic

From hot and muggy weather to cool and humid in 24 hours. I like Summer, not dreary Fall. Stopped at Target tonight, bought a few things to keep me entertained, I'm such a homebody. Orderred luggage from Disney online too. Charcoal gray with a Mickey insignia. I finally own actual luggage! Feeling pretty good, no physical aches or pains, no mysterious fevers or night sweats either. I started a new book, so I'm off to the couch to read a few more chapters.

I talked with the nurse from the Hematologist office today. I have to be checked to see if there is a problem with the production of blood products. So there are lab work and exams in my future. As much as I don't want to have to go through more tests, I do need to keep on top of things, so I will go. I had dinner by Mom and Dad, with Michael tonight. It was nice to sit and laugh for an hour. I'm letting things get to me lately, and it's making me agitated.

it's funny how you adapt to a routine so easily. A short four day vacation and I want my days to continue like I'm still vacationing. It was a rough morning, getting up and ready for work. You would think that I would have that routine down after all these years.

I've been contacted by a Hematologist who reviewed my case with my Oncologist. I am not sure I want to go to another doctor, have a multitude of blood work done, go through more exams, and wear myself out. Tomorrow I'll call to find out why they want me to come to the office. Unless there is a concrete reason and a definitive course of action, I do not want to deal with another doctor currently. It's never ending.

I had a great time in Michigan. I enjoyed riding the train. Mom and Dad are awesome to travel with. It was especially nice to see Pat, Toni, and Christopher. Way to go Chris! He competed in the Cold Water Mini Triathlon. What an inspirational and exceptional thing to do. It's nice to get away, but even nicer to get home. I'm sure I'll be travelling on the train again.

I'm heading out of town tomorrow, be gone until Sunday. I just have to go see Christopher participate in the Triathlon. Taking the train to Battle Creek. I'll rant and rave when I get back.

If you're going to walk Light the Night, don't forget to register online. It's coming up, Thursday September 13th. Here's the link: http://teams.lightthenight.org/MattAtomic

Have a great weekend, stay dry.

So after the Doctor told me my marrow was good, he talked and talked and concluded I should be monitored to see how my blood is progressing for the next couple of months. After having blood tests, which all my levels were also good, I got a free month supply of Nexium and was sent on my way. There is no reason to get any type of treatment at this point since the lymphs effeted in my chest are miniscule and without a biopsy there is no way to identify what has caused the inflammation. I am relieved!!!

Lost myself at the bookstore for a few hours this morning, cut myself off at three books even though I had quite a bit more. I now have a five book back-up, so plenty to read the next few weeks. It's still gray and gloomy, but the rain isn't as heavy and it seems a bit warmer than yesterday. I didn't win Powerball. Yet. One of these days. Ahh to dream. Candy raisins are addictive, I ended up with a bagful yesterday and have been snacking on them since. The call of the couch is getting louder and louder, so I'm off to lounge and read some more.

What a dreary cool day. Feeling rather well, upbeat, been spending my time reading and napping. Perfect activities for a day like this. Tomorrow I will adventure out, tonight I am a homebody.

Optimism returns in many ways, from a good laugh with a friend, to a hug from my mom. I know that right now I do not know what my body is going through and I haven't given up the thought that it could be something minor or nothing at all. I may not have mentioned that in previous posts, but the thought is there. I would like nothing more but to be all right. I don't feel sick, don't seem dragged out like I did, so it makes me wonder, and it makes me hope.

I can't begin to explain the range of emotions and thoughts rattling through me the last few days. No matter what people have been saying, I ride the roller coaster. Hearing that I may have cancer again disturbed my psyche. I feel like my body has been battered enough and the possibility of facing more treatments is unnerving. I have spent time researching reoccureance and what I have read has somehow calmed me. With each type of lymphoma, there are chances of reoccurence within the first year, and treatment is similar to the first time, and the success rate equal to the first. Until I know exactly what I am dealing with, I can prepare. Of course I want this to be an infection or something minor, but I must face that I could be in for another battle. Despite all this, I remain strong, even though I have moments of anger, sadness, crankiness.

I slept through the evening and night, my body is worn out. Today I felt like I had been run over. Now the achiness is subsiding. I just want to go a few weeks without being jabbed with needles, IVs. While it's been a rough few days, I'm doing all right. I'll see what the test results reveal and go on from there.

I feel like someone beat me with a two by four. My arms are sore from IV's and needles from what seems like gallons of blood drawn this last week. My veins ache, I need a break. My left hip bone is sore from the bone marrow biopsy. I actually fell asleep during the procedure, so I didn't notice any of the effects, the pressure or sensations or the pain. Now the wait begins again. My follow up appointment is next Monday. The following days are all about mending. My body really needs to rest at this point.

If you are going to walk with me for Light the Night in September, you need to register online. Here is the link for my team MattAtomic. I will post this frequently.

http://teams.lightthenight.org/MattAtomic

Everyone is welcome to join me!

I didn't get the news I wanted to hear today. Both the CT and Pet scans showed an area within my chest is questionable. The Oncologist called me a mystery. Physically, he said I am in remission, but the scans are suspect. He felt that if only one had indicated something, he would be inclined to monitor things. Since both showed up, he has decided to go ahead with the bone marrow biopsy and additional blood tests. I have them tomorrow. My blood levels are up, he is encouraged by those results, my body is producing blood products. He prescribed Folic acid and Chromagen tablets for me to assist in blood production. The news left me a bit unsettled, I have calmed down, have gotten lots of encouragement from family and friends.

I had a really good time at the picnic yesterday. Today I'm just going to kick around the apartment, maybe head out to the bookstore, and go to a cook out by my brother's house. Tomorrow, I find out the results of the scans. I am surprisingly calm, thought I'd be apprehensive. Sitting in the waiting room could be a challenge though. I'll have to stop and get a starbucks coffee or something to tide me over.

I had a really good birthday yesterday. I went to Taco Bell, saw Walking Man, Spent time with Mom, Dad, Tim and Julia, and ate cheesecake. Definitely a good day. I'm going to be heading out to my company's summer picnic in a few hours, going to hang out, eat some food, listen to some music, then come home to lounge.

It's My Birthday!!!!

I am doing well. The last couple of days there hasn't been any headaches or muscle cramping. I take that as a good sign. I didn't nap today, am actually doing some laundry. It always seems to pile up. I haven't been preoccupied with my test results as I thought I would be, here it's Thursday all ready and I find out the results on Monday. There's really nothing I can do, so worrying is pointless. I will be watching TV and reading tonight, I like lounging if you haven't figured that out yet!

http://teams.lightthenight.org/MattAtomic

Here is a link to Light the Night, where you can sign up to participate in the walk.

"Light The Night® will return to O'Donnell park in Milwaukee on September 13, 2007. Check in begins at 5:00pm with the stage presentation and Walk beginning promptly at 6:30pm. Join us as we walk together to accomplish the Society's mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
You have the chance to be a part of something great. The Society is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding cures for blood cancers. Because of the success of Light The Night walkers across the country, we are well on our way to accomplishing our mission! Research is where the answers to our questions about cancer lay, and the Society is investing in the most promising research available, and investing a lot. The Society leads all major nonprofit health agencies in the percentage of dollars raised directed to research.
Teams are the heart of Light The Night. They are made up of people just like you: friends, family and colleagues joining together to accomplish a common mission - finding a cure!"

I will post additional information as it becomes available. I hope you all join me for this, I'm excited about getting a lighted balloon!

I can honestly say that I'm feeling pretty good today. No headaches or muscle cramps to speak of. The transfusions have improved my physical condition. For each day I feel good, my mental condition just may improve. It sure is hot and sticky out, even with the short bursts of rain moving through the area. I stayed up too late last night watching the 100 greatest songs of the 80s on VH1 Classics. It was entertaining, and I love 80s music. Of course I couldn't nap when I got home because I had to watch America's Next Top Model at 4:00pm. Why am I so enthralled with that show?

Well, I'm in for a nerve-wrecking week. I had the CT and Pet scans today, have my follow-up appointment next week Monday. I was surprisingly relaxed through the whole experience, the time went fast, from waiting the hour after given the contrast material and dye to the 45 minutes through the machine with my arms raised over my head. I'll be thinking clean, clear scans all week. I want to be done with this, tired of needles, blood work, transfusions, hospitals. I want to run, play, and be strong again.

There's something about waking up on your own couch after 12 hours sleep that is relaxing, refreshing. Let me back pedal to Friday. I went to have tests done at the Oncologist's. The blood test revealed I was still very anemic. It was decided I would be hospitalized until they find out why. I got home, packed a bag, and waited for the call from the hospital. My bed would be ready at 7:00pm. Dad came and got me. After settling in and eight vials of blood, I received blood transfusions. Saturday, tests didn't reveal anything on why I am anemic, but the transfusions improved my levels. I had an ultrasound, which showed the blood clot had dfinitely been reduced in size. I received another transfusion (900cc in all) and released from the hospital about 7:00pm. I came home, laid on the couch and fell asleep immediately. I just woke up about thirty minutes ago. It was nice waking up on my couch. All medications have been stopped to see if any are effecting my blood production and will be following up with the Oncologist tomorrow. I will have a bone marrow biopsy done once I am off the Coumadin. I have the CT and Pet scans in the morning. Today is all about lounging.

someone is making cinnamon toast here at work and it smells delicious. it's driving me crazy, I want some!!!! I have been doing all right, the headaches have lessened to a much more tolerable level. I have blood work and scans scheduled for Monday August 6th. I will be relieved when this is over with and I'm not contending with headaches, muscle cramps, weariness. I know it's been a tough week for me, but I'm pushing through.

September 13, 2007. Write the date on your calendar. I will be writing more about the event when details become available. It is a two mile walk through downtown Milwaukee. I encourage everyone to join me. I will be registered as a team captain of "MattAtomic". This is a benefit to raise awareness and money for the leukemia and lymphoma society.

Last night was much better than the previous one. Only a slight headache, nothing too painful, easy to contend with. I had a delicious dinner with Mom, Dad, Mike, and Erin. Meatloaf, roast beef, green beans, potatos, rolls, applesauce, and chocolate pudding. I read some, watched TV, and went to bed by 9:30pm, fell asleep immediately. I feel rested, not worn out. I'll have to keep the iron regiment going. Blackstrap molasses tastes like licorice to me, it's good in my morning Cream of Wheat. I limit my caffiene intake to one mug of coffee in the morning, then switch to orange juice and water. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. It's interesting how much you learn while dealing with health issues. Here's to a better day!