Temporary Disability Retired List update

A couple of days ago I received a letter from the TDRL Board President letting me know they have decided I am to remain on the TDRL because I am still not fit for active duty and my condition is still not stable. I look at it as a free return flight to San Diego where I can visit my parents, twin sister, brother, aunt and some great friends.

I continue to have my set-backs with days I find it difficult just climbing a flight of stairs. Some of my complaints are most likely related to side affects of the antibiotics I am still taking. So I hope to be feeling better once I finish those meds in two days. My white cell counts are still high but a little lower then the last report so the doctor is hoping the antibiotics are winning to fight an infection. But I have a pain in my left side just under my rib cage and I know from personal experience that this is where my spleen would be if it is getting bigger, like it did when I was originally diagnosed with CML. My doctor believes it is most likely my intestines I am feeling and my wife reminded me that the CT-scan I just had should have picked up an enlarged spleen. But I think because I have experienced so many cases of bad news with regards to my health that I now tend to be rather pessimistic.

Anyway, my darling wife has found a new oncologist for me at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers in Denver and I see him later this month. I expect he will order another PCR test to look for any signs of BCR-ABL, to ensure there is no sign of relapse. A negative result will certainly put me at ease.

And even more bad news on the Cox front; my poor overworked wife has been having more problems with her neck. Remember, late last year she underwent two major surgeries; one on her back and the other on her neck, both requiring titanium plates screwed in place on her spine. Well she just saw her surgeon about her neck and the verdict is that the bones did not fuse. So now she must get a CT-scan and most likely have to undergo the surgery again. But this time they will have to go in from the back of her neck and screw in another plate. I really feel for her because she is doing so much around here that she cannot afford to be in so much pain. Lately she has been caring for our two boys and for me almost full time. I love you honey and we are all thinking good thoughts for you.

Well that is it for now. I will probably post again after my oncology appointment or after I receive my PCR results.

~David

A struggle but hanging in there

It has been some time since my last update, but I haven't been feeling that great. I have been feeling rather weak and fatigued lately but as other cancer champions can attest to, it comes with the territory. However, about ten days ago I received a copy of the Navy Temporary Disabled Retirement List (TDRL) reevaluation report from my San Diego trip. Nothing much surprising to me except that the blood lab report indicated my white cell counts were elevated, as were my neutriphils (the part of the white blood cells that fight infections). So my primary care doctor at the Air Force Academy ordered more labs and my white counts are still high. He also ordered another pulmonary function test (PFT), a CT Scan with contrast and some other lab tests. The PFT results are the same as the last test and my lungs looked fine in the CT scan. But the scan did find an abnormality of air entrapment in the intestinal walls. The docs are not sure exactly what has caused this but they believe I most likely have an intestinal infection and now have me on anti-biotics for two weeks. The side affects of that treatment have been stomach aches, head aches and diarrhea. I was in bed for the first two or three days but am feeling better now.

Meanwhile, my youngest son is home with flu-like symptoms and there is at least one case of a classmate who has the swine flu. So today my doctor started me on another medication as a precaution. Because of my immunosuppression and lung problems, the swine flu is currently my worst enemy. Before long I might find myself in a plastic bubble. Remember the movie, "The Boy In The Plastic Bubble" with John Travolta? That was in 1976; just a few years ago.

Another medication adjustment is that I am now on a prednisone dose of 20mg every other day; so effectively cutting my dose in half. Hopefully, this will help me to feel better than I have been. I am also attending pulmonary rehabilitation three times a week, which should help me get stronger. It is similar to the other rehab I was doing but lighter workouts and fully monitored during the session with EKG, pulsometer and blood pressure checks.

Other appointments I am waiting for include a sleep study this coming Sunday night, a pain management consultation, and some dental work if Fred Hutchinson approves it. The dental work includes two new fillings and a root canal where old fillings have crumbled to dust. I will also be seeing a new oncologist who I expect will order another PCR test to ensure I am still in that safe place called remission (especially in light of the increased white counts). I'm not too worried about that because the white counts are not very much over the upper limit of normal. Still, there is nothing like a good PCR test result to confirm.

That's about it. I am continuing working on my grad work and enjoying it this term because the topic is Network Security.

Thanks again for all your support and best wishes. My wife and I appreciate it. My poor wife is running herself into the ground because of my limitations. She is a real trooper and I am so lucky to have her by my side. I love you honey and happy anniversary (our 23rd).