Month: May 2023

The wait is over! The traditional call from my Oncologists office has come and gone. The “My Penn Medicine” website has replaced the agony of waiting, with real time results for tests and bloodwork. Patients now receive their numbers on their phone or computer when the email pops up that you have new test results in your cue. Usually within 24 hours the results of my CBC test will pop up for me to analyze and review. As I write this post, the evening of May 23rd, 2023, the expertise that I have acquired in reading and interpreting my lab results is the result of being twenty-seven years deep into this adventure. On this day, twenty-seven years ago, I received my cancer diagnoses of CML. Seems like forever ago. This anniversary deserves no pomp and circumstance, no recognition and no celebration. Unless I brought it up to anyone, the memory and milestone is mine alone. That’s OK though, it’s been a long time and it definitely was not a pleasant day. Congrats to me.

Let’s get back to the results. The CBC… the bloodwork benchmark. This current report was perfect. White cells, red cells, Hemoglobin, platelets, etc. All within normal parameters. This is always nice to see since it can somewhat predict the outcome of the results of my BCR-ABL test. Next up is the Metabolic panel. Again, all within normal parameters. Kidney function, liver function, glucose, etc….all excellent. Now we wait. The BCR-ABL test takes about six to eight days from the blood draw to pop up on my email. It feels like forever. Ok, sounds dramatic, but this result is the big one. A positive result, even the slightest bit positive, will crush you. “You have a test result”. The email from “MyPennMedicine” stood out like a sore thumb. As I open it up, the anxiety always hits me as I fumble through the obligatory sign in and password prompts. I hit the “Test results” button and there it is…the BCR-ABL Quantative analysis result box. Just have to press it. Nice and easy, slowly, tentatively, I hesitate and after a deep breath, c’mon… Boom! It’s negative. Ahhh…and the Oncologists office probably won’t see my results for a couple of days. Sure glad that I have my self endowed PhD in Leukemia blood test result reading!

Today was a good day. Nick was honored as one of the Top 80 Real Estate Producers in Philadelphia for 2022/23 in Philly Magazine, the second year in a row! Joe is in London tonight, touring Europe with his girlfriend Kara and celebrating his friend’s wedding in Sorento, Italy. And as Lor sleeps peacefully beside me, I get to quietly contemplate another cancer milestone and be thankful that I’m still here to write about it. In four months,as you know by now, I’ll repeat the bloodwork process and hope for the same results. It is what it is.

Next Up: Wrapping it Up

Five years clear. The cancer benchmark. The coveted destination of hopefully being free and clear of relapse or reoccurring disease. What a great feeling it is after all of the mental and physical pain a diagnosis of cancer brings. I’m reminded of the song, “What a Wonderful World”. How both sides of the cancer coin bring those beautiful words into play. In the beginning of your journey, you realize that nothing really matters to you but the wonderful and beautiful things in your life and what our world has to offer. A glorious sunny sky, colorful flowers and trees, bug’s and butterflies, beaches and backyard Bar-B-Q’s. Spiders, snakes and roaches…not so much. LoL. Everyday that you wake up and move on with your life is so special. Your partner, your kids, your family, your friends. Can’t imagine not being there, can you? Then comes that eternal hope. That five year mark on your calender. The other side of the ” What a Wonderful World” coin. You’ve made it! We made it! A wonderful world feeling that seemed like an eternity to reach. Feeling comfort in knowing you may safely continue to participate in life. Finally!

It originally took me nine years to reach my benchmark. Four more years to lose it. Another five more years to make it, then three more years to lose it again. That was five years ago. So, here we are again. This April, 2023, makes five years since my last relapse. Exciting right? Well, for starters, my five year benchmarks are really not true benchmarks. My remission is based on the reality that my cancer is still active, never fully cured. It’s been that way since 1999 when my first relapse sent me for a loop only two and a half years after my bone marrow transplant. Since then, my remission is chemotherapy induced and relapses are due to changes in the status of how the daily medication remains active in preventing my Leukemia from recurring yet again. Please, don’t get me wrong. This five year anniversary is special. They all are. And I’m still here. It’s hope and pessimism wrapped up in one emotion. I still love that song though. Every day I’ll find the good, the great, the beautiful and the wonderful. No matter what.

For every cancer survivor that has reached the coveted five year anniversary free and clear, I applaud your accomplishment. I hope that you all remain cancer free and live long beautiful, meaningful, healthy lives. Be vigilant. Be smart. Make sure that you follow up with your doctor appointments, bloodwork, scans and tests. Realize that down the road, the after effects of major chemotherapy and varied cancer treatments can or may cause other health issues. Again, be vigilant and above all else, be humble. Always remember that for all of those that make that five year moment, there are just as many cancer warriors who weren’t as lucky. Cherish your survivor status and remember what it took to get there. Also, remember that there are no guarantees. Believe me…I know. My next appointment for bloodwork is in two weeks. Fingers crossed.

Next Up: The Results