So here we are. I’m kicking back in Florida, taking some time to tend to our down south house after the winter rental. The weather is absolutely beautiful on the West Coast of Florida at this time. Not much rain and plenty of sunshine to soak in after an awful winter up North. This trip is the longest that I’ve spent here since I can remember… Over two weeks! Anyways, May 23rd came and went. No special celebration, no special dinner or fanfare. As my wife put it,”Not one of my favorite days to remember”. To me though, the milestone is emotional and very significant. This year marked thirty years since May 23rd, 1996, the exact day that I was diagnosed with CML. Crazy to think that this is almost half of my lifetime. Dr. Terzian, if you are reading this post, I have completely surpassed the one to two years you told me that I might have to live on that sad day. Even more special is the fact that since I was taken off of Tasigna in October of 2024 because of my heart surgery, I have not relapsed and have no sign of Leukemia in my blood. No Chemo medication for nineteen months for the first time in twenty eight years has been wonderful! Am I worried? Damn right I am! Having to do bloodwork every two months is still as scary as always, especially now. That “Damn Rock”, as I have explained before, will always hang prominently above my head. Taunting my brain, as a constant reminder to what can reoccurr at any moment. Nevertheless, I remain proud and will stay strong in knowing that I am one of the longest living CML patients in the US. Especially after being diagnosed in the Pre-TKI generation of survivors.
Currently, life is good. Retirement has been great and other than a quick stop at the Orthopedic surgeon for a right hip replacement in July, all is well. Here’s to hoping that any future posts are all sunny and bright, just like here in beautiful Bradenton. Peace.