“You successfully responded to all your treatment plans this past year, you are now in remission, and will BE on a maintenance plan moving forward.” – My Oncologist

My oncologist shared those words with me this week, with a smile ear to ear (she never smiles by the way). We met to review my recent biopsy and blood results which were evaluating how this last year of work had gone. Whew!! Wow!!! Yay me!!! Holy shit!!! I said to her, “Can you repeat what you said doc …This is good news right?”. Yes, it is.

After 18 days in the hospital, this newborn has now been home for three weeks after the stem-cell procedure and a whole lot has been happening post-transplant. Sorry for my tardy update!

“Go shawty, it's your birthday …We gonna party like it's your birthday” – 50 Cent

The stem cell transplant is officially complete and behind us!! Yay!!! After 18 days in the hospital, I am discharged and home (see below)!!!

We’re in the home stretch!  Checking into the hospital today, Saturday, 4/23, for my stem-cell transplant, which is called one's “second birthday.” And since April 4th was my first birthday, I really get to continue the birthday celebrations on 4/23. Sounds fine to me ! So please, please send me your loving and healing energies.

“I see skies of blue and clouds of white …the bright blessed days, the dark sacred nights …and I think to myself, What a wonderful world”

– Louis Armstrong

Great News!!! After evaluating my blood, PET scan and biopsy earlier this month, my plasma cells went from being 80% infected by myeloma, all the way down to 0.038%!! The cancer has literally vanished. My gang (you all) kicked some serious health ass these past six plus months. Amazing and thank you!!

“I've got to admit it's getting better (Better) …A little better all the time (It can't get no worse) …I have to admit it's getting better (Better) ..It's getting better …Since you've been mine” –- Lennon/McCartney

I must admit that I am so exhausted right now and feeling ill – in fact, I slept almost 36 hours straight during the last two days. Writing this is a challenge because of how I feel, yet I know it’s important to share and get this all out of my head.

“Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me …Other times I can barely see …Lately it occurs to me ...What a long, strange trip it's been” - Grateful Dead

What a long, strange trip it’s been …indeed, Jerry! We are in month six …the final month of my current chemo treatment plan. After this week, I have only two treatments left and then the nurses at Sloan will gather around me and ring the bell to acknowledge that this part of the journey is complete! Can’t wait.

When do you stop saying Happy New Year? Seriously  Well, I wish you a 2022 filled with awesomeness, personal breakthroughs, deep connections, joy, health, and laughter deep from the belly.

Good news to share. I just completed cycle 4 of 6. Oh yeah baby!!! This is one of my favorite holiday gifts to myself – Complete cycle 4 and get a week off to rest and ring in the new year. I must be on St. Nick’s good list 

It’s been a couple of weeks since I provided an update and shared some of my insights.

On the Good News front (I was known as Mr. Good News when I had my radio show/podcast) there’s lots to share.

So, the good news continues as I embark on my health journey. We are nearing the close of cycle 3 which is good news because next week I’ll complete cycle 3 and that means we are half-way through the overall chemo treatment plan. Time flies when you are busy getting healthy!

Great news!!! I met with the oncology team yesterday and the four markers they are tracking were all home runs!! Yes! In fact, after two cycles, I am super close to reaching the goals that I need to reach in each of the four areas. What a freakin’ relief! I am so grateful to my physical body for being strong enough to respond effectively to the treatments and I am grateful to all of you for filling up my spirit to remain positive and focused on the things that matter. This is a win for my gang.

Well, Cycle 2 is in the books! It’s a wrap. I completed Cycle 2 this past week and now I have a break from the chemo treatments. If you are keeping score, I am on the chemo treatment plan three weeks out of every month and then I get the last week off – this current week, is my week off.

As I near the conclusion of Cycle 2 (2 of 6), there is good news to share.  My weekly blood results showed that my hemoglobin level went from 8.4 (previous week) to 9.2. The hemoglobin level is one of the markers that the oncology team tracks so it’s awesome to see the numbers go up …and it’s the first time the hemoglobin number went up without a blood transfusion. Oh yeah!!

Cycle 2 is underway! This past week I started my second cycle of chemo and the oncology team continues to be positive about my progress. This past week I was also able to complete the infamous MRI.

I want to acknowledge that I’m a bit tardy in sending out my weekly update. This past week has been the most-quiet week since the week of 8/8 when I checked myself into the ER and found out my diagnosis.  

Yes, Quiet! Peaceful! Grounded! Stable! Do I seem happy?  You bet! I actually felt like myself – like I metaphorically had color in my cheeks.

What a week!!! Lots to share. Kicking things off, cycle 1 is officially complete! My first cycle of chemotherapy is in the books …Yay!! Now I get a week off from treatment. 

Even better news is that my test/blood results came back this week and my numbers are encouraging - cycle 1 produced good progress on the key markers that the oncology team monitors - so, high fives all around for the great start :)  

I am pretty pumped after watching the Yankees sweep the Redsox this weekend. This is exactly what the doctor ordered, and I’ve made a request to keep this as part of my treatment plan. 

I’ve now completed two weeks of chemo treatments and my body seems to be responding well (knock on wood). Aside from a dry mouth, occasional chills and cramps in my feet, so far so good which is really encouraging. I’ve started to take magnesium to eliminate the cramping in the feet (I mentioned last week that the cramping turns into a perpetual Charlie Horse) – the magnesium is definitely helping.

Kicked the week off with big news – this past Monday I started my full chemo treatment!