This Machine Killed Cancer

On Saturday (day +11), my counts finally started to inch up.  Then, on Sunday and Monday they rocketed up, so I am going home tomorrow!  I can’t wait to breath real air and see our dog and sleep in the same bed as my wife again.  From what I hear, it seems like I missed an entire season while I was in here.  It was shorts weather when I came in, but I see people bundled up in jackets outside my window as they walk around now.

Of course, just because I’m at home, doesn’t mean this process is over.  I still have to stay on this neutropenic diet (no fresh fruits or veggies, no pepper, no yogurt, etc, etc) for a few more weeks.  And I’ll be back at the hospital every day to check my levels and get blood if I need it.  The risk of infection is still very high, so I’ll have to maintain all of the crazy precautions that go along with a busted immune system.  But by Thanksgiving, I should be mostly recovered from all of that.  My immune system will stay weak for months, but it will be strong enough to resume a normal life by then.

On day +40 (just after Thanksgiving), I’ll get scanned to see whether the cancer is gone or not, and then begin radiation.  We’ll let you know when that’s coming up so everyone can cross their fingers and toes.  Hopefully, by then end of the year, I will be totally done with treatment.  I’m looking forward to rebuilding my body (I’ve lost so much muscle mass, it’s ridiculous).  And starting to play shows again.  And traveling around the country (world?) with Rebekah.  And working on our new house.  And basically getting back to the life that has been on hold for the last year.

Thanks again to everyone for all the support and love as we’ve gone through this process.  It’s strange to think that the hardest thing I will ever do is almost over.  But it is.