Almost too good to be true

 Edie, Golf  2 Responses »
Sep 272007
 

Those were the exact words used by Edie’s oncologist to described her latest Free Light Chain test results.

Edie’s Kappa Free Light Chains is now within the normal range. Her Lambda Free Light Chains were below normal, but we’re not really sure if that is of any significance. I guess that will give me something to do for the next hour or so.

Of course we can’t forget the old adage “one test does not a trend make”, as evidenced by the fact, Edie’s creatinine went back up to 3.4, from the 2.1 reported last week.

Still, all things considered, it is encouraging, and it appears progress is finally being made.

In fact, I was so elated by the news, I wasn’t even upset yesterday, when I lost my second Mens Club Match Play match yesterday, on the second hole of a sudden death play off, after being tied at the end of regulation play.

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 Posted by Marc at 9:38 am

It’s raining, so you know what that means

 Edie, Life  4 Responses »
Sep 222007
 

While it’s not raining at this exact moment, it did rain quite a bit last night. Consequently the roads are pretty wet, and since there’s still a 50% chance of rain the rest of the morning, I won’t be riding my bike today.

So in keeping with my threat to post under such circumstances, plus the fact Edie did receive some good news yesterday, I thought I would inform everyone of that news.

Edie’s creatinine dropped to 2.1.

That’s still not within the normal range (0.6 to 1.1), but it is a far cry from where it was previously, when it got as high as 6.1, and she was admitted to the hospital.

Now we can’t know for certain that the drop is not a result of the dialysis treatments she is undergoing, her oncologist does seem to think the drop is more significant than one would expect just from dialysis. [The Velcade may just be doing its job, and at the very least Edie may be able to get off dialysis soon.]

So on top of the fact, the rain is bringing much needed relief from the drought we have been experiencing in LA (I literally can’t remember when it rained last, it has been that long), the rain is having a cleansing effect as well.

Ooops! It just started raining again.

The only problem now is, what to do with myself for the rest of the morning.

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 Posted by Marc at 6:14 am

It had to happen sometime

 Life, Off Topic  1 Response »
Sep 182007
 

It seems even Morris (you remember Morris our cat) has been so distraught lately, he decided to leave Sylvia a little treat, in her bathroom, last night. [He's such a good boy!]

Sylvia has never experienced anything quite like that before, and I thought her reaction was a little unusual, if not comical.

Instead of picking the rat up, and throwing it in the trash, like I would have done (fortunately Morris did kill the rat), she picked up the rug the rat was lying on, and carried it outside to the drive way. She then proceeded to sweep it (yes, with a broom) down the entire driveway into the middle of the street. (Keep in mind this was very early in the morning, before the sun came out, and even before I went to work.)

It boggles the mind, why she didn’t just carry it all the way to the middle of the street?

Can you imagine what the sight of a little old woman sweeping a rat down the driveway, into the street, looked like?

My only hope is the neighbors weren’t watching. I’m trying not to think about what their reaction might have been! :)

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 Posted by Marc at 7:38 pm

Before I fall asleep

 Edie  5 Responses »
Sep 162007
 

As I sit here this afternoon trying to recover from my morning bike ride, typically the most difficult of the week, I thought I’d better take this opportunity to update everyone on what is going on!

I really thought I had a lot more to say, but the longer I pondered exactly what to write, I found there was less and less to write about.

So quickly I’ll just update everyone on how Edie is doing.

Fortunately Edie has been feeling much better as of late, albeit that’s compared to how she has felt previously. She still has some problems relating to the chemo, and the dialysis, but overall, she is in much better spirits, and that is encouraging.

Currently Edie is in the middle of her second course of treatment, with another potential 6 to go after this one is completed next week. That will end just in time for our planned trip to New Zealand this coming March.

We’re also hopeful the dialysis will only be temporary, as the Velcade and Doxil do their stuff, controlling the myeloma. Only time will tell of course, but his is her third treatment regimen, and you know what they say

the 3rd time’s the charm.

Oh, and today was Edie’s birthday, and she even went to lunch with a good friend today to celebrate.

This evening I’ll take her out for dinner to celebrate as well.

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 Posted by Marc at 4:00 pm

Highlander

 Edie, Off Topic  No Responses »
Sep 112007
 

Well this doesn’t exactly meet the criteria of particular relevance, nor is it even close to being on topic, but I thought it worth the time to relay to everyone.

The 5th sequel in the highly acclaimed (at least in my opinion) Highlander movie series is airing this Saturday, September 15th, on the SciFi channel, at 9PM eastern time.

Briefly, if you’re not familiar with the Highlander story, Highlander is an immortal within a race of immortals, vying to be the last living immortal. As the story line goes,

there can be only one.

An immortal only dies when his/her head is cut off, and every time an immortal kills another immortal, all the strength and knowledge of the fallen immortal passes to the victor in a ritual known as the Quickening.

The saga started in 1986, with Christopher Lambert as the original Highlander Conner MacLeod, followed by 3 sequels, the last one released in 2000, and included a series, starring Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod, lasting 6 seasons ending in May 1998.

This was one of Edie’s and my favorite shows, so it was with great delight that I learned a new sequel will be aired on September 15, 2007.

At last something to look forward to this weekend which Edie might be able to stay awake for.

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 Posted by Marc at 9:12 pm

If I wasn’t discontinuing my blog

 Cycling, Life  10 Responses »
Sep 092007
 

Even though I left myself an out for not completely discontinuing my blog

I may even post something occasionally, if I consider it particularly relevant, or in the event it is too cold, or raining outside………..

the outpouring of support to maintain my blog has been greater than I expected. Now I know at least 7 people read my blog, and actually find it informative and helpful, so I may have to reconsider that decision.

So even though it isn’t very cold or raining outside, I’ve decided to give you 7 supporters at least one last fix of my ramblings.

Had I not decided to stop blogging, today I would be writing about how I am sitting here in front of the TV, trying to recover from this mornings bike ride.

Today was the 7th day, in the last 9, that I’ve ridden my bike, having put on a total of 363 miles so far this month. I can’t remember the last time I’ve ridden that many miles in such a short period of time.

And on top of that, todays ride was 74 miles, about 25% more miles than I prefer to do in a single day.

I wasn’t sure I would make it, but I did. I even managed to stay with the group up until about the last 10 miles, at a pretty high intensity, until I decided it just wasn’t worth the effort anymore. And this was despite the fact it was a relatively strong head wind, and I might have been better off staying in the protection of the pack.

But what really amazed me so much, when I think back on this ride, there was actually someone (maybe even two or three people) up front, who were able to maintain that speed into the wind, without the benefit of as much protection from the wind as I was getting. I’m sure they were about 30 years younger than me, but that doesn’t take anything away from their effort.

Still it was a good ride, and since I am a firm believer in the old saying

what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger

I’m happy I did it, plus it provided an excuse for telling everyone (well at least 7 people) about the experience.

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 Posted by Marc at 6:55 pm
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