Houston Tomorrow Update February 28 2010

As many of you know I'll be off to Houston tomorrow for a week to get the second high dose radiation treatment. I'll know more about my overall prognosis as well and I'll post what I can, when I can, over the week I am there.

I have been in overwhelming pain much of the time lately and I'm feeling quite discouraged. I hope the prognosis is hopeful, but the future doesn't really matter when one is in pain constantly. Thanks for your support and good wishes.

Update February 16 2010

I want to give you all a short update to let you know what's been going on.

Since last we spoke I have been in a lot of pain. I had a brutal sinus infection (which apparently also spread to my ears as well). Fortunately after going to see the Ear Nose & Throat specialist last week and being prescribed a pretty hardcore anti-biotic, that has pretty much gone away. The anti-biotic unfortunately had its own side effects, which included causing a lot of stomach and abdominal pain. I'm not sure if I am allergic to something in the anti-biotic, or whether the stomach and abdominal side effects exacerbated my crone's disease; but I started having a lot of arthritic type pain about the time I started taking the medication. Consequently I have been in extreme pain for about a week now. The pain has primarily been in my right arm and elbow. Even though I am left handed, I do a lot of things with my right arm and doing anything has caused me excruciating pain. As you can imagine typing was not easy so I didn't even try.

I'm feeling somewhat better today (obviously since I'm typing) and going to see my arthritis specialist today so he can give me an idea of what I need to do. As many of you know I'll be going back to Houston on March 1st so it's imperative I'm pain free (or pain tolerant) when I go. I'll also be in San Francisco this weekend (G-d willing) so it would be nice to feel like somewhat of a regular human being again.

This last series of events has made me so discouraged, I can't even begin to express it. I am a strong person and I persevere no matter what, but it's hard to be strong when you can't move due to pain. Those of you who are healthy can't imagine what it's like for people who are in chronic pain or deal with chronic health issues. It's discouraging and depressing.

Update January 29 2010

As many of you know, it's my birthday this Sunday. There was a time not too long ago where I had my doubts as to if I would make it to my birthday or not. I am so happy that I am in a position to say that I believe I'll be around for a good long while. Obviously I don't know for sure, and for all I know I could still be in the position I was in earlier on, but I believe and I am acting as if I will be here.

I can't believe it was almost 365 days ago that I celebrated my 40th birthday (many of you were in attendance). That was truly an overwhelming night and one that continues to resonate. This year, I'm celebrating in a more subtle way. Tonight I am going to see the Pee Wee Herman stage show with my friend Josh; and this weekend I will be having dinner / brunch with both sides of my family. I know I say this often, but I am so blessed to have my family and friends. There is no way I could have gotten through this past year without you.

I am feeling much better. My aches and pains have lessened to the point where they are bearable, and having been diagnosed with a sinus infection, that seems to be going away as well (thank goodness). I'm happy this morning. All seems OK with the world :)

Update Saturday January 23

A short update to let everyone know how I am and what's been going on:

I have been suffering from a head cold for about a week now which I couldn't shake. Combined with the rainy weather, this has made things uncomfortable for me. I've also been dealing with arthritis like aches and pains, and general fatigue. So, all in all, I've been feeling pretty crappy as of late.

I don't have any news regarding the tests or progress regarding the upcoming treatment in Houston. So far as I know, everything is the way they expected it to be. If I hear anything specific, I will let you know here.

Thanks for your concern :)

Update January 17 2010

I watched a remarkable documentary on PBS exploring how the Beatles helped to bring down the Soviet Union. The extent to which kids in the USSR went to listen to the Beatles, and to Rock in general, is amazing and touching. Music is perhaps the single most powerful communication humans have, and the way it influences is astonishing. I know for me music is as vital as breathing. We take access to music for granted, but it wasn't always so...

I have also been watching the devastation in Haiti. It is so heartbreaking I can't watch anymore; I have to change the channel. There are many ways to donate; please give something, even old clothes, if you can. Also it's a good reminder to take a look round your home and see if you are prepared for a quake (if you live in So Cal or other earthquake prone climes). This concludes today's Public Service Announcements; we now return to regularly scheduled programing...

In personal news, I feel good in general. Still more tired then I'd like to be. I'm in the process of having a lot of blood tests and such to see how my body is reacting to the treatment I had in November. So far, so good. Everything is apparently as it should be. If anything changes I'll let you know.

Update January 4th 2010

I've found it very difficult to write anything lately. It feels very daunting to sit down and try to write down my thoughts. I know many of you have been concerned because there has been no regular updates. While I was feeling extremely fatigued for a while, I am feeling better. In terms of my treatment, I will be going in for some scheduled blood work over the next weeks, but there's nothing really scheduled until I go back to Houston in March.

I was feeling very tired and out of it for a while, but I seem to be getting some energy back little by little, and I'm certainly not as out of it as I have been. However, everything feels like such a big deal lately - I mean, doing things as opposed to doing nothing. I'm not sure if that is because I am actually physically tired (which I have been), or because I'm depressed (which I am as well), or something else (when I say I'm depressed, I mean chemically. I'm not sad; there's a difference). Anyway, there it is.

December 19th 2009 update

Hello all :) Since I've been back from Houston (one week today) I have not felt very good. I've been in a lot of pain, primarily in my left leg and lower left back, and I've been very tired. I went to see my GI doctor Thursday in hopes he might be able to address this, since I believe the pain is related to my Chrone's disease, but he wasn't able to help. The good news is that the pain is getting better on it's own, and I have an appointment with an immunologist on December 30. I am extremely fatigued, however. I expected to be tired but it's still very frustrating. Hopefully I will get some energy back soon.