how time flies...

We arrived home in the third week of March after a pleasant diversion to Albuquerque, NM and found all to be in reasonable order. Of course, it snowed the day we arrived! And, typical of spring weather in N Utah it has continued to do so off and on since. Indeed, March seemed to go out like the proverbial lion. But, between the storms, the weather has been fantastic and the snow when it occurs makes little impact. That is, here today, gone tomorrow. N Utah has been so fortunate that the snow pack is slightly above average insuring minimal grumbling from the farmers and happy noises from the fisherfolk (moi!). Finally, on the weather topic, the continuing weather changes have provided for clean air. Thus, all is well on this front.

I am in my fourth of four sets of maintenance chemo, having had two of the four infusions at this writing. The usual results: I feel a bit more neuropathy (is this real, or just anticipated?): embouchure a little stiff after minimal trumpet playing, more tingling (discomfort) in hands and feet. But this is more or less de rigeur. So two more weeks and I am cut loose! In discussion with my onc doc (ABJ), I find that I could have my power port removed right away (simple in-office procedure), but since average survival with my disease is 3 yrs, arbitrarily we have decided to wait until Aug which will be 3 yrs since diagnosis. At that time we will also do some scans.

Some news on recurrence: One of the reasons for taking the port out--other than the continued hassle of maintenance flushes wherever I am--is that should next steps be required, they could involve an autologous stem cell transplant. For that, apparently, the port would not be necessary. But ABJ reports that since my diagnosis there has been the successful development of a couple new drugs that target mantle cell lymphoma. Apparently these are appropriate for recurrence whereas the CNS impact of the original R-CHOP is not. So, this is good news, but may argue in favor of continuing to keep the port in. 

Phoenix in winter was too good to me. Too many fine lunches and dinners out accompanied by cocktails (evening), IPAs (lunch) and the general social facilitation that comes from convivial, communal dining. Result: an 8-lb weight gain (250 lbs!). Not good. Being abstinent now during the chemo process, and watching the diet a little I have shed that 8 lbs. But more is necessary and I hope to report some success on that front in the future. Again, however, I have the enviable duty of gathering during the week with friends for good lunches.....we'll see.

It has been a tough time psychologically this last while as a good friend and colleague quickly ended his life and just in the last 24-hrs there is more. Thoughts of mortality rise and cannot be denied. Yet, I am optimistic. I just spent some bucks on a couple new rods and reels and put the charger to the boat's batteries. Spring fishing cannot be far in the future. Carpe diem.