AML: Update

Once again it has been a while since I posted.  There is a lot to tell, but I think I am going with the crib notes version tonight. 

I continue to do monthly checkups.  So far so good.  Had a bit of a surprise last week.  The night before my checkup I had a bit of pain in my abdomen.  Thought it was a bladder infection... Turns out it was Diverticulitis.  It's an infection of the large intestine.  Not all that uncommon and might not be related to the transplant.  Regardless it is an infection and I am still on immune suppressants.  They admitted me for 2 days then sent me home on some powerful antibiotics.  Ironic thing... the infection is gone, but the stomach discomfort (side effect of antibiotics) is almost as bad as the infection. 

I was just beginning to forget what it was to be in a hospital...  BTW, the care @ Mayo is awesome.  Food is horrible.  They could take a cue from Sanford in this area. 

Prior to this last checkup, life has been rolling along.

Andy & I attended a celebration for Mark and Patty (Mark had his transplant a year ago).  It was great fun and I got to see most of my favorite nurses from Sanford.  They hardly recognized me.   I also got out of the hospital last week in time to make it to a benefit for Becca.  I mentioned her before.  She recently relapsed and has just decided to undergo a second stem cell transplant.  I meet her and her family at the benefit.  She is a very special person... please send prayers their way.  (Becca's Blog)

I am working mostly full time.  Managed to get to a Royals and Twins game before the end of the season.  Golf game has had its ups and downs.  Looks like clubs will be retired for the year.  Andy and I had a fun time at a wedding for a coworker last weekend.  Lots of time with the kids.  Since when did third graders become so busy. 

Embarrassed to say I often have to Google things to figure out what my 1st grader's math homework is trying to accomplish.   It seems now a days the best way to teach a kid math is to do whatever is necessary to avoid actually adding numbers together.   Ex:  To add  8 + 9.  They make these kids change the values to 8+8+1.  This is called a "doubles plus one fact" in case you wanted to know.  At least it is some consolation that Andy was just as lost as I.  Tune in next week and I'll teach you how to use a 10 frame to solve the same problem...   Whatever happend to good old flash cards.  \

Moving on...

Energy level still is a big issue.  My leg strength is also not recovering very fast.  Appetite is good.  (I've gained back about half the weight I lost).

I am slowly being weaned off my various meds.  My tachrolimus (immune suppressant) is down to .5 mg a day.  (it used to be 2mg which is a pretty good dose).   I will soon go down to .5 every other day.  Other GvH related meds are lowering as well.

I find myself seeking out some new experiences.   Not so much a bucket list, but some extra motivation to experience new things as they come up.  Often it's food.  The last few weeks I tried goat (Indian: goat curry @ Bombay Palace in Minneapolis) and a buffalo sirlion(Wild Sage Grill in Sioux Falls).  Both were great.    Trying to line up a couple fishing trips (anyone want to come fishing in the gulf Thanksgiving weekend?).... and then, who knows.