It’s been a strange week. I’ve been feeling kind of “off” for a about a year and a half. On Sunday while out fishing, I started feeling very off. The next morning it reached a point where I finally decided to get help. My wife and I headed to the emergency room. The first blood test (of many to come) revealed extremely high levels of white blood cells. This pointed to leukemia. They sent me up to the oncology floor of the hospital and started me on a chemo drug. After a few days in a hospital bed and a bone marrow biopsy, it was determined that I most likely have Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. It’s caused by a gene mutation in my bone marrow, with no known precursors other than massive radiation exposure. 25 years ago this would have been a death sentence within a few years. In the early 2000s a targeted drug therapy was developed that has changed that diagnosis to a very optimistic outcome. I should live a normal life, with the possibility of total remission. It’s the best bad news I’ve ever had. I hate the distress and disruption this caused my wife, children, parents and loved ones. They have been heroic. My dear
@notthatyouasked has been through the absolute wringer. But I feel very, very lucky - especially knowing many who aren’t as lucky. The flood of support, help and love from our friends and family and even strangers has stunned me. A true reminder of what life is all about. I can never repay everyone for their care and for keeping my family going. I’m back home and very much ready to get back to my shit. I have a lot of living to do. I love you all.
