Hey Team,
So time for the next update.
Unfortunately my bro Jerome has returned to England so I have pulled this one together. So for my last update I had finished my first week of chemo and all was well. Well I am happy to report that things are still going really well. Today I started my second round of chemo having just had the last week off all treatment. For each round I have two weeks of treatment then a week off. I will have four rounds of treatment in all.
So as I mentioned, I have been feeling really good. The only exception to this has been managing the pain in my shoulder. I have been popping pain pills like crazy, and have had a few sleepless nights. But in all, I feel lucky that my treatment has gone well with very few side effects.
Today I received my FISH results which looks at the chromosomal typing of my Myeloma. They look at three specific chromosomal abnormalities in the cancer cell that, if present, would mean that the cancer has a high likelihood of mutating, putting the cancer in the ‘aggressive’ category, which in turn, would put me in the High Risk category. My results for all three tests suggest that i am in the standard risk category. This is good news!! The only exception to this is that as part of the screen they identified an ‘unknown’ chromosomal abnormality ……….aaaarrgggh. Unfortunately they don’t know anything about this chromosomal abnormality so the consequences are unknown…. My Dr – Dr Ali (aaaaiiiiggghht respect) is going to refer me to a geneticist to get additional advice. Will keep you posted.
So the plan for now is to continue my Induction chemo, then in July go for an Auto (self) Stem cell transplant, and we will continue to look at the options for an Allo (donor) stem cell transplant). My brothers will be the ideal donors (yes they may still be useful. 🙂 ). They have all had blood tests and I expect to find out in a month who will be the best matched donor! Brothers….this is to you……now is your time to shine!! If you want the best brother tag, step up!! I luv you all……but you know that!!
We have done a lot of work in the past few weeks looking at complimentary medicines / knowledge. I summarise these below.
- Nutrition – We have been very active here. I have been reading a lot on wellness and we also met with one of Phillips friends Harry. Harry has studied wellness for 30 years and had a lot of information. All information tends to point to common themes. No Sugar, no white flour / bread, no dairy, reduced / no meat (all forms), no modified and processed foods, cut alcohol, lots of leafy greens and whole foods and grains. Lots of juicing. So I am actively educating myself here, targeting more whole grain foods, drinking juice daily, I’ve cut milk with the exception of a cheeky coffee, I’ve cut the grog with the exception for a cheeky beer /wine………and I feel great.
- Prof Avni Sali – Harry suggested I had to see the Prof. He is an oncologist that highly supports integrated medicine……specifically wellness and nutrition. Whilst it will cost me my first born to see him, I am booked in to see him late May. I let Dr Ali (aaaaiiiiggghht respect) know I was seeing the Prof. As it turns out, the Prof was a mentor for Dr Ali (aaaaiiiiggghht respect) and he is very supportive of me seeing him. Apparently he will give me a whole new perspective on life! Looking forward to it.
- Support from China – my bro Chris has friends in China who heard about me. Raymond sent me a locket and several ribbons, all of which were blessed by a Chinese high Buddha. Every little bit helps!
- Kinesiology (auto correct changed to ‘kinda sexology’………hhhhmmmm). Last week I saw Nan Abbott, a kinesiologist – a study of meridian and chakra energy as well as aura energy assessment and support. I was really quite amazed at some of the information that Nan was able to provide me. In summary, she read from my aura that 1) I do not rest as it does not come easy to me and 2) I put my energy out there too much for others (instead of using it for myself)……….. Two things that I have to focus on changing. I get a lot from Nan and will See her again in a month.
- Meditation – to support me with the two above items, I have started to learn about meditation. The health benefits are widely thought to be massive!! I started the other day following a YouTube tutorial. This is an area I am really looking to progress.
Finally, and most importantly, love and support from Sarah, my family and friends (primary school, high school, uni, work, sport, through the kids etc) is critical to me being as happy as I can be, as positive as I can be, and as healthy as I can be. I am receiving love and support in great abundance and I am hugely appreciative. Thanks to my brothers and sisters who have flown to spend time with us, and to every one who has taken the time to come and see me, send me and email, give me a call, send a text, etc. You are all part of my ‘healing team’ and a part of me getting well. Thank you!!!
So I will leave it there for now. If you have managed to read this far, not fallen to sleep, and want to reply, please just reply to me only.
I’ll be in touch soon.
Luv ya’s.
Geoff
