Onwards and Upwards No. 28
Hello my healing team,
I hope this update finds you well!!
Today I received my latest bone marrow biopsy results from the test I had in mid January. This test tells me the percent cancer cells in my bone marrow. Ever since I relapsed, the cancer number has been steadily growing. Eight months ago, my result was 1.6%, then 3.8% only four months ago. Given it has been effectively doubling every 3-4 months, I was expecting a result of 7-8%. As suggested in my previous update, with the numbers increasing, I move closer to a time where I have to make hard decisions relating to my treatment and wellbeing going forward.
My result is 4.2%. This represents a significant slow down from where I expected my numbers to be. Yee har!! This means that ‘decision day’ has been delayed. It means that I can continue to live a relatively normal life. It may even mean that my body (and my immune system) is learning how to deal with the cancer………but I don’t want to jump to any rash conclusions too quickly. It means I can stop, take a deep breath, hug my family, and enjoy my time. I LOVE TIME!!
The way I believe that I am going to beat this cancer is by living deliberately. By not settling for comfortable mediocrity. I need to continue to look towards improving myself, with a clear focus on improving my immunity and my body’s ability to heal itself and fight the cancer. My good friend Enzo reminded me of all the things that I do to continually inspire myself to strive for improvement. I have summarised them;
- I read information from new and varied sources. I don’t believe everything that I read, however if the author describes an idea that has merit, I give it a try to assess whether it suits me. If it does, I implement change.
- I watch programs or inspiring footage of people doing amazing things, whether that be something as simple as a kid conquering his fears, or a person learning to walk again after being significantly injured. I know that the ability to do amazing things comes from hard work. They inspire me to work hard and persist.
- I love watching informative clips. Programs like TED talks where people thrive in adversity inspire me to be better.
- I talk with those around me. We share ideas, and whilst I don’t believe or agree with everything that I hear, I ponder it and consider how different ideas can help me to be better.
Although my result today is positive, the numbers are still increasing. I cannot sit still and rest on my laurels in a state of comfortable mediocrity. I have to seek the life changes and implement routines that will have me here until I am 80.
Finally, thanks for all of your kind messages, all of your fingers that were crossed and your gestures of support. It is why you are in my healing team.
Take care
Geoff.
