I should be at least mildly embarrassed that it has been several years since my last post. This could lead the reader to surmise, since these are posts about reflecting on one's experience with cancer, the writer succumbed to the disease long ago. Not so.
Actually my lack of writing is a combination of procrastination, boredom (check out reasons, pretty positive), and being distracted by a thriving not-for-profit--Mountain Counseling & Training, Inc.
Now things are heating up in the cancer war. I've been under the care of the City of Hope team for several years now. Treatment, including various clinical trials have seen a remission on the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia front and a transformation (not a good thing) to Hodgkins Lymphoma. I have been treated for that as well during the past few months which has led to very encouraging lab tests, to such a degree that we're now looking at a stem cell transplant (which will occur in the next few weeks). The end goal of the transplant is "cure" so we're thinking it's worth the short term annoyance.
Reasons for Boredom
I have a few positive reasons for boredom during the period since I last wrote in this blog:
1) I've been largely symptom-free. Some of the clinical trials, for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) or, later, Hodgins, have brought some minor side effects but nothing too dramatic or detrimental to my career and personal pursuits.
2) I've been under the care of a world-class team of medical professionals (headed by Dr. Steven T. Rosen) at City of Hope and they are pretty good at making a battle with a life threatening disease look relatively easy.
3) The support and encouragement I've received from my relationship with Jesus, spiritual community (Calvary Chapel Twin Peaks), my wife, and the staff at Mountain Counseling & Training, Inc. has been stellar. I also have some amazing friends. They generally provide the right mix of prayer, encouragement, and practical help such that this whole experience feels less a full-on trial than a minor annoyance.
The Next Adventure
As I write this (appropriately enough, on Easter), I am wafting my way to City of Hope to begin what's called the collection (or 'vampire') phase of the transplant. Known as an autologous (using my own blood cells) stem cell transplant, the procedure involves collecting one's own stem cells from the blood, enduring some high dose chemotherapy, and then putting the healthy stem cells back at the appropriate time. Dr. Alex Herrera heads the transplant team. The City of Hope team has been doing this procedure for over 40 years so I'm thinking they're getting pretty good by now. I'm told the mortality rate (nice way of saying rate at which patients die) is around 1 in 100, which I'm thinking I could also get by taking a nasty fall in a bath tub.
Becky and I will be staying in "Village" housing on the City of Hope campus for the "collection" period and I plan to formally admit into the hospital next Monday when the real 'fun' begins. The projection is for me to be in the hospital for 3-4 weeks and to then have three to six months of recovery time at home (main requirement is to largely keep away from germs and the like). I'm planning to work remotely through most of it.
What I'm Currently Reading
Not very coach-like not to mention at least a few resources that help me think about health issues from a constructive vantage point. Here are a few of my "go to" leadership and life resources:
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. Listen to her (now) famous Ted talk, "The Power of Vulnerability" and see if you get 'hooked'. I find her research and life recommendations quite compelling and they end up being a fairly significant part of my client work.
Watchers by Dean Koontz. Koontz is worth a read, if for no other reason, because in real life he has a Golden Retriever given him by Canine Companions. And I know of know other book that features a Golden Retriever with superpowers.
Principles by Ray Dalio. Amazon best selling business book. Recommended by one of the heroes in the philanthropic space, Bill Gates.
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. Worth reading for the "Daring Greatly" quote (from Roosevelt speech).
More Info on City of Hope Stem Cell Transplant Process
https://www.cityofhope.org/tests-and-treatments/bone-marrow-and-blood-stem-cell-transplants#overview
