The objective of this blog is to keep my friends and family up to date on my delymphomanization.
I was diagnosed with "Stage III Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma NOS" in August 2007, at 34 years old, with an amazing wife, two kids, loving dog, and generally feeling (as I continue to so feel), as blessed as anyone on this earth.
Stage III means the cancer is in more than one place (my abdomen and clavical), but not in my bone marrow. T-Cell Lymphoma is standard cancer of the lymph node system. N.O.S. means "not otherwise specified", or not one of the standard forms of T-Cell cancer, but somewhat understood nonetheless.
I am going through CHOP chemotherapy until late November. If all goes well, then the cancer will be killed and I'll be back to normal. If there are unexpected hurdles along the way, then I'm in excellent hands with world-wide Lymphoma experts at Georgetown, Hopkins, and Sloan Kettering.
9 comments:
Hey Dave,
I've been getting updates on you through Cristina and Mike but I wanted to take a moment to tell you that we are thinking of you and praying for you.
You are a good man and a strong man, with a smile and sense of humor that cannot be defeated. We all know this about you and when you feel too low to remember, we will remind you.
Now, for a joke to make you laugh:
A seven-year-old boy and his four-year-old brother were upstairs in their bedroom.
"You know what?" said the seven year old. "I think it's about time we start swearing." The four year old nodded his head in approval.
"When we go downstairs for breakfast, I'm gonna say hell, and you say ass, okay?" The four year old agreed with enthusiasm.
The mother walked into the kitchen and asked the seven year old what he wanted for breakfast.
"Aw hell, Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios." WHACK! He flew out of his chair, tumbled across the floor, got up and ran upstairs crying his eyes out.
The mother looked at the four year old and asked with a stern voice, "And what do you want for breakfast, young man?"
"I don't know," he blubbered, "but you can bet your ass it won't be Cheerios."
Hang in there, Dave. Oh, and by the way, welcome to the blogging world. It's a fun place to be!
Leeann
niccofive.blogspot.com
Hi David,
I've been getting updates on you from my Mom, Linda, & Marsha and I wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and sending you positive energy and a full recovery.
It's been a long time since we last saw each other out on the lacrosse or soccer fields, at Park of Friends, as you and my High School boyfriend battled it out with each other. Ha! Those were the days!
Well, you were strong and determined then and I know you are strong and determined now and will beat this thing. Keep a positive attitude, tell this thing that it has no place in your life and you will win this fight!
Sorry I have no funny jokes for you! But thanks for keeping me posted on your progress and thank you for making me laugh. Your wife is a lucky lady and your kids are lucky to have a tough, determined, funny and loving father.
Stay strong and know that we are all pulling for you.
Marci (Pitterman) Fisher
P.S. Amy sends her well wishes as well.
Dave,
Keep visualizing yourself getting stronger and know that day is coming soon. You are always in our thoughts.
Miles wants to know when Eli is coming over for a sleep-over party. Perhaps we can time it when Reed needs a refresher course in sleep training. Cole, if you remember, took more than a couple of times before he got it -- must take after his dad.
Much love,
Kil (Jenny, Miles, and Cole)
David-
Just found out about your blog. Looking forward to sending you more support as I read about your day-to-day challenges. I know this may sound completely corny, but have you considered spiritual prayer to God/ the higher power, etc. Not sure if anyone else has brought this up prior to my writing, but this is really good stuff. Ask for support from the universe, as often and as deeply as you want. It helps to know that you can share your challenge with a power bigger than us. Express whatever you want in prayer and calling in the universe/ healing energy. There's no right way.
O.K. so on a lighter note, here's a joke that Wendy and I got a little laugh with:
*******
The town fathers were looking for a way to increase attendance and participation at their regular meetings. One member suggested bringing in a hypnotist. The officials agreed, a famous hypnotist was hired, publicity distributed, and everyone was pleased.
A few weeks later the meeting hall was packed, and the town's people sat fascinated as the hypnotist withdrew a pocket watch. The hypnotist began chanting... "Watch the watch, watch the watch, watch the watch..."
The crowd became mesmerized as the watch swayed back and forth, light gleaming off its polished surface. Hundreds of pairs of eyes followed the swaying watch, until suddenly the hypnotist's fingers slipped and the watch fell to the floor...
"Shit" said the hypnotist.
It took three weeks to clean up the town hall.
******
Keep getting stronger, David!
Big hug to you!
Bill (Wendy and Solomon, too)
Dear Dave and Liza:
It seems as though we have mutual friends in the Kalers, which is how I ran into Liza the other day. Mary sent me the link to your blog and I just wanted to express my well wishes for you both. While we barely knew each other in law school, I feel a certain solidarity...as a mother of a young child (and another on the way) and married to a most wonderful husband. I think we all see a bit of ourselves in you and your family and, however remote the relationship, please know that my family is sending good vibes your way too.
Dini (McCullough)Karasik
P.S. Bad joke: Two peanuts were walking down the street in New York City. One was a salted. (Better if spoken.)
David,
I'm sorry you had such a brutal day and that things are so unpredictable. We are sending all our love and prayers to you all. You are an amazingly strong and optimistic person surrounded by a phenomenal wife and amazing friends and family and it WILL all make a difference. Glad to learn that you are rocking out to 80s music and going for walks and eating when you can. Okay, here's my joke -- I thought you'd appreciate some medical/hospital humor--who doesn't, right?
Two little boys were discussing their ailments in the children's ward of a hospital.
"Are you medical or surgical?" asked the first, who had been in the ward for a week.
"I don't know what you mean," replied the second.
"It's simple," replied the first. "Were you sick when you came in here? Or did they make you sick when you got here?"
love, seema.
Dear David,I had an acupuncture treatment yesterday, just like yours, first the needles, then the heatlamp, 20 minutes, lights out and while I was cooking I sent you all my love and the effects of the treatment.
I am Nick and Jesse Tischler's mom,
now Frauke Davidsen. Your mom is my
very dear friend. Lots of strength to
you with love, Frauke
Survival group against God?? LOL. Good luck with that. Truth is, no one knows the exact time this will happen except the man upstairs, however, I firmly believe that there are people placed here by God that post the warning signs and it's up to you to take heed.
[url=http://2012earth.net/eschatology.html
]eschatology 2012
[/url] - some truth about 2012
Thank you for sharing a post about kidney stone. Great information and really helpful to the reader.
Best Gastroenterologist in Ahmedabad
Post a Comment