In medical terms a “chronic disease” is long-lasting or recurrent (from three months to life). A “chronic condition” is a persistent and lasting condition. I may end up with one of each. To my disease—cancer—I may be adding a condition—back pain.
It’s been almost three months since my accident and I’m still sore (lower back) and [...]
Posts Tagged as ‘Health’
November 11, 2009
Chronically Challenged
October 13, 2009
Pain Scale
Several times in the last few months I’ve been asked by medical personnel to “choose a number from one to ten that describes my pain.” The number picked would locate me on a “pain scale” and give them an idea how much medication to administer. Higher number = stronger drugs.
There are different versions of [...]
October 8, 2009
The Big “O”
Two doctor reports this week; both of them good.
Oncologist – Dr. Dax gave me the results of my recent PET scan; the first since my bone marrow transplant in June. There are no signs of cancerous activity in my lymph nodes! The x-rays done at the time of my accident showed some lesions in [...]
August 23, 2009
Then and Now
A few people who are facing bone marrow transplants have written or called to ask about the Central Venous Catheter, a.k.a. Hichman Line. I had the tri-luminal variety installed in March and removed in July with no problems.
The Hickman is a small but formidable piece of hardware to be dangling from one’s chest but it [...]
August 11, 2009
Progress Report
I’m two months post stem cell transplant and doing well, especially compared to others whose stories I’ve read. I’ve much to be thankful for:
I’m sleeping without the aid of pills for the first time in a year.
My hair is growing! It looks and feels like dryer lint.
I’m exercising and running again. True, I’m slower than [...]
July 10, 2009
Startling Cancer Facts
The Threat:
Cancer will affect one person in three before age 75.
Cancer and its complications will kill one person in four.
Cancer causes 12% of all deaths on Earth = 7 million.
10 million North Americans have cancer; 600,000 will die from it this year.
There are 10 million new cases of cancer worldwide annually, on the rise to [...]
March 6, 2009
Saintly Brew
Here’s an update on my Civilizing Influence post of Jan. 20 concerning coffee.
The average American coffee-drinker spends more on java in a day than most people in the developing world earn over the same period. One way to put that money to good use is to switch to Saints Coffee.
The coffee is 100% Fair Trade [...]
January 4, 2009
Recovering Lymphomaniac
My name is Mike and I’m a recovering Lymphomaniac. It’s been six weeks since my last chemo binge. According to my most recent CT scan I’m tumor free but I don’t take this for granted. I continue to work hard at staying healthy.
Lymphos don’t have as much energy as they used to, so I shortened [...]
