Happy Holidays!

I would be upset about losing my hair, but I didn't have all that much to begin with! However, while there may not have been much there it sure was a good insulator!

Beck and I just returned from seeing Dr. Linker at UCSF. He says the chemo did (is doing) exactly what it was supposed to do. My blood counts are better than they’ve been in a long time, the Sweet’s has not reappeared, there is no pain, and the steroids are down to 5mg daily. All this is terrific. Next week (the day after Christmas) I will have another bone marrow biopsy. I agreed to allow them to do it as long as I know nothing about it. The minute I do, we stop and rethink the process!

Two weeks after the biopsy, there will be a family meeting at UCSF to discuss the hard truth about what will happen, and what we all can expect. Linker blocks out 1.5 to 2 hours for this meeting in off clinic hours so we’ll not be disturbed. Approx 2 weeks after that, I will enter the hospital for the transplant. The date won’t be finalized until mid January, but it likely will occur early in February. Personal to Diane: Lisa will contact you directly to discuss time tables, events, etc.

For now, I just recuperate. There have been bouts of nausea, although infrequent. The doc has given me a stronger medication to fight that. I still am weak and tire easily, but it seems to have improved when compared to the day I returned home from the hospital. As the doctor said today, we have to let your body get strong before we attack it again. Frankly I must admit I’m not looking forward to going back there. I wish I hadn’t had a preview, but I am determined to fight this disease and to eventually return to cycling and to the golf course. The ultimate goal is to ride Seattle to Portland July 11th and 12th 2009. I’ll update when the dates are firmed up. Until then, Merry Christmas to all (or Seasons Greetings as the case may be).

Rick