Things are still well here. Test results remain strong, attitudes are good, and weather has been perfect. I have been to the clinic several times since our last post. Graft vs. host disease (GVH) has begun. This is not unexpected, nor a major concern as of yet. We want some of it but we want to be able to control it. To do that, we have started a regimen of steroids (90 mg daily) and week ago I agreed to enter a clinical study. It seems we now have the ability to manufacture new stems cells from human bone marrow. These new cells are then infused into the patient (Subject Rick) where they migrate to the point of inflammation (GVH) and fight back. Because they are stored frozen, they are packaged in DMSO. So once again, I smell like corn chowder! There has been terrific success in Europe.In the US we've been fighting our President but there are nearly 200 subjects in various stages in the US, and many more worldwide. So far, there have not been any negative side effects. This study is a double blind, so I have no idea if I'm getting a placebo, however the psychological advantages alone are staggering! By the way, I'm the 1st subject in the trial at UCSF. Patient #1! Once again a hero!
Beck has been holding her own. We’ve managed to get out each day and see more of the city...part of the regimen for building my stamina. And we have been blessed with visitors of late. Neighbors Wayne and Tammy came and brought burgers. Sharon Castlen found her way here from Long Island, her stay was way too brief. The Gillespie’s followed and we visited the Conservatory of Flowers, The Butterfly Zone and the DeYoung Museum. Two great days. Then Gary Lee was in town on business. We saw him twice, but briefly. Those brief visits were spent eating and looking at the view from 36 floors up. We cherish all time spent with others.
In the interim, Beck and I have been traveling the city driving and walking and enjoying each other’s company. She even took time to write a child’s book about what I’ve been going through using photos and implementing lots of 3rd grade math and science tie-ins to give to her class. It’s a tremendous effort. Friday night, she attended a surprise birthday party arranged by daughter Emily and Beck’s teacher-friend Lisa Schnaidt. It seems a surprise can be kept in a large circle as long as I am not included in the conspirators! They were nearly 20 attendees, Cosmopolitans flowed freely, they laughed, they cried and generally had a terrific time. Beck spent Saturday being pampered (massage, facial, manicue, pedicure). She returned to San Francisco Sunday afternoon after a whirl wind weekend of celebrations in her honor.
Author at Work
There is a kinship in all things, but some are transcendant like the vendor selling handmade hooded sweatshirts across from the Ferry Building. Turns out he's a Leukemia survivor. We'd never met but his words were kind, gentle and understanding. He knew. The unspoken and universal acknowledgement of cancer survivors is a genuine hug. We'll never know his name, but we'll never forget his kindness.
That was a serendipitious meeting, there have been others, I hope there will be more, but all of you are even more special. You've been here from the beginning. Your myriad of cards, letters, emails, photos, calls, visits, and all the rest of it. You all do mean the most to us. You know too. Thank you for you love and support.
