New curves and turns.

If July wasn't exciting enough, August certainly must be. I'm happy to say that I have stayed out of the hospital this month.

Mom and I flew up to Seattle for my 18 month follow up on the 5th. We saw lots of practitioners and they even fit in a CT scan. Everyone wants a CT scan of me for some reason or another. We were back in Missouri on Friday the 7th. The appointments went well. It seems that I have just a little bit of mild Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD). Enough to keep the cancer away without bringing me to my knees!

Since returning home I have gotten out with my parents and a couple of friends. I've also been swamped with follow up appointments. My four year old Hickman catheter (used for infusion of fluids, blood, medicine, nutrients or chemo into my veins) decided to retire without consulting me. I had a crazy week of repairs and finally surgery to remove the old line from my chest on the left and place a new one on my right. Again things went well with the surgery and follow up appointments. I'm spending the weekend resting up for another round of health care next week.

I have to say that I have no problems filling my days or trying to overcome boredom. I have more to do than I can keep up with between appointments, follow up, care and treatment tasks, keeping stocked with medical supplies and following all the paperwork that comes along with my health care.

The weather has been beautiful--cooler, windy days. We've had some really nice thunderstorms interspersed with sunny, bright days. The bugs and humidity have subsided some as the month wears on and some fawns have been hanging out in the back yard. It's a very nice transitional period.

I wish all of you the best and I am hopeful that I'll have more good news to report as time marches on.