Many of you have inquired about my health and it’s been so-so, but I had bad news today. I haven’t really bounced back as much as I thought after chemo ended about 9 months ago. While I no longer require the walker, I can’t walk for long periods without getting really tired. As a result, my activities remain limited and I hired a housekeeper a couple of months ago because doing housework has been impossible.
In January, I noticed that sores had returned in various parts of my body along with the itching that I had continually in 2016. About a month ago I noticed a lump between my neck and shoulder. Thinking it was a lipoma (fatty, benign tumor) I went to my primary doctor who told me that it was enlarged lymph nodes and scheduled me to return to my oncologist after a chest X-Ray didn’t show any infection. A PET scan and biopsy (horrible experience) later and I’m told that the Hodgkin’s is back. Aggressive bastard.
The next therapy that would cure me would be a Bone Marrow Transplant, but I’m not a candidate since the original chemotherapy damaged my heart. A third-line course of treatment, immunotherapy, has been prescribed, but is only about 30% effective in treating Hodgkin’s. Remission is still possible, but unlikely. I’m scheduled to start it on Monday as a “palliative” (non-curing) treatment and have it infused every 3 weeks.
I’ve lived a good life, fought the good fight, and will leave with no regrets. This would be worse if I was a young woman (I’m 67) or had small children.
I’m bolstered by seeing all the young people getting politically engaged to carry on. I hope that, unlike far too many in my generation, they don’t make the same mistakes of getting complacent, getting good jobs and moving to the suburbs, and becoming Republicans. The vigilance and activism of citizens is required in a functioning democracy. Without it we will have Oligarchy where the rich overpower everyone.
I wish I had better news to share but it is what it is.