Today marks 2 Years since Bone Marrow Transplant

On April 26, 2007, I received the millions of stem cells from my sister's blood that would save my life. Two years later to the day, I am writing to celebrate, be grateful and to thank.
I celebrate the gift of life, and look now at every day as a bonus. While I do feel optimistic that I have many future years ahead, I don't take forgranted that it's fragile and anything can happen at anytime. I am very grateful for the fact that I'm one of the lucky few who actually survive this devastating disease of AML. Most of the others I have met also undergoing this ordeal are either no longer with us, having extreme difficulties, or have been given very little time left that they are expected to live. I'm not sure why I am blessed to be in what will hopefully be the "long-time survivor" category, but I promise not to ever take it for granted and to live my fullest in honor of those whose days were cut short.
And lastly, I'm still forever thankful beyond words to every person who supported me, said prayers for me, thought of me, took me to the hospital, gave me an arm to cry on and lent encouraging words, showered me with love and gifts, gave me medicine, held my hand while I puked, made me laugh throughout, reminded me that life is about the here and now regardless, and made me feel so loved that the positive optimism swelled high enough to factor into my survival.
With love and thanks to you all!
Much love,
Brad

Article in NYTimes 11/6/08

Hi:
It's been a very long time since I"ve posted, and I have no idea if anyone even checks this anymore. But I wanted to write two things:
1) There is an interesting article in today's NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/health/research/06cancer.html?hp

The most striking part to me is how is describes AML as such a devastating disease for which we don't have very good treatments -- yipes! How lucky I am that the treatments seemed to have worked for me!!!!

2) I hit 18 months (1.5 years) since transplant on Sunday, Oct. 26th. My doctor had said in the past that the chance of relapsing after 18 months from transplant is SO extremely rare that she would basically say i was "cured." So it's an amazing marker. At this point, it seems I can really believe and feel confident that the chances I will have to deal with the Leukemia cancer again is very slim. I like that. Of course, side effect issues from the treatment still linger, and may take up to 5 years to go away, and some things might never fully resolve. But, I have been given a second chance at life, and those moments are prescious however many I have left, and whatever "annoyances" I must accept for the rest of my life.
Love to all.
Brad

Today=One Year since transplant

Wow, it's hard to believe this day has arrived. It was nice to stop talking about how many "days" it had been (i remember hitting day 3,4...9...100 for sure) and move to months "4 and a half" but what a thrill to now get to use the term "year." I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that parts of me just didn't believe I'd make it to a year, as optimistic as I wanted to be. It seemed an unsurmountable goal, too many risks, too many hurdles.

And while many parts of it weren't fun, I was and am extremely lucky. I had very few hospital stays, few trips to the emergency room (maybe 5-7 total over the past year?), and no major scares (outside of that first early fever period just a few weeks after the transplant.) Of course, the one year is hardly the end. There are still some risks and my body is still recovering from the damage of the radiation and chemo. Certain side effects are still affecting the quality of my life at times, but all in all I am just so very lucky.

Once again I use this as an opportunity to thank you all for your incredible love, friendship and support. It's a day to be thankful, grateful, appreciative, and to celebrate. Celebrate the gift of life, the ability to overcome barriers and fears, and to celebrate the opportunity to step back and revel in the love that surrounds us.

So wherever and whenever you might be reading this, take that moment and give yourselves reason to celebrate too.

Much love,
Brad

save the date if you're in nyc

just an FYI...on Saturday night, April 26th, I will be celebrating my one year since transplant and would love for anyone in nyc to help me celebrate this milestone.

details to follow but I imagine that starting around 9:30pm or so I will be hanging out at a bar, to be determined, in midtown. be great to have any of you who can stop by for a drink and toast to life, friendship and hope.

anyone not in nyc will be with me in spirit, for sure

watch for a post to come as the date gets closer with specific details

brad

11 Months

Yesterday was 11 months since transplant...
....only ONE MONTH away from my ONE YEAR (otherwise known as my new (2nd) birthday (April 26th)

i can't believe it

major milestone!

hope everyone is great
xo

10 Months Today

Been ten months since transplant. Hard to believe.
Saw my doctor today.

Looks like I'm all set to start work next week, part-time. Nice to get back to life!
Not seeing my doc again for 2 months, when I'll do my ONE YEAR check. Amazing.

I've asked many of the doctors there when I can really feel "out of the woods" or even use the word "cured." Today, my doc said once I pass 18 months (which is October of this year) the instances of relapse are extremely rare. I like that! But she also said most relapses, if they are going to happen, happen in the first 6 months. And I'm already at 10 months. But let's get to October 26th just for fun, eh? Expect a big party somewhere in this all!

She's retesting my immune system today -- should get those results within 2 weeks.

At 1 year, she'll retest immune system again and if I'm close/at/near 100%, my remaining restrictions will go away. I'll also get my immunization shots all over again. Wow, when I first learned I had to do that, seemed SO FAR away, and now it could happen in 2 months.

Of course, there's a chance my immune system may take an additional few months past one year, which is rather normal. But I've been feeling great :) Be nice to get to warm weather and past cold/flu season too!

Much love,
Brad

Last Procedure

Just wanted to share that last Tuesday, Feb. 5th, I had my LAST AND FINAL spinal tap. No more. DONE! That should be the last time I receive chemo (they throw some in just to be preventative since they can), let alone have a needle stuck in my back. Ah, the luxuries...

I have one more bone marrow aspiration when I hit one year as part of the protocol for my transplant. Still hoping to return to work week of March 3rd starting part-time and ramping up as quickly as possible.

Hope everyone is doing well and surviving the winter!!