I really have not blogged much this past year, mainly not wanting to look back but rather look forward. "forgetting what is behind" and rather looking forward. Sometimes we need to look back, and only then can we see how far we have gone.
This past year has really been eventful. Where to start? After many years of consulting and owning my own business, I have moved back into the corporate environment, and so I'm a development manager for a company that owns large retail centres in South Africa. It has been a huge adjustment for me, but on the other hand has been very exciting. The projects I'm working on are very large, but very exciting.
I was fortunate to go overseas to London and Dubai attending a conference with my work. It was great seeing the city and visiting various shopping centres.
Over the last year I have been on maintenance chemo, which was a cycle of Vacade every 3 months. The doctors look for minimal residual disease (MRD), and towards the end of last year we had a scare, where my levels started increasing instead of decreasing. My doctor them put me on a 4 month cycle of chemo mainly with Valcade, also with Thalidomide. I really reacted badly to the Thalidomide, and so I was taken off it. After 4 months of chemo, I finally come off everything. It's nice to have some time off. I have to go for another bone marrow test later this month, and then see the doctor at the end of May.
"But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained"
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| The London Eye |
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| The Tube - London |
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| The Tallest Building in the Word - Dubai |
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| My favourite pastime ... ;-) |
Charl, it was really good to come upon this blog post and read that you are doing so well...PTL!! Congratulations on your development management position and the opportunity to feel well, work, and travel to some amazing places! You look perfectly healthy and aside from Thalidomide, I guess you don't have bad side effects from treatment. EZ (Ernie) was on Thalidomide for his initial treatment, along with Velcade and Dex. The neuropathy in his feet is due in large part to Thalidomide, but VTD got him into complete response before transplant.
ReplyDeleteWe will be praying that your bone marrow biopsy brings good results from your treatment. Is Revlimid an option for you? That is what EZ's oncologist saved for maintenance and it has kept him in CR for 5 years now.
Life has been busy so I have been very remiss in posting on our blog, but EZ continues to do well with a daily dose of Revlimid. Exhaustion hits hard and unexpectedly at times, sitting for very long still isn't an option due to pain, but he has learned his limitations and enjoys life. He just returned from a 9 day deep sea fishing trip to the Bahamas...a dream come true which I must blog about soon!
Press on and wonderful to read your update!
Hi Linda, great hearing from you guys, I'm glad its going well with EZ! I'm going for bone marrow autopsy on Wednesday, I'm sure all is good! Unfortunately Revlimid has not yet been approved by our medical control council, so medical aids will not pay for it. I do understand that it may be approved soon, so this may be an option. Otherwise all good on my side, it will be great to get an update on your blog, you have an amazing family. Blessings Charl.
DeleteHow was your bone marrow biopsy (they are no fun are they!)? We just heard at a recent conference that Revilimid hasn't been approved in many European countries. I do hope it is approved soon as it is so very effective in the battle against Myeloma, especially for maintenance. Fewer side effects like neuropathy. I am so very thankful all is good on your side. Hope the new job as a development manager is exactly what you hoped for, and that you are enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, Im eventually on holiday down in the Cape I am really enjoying the time off. My health is good, I will be going on to Revimlid in March next year. I hope this is going to make things easier. I hope you have a blessed Christmas, Kind Regards Charl
DeleteHi Charl
ReplyDeletethank you for your inspiration. I am newly diagnosed and scared. Please let me know if there are any supportive people places resources in Cape Town that you know of.
in gratitude and love...reneecohen7@gmail.com
Hi There, sorry for my delayed response, hope you are coping, are you looking for support groups, or refence to doctors? You are more than welcom to give me a call if you want to chat, you can also email me at charl.cfmp@gmail.com. It is very daunting, but there is so much hope, and thongs to live for. Also there are good treatments, which will give you many, years. Kind Regards, Charl
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