3 Years!

PLNU College Drop off-8/2010

Hay all,
Yesterday was my three year anniversary. It was the day that Gayle Cekada called me and told me that my white count was sixty thousand. It was the beginning of this whole thing but it was also the day my eyes began to see things differently/better/with clarity/softer/just plain and simple. I am still the same Rich in many ways. Unfortunately, I talk too much (working on it-James1:19) and get bummed at unimportant details in life. However, I still smile everyday because I have been given just one more. Anyhow, I wanted to post a thank you to everyone. I know as a physician that 3 years in cancer survival is not really that long at all but as a patient I am so grateful and will not be planning on anything but 33 more.
Keep in touch
Rich

"These are grateful days my friend"

I often hear people talk out loud of things they are grateful for and many put post-its up on mirrors or walls as reminders of such things too. I have participated in both of these activities and as corny as they sound in theory, in reality, it kind of works. And the end of a bad day or just a long day, you walk into your bathroom or makeshift gym-look up and see all the notes and pictures of what you have declared as important in your life and a lot of the day is washed away.
So I decided to make a list of what I am grateful for and ask those who read it to do the same. I have had and continue to have many challenges in my life that are tough and difficult but this exercise has helped me put those items where they belong...at the bottom:)
Here they are:
My wife Laura
My faith in Jesus...and His faith in me
My kids Katy, Tommy & Meghan and how they have renewed my love of teenagers
My quintessential Mom & Grandmother Ruth
My memories of my Dad
Leukemia & my transplant and how it has opened my eyes
Surviving this long
My sister Beth who is my perfect match
My sister Cyndie and our relationship
All my relatives "back East"
My colleagues and how they have responded to my cancer
My friends...wow...all my amazing friends who continue to pat me on the back when they see me
Mango my dog
Today

"Get up, dust yourself off"

OK so I told myself I would keep this blog updated and I will. I am now about a month into these "Bos P" lenses as my doc at USC calls them and they are so much better after you struggle through the initial trial period. I wore contacts for decades but at more than an inch in diameter and hard (not soft like most) these lens are challenging and difficult to insert at first. You really have to listen/try and not give up and eventually you get the hang of it. I really believe my personality (not conducive sometimes to quiet thoughtful learning ha ha) along with instant everything nowadays made it difficult to get the hang of it-plus killer eye pain didn't facilitate the process either. It started as an hour+ process but is now down to about 10 minutes. Don't ever estimate the power of sincere prayer either.

On another subject, we went on a fun cruise to Mexico this June on Carnival with family, grandmothers, sister, nieces and such and really enjoyed it. I got some new sunglasses that shield your eyes from wind and dust along with the usual sun protection and they were awesome. If anyone has trouble with dry eyes (even if it is not off the charts like me) or rides bikes or motorcycles then check out either 7Eye or WileyX. Anyway, the kids and everyone had so much fun. Endless food, warm water, sun and great dinner time conversations over chocolate melting cake...it was great. Also, our anniversary trip earlier in the year without the kids was cut short by these eye issues (such is the life of a cancer patient and spouse of a cancer patient) and the lesson learned is get trip insurance-whew!

Katy is making a college wish list and will be at Point Loma by the middle of August. I am making a slow return to work and will continue to pursue my other interests but, mostly, listen to the advise of my wife and docs and heal. It has been a tough road and inconsistent work, the economy and a college student coming up hasn't made it any easier. We expect changes in the next year and welcome them and His plan. I often look back and think of our old life and my old but pain free body and miss it. However, I never regret my experiences, challenges, amazing family and friends and the most loyal spouse one could hope for and the illness that changed everything. What's next!:)
 
I hope I can continue to thrive, discover new roads on this journey and inspire others to rely on the Lord and never give up. Lastly, watch and read about the Arthur Ashe Award recipient on the ESPY's this year...amazing!

Graduation Month 2010

Hay all,
Sorry about gaps in blog posts. I was hoping to have a break here and there and not have to log on for awhile. I recently stepped out of work after battling eye issues. It became apparent that my cGVHD was not going to leave peacefully and after the 10th or 15th corneal ulceration, I cried uncle and told my eye doc I had decided to address the issue head on and take a break from the dry, stressful operating room environment. He just looked at me like most of my physicians do and smiled...He and Laura shared a moment of "we told you so" again and I laughed inside at my stubborn behavior. I have to admit it helps me survive this stuff though so I am not sure I will change too much in the near future:) If anyone has had or has bad dry eyes they will understand how difficult it can be to ride your bike or work in certain situations with this condition. I do think I have found a good resource @ USC Doheny Eye Center (www.bostonsight.org) and will be visiting USC this next week. I will keep you all posted as this is definitely an answer to prayer. After returning home early from our 25th anniversary celebration, staying inside over Memorial Day Weekend and now unable to work and drive, I think I am ready to find a cure for this and face the next challenge...ha ha Jeez, this stuff never ends! Again, my medical group, family and friends have been incredibly patient throughout all of this as I returned to work, play and parenting full time for most of 2010 but I would like to get back to a routine if possible and fade into the background for awhile. The Lord has really been amazing through all of this and has answered each prayer and made me realize He is always there for me despite these last few tough months. Don't give up on Him and never doubt His mercy or think it is up to you alone to "fix things".
Katy graduates in June and will attend Point Loma Nazarene University (www.pointloma.edu) in the fall. It is such a good fit for her and we are so stoked for her after all her hard work. Tommy and Meghan will be sophomores next year and continue to play ball and dance, respectively. I really want to help those who suffer as I have as I continue to learn so much from all my "medical adventures".  Laura is the best and continues to guide me through this stuff with her common sense and patience (a lot of it ha ha).
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers as i approach my 3rd year with Leukemia...and without it! It is only a drop in the bucket so far but I will take it and plan on being here a lot longer.
PS-Go Padres-1st Place NLW  Go Flyers

I'm an author-well kind of I guess:)

Hi all,
I was encouraged to write some of my many thoughts (and you know as a direct ONeil descendent, I am not often at a loss for words or thoughts ha ha) down recently and someone chose to publish them in one of our local papers. I have provided the link to this periodical if you wish to read it.
I continue to pray and remind myself when I write or speak to people about this journey that "it is not about me".
I can only hope that it comes across in this article and everyday in my words and deeds.
Enjoy:)
Rich Jr.
http://www.newtimesslo.com/commentary/3972/my-healthcare-crisis-/

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow-Cool...a new year and we are all here to celebrate it. I had an eventful Fall season with the return of my cGVHD and the need for high dose prednisone amongst many other medications. I continued to work, gain weight and lose my temper (ha ha). Those of you who have had the pleasure of steroid therapy know what I am referring to...However, October through December was totally awesome too. My kids were invited to participate in their schools homecoming celebrationr

and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration at Mom-Mom's house with everyone in attendance. Laura and I took the kids to Disneyland for a few days around Christmas too. I am feeling better each day and continue to realize how blessed I am to be able to ring in the new year. Our family was reminded of how precious and fleeting life can be when we lost a friend to lymphoma this December. He was close to my age and his disease much more treatable than mine in all respects. It was a difficult reminder that each day IS a gift and we will miss him.

On a less serious note, June the cat is now 10# and loving the life she lives with Mango as her new pal! Katy is done with college applications and we await her final decision this spring. Laura and Katy successfully completed their half marathon fundraiser in Santa Barbara for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society too. .It was fun to watch and I am very proud of them. Tommy and Meghan are doing great in high school and Laura is more beautiful in 2010 than ever. We have been married 25 years this coming July and she says it is my bad eyesight that makes me say these things...she's wrong:)

Please feel free to email/call/write me anytime. I thank you for your prayers and support and continue to try and get better and live each day just stoked to be here.

PS: Go Bolts!

Two Years

Hi all,

Well, on October 19th, it will have been 2 years since Dr. Gayle, my friend and physician, called me at work and told me my lab results. Results I knew immediately meant I had some sort of leukemia. I didn't know that I would have one of the worst forms an adult can have but it is a day I won't soon forget.

So I thought instead of mundane updates on me and my family, I would just ask you to read two quotes that I came across this week.

The first one is from "Here if you need me" by Kate Braestrup. It is book given to me by a good friend and colleague about a women who lost her husband in an accident and must explain it to her children. It reads " God does not spill milk. God did not crash the car. Nowhere in scripture does it say, 'God is a car accident' or 'God is death.' God is justice and kindness, mercy and always-always-love. So if you want to know where God is in this (your life) or in anything, look for the love."

Lastly, a passage from Lamentations 3:15, 21-23. (Come on-you did't think I let it go without quoting the Bible...ha ha)

It read like this from the NLT, "He has...given me a bitter cup of sorrow to drink...Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning"

So as I approach the 2 year mark, I still try to smile each day and find the hope and gratitude that I am still here to enjoy my family and all of you.

Thanks

PS: June is our new family addition-rescue cat and very friendly:)

Summer is Almost Here

Hay All,
Well, as you can tell, my posts are getting farther apart as I am getting farther along. It really has been a little over a year and I won't get the green light from my docs for many, many years but I am continuing to trust Him and live each day well. The few side effects I continue to suffer from are pretty tenacious but well deserved I guess after the ridiculous treatment regiment they put you through when you have this transplant. But enough already, I am stoked to report that I was able to help coach Tommy's Babe Ruth team to a 2cd place this past week. It was great because I missed most of last year's games. I am, at this moment, off all immune suppressant medications and my cheeks have returned to normal I've been told:) Laura is still working at Best Care a few days a week and is involved in a "boot camp" athletic regiment at our friends place called Elite Sports (elitesportsonline.com) here in SLO. She is officially in better shape than me and I am stoked for her (However, you now I can't let this last too long...ha ha). Katy is doing great and she and Meghan are dancing still. I am working more each day and everyone at work has been so awesome and all the hugs are really fun...keep it up:)
My friend Curt, who is 8 months post-BMT, looks great and my other friend Basma (http://www.carepages.com/carepages/BasmaKasim) just had her BMT @ Stanford recently. Keep her in your prayers and send her your support if you wish as she begins her journey.
Please continue your prayers for all of us as I will continue to pray for my many friends and family who have supported me to this point. The fight continues and I am winning so far! Thanks!!

BMT One

Hi All

Well, as most of you read this it will have been 1 year since my BMT. Very cool/God Bless/Thank you/humbled/tired/collateral damage/friends/family/Laura/Beth/Mom-Mom/Mango/Surf/Golf/tri-sports/Cycling outside/running in the rain/alive/back to work soon/CAMA/disablity paperwork/Grace/healing...just a few random thoughts I decided to post.

My 10/10 sister match came to celebrate with me along with my Mom, Laura and the kids. Laura made a great red velvet theme cake (may not be so appealing to those outside the health care field:)) but looked amazing.

Really just wanted to thank everyone (you know who you are) for everything and I look forward to another year and another celebration. I am truly grateful for all of you.

Rich

PS: Peanuts philosophy I read recently ''Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Taken!'

February is a good month

Hay All,

January came and went and our family enjoyed the easy pace after the holidays. I am doing great (always hesitant to say this as I feel like I might jinx myself-I know, not very biblical but superstitions often linger for us in the health care field) and trying to get my heart and muscles back in shape. Medicines are piled on but I am able to reduce them each week. Work hasn't started but I am trying to muddle through the paperwork and such so I can start the slow return in the next few months. I didn't expect to return 24 hours after being given the green light, (well maybe I did:)) so I am patient and my group is amazing and accommodating. I can't say enough about the people who I call my partners. They have stood by me the entire time and have patiently waited for me to return to work on my timetable, even encouraging and counseling me to take it easy despite my nature and desire to earn my keep. Wow...they are an awesome bunch!

Laura and the kids are doing great. At the risk of sounding like a cliche Christmas letter, I will take a moment to boast about them-"OK"...Meghan and Katy have been accepted into the American Ballet Theater's Summer Intensive program at the UC Irvine campus this July. It runs three weeks and I am excited for both of them. Tommy starts baseball this month and I think I will try and help with coaching or in some capacity as I enjoy being with the boys alot. He gets to use metal cleats and "fat bats" in Babe Ruth league so should be exciting to watch how they adapt to these changes and the 90 foot base pads too. The picture with my bike is after a long ride (at this point for me long is anything more than 5 miles) on a beautiful day so white face is my attempt at total sunblock so my docs don't cry foul if they ever see this blog. Next month is one year BMT anniversary so I will keep blog updated and pray for continued recovery of collateral damage and all the other "junk" that flies below the radar. After talking to so many people with cancer, I don't think anyone gets out of this unscathed. Good to be here though!

Love ya all,

Rich