First Anniversary !

I feel guilty that almost 2 months have gone by without an update. Some of you rightfully asked me to update, and so I do.
Usually anniversaries are for happy events, at least in my mind.
Two weeks ago I "celebrated" the one year anniversary of becoming ill.

This is the perfect time to reflect. I will never forget the day my life has changed with a phone call from my doctor. I was so sure that what he was going to say isn't that bad, that I agreed to have the news over the phone. I must admit, when he told me the really bad news, the little blood left in my veins, vanished.
Even after starting treatments on 3 Nov. 2007, I knew little about Multiple Myeloma. All the sources told me: "you'll spend 6-8 months in treatments, then a stem cell transplant and then into remission". Little I dreamed at that time that after one year in treatments I could be another year or more away from recovery. In the past year I had the usual ups and downs, moved from the standard treatment to a clinical trial. When this one didn't work well, I moved to another clinical trial (a real Guinea pig!).
After a year I can confidently say that the most difficult aspect of coping with the illness is the time line. On one hand I am not worried about the medical treatment itself. I am in the best possible hands. Yet, the thought of another year or so in treatment is tough. It becomes even tougher as a result of experiencing unpleasant side effects as of a month ago. The side effects my doctors expected to see after 6 months, finally show up after a year. Typically I have legs muscle and bone pain that even with medications they don't always work. Most difficult is the inability to sleep. However, it is now manageable. As I was told "it is going to get worse before it gets better" I have prepared myself mentally to more difficulties. It's almost the same as our economy.
On the positive side: I can ignore the side effects most of the time, my immune system is back to normal and so are a few important other parameters. It allows me travel and work without any restrictions, which is great.

When starting treatments I was off the charts, way off, twice off. I broke the record and this one isn't a good record to break. After a year in aggressive chemotherapy (but a non-toxic one), I have finally touched the end f the scale! Now I am considered "severely ill". Up to now I was a ghost.

Part of the tactics of dealing with my condition is managing of the ups and downs. No matter how much I tell myself to hold it tight when bad news arrive, it is tough.

And so today is a tough day. The recent results indicate a regression. What was a spike a month ago, has become a big setback.

In the main aspect of the cancer cells, I am where I was 9 months ago. Naturally and humanly it is a great disappointment. Nine months is a lot of time with many treatments, needless, protocol changes, etc. and it is all back to square one. Yet, there are other parameters of my health that have improved over time.
Today I came with a meeting with the medical team. The new course is: go back to an aggressive standard treatment with lots of "goodies" including some conventional chemo. I am not really looking forward for this part. Funny, it is what I predicted yesterday. I guess after one year I almost think like a doctor. From next week I will start the new treatment with a hope to see better and faster results. As part of completing the clinical trials for now, I did a bone marrow biopsy today. This is the painful procedure where they drill into my heap bone for a sample. Today was extra painful because they had to try 3 times. It is a good sign that my bones are getting stronger which is great. As usual, out of every tough situation there is also a good outcome. As I write this update, I sit on half of my bum because the other half still hurts.
I will have greater challenges than in the first year. Yet I plan to adopt the same tactics: business as usual, try not to drop any ball at work, travel more, do some fun stuff, and enjoy the close family who has been so supportive.

Now, after you got the medical update, I can tell you that the past 2 months have been very intensive and exciting. I'll briefly describe to you the events and the pictures below will add some spice.

Fall in New England is beautiful. I take pictures of the colorful trees and the leaves as if this is my first year in Massachusetts. If you drive behind me in the Fall, you'll see that I am not a good and steady driver: I look too much to the right and left to enjoy the colorful puzzle.

As a result of a week off in my treatments every 2 weeks, I was able to fly to California and visit customers. It was a good feeling to be back in that routine. Although I promised myself not to over-do it, I came back quiet exhausted but satisfied.
On a beautiful weekend in October I went with a few friends to see a re-enactment of World war 2. Little did we know what this was all about. It was organized by the same non-profit organization with the WWII planes (see my last blog update). With a few friends and Neta we arrived to a grassy airstrip in the woods. On one side there were the allies: British and Americans, some 30 GIs and officers in uniform and weapons, a few Jeeps, armored personnel carrier (old style), etc. On the other side, some 200 m away, were the Germans: some 30 soldiers in different uniforms, weapons, tri-motocycles, 88 mm gun, smaller field artillery and more.
Everything was to the last detail as if it was a picture from 1944.

The next 30 minutes were absolutely ear deafening and amazing. German Stork scout plane flew over the allied positions. Then the Germans started the attack, firing with everything: light weapons, Schpandau, artillery, the 88 mm gun. On the other side, the allies counter-attack was in full swing. Out of the forest, came out a Sherman M-4 tank firing non-stop and the GIs. A Schtuka diver bomber made a pass on the field with a few explosions on the ground (in advance off the show, they planted explosives in the grass to simulate the air attack).
After the war was over we went to see the GI and officers in their tents with all the memorabilia and items from that period of time.
What can I say: only in America!

After surviving WWII, I went for a short visit to Israel to join Shoshy and Inbal who were already there. Six days in Israel is too little, but this is the only vacation I got from my treatments. We really had a good time. The weather in October was perfect (we hate it when it's too hot). Avital and Run's wedding was one of the most beautiful and enjoyable wedding I have ever seen. It was great to see all the family in one shot.

Also in this short week we went to a Shlomo Artzi concert which was amazing.

Spending time with the family was like re-charging batteries. I spent a lot of time with the family and didn't run around too much.

Before we could say "Jack Robinson" the week was over!

Back in Needham, I am back into the routine. Dana Farber was kind enough to finally provide me with a free parking pass. After all, parking in Boston is my biggest medical expense !

Once or twice a week I go with Shoshy to the Needham Library for Yoga and stretching. Imagine the picture: Shoshy, Guy and 10 very old ladies in a Yoga session. Shoshy and I lower the average age...

However, usually half way through I need to rest while the old ladies vigorously continue the session.

Another situation we have to deal with is some UK re-entry visa issues for Lior. We have applied for a student visa and await the consulate reply. As soon as Lior's gets it, hopefully soon, she'll be on a plane back to England to continue her last high school year in Totnes and living with Iris.

Inbal and Pierre live downstairs in the newly renovated suite.

Shoshy is taking good care of all of us!

Neta, our hard working and studying girls, drives home from Umass Amherst for weekend every 2-3 weeks. It is a joy for me to have all the bunch under one roof. They all know the still. Every time I see all the sisters together, I take pictures!

A week ago America has elected the first black president. This is a historic moment and it looks like everyone here is optimistic and wants him to succeed. After all his success is ours. The economy is a big cloud above everyone's head. Yet, for some reason I can't explain, I believe that sooner than later the sun will shine again.
Winter is coming fast, the nights get colder (below zero) and I am sure that in my next update there will be some snow.

On a more warm and optimistic note, signing off for this update,

Yours

Guy