First I must ask, how are you doing during these quarantine? I hope you are doing well.

Okay, this is a cancer update, but unfortunately, I don’t have much to add. That itself is the story. I was due to return to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance the first week of June for my one year anniversary of my stem cell transplant. It was also suppose to be the time that I do a large panel of tests to re-stage my cancer, to check my immune system, and to start my childhood immunizations (since they were erased with the bone marrow ablation). Because of COVID, this one year follow up was cancelled on May 18th and the list of tests was sent to my local oncologist to have the tests done here.

I have worked since May 18th to get these tests done here and so far I have not been successful. I really don’t understand why and it is frustrating at times. I do have one of those test scheduled on July 9th, a bone marrow biopsy. Because I’ve had such a problem getting the care I needed in Anacortes, I’ve called the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and they may try to schedule me in August. Tomorrow I will know if that is going to work. So, I many not have any cancer updates regarding staging until then.

So, I really don’t know where the cancer’s at right now. I do know that I’m feeling much better than last fall, but that doesn’t let me know about the cancer (which is silent until it causes serious trouble). But my feeling much better is because I’m on a chemo that has far fewer side effects. I do feel that I’m about 80% of my old self. The daily diarrhea problem is gone (thanks to the new chemo). My neurological symptoms are still there but cycles between being bad to faint. I have no clue as to why this shift happens, but I just shifted back to mild neurological symptoms over the past 24 hours and I’m happy about that.

I am very busy doing home repair jobs (which keeps me off the streets) and I’m consumed with writing. Ristretto Rain will be heading to the presses soon. I’ve written six chapters of my new book, Retribution. It is a thriller and features a character, a PA, who I introduced in Waters of Bimini. I love writing more than any other hobby and I hope I can continue and keep improving.

Take Care,

Mike, the Lake Hermit