Fouth treatment cycle over

I'm back fairly quickly this time... :) Firstly, because I really want to make it a point to blog, BUT more importantly, because by God's grace the 4th treatment cycle got over without any major hurdles. I have some tooth trouble this time, but it's being treated with anti-biotics. As I mentioned earlier, I started the 4th cycle on 22nd June and finished in time for 30th June. Got back home on Tuesday night itself... Wednesday was a bit tiring and it's taken a couple of days to feel normal :)

Really need to thank the nurses who take care of me and so many others. Doctors and consultants too are really helpful. It's because they do their work diligently that we are able to lead normal lives. I continue to pray for them - all the health care people around the world... May God continue to guide them and lead them and work miracles through them. Amen!

Nothing much to write today, so maybe I'll give some more details about the RAvVA treatment. As mentioned on the last post, its a different type of low dose chemo, less intensive. The initial trial is of 6 cycles (1 month each), and they assess how effective the medicine has been, and if it would be beneficial to continue, or wait and watch. For this RAvVA trial, you get randomized to have just the subcut injections OR subcut injections+oral chemo capsules. Again, as mentioned, traditional chemotherapy kills all cancerous cells, but at the same time kills good cells too. With this trial treatment, few good cells are lost, but the main aim is to try and curb the growth of cancerous cells and thus make more room for normal cells to grow.

The subcut injections are called Azacitidine - subcut meaning injections given into fatty issue. Like the stomach, back of your upper arm, thighs. The first 2-3 cycles this was a big problem for me, as I had no fat... :) The injections sting a lot and the pain remains for few days. :( so more the fat, the better. Azacitidine has been approved for used with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) patients and it's being trialed for AML now.

And then I got randomized to having the oral chemo too, which is a drug called Vorinostat - I need to have 3capsules morning and night time (12hrs apart) for 9 days. I start taking it on day 3 and it completes along with the 7 injections (because the injections are not given over weekends, got it?).

Apart from chemo, I have to take Septrin (anti-viral) and Voriconazole (anti-fungal) for the chest infection I had in April/May. Along with these, there are the usual prophylactic meds (Aciclovir, Ciprofloxin, Lanzoprezole) and nausea meds too. This time I was on 3 different nausea/vomiting drugs, so just vomited twice in the whole cycle, which is a really big thing for me, as vomiting is the main side effect I have. The prophylactic meds are continuous - they say Aciclovir is for life and the other 2 can stop when counts improve. Nausea meds I have only while the injections are on (maybe a day or two after incase not keeping well). Septrin and Voriconazole will continue for sometime, as the chest infection was pretty severe.

So that sums all the meds that I am on... :) I need lots of water unlike some who can take a small sip and have their meds. So I get full drinking water while taking these tablets! With all these meds which are meant to help me, if you start reading about possible side effects, it's all God's grace...! I seldom look at the side effects and Ancy does not look at them at all. Why worry she says... I don't get worried, but I can't be bothered. It's all in His mighty hands and I take each day as it comes...

I'm back to work too btw, inbetween treatment cycles, and the team is very co-operative. So I don't get any urgent time bound stuff to do. But that does mean I get stuff that no one wants to do... hehe... :) Cisco folk (especially my colleagues), no offense ok... I really appreciate all the help, patience and support. It helps keep my mind active and I don't forget things... And doing these odd tasks means I get to work on various different products/protocols, which only enhances my overall knowledge. In the last few weeks, I got back to SNMP stuff after years, installed and configured an Oracle DB for the first time and got vSphere Update manager (VUM) integrated with the DB (refreshed ODBC stuff) - so all good... Cisco rocks!

Anyhoo... this was supposed to be a short blog, and look what I've done...! If interested in the RAvVA trial, there is loads on google and you can read more here, about the positive signs...!

Keep praying for me and all those who need complete healing...

God bless!

The roller-coaster ride continues

Hello Everyone,

Firstly, apologies for the long delay since the last post. This post has been long pending, and finally I sat to write and update you about my life...

Being told I had cancer was a BIG shock back in 2012, then there was even greater disappointment when it relapsed in 2013 and the reason for this delayed post is that I had a second relapse earlier this year. Yep, my counts started dropping towards the end of Jan, and there were more tests done through Feb, and they finally confirmed a relapse!

Needless to say, there were so many mixed feelings, that it was overwhelming...!!! Being me, I never could express it well, but somehow by God's grace I've held on. Everyone around have been encouraging and very very supportive, but for me, enduring this isn't easy to say the less... :) Thoughts do come as to why I am suffering like this, going back and forth with the illness - BUT with the little shaky faith I have, I try and cling onto my Lord's great faithfulness...

My dad mentions this verse, and it relates so well to the phase I'm going through...
            "In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19

So, 2nd relapse... Doctors said I have to have chemotherapy again, followed by another transplant. The thought was totally unacceptable...! Again 2-3 courses of high dose chemo - my body would just not cope! Then a transplant, that too I don't have a full 10/10 match. So it would be a cord-blood or haplo(50-50 match with parents) transplant. I was praying for an alternative... And that's when they told me I could be eligible for a trials treatment called RAvVA, where in I get low dose chemo and it would not be as intensive. It needed a minimum of 6 cycles (1 month each), wherein I get sub-cut injections for 7(working) days and then a break until the next. I didn't have to be hospitalised and could possibly work the rest of the time during the break period.

Traditional chemotherapy aims to kill all cancerous cells, but at the same time kills good cells too. With this trial treatment, it tries to curb the cell cycle of cancerous cells and thus make more room for normal cells to grow. In short explanation... :) After consulting with family and other specialists in the field, we opted for the RAvVA treatment. And it started in March earlier this year. As my neutrophil counts had completed dropped, the first two cycles were not easy. I fell ill with high temperature (neutropenic sepsis) and was admitted in hospital 3 times. There was pneumonia and further lung infection and all...

Anyways, by God's grace, I got through all that and was able to be at home for 3-4days before the start of the 3rd cycle. The 3rd cycle went well, and after the 7days of injection, I was able to get back home. And have been at home for the last 2 weeks. Tomorrow I start my 4th cycle, and hence was desperate to get this blog out and update you all...

The last two weeks, I was able to eat well and put back some pounds, and get fit and ready for the next cycle. Although its low dose therapy, I still have some nausea and tiredness, so do loose weight. That's why I have been eating as much as possible... :) By God's grace, I was able to work too, and thanks to a very supportive team at Cisco, I was able to work in my time and complete the tasks given to me. It's a real blessing to be at #Cisco and have the flexibility to work from home and have the full support of my manager (and higher up) and my team amidst these difficult times.

So that's about it guys... I summed up the last 5 months quickly, to update up you all that I am doing well. I believe that there is a purpose for these tough times, and believe there are much better times ahead. Our Lord Jesus has special plans for me... I pray that he uses me for the extension of His kingdom... I though so unworthy, still am a child of His care! Thanks to you all who have been praying for me. It's these prayers which have kept me strong!

Love and regards to you all...

God bless...

Double portion of goodness awaits

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...! I know its been a long time since my last update, and my wife was insisting I write something. As there were just routine things going on, I didn't have much to share. But she insisted and actually shared verses and thoughts, which helped me with this post. So here goes...

I got back home exactly a month back now, after 53 days in Hospital. I wrote earlier right - about the long wait I had in Hospital for my neutrophils to recover, that contributed to the delay and long stay. Well, DELAY would be in our terms, but I'm sure that in the Lord's eyes, its all timed to perfection. I know HE will satisfy me with long life and show me His salvation (Psalms 91:16).

Even though I got back home, due to the low neutrophil counts, I have been staying indoors as much as possible. The first 2 weeks or so, I had to stab myself with the GCSF injections (yes, the same ones to boost the white cell counts). Only when the neutrophils was above 1 for few days, I was allowed to stop those injections. Post this, the neutrophil counts fell down again, because GCSF causes an inflated value. The very next day the count was 0.4 and I was praying to God that they don't insist me staying back in Hospital (as it was below the 0.5 threshold). By God's grace, got back home that day, and ever since, there has been a slow but gradual and constant increase in the neutrophil counts.

Also, the platelet (for clotting) counts have been low post the transplant, and I was needing blood transfusions (for platelets) every alternate day. For this, I had to go to the Hospital for blood tests, and depending on the counts, they would give me platelets. Its only since a week now, that its showing signs of improvement, and they've asked me to come every 3 days now. The neutrophils are the first to stabilize, and then the platelets and RBCs follow. By God's grace, my RBCs have been holding up well, and I've not had to have a lot of red blood transfusions.

I thank God for the last month, each day is a blessing from above, and I thank him immensely for His grace and mercy. Going to the hospital often has taken up a lot of the last month, but obviously there is a lot of time at hand. Unlike after chemotherapy sessions, I must accept that my body is feeling fatigued. And I have been resting a lot, sleeping more than usual and lazing around...! I really want to do more, as I don't like myself lazing around. Anyways, while I can't do much physical activities, I can surely use this time to share some thoughts...

The power of prayer: Needless to say we have been praying a lot. Its the way the world ticks, when we are in trouble, we begin to pray a lot. But when we get what we want, we forget the giver. I would like to stress the fact that prayer has multiple dimensions - its not meant only to ask for what we want. Its a medium to thank and give praise to the Almighty for all His grace and mercy and blessings. It is our chance to confess our sins and acknowledge the truth that Jesus has paid the price for our sins and also for our healing. Most of all, we should pray for the needs of others.

James 5:16 says - Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. When we pray for others, our healing will be manifested too. Prayers move the hand of God. We should especially pray for people who don’t have anyone to pray for them. When we pray for others, our needs will be met too. Now, don't start praying for others just so your own needs are met. :) It has to come from the heart, because the one you are praying to knows everyone and everything.

Forgiveness: Remember Job, and his suffering. The trials he went through. His three friends discouraged him and ridiculed him. He was so mad at them, but that did not bring him healing. The bible tells that God turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends. When he prayed for his wicked friends and humbled himself for them, God healed Job and gave him twice as much as he had before. So as we pray, we must forgive too.

In the parable found in Matthew 18:23-35 - we read about the Master who forgave his servants' debts, but this servant did not forgive the much smaller debt of his own servant. Think of God as the master, we have huge debts of sin mounted up, that he has taken away from us and is able to forgive it all. But then we need to forgive the much lesser things we have against our friends and family. Forgive from your heart, and you will not only free them but free yourself. Its not an easy task, to do good to those who hurt/despise you. But if you submit this need to God and pray about it, He will bless you in this regard too.

Don't condemn yourself: Don't think for once, you are being punished by God. The devil inflicts pain to shake you, your finances, your family, your faith. So don't give in to it. Condemnation leads to fear, which leads to stress and will only pull you down further. God only has plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. We give in to wicked thoughts put in by the devil and condemn ourselves and slip down a slope of despair. So don’t let the devil make you feel that you are guilty. Jesus has paid the price for our sins and for our healing. All we need to do is accept Jesus as our saviour, ask him for forgiveness and turn from evil ways. 

Let us together rebuke the devil in Jesus name and he will flee from you - for there is ONLY one name on heaven or earth, to which every knee bows down - The name of JESUS!

And Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So with great confidence I can say that like Job I have a double portion of goodness and blessings in store. God has a definite plan for my life, and I surrender my life to His works - in whatever way He seems best. I will LIVE and declare His works... I am NOT a victim, but a VICTOR in Christ Jesus. Halleluiah, Amen...

Be a fool for Christ

I wrote these few lines some days back, on he phone. Didn't have the strength to finish and publish then. But lets see how it goes now... This was around 12th April...

Ancy was with me sometime today. During those 2hrs that she was with me she saw me vomiting twice... She helped and was supportive. She always has been. Our parents see so much of our weakness too as we grow up, so much they bear for us. So much they support and care for us. Now, imagine, how much more do the nurse's and doctor's see... While we don't have our family around, the support staff at Hospitals help us a lot and see a LOT of our weakness. Right?

Now, imagine, HOW MUCH MORE DOES GOD SEE OUR WEAKNESS...? and its not just our sickness, illness's or pains. God's knows our innermost being. All our hidden pains, weakness and faults. but even after knowing ALL this, is still loves us unconditionally...!!!

Today is my new Birthday, my new life in Christ. And hence I want to live this new live in HIM. Give whatever you have to him, and let Jesus multiply it...

My Birthday: April 16, 2014 (Day 0)

My Mission: Be a fool for Christ!

Thanks to ALL for your prayers...

God bless...!

The final battle begins

The last week was spent preparing for the battle... Yesterday, got the PICC line put in again. Had a smooth procedure, and the nurse was able to find the same vein healthy, and the line is back on the left hand itself. God's grace that it wasn't blocked or anything. Else I would have scars on the right hand too... ;) Please do pray that the plasters don't react too much this time, and I can smoothly use the line for the entire transplant duration.

So I’ll be admitted tomorrow, but the transplant protocol will start on Monday, 7^th April. Yes, a great day to start eh... My favourite number SEVEN... In the Bible, referred to perfection. Perfect God, the Perfect Son and the Perfect Holy Spirit... So in Jesus name, with him beside me, I start this final battle... Satan can try all he wants, but I go into battle with the Armour of God. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
 

As mentioned earlier, I’ve opted for an autologous transplant, ie. using my own stem cells. It’s a week of high dose chemo, a day rest and then my stem cells are given to me (Its called Day 0). After this, I should be in Hospital for another 2-3 weeks, so around a month in total. After this, the first 3 months are crucial, so will need a lot of rest while the body recovers. On day 100 I have to have some immunisation, and then 1 year after day 0, some more immunisations. Basically, it's like having a fresh start, so many of the immunisations that we get as children, I'll have to get again... :)

I'm hoping that this new start, after Day 0 - will be a new LIFE for me... In all aspects... A life spent doing the right things, for the right reasons... I pray that I be more patient, more tolerant, more of good, and can do away with the bad... I pray that it will be life spent acknowledging our Almighty Lord, and declaring his works. No matter what negative numbers have been thrown at me, I believe that God has a plan for me. And as the Psalmist says in Ch118:17: I will not die, but live, and will proclaim (declare) what the Lord has done.

God Bless...

Pressing on, to win the battle

I know it's been a long time, since my last post... So firstly, apologies... Guess I got comfortable at home, and was kept busy doing stuff around the house. Also, we have our annual charity event happening soon, so that has kept me busy too... Those in UK, please do try and make it... All details can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/YouthFest2014

So, I've been at home for a few months now... The last couple of blood test results were good, and body has recovered well. Just been having some skin reactions, and getting styes in the eye, but apart from that, keeping fit. Hair has grown back, and I'm keeping fine physically, and also mentally and spiritually. Still, I have to go in for further treatment from the first week of April. I haven't found a donor yet, so the options for me are:
1. to use my own stem cells.
2. use cord blood
3. do nothing and wait

An adult donor is the best option, but since that not possible as yet, we have prayed and opted to use my own stem cells. Other option was cord blood, which we weren't keen about. Weighing the pros and cons, at this point in time, we felt using my own stem cells would be best. All the specialist doctors were divided in opinion too, about the first two options, and it was finally left on us as a family to decide... Doing nothing was deemed high risk, as the first time I relapsed within about 8months, so doctors wanted to do some treatment, without delaying anymore...

There were a lot of numbers and percentages thrown as us about risks during the transplant, Graft-versus-host disease, post transplant problems/infections, mortality, chances of relapse, etc... But we've left everything in God's hand. Here on earth, as the doctors say, we're going ahead for treatment, but whatever happens, we believe that everything is taken care of by the Almighty, so trusting in him... And pressing on... The treatment would last a month, and then I'll need few months to recover and for the blood counts to recover to normal levels...

Praying that this treatment will be my last... Believing in my heart and trusting in Christ, the Almighty to shower his Grace and blessings...

As you all have been praying for me thus far, please continue to uphold me in your prayers. And not just for me, please pray for all those in need... those in need of physical healing, those who have financial needs, those who might be having problems in the marriage/relationships, those praying for children, those suffering due to natural disasters, those affected by war, and so on...

Prayer should be more about asking for others, and thanking for what we have. You ask, then what about our own needs? Well, trust that others will be praying for you...

God bless...!

Marrow to thy bones

Praise the Lord Almighty, for enabling me to be fit and fine. I know it’s been a long absence, and I should have written more. But the evil one always finds ways to keep us away from declaring HIS works...

Last week, I had some severe swelling in both eyes. Started with redness and both eyes were red/sore, and the pharmacist gave drops for conjunctivitis. As it did not settle after 3days and both eyelids had swollen up, I visited the eye doctors and it was sties in both eyes...!!! I'm not sure if I ever had a sty in the eye, but this time had two, one in each eye... :) Anyways, my eyes got better over the weekend, and the swelling in the right eye went away completely this Monday, and it’s almost gone in the left eye too. The Doctor had given me antibiotics for 5 days and advised to do hot-compress treatment 3-4 times a day. By placing hot/warm towel on the eyes and massaging it a bit.

So that kept me away from the computer and cell phone for 3-4days. In a way it’s good, as I rested much more. Else I'm always online (computer, phone, tablet, etc) and it’s so addictive that time just gets wasted... Also, we're preparing for our annual charity program, and so was doing my bit to help the youths of our church. Please check out the Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/YouthFest2014

For those who remember, I had done the stem cell extraction mid-Dec, but the final results are not back yet. And that’s why I still don't have any concrete news about the transplant steps. The Doctor said the low level tests showed good results, but the high resolution (or much deeper test results are still pending). BUT that’s not a problem, I trust in the Lord's timing. And everything happens for the best...

Since the stem cell collection procedure, I had not done any blood tests - so was advised to do one today just to check on things. All the results are positive. Most of the blood counts are very much in the normal range, like for any normal person. Platelets are a bit lower than ideal, but it’s not anything to be alarmed about. Can't thank the Lord enough for taking care of me, and enabling my body to recover from all the chemotherapy...

That’s the latest... Oh, incase you wondering about the post title... If you aren't, what’s wrong with you? I'm thinking up innovative titles to catch your attention, and you haven't bothered to think about it...! lol...

About the title: My cousin +David Anush had organised a stem cell donor drive in Trivandrum, along with the help of many others whom I've not met - BUT they did so much, that I don't know how to thank them. +Suresh Devarajan & +Suresh John Jacob are two others I have to mention for an amazing drive at TVM, where over 350 people registered. There was a small write-up in the newspaper too. Picture on Facebook. It’s amazing how friends of friends and their friends have all come together and helped so much in so many ways. And most of all in prayers...

So at this drive, a lady called Manju Gilbert (G+ showed me 3 Manju's, so couldn't link) got to know about me. And during one of her meditations with the Gospel, God spoke to her in Proverbs 3:1-8. She had read it in the NIV and NKJV versions, but somehow was prompted and inspired to read the KJV too... Let me quote from her email to me:
============================
"Morning I had promised myself to spend some more time later in the day meditating on Proverbs 3:1-8. I didn’t get round to doing it. I could feel a gentle prompting, revisit it & that I did and not only in NIV & NKJV version but also in KJV. I read it and the first thing that struck me is Oh my God this for Jason. I believe that verse/version from KJV(King James Version) is for Jason. 

Proverbs 3:2 - For the length of days & long life and peace, shall they add to thee... 6: In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path. 7: Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8: It shall be health(medicine literal meaning in Hebrew) to thy navel(body) and marrow to thy bones. Amen"
============================

Yes, she called me 'Jason' - not a big deal. Many of you still don't know how to pronounce or spell my name... hehe... :) But that’s how I came to this title. Such an inspiring and thoughtful message, from someone whom I've never might. Its awesome when I think about the prayers being said for me, even without my knowledge. A pastor once said our prayers ALL add up. As the basket fills, they are carried to our Lord... And the basket much FILL to the brim before going up... So prayer for others too, not just our own needs... You never know when your prayer might be the one to fill the basket, and will help shoot of the whole load of requests unto the Lord...

I try to pray for others too. Mostly generically, but also taking names - but at times we can forget. So today, I have started writing all the names down, so I can call out each of them, and not forget. Our prayers should be more for others... More for thanking the Lord for his unfailing grace and mercy... More to declare our love and to acknowledge that Jesus died for us and has paid the price for our sins and our healing...

A blessed Christmas season

How I am blessed to be home during this Christmas season. How I am blessed to be able to attend Church, visit friends and spend time with close family and friends... How I am blessed to be His son. Jesus's death on the cross bought us salvation, and redeemed us from suffering due to sin. Simply put, Sin is absence of God. How blessed I am that Jesus died for me and paid the price NOT ONLY for my sins, but also for my healing...

My health is great, and I am keeping well. Eating and resting well. Next appointment with the Doctor is on Jan 8th, and I should have the results from the stem cell collection and also other results from donor searches. It is going to be a BIG day, when most likely a final decision will be made about what transplant option to go for... So keep praying for me...

Btw, not sure how many of you saw the this post I put on FB on 25th Dec:
=====================================
Today is not about Christmas trees, snow, bells or santa... Even this Christmas season is here for a reason... Let's remember today for its real importance...

For Jesus Christ was born this day, to save us from the bondage of sin...! In his death on the cross, He has already paid the price for our sins and our healing, we only need to have faith and believe...

I find this story about the birds, one of the best ways to describe why Jesus Christ had to be born amongst us. Please read it...
http://t.co/PnTM19SS8c

Quote from the Daily Bread:
"The birth of Christ brought God to man,
        the cross of Christ brings man to God."

Wishing you ALL a blessed Christmas season... Love one another and spread peace and happiness...!
=====================================

Sadly, only 19 people have liked it so far... :) If it were a funny clip or joke or a selfie, it would have gathered likes by the dozens. Even more if I were a woman... ;) [Please, don't call me a sexist, its a fact about behaviour on social media].

Anyways, I hope this post reaches more people now and they can get to know my Saviour better. Please do read the story about the birds. It's a great example that describes why God, the Creator had to be born into this world, to save us from impending doom...

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14)

Once again, wishing you all a blessed Christmas season and a wonderful blessed New year...

PICC removed last weekend

My left arm feels relaxed now, as the PIC line has been removed. It was in there for around 3 months now and was used for the 2nd and 3rd chemo cycles. As it was in there so long, the skin around the insertion point had got really sore, with blisters forming. It was getting really itchy, so I requested the Doctor if it could be removed, as there was another few weeks before the transplant happens and they could put a new line in at that time.

Now, you ask what a PIC line is? Let’s start from the beginning of my treatment, so I can tell you about the Hickman line too... :)

When I was first diagnosed last year, I had 3 rounds of chemotherapy and all the treatment was done using whats called a Hickman line (name after one of its inventors). The #Hickman line is a central venous catheter, that is inserted on one side of your chest most, and it goes into your main vein leading to the heart. The peripherally inserted central catheter (#PICC or PIC line), on the other hand is inserted in a peripheral vein in the arm, and then advanced to a larger vein close to the heart. 

Hickman line

PIC line

Both the Hickman line and the PIC line are used for long term treatment like chemotherapy. They also serve as a means of giving #intravenous medication (like antibiotics or fluids), giving blood transfusions and they are also used for drawing blood for analysis/tests. Inserting the hickman line is a more complicated and more painful procedure, but it has a larger tube and hence has less chances of clotting and giving trouble. So there are pros and cons.

This time when I relapsed, for the first course of chemo, they did put a hickman line in. But towards the end of the treatment, it got infected and was leading to high fevers, so they decided to remove the line. This lead to the insertion of the PIC line for the first time. #God works in strange ways... You see, having the hickman line on the chest is more disturbing and uncomfortable - compared to having the line on your arm. Especially, for me it was not possible to sleep on my front! Anyways, I had to go through severe high fevers (apparently called rigors), for the Hickman line to be pulled out and then get the new PIC line in from the 2nd course of chemotherapy. It was a great relief and much easier to manage and do day to day things. I did end up getting rashes and the skin getting sore, but that might be my skin reaction to the plastic dressing which has been on for the last 3 months. I had similar reactions with the Hickman line too.

In most cases, removal of a PICC is a much simpler procedure as compared to the hickman line. And for me, it was just that. As compared to the pulling/cutting/pushing of getting the hickman line out (which I have gone through twice already), it was so much easier to get the PIC line out. The nurse simply pulled the whole line out with great ease. When the line was out there was slight bleeding, so she applied some pressure for a couple of minutes and then a sterile dressing. Hardly any pain...!

If you're faced with the need to use any of the above methods, do speak to your Doctor, don't take my experience as the only basis for your decision. Although the hickman line is more painful while inserting and removing, and it does require more care - there can be good medical reasons why they might want to use the hickman line. For me, it was an admin reason. The hospital closer to my home, where I was treated last year and had the first course of chemo this year - they only did hickman lines! Guess I should start a petition to get them to insert PIC lines too. It doesn't require an operation theatre - just a sterile room with a properly trained and qualified nurse... :)

I'll take off the dressing soon now, and be able to wash the whole left arm properly. And maybe do some exercises to strengthen the arm. They will insert a new PIC line when needed, but for now, I'm a free man...

#Psalms 107:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever...

Another day spent in Hospital

Don't worry, was just routine stuff... Today's Agenda was:
- Blood tests
- Bone marrow test (If platelets were above 100)
- Clinic appointment at 11:20am to meet my Consultant

Ancy took the day off to be with me. Got there around 9:30 in the morning and was there till about 4pm, so almost spent the whole day there... :) Now, the blood tests were to check is all the counts (Hb, platelets and neutrophils) were recovering well. And they also needed to make sure the platelets were above 100 to do a Bone marrow test.

Ok, quick Bio lesson (Thanks Wikipedia):
- Hb: #Haemoglobin in the blood carries oxygen from the respiratory organs to the rest of the body (i.e. the tissues) where it releases the oxygen to burn nutrients to provide energy to power the functions of the organism, and collects the resultant carbon dioxide to bring it back to the respiratory organs to be dispensed from the organism.
- Platelets: #Platelets are a natural source of growth factors. They circulate in the blood and are involved in haemostasis, basically helps in blood clotting.
- Neutrophils: #Neutrophils form most of the WBCs in the body and are responsible for our immunity.

Now, a Bone marrow test is done under local anaesthesia, and they poke into the back of your pelvic bone, where the most bone marrow is produced. I know it sounds painful... and at times it can be. I have had it done around 10 times now (they do it after every chemo cycle, to test that the bone marrow is functioning well, and is in remission). Remission means being free of blasts or cancerous cells. Of the 10 times, 2 were really bad. The best time it was over in 10mins, the worst took around an hour...

For the faint-hearted, be strong. I drove back after most of these procedures, and today also I took the tube back home (an hour journey). There is discomfort for a day or two, but nothing we cannot handle. I am sitting at my desk, blogging now, without any pain-killers, so rest assured it is bearing pain. It’s just that the last time was the time it took an hour and I was sincerely praying that the same doctor doesn't do the procedure. Sadly, she was there today! lol... I told the nurses to get me another doctor as I didn't want to go through the hour long pain again. But God plans everything... It just made me pray more the whole morning... ;)

Finally, when my turn came, guess what, the same doctor! I'm sure the nurses might have told her that I didn't want her doing the procedure. But she was still nice to me and tried to convince me that it’s a blind procedure, and at times can take time to find the right spot. It might be because my marrow is reluctant to come out, etc etc. I kept listening, but in my mind was thinking about how the procedure would be and that it all depends on her skills and she is covering that part up... hehe...

Anyways, it started at around 3:15pm and I was praying really hard. Kept mumbling over and over again "thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus for a fast test, thank you that there is no pain, thank you Jesus...!" Guess what... It was over by 3:30pm... :) She didn't get the spot the first time, and I was anticipating another hour of torture, but by God’s grace she got it right the second attempt and everything was done in about 15mins. Awesome right…!

Points to take away:
- Fear not, it's something that has to be done. Be strong.
- It doesn't only depend on the doctor's skill, but various other factors.
- While the #BoneMarrow test is being done, taking long slow breathes helps with the pain.

To potential Stem cell donors:
Please don't think this is going to be done to you. This procedure is for the privileged few, the brave who are battling cancer. :) If you are ever found to be a match, in 80% of cases the Stem cells are extracted from your peripheral blood. And this percentage is ever increasing as they perfect the #PBSC procedure. Even if for some reason they need to do a bone marrow harvest, it's done under general anaesthesia, so you feel no pain during the procedure and just some soreness later (like I'm feeling now). Each one has their own views, but think about that little soreness, that little time you need to sacrifice - against the joy and greatness you will feel for saving a LIFE...!!! And become a real true life HERO...!

Our faith gets tested like this at times, but no matter what happens, cling onto our #Creator, because he has the best laid out for you...

About the Blog title... B+

My friends and family have been pushing me to start blogging about my fight with cancer. To let my feelings known and to put information out there about what I'm going through, in the hope that it benefits others going through similar trials. And also to increase awareness about #StemCell donation... I am a very private person, so I really don't know how much personal feelings I'll share, but I'm hoping to do something good with the blog. Time will tell how it turns out...

Now, the aim of this post is to introduce the title. I'll go back in time and definitely share more details on the initial diagnosis and whats happened so far. But to introduce the title, I need to say that at the present point in time, the next course of action is a stem cell transplant... Popularly called a #BoneMarrow transplant.

When people hear about this, they feel pain and fear due to the various myths out there about Bone marrow donation. And another thing some ask is this:

"Whats your blood group? Can I help if we belong to the same blood group?"

I'll get into the details of Stem cell donation later. But for now, know that its got NOTHING to do with a persons blood group...

Anyways, a few days back a close friend (Liju Thomas) got asked the same question. Someone was asking him about me, and suggested the same - about helping if we had the same blood group. Liju knew that it is not related to the blood group, so explained it to that the person who asked. Later, Liju told me about this episode and while talking about blogging, he did ask about my blood group. And when I said B+, that's when he suggested this title.

For those who know Liju Thomas, he is great at marketing... And sells his ideas well. On most occasions, I don't succumb (lol), but this time, he was absolutely right. By the amazing grace of God, I have been positive throughout these turbulent times. My wife, our parents and all friends have been amazing support too, which further helped being #positive and in fighting #cancer.

I couldn't think of a better blog title. And finally after months of procrastination, I got the much needed push to start this blog. I couldn't get "B+" as the URL, and "BePositive" was already taken, hence I chose "cancer-bepositive". So the blog URL is:
http://www.cancer-bepositive.blogspot.co.uk/

So special thanks to +Liju Thomas for the idea of the blog title...

There are loads of people who have been by my side, and I'm indebted to them for life. As I write more, I hope to mention each and everything on of them. These are the webpages that my family and friends have created to help raise awareness:
www.facebook.com/HelpJeson
www.sahita.co.uk
www.twitter.com/HelpJeson


You can follow me on my personal links for Facebook, on Blogger and on Twitter too...


With love and prayers,
Jeson Chelleth
#Cancer Warrior