Since it's been a while, we wanted to update everyone on goings on. Be forewarned, it’s drama. 

 

I’m still in remission as far as we know and I’m due in for labs and a physical exam this Thursday with Dr. Phillips, and my third maintenance infusion of immunotherapy drugs is in Irvine on Friday.

 

That being said, the past few months have been challenging mentally, physically, and emotionally for me as well as Lucy. One of the many lessons I’ve learned over the past year is nothing is straight forward with cancer or even with cancer survivorship.

 

Again, there’s been a lot that’s happened, so I’m going to go through the larger events and try to sprinkle in the silver-linings where possible. But again, to reiterate, this has been a very challenging time.



THE BRUISING EPISODES

Following my last post, I discovered my body was covered in bruises. After consulting Dr. Phillips, I went for blood tests at COH Irvine, where it was found that my platelet count was dangerously low at 63, with normal levels being above 500. Counts below 70 necessitate a platelet transfusion.

 

My response to this test result triggered the most laughter from Lucy I had heard in the past year. After seeing I was only 7 from the cut-off, I emailed Dr. Phillips back to ask if it was really necessary to have a platelet transfusion since I was only a few off from 70. Dr. Phillips quickly replied "It’s necessary". Lucy roared with laughter at my attempt to not have the transfusion, and then they both made a couple jokes at my expense. The platelet transfusion wasn’t a big deal. I was in and out within a couple of hours and the bruising soon went away.

 

Since this experience, Lucy has been donating platelets regularly. It’s more time consuming than blood donations, but it’s also important. If you’d like to find out you can help people like me, you can read more here (it even tells you where your donation went and how many lives you’ve saved).

 

We’d planned a trip to Zion at the end of October and unfortunately I caught a cold just before we left. I’m notorious for man-colds, so I thought I’d be tough and try to not let this one impact me as much as my typical man-cold. Spoiler alert: I am still sick, and I am over it.

 

When we returned from Zion I woke up to what looked like someone had punched me in the eye. Later test results confirmed a sinus infection jumped from my sinuses to my eye, and I also had bronchitis. I was given a Z-Pack and something for my eye and recovered a bit, but never fully.

 

Dr. Phillips also ordered immunoglobulin blood tests to see how many antibodies I had, and further tests to determine if I’m making antibodies at a normal pace. The antibodies were too low. Luckily there’s a new product where you can get a transfer of antibodies from donor blood, so I had that shortly thereafter. He also noted that I could experience a cough for the next 5 months while my immune system recovers from the hi-dose chemotherapy that destroyed it (and the cancer).

 

We were able to make it to England for Christmas. Tallulah met her cousins Louis and Ida from New Zealand and Nina from England for the first time which was lovely. It was also great to see Jamie and Becky (Lucy’s brother and our sister in law). We haven’t seen them since before covid, and never had been able to meet Ida or Louis. It was also pretty magical to be able to see all four of the Thompson grand children together for the holidays since they’re scattered around the globe.

 

After getting back from England, my cold worsened. After a particularly heavy coughing fit, I felt a pop and lots of pain. I assumed I’d broken a rib and got on with it.

 

The following week another coughing fit landed me in urgent care with rib pain again. Another broken rib I suspected. X-rays confirmed the two breaks on my right posterior 6 and 7 ribs. They gave me two days of Norco and sent me on my way. The norco had an unintended effect though: it suppressed my coughing reflex. I slept through a night for the first time in months. It was glorious, but short-lived.

 

Following the breaks, I also started fainting during coughing fits. This led to me falling directly on my face. Three times. Like a sack of potatoes.

 

Between the fainting spells that led to bruising and a possible broken nose, something had to give. Lucy and I both came to the same conclusion: we were going to the ER in the morning when Mary Poppins, AKA Jenni would swoop in and save the day again (she helped when I was at urgent care both times, too).

 

And it was a good thing, because (plot twist), the ER found a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in my right lung)… At this time, I am officially a certified medical mess.

 

We’re fortunate to have an amazing support network. Jenni, the Dewing Family, my dad, Puka and Julia, and Lucy’s parents have all helped us through the past few weeks. My ability to lift or pick up tallulah has been limited, but it’s improving every day. Somehow during all of this, I’ve managed to only miss a couple of days of work. For all the people out there who say "how can you work at a time like this?" I ask, what else am I supposed to do? Feel sorry for myself or our family? Watch TV all day? Nah. It’s time to crack on, for all of us.

 

My spirits are improving as my physical health seems to be on the upswing. My overnight spa treatment at Hoag’s Emergency Room treated me for the blood clot, bronchitis and a sinus infection. I still have a cough, but I haven’t broken a rib or fainted in nearly two weeks.

 

We’ll try to be a bit more regular with updates until we’re in a better place. Again, we appreciate all of you and you taking the time to read our updates. And thank you to all of those who check-in on us.

 

Until next time, enjoy some pictures from the past few months - the good and the bad.