Hi All...
Well, the latest CT scan showed that about half of my melanoma spots have disappeared and the other half have gotten smaller, except for one. My doctor initially said it would either take sugery or radiation to fix that one, but another doctor mentioned a new outpatient procedure called Radio Frequency Ablation. For this, they insert a needle into the tumor and basically microwave it using alternating electrical charges. Sounds good to me (better than surgery :)
So I'm still hanging in there, feeling good and may be done with the chemo, at least for now. Maybe without the chemo, I can gain some of my weight back and not look like I'm 110 years old :)
Hope you all stay well...
Bill
July 2010 Update
Update - April 20, 2010
Hi All...
Well, always something new. My latest CT scan showed that the multitude of Melanoma spots on my lungs and liver have all shrunk in size except for 1 in my lungs and 1 in my liver (both have increased in size). I'll take the shrinkage of the multitude, though. Unfortunately, the CT scan also showed a blood clot on my left femoral artery near my hip. That has prompted 8 shots into the flesh around my tummy and a new medication (Coumadin) to dissolve the clot. Not sure how long this will continue, possibly 6 months or more. I'm almost to the point of consuming enough pills so there isn't any room left for actual food :)
Other than the constant health battles, I'm feeling good and trying to stay reasonably active fiddling with our garden and writing a quarterly article for High Hopes, a Newsletter a few of us re-invented as part of the City of Hope Patient and Family Advisory Council (of which I'm a member). This issues contribution is "The Benefits of Getting Sick."
I hope everyone is well, and stays that way...
Bill Matteson
Happy 2010
Hi All - It's been awhile since I've done an update and a lot has happened. In my last post I mentioned several melanoma surgeries and 30 days of radiation to hopefully get rid of it once and for all. Didn't happen - the melanoma spread to my lungs and liver, and while trying to treat that with chemo, we discovered a tumor the size of a large grape on the right frontal lobe of my brain. I had surgery to remove it Dec 16th. It was very successful and I was released from the hospital on the 18th - feeling pretty good I might add :)
My doctors are trying to figure out what to do next and I'm just enjoying the holidays. We actually had a nice Christmas and hope all of you did as well. I'll try to keep this site more up to date as the next few months go by.
A happy and healthy new year to us all...
Bill Matteson
Happy Father's Day :)
Hi All - Well, it's been an eventful few months, sorry I haven't been in touch. I ended up with 4 surgeries for Melanoma on the left side of my face, followed by 30 days of radiation, hopefully to clean up any leftover "bad humors." During the process, I lost my taste buds and the hair on the left side of my head (I look like a marine). Both, supposedly, will come back. I also lost all/most/some of my left saliva glad - so currently, most everything tastes like papier-mache paste. Makes it hard to eat for healing purposes when nothing tastes good.
Anyway, at this point, we're hoping we've gotten it all and that health related issues will level off for awhile. I hope everyone is doing well and taking care of themselves. Thanks for checking up on me.
Happy Father's Day and Happy 4th of July... Bill
Happy Holidays
Hi All - Another holiday season is here, and I imagine a lot has happened to all of us. In my case, I've had several skin cancers removed, and I've been told it's because of too much sun in my past, and NOT due to my transplant and my somewhat suppressed immune system. Along these lines, my doctor has reduced 2 of my immune suppressant drugs and I feel pretty good about it. All and all, I have a lot to be thankful for, especially my family and friends. I wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday season, and a wonderful 2009; thanks for you ongoing love and support...
Bill
Day 2,000
Hi All...
Well, for those still checking up on me, TODAY IS DAY 2,000 SINCE MY TRANSPLANT! Wow, can't believe it. Must be all the clean living...
Thanks for all your support over the years - it's made a huge difference knowing you care. Stay healthy...
Bill
BMT Reunion...
Hi All - Well, the annual Bone Marrow Transplant Reunion was April 25th - my 5th reunion. It is always a special occassion, but this one was even more so. Christine, my friend who had her first transplant the same time I did (yes, she had another one a year ago) met her donor for the first time. His name is Kent and he's from Hong Kong - it was a very special and emotional moment for them both.
Also May 7th was day 1,900 since my transplant - 100 to go for 2,000. Pretty cool! I haven't met my donor, Dirk, in person yet, but hope to in the near future. We email periodically, and I love to here from him and his family - as you can imagine, they are special to Jeanne and I.
Enjoy life, my friends - health and happiness... Bill
5th Re-Birthday :)
Hi All...
Well, today is a milestone; February 26th, 2003 is when I received bone marrow from my new "brother" in Germany (Dirk). He saved the life of someone he didn't even know, and because of him I'm celebrating my 5th Re-Birthday. It's hard to put into words what it feels like to still be waking up each day and being able to do things I like to do.
For those of you still checking updates here from time to time, your concern and support has meant a lot, and has made all the difference. It's difficult doing things alone; it's easy doing things as a team.
For those of you who have helped, who have been concerned, and who have offered the many different kinds of support I've received - thank you...
I wish you continuing health and happiness in return...
Bill
Happy New Year...
Hi All - Well, it's 2008. I hope everyone had a great holiday season and are looking forward to a healthy and happy new year. My 2008 started with a good checkup in January - all blood counts in the normal or near normal range. I'm feeling well and my doctor's appts. are 2 months apart now, and it's nice not to be spending several days a week at various medical checkups (City of Hope, Orthopedic Surgeon, Urologist, physical therapy, etc.). 'Course, if it hadn't of been for all the medical appts, I wouldn't have had any social life at all :)
I've been fishing a couple of times so far this year, and hope to get back to golfing and camping in the near future. I have 2 more retail outlets for my greeting cards, and Jeanne and I are thinking of taking an Alaskan cruise this summer.
All in all, life is busy and wonderful. I'm very lucky to have so many blessings, and hope all of you are taking time to recognise the blessings you have. Remember to keep work, family, and friends in a proper balance... Straight ahead - Bill
