I went to the hospital today for some blood work, which revealed that all my counts are great; I’ve got very healthy blood. I’m feeling very well, and this was a great reassurance that my health is very good right now. I bumped into a few familiar faces, which was fun. However, next time we go to the hospital we need to give ourselves a bit more time to track people down because I didn’t get to see some people I really wanted to see.

I had to get home in time to see my physical therapist, who works with me at the house. He mentioned that I’m getting strong enough to think about switching to outpatient therapy at the hospital soon. This is very exciting, because I’ll hopefully get to work with Terri again, who I really liked working with on PT while I was staying at the hospital.

While I was in the clinic waiting to get my blood drawn, my mom asked Dr. Garrington when I’ll be able to start driving again. Dr. Garrington indicated (as makes sense) that I need to get off some of my medicines before we really consider that. We bumped into Hadassah, who rightly said that when I am able to drive, it will give me a new level of independence.

That’s an exciting thought, but for now I’m happy just getting out of the house with other people and having friends come visit me. Two weeks ago, neither of those things happened much and I felt rather blue. Last week and continuing into this week, though, I’ve been able to go out with my sister Rachel, my parents, and my Aunt Kadra and Uncle Danny a lot, and I’ve had some friends visit. In turn, I am feeling much happier. I don’t exactly think I get depressed when I’m bored, but I don’t think the boredom helps much.

The weather, too, effects my mood. In classic Colorado style, the weather in the past week has fluctuated to an extreme degree. The temperature has varied between the 90s and the 30s, and the sun has gone from shining brightly in the big empty sky to being covered by ominous clouds and hiding all day. I certainly prefer the bright, sun-filled days and am hoping the weather gets its act together soon.

I had a huge pick-me-up over this past weekend when I got to play with my 8-month old cousin Noa Belle, who is probably the cutest baby ever. I haven’t seen all the babies in the world, but I can say that she’s the cutest one in the world with some confidence.

I was also able to play Rock Band for the first time ever, as we spent Memorial Day at my godparents’ house and their son Jake is a videogame aficionado. Finally, I’ve been able to continue watching The Office thanks to my cousins Jeff and Kerri, who lent me their DVDs. I highly recommend watching it to anyone who hasn’t seen it, which is probably no one, since I’m the last person on earth to see it.

–Reid.

The whole family went to see Indiana Jones tonight, and all of us thoroughly enjoyed it. I was glad Marion (Karen Allen) was in it; I always wondered why she wasn’t in The Last Crusade. It was fun to see what happened to all the characters. It was fun to pick out the in-series references. It was just fun all around; it exceeded my expectations on all levels.

According to Wikipedia, The Lone Ranger’s name is Reid.

–The Lone Reider.

Yesterday Marla gave me a watch with The Lone Ranger on it. It came inside a miniature Lone Ranger tin lunch box with a little history of the Lone Ranger. It seems he was a Texas Ranger back in the 1880s, until one day when he and all his Ranger friends were minding their own business and were ambushed. All of The Lone Ranger’s friends were killed, and he was the only one to make it out alive.

I miss my friends. A lot.

I saw Brian Kay earlier this week, which was nice. He hasn’t talked to anyone from high school in a lot longer than I, though, so it was I who was doing the updating. Which seems sort of funny to me, due to my recent (and current?) incarceration. Both Joe and Christina contacted me today, after I commented to my mom last night that I was going to try to get in touch with them specifically today. I haven’t spoken with either of them in a long time, so it seems we were on the same wavelength.

We went to the hospital yesterday for a pre-planned checkup at the pain clinic. The radiation burn on my back is healing fast, but there are still days it hurts like hell. The clinic suggested I go on some new painkillers, which I resisted due to the terrifying over-medicated psychosis I experienced in early April. They ended up raising the dosage of some of my existing painkillers, and I’m hopeful that will be enough to get me through at least my back healing. At the rate it’s going, I’m hoping it will be better by July.

I just bought the first season of The Office and am figuring I will have to track down season two very soon. I never got into watching it on TV, but I am really enjoying watching it. I don’t know why I missed it the first time around. I’m reading a biography of Einstein by Walter Isaacson, who wrote a great biography about Benjamin Franklin that I read a few years ago. The Einstein biography is just as good. I’m also reading Man: The Book off and on, which is the most misogynistic thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. But it’s funny. I’ve been reading the New York Times every day, thanks to a subscription Marla and Alan gave me. Needless to say, I’ve got a lot of stuff to keep me entertained.

Regardless, I’m feeling restless. I’m thinking of taking a road trip when I get a bit stronger. I want to do the exact opposite of sitting around, feeling chained to my health. I think that might be a road trip.

–Reid.

I just got a Jury Summons for the beginning of June.

–Reid.

I think in addition to realizing seeming physical shortcomings now that I’m back at home, I also seem to feel much more intensely the effects of chemo. That being said, I’m feeling much better today than I did yesterday. My mom pulled out our old copy of Judith Viorst’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

It made me feel better right away.

–Reid.

I fell in love with Mary Scimgeour’s art at The Children’s Hospital. Her paintings adorn all the coolest hallways in the hospital. It has a very child-like manner to it that lifts my spirits. Check it out here if you get a chance.

–Reid.

Mom,

It’s been an interesting year since last Mother’s Day, huh? It’s been a year filled with heartache and happiness, and with surprises around every corner. Through all of my struggles this year, you’ve been there to see me through.

Before I left New York, your invaluable wisdom and advice was always just a phone call away. No matter what I have problems with, you always seem to know how to calm me down and help me find the right answer.

Since I’ve come back to Denver for difficult boughts with Leukemia and the longterm effects of Hemorrhagic Pancreatits, you’ve been here to support me every day. You were with me every day in the hospital, making me feel loved and helping me through the hardest time of my life. I’m home now, and you’ve continued to take care of me and make me feel loved.

I can’t thank you enough. I can’t emphasize enough what a truly lucky man I am to have such a wonderful mother. You are my heart and soul. Thank you.

Love,
Reid

Yesterday we successfully used the clinic like it’s supposed to be used for the first time ever: we left after I got chemo.

Between the Vincristine and steroids, I’m feeling very lousy today. The effects of yesterday’s Vincristine push at the hospital will hopefully pass by tomorrow. I’ll be on the steroids, which cause all sorts of crappy effects, for five days.

Today I cried for the first time since my Leukemia diagnosis. I was suddenly hit with just what a long haul I’m in for, and for the first time I felt very emotionally weak, as if I’m not sure I can get through the next three years feeling like this. I feel horrible today–both physically and emotionally–and know I’m due for many more horrible days until I’m done with chemo. I’m not sure I can stand the thought of feeling horrible every day for three more years.

–Reid.

I’m going to clinic today to start a new phase of chemo called Interim Maintenance. This means new drugs–and in this case it’s about five new drugs. I’m hopeful that my blood counts are good enough to get chemo so I don’t have to push this back a week; I’ve seen that happen for weeks and weeks to some kids. I’m generally feeling good but I still have a few major problems:

1) Can’t sleep through the night without waking up–and getting up–a lot

2) Very low appetite; can’t finish more than half of most meals

3) Sore on back very painful; perhaps more painful than ever

I should try to say hello to some of the 50 people that showed up to my good bye party while I’m at the hospital today.

While I hope my counts are good, I am not looking forward to vincristine and the rest of the chemo. I’m feeling good, but I have a bad feeling that I won’t be feeling so good after taking all the new chemos.

–Reid.