I had pretty much stopped doing these, but today it seemed like a good idea to make one more posting. Today is the first anniversary of my stem cell transplant, received on May 17, 2010. I am working regularly, feeling good, and at my one-year checkup at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance yesterday was given a good prognosis. No sign of leukemia in my bone marrow biopsy! So we’re all pretty happy around here.
I still have issues with Graft vs. Host Disease. For you who are out of practice reading these posts, that is the effect of my donor’s transplanted cells (the “graft”) looking around and seeing nothing but unfamiliar cells (mine – the “host”). They want to attack these strangers, until such time as they start feeling at home and stop attacking. In June they attacked my gut; in October to February it was my liver; now it is my skin. It is mild, and not very uncomfortable, but does need to be treated, and today I started a new course of Prednisone for it. Not my best friend, but I tolerated it better in the second course than the first, so I’m hoping this third course will be better.
The good news about GVHD is that it means my donated cells are also on a seek-and-destroy mission to attack any microscopic pockets of my old leukemic cells. The bad news is that I have to remain on immune-suppressing drugs for the foreseeable future, so I need to keep vigilant about things like food-borne illnesses, catching colds, etc. That’s kind of a drag, but in the grand scheme of things just an inconvenience.
An anticlimax was that we thought today was the day (one year after transplant) that we could find out contact information for my donor. We learned yesterday that with international donors (you might recall that we believe my donor was from Israel) you have to wait two years. Drat.
To celebrate today, I took my first bike ride in 14 months – 6 miles to University Village and back. The picture here is me on my trusty, if slightly rusty, steed. The other celebration was to write this post. Hope everyone out there in blog-reading land is well. And if you’re not, please use this post as a reminder that you CAN get better from some pretty scary diagnoses.
Back in the saddle one year after my transplant
Such great news, we are all so excited- hope the skin stuff goes away soon, so you can get off the prednisone. Maybe we can meet your donor sometime in Israel, but would guess you would want to do that first!! Hugs to Sue and the kids- hope to see you all soon – its been too long- Guess we need to get out to Seattle Love, Sandy & Larry , Uri and Avram
Mazel Tov on reaching this milestoe, Alan. And thank you for sharing your experience with so many people. It’s been a challenging and very rewarding journey for you and your family and it’s been a blessing to remind everyone of the value of life. Thank you for the update. Wishing you more good weather and long bike rides and all the best to you and your family,
Leslie
Happy Syttende Mai dear Alan! One year later…what a journey. Thanks so much for posting the update — we thought of you this morning knowing that this was your one year anniversary. And how great to celebrate with a bikeride – - IN THE SUN. It was shining just for you today. We love you Al and Sue! xoxo
Pete and I are thrilled to hear your good news, even with accompanying qualifications. What a hard fought battle. And inspirational, as you say, for anyone else with medical struggles. Thank you for sharing your daunting story with us. Our prayers continue to go out to you and your family as you celebrate the gifts of life. Much love…
Yay Allen – you rock the house!! A long battle, but you won – I am so honored to watch you and your fabulous wife, Susan, not to mention family, come thru this with flags wavin! Can’t wait to see you in Swim for Life some time in the future!!!!
Dear Alan: It was a great posting to read. You are an amazing person with such an upbeat attitude and I am positive this added to your success along with the large, wonderful medical, family and friends support. I would just like to add a little suggestion: The Blood Mobile will be at Temple Beth Am in May. I am sorry I don’t have the date, not sure if it is on Mitzvah Day May 22, but perhaps you could check with Alyssa. Best, Sis
Great news! Keep up the great work.
You inspire me in so many ways–your whole family does! I am so happy to know you, to be a blood donor, and to be on the Be The Match registry. Giving isn’t just something I do out of duty anymore. I do it because the people who need it never get to ask. Thank you for teaching me.
What a wonderful post to read at the end of a beautiful May day. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. All the best to you Alan.
-Jamie
Alan
Thanks for keeping us updated. We are so glad you are doing well. Your attitude has been amazing and inspiring to us all. Every time we see you walking in the neighborhood we are reminded of your determination. Now we’ll look for you on the bike trail too !
Happy, Happy Birthday Alan! What a great job you and Susan did to get you to this place. Keep up the good work and stay in high gear!
Alan,
Congratulations on reaching another milestone on your return to normalcy. Being able to resume bike riding is certainly an indicator on that road. You have been very brave during this year of agony and came through with high spirit, with the support of Susan and many others. Our wish is that the remaining health issues will be dealt with successfully in the near future.
All the best.
Olga and Henry
You look so buff in your biking skins…
Congrats on a year! Gary
You realize that this update is so uplifting to us after reading Matt’s a couple of weeks ago. God works his ways outside of our ken and we are so grateful when the results are to our advantage. May God continue to grace you.
Congratulations on your year anniversary. What a fantastic day to get back on the bike and ride! Jessica and I are so glad you are doing well and have every confidence you will overcome the GVHD as you have so many other challenges. Thanks for sharing your news.
Still sporting spandex after a year. Let’s roll some day soon
Fantastic news, kudos to absolutely everyone involved! much love, Ruth xo
What a wonderful update! I’m glad everything is going as well as it is, and it is great to see you on your bike.
Dear Alan and Sue. Thankyou so much for the new blog and the news of the one year anniversary!!! That is such good news but you are still on the prayer list and will remain there until you are given a full good bill of health. I love you both so much and am happy for every positive stroke of improvement! In love, Mavis
Such terrific news, congrats and here’s to many more annual anniversaries. Hugs to you and Sue. Lori
Great to see you on your bike again! What a great way to celebrate this milestone moment! I’m sorry the GVHD lingers on, but I’m so impressed and inspired by your ability to stay positive and focused on the big picture throughout this process. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a lot more sunny days so you can keep enjoying those bike rides.
Alan,
Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary and celebrating with a bike ride is fitting! You are an inspiration and a reminder not to ever take for granted our health and how fortunate those of us who can, to give the gift of life.
Great news! So happy to hear the good results an will continue to hope that the donor cells make themselves a little more at home. Hopefully you will be able to make a Husky win or 6 at home this year.
_________ Alan W. Schulkin Schulkin Rein PLLC Attorneys at Law 5514 N.E. 73rd St. Seattle, WA 98115 Office: 206.527.5032 Cell: 206.380.6744 Fax: 1.888.478.3168 Email: alan@schulkinrein.com Web: http://www.schulkinrein.com
Alan,
What great news! I am so happy for you and your family. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Toni
So glad to hear your checkup went so well. I’m always on your team. Maybe we can take a bike ride together soon!
Still fighting and still winning, Alan. So good to see you in the saddle, and hoping for continued improvement.
Hey Ya’ll,
Happy Anniversary Alan! It looks like it is a sunny day and maybe the “mountain” is out like a giant scoop of ice cream to help you celebrate!
We are sending you healthy wishes from Roswell, GA!
Love,
barbara, mackie and addie
Dear Alan and Sue,
Blessings and many more on you and the whole family. We rejoice with you and are thankful. Wonderful to have real sunshine to add to the anniversary bike ride. Don’t get sunburned! Much love, Doris R
Mazel tov, Alan. Great that you and your donor cells are doing so well!
Looks like a championship lap on the bike.
-Helen and Tom
Alan it was so great to see you a few weeks ago, out in a big crowd, looking so well. I am in awe of all of the struggles that have been thrown at you and that you have mastered. We are all of us waiting for our diagnoses. I just hope when it’s my turn I have as much courage and stamina. Mazeltov indeed.
Alan,
How wonderful to mark and celebrate this anniversary. May you continue to gather strength with each passing day.
Your gratitude is catching!
Love…Brenna and Bill
Hurrah! So glad to have you back.
Faith
Mazel Tov Alan. To you and your family. May you continue to improve. And so happy to see you on your bike. You are an inspiration on so many levels! Thanks for sharing this difficult journey.
Much love,
Sam and Charlene
Mazel Tov on the good news! Sorry to hear about another round of the Pred.
Well, at least you will have a well cataloged set of music to from all of those sleepless nights.
Be well,
–Ken
Congratulations on your 1st anniversary! Thank you so much for the post… you continue to inspire and motivate me, though I only think about going on a bike ride. May the sun continue to shine on you & Susan!