Round 7

Hey again. Well this past Monday, I had chemo again, and this round hasen't been a very good one so far. I have been buried in my bed since I came back from the hospital. I'm finally feeling half decent now, so I thought I'd fill you all in on how I'm doing. Sorry it's not very good news. I seem to be getting more tired as the chemo treatments come along. I sleep/lay in bed more than ever and my stomach won't agree with me. A few weeks ago, I was given good news that I only had to give myself 2 injections instead of 5. Well this past week, I've been told I have to go back to 5 injections. Good news is I'm past half way. Bad news is I'm starting to get restless and wanting to get out of the house and do something other than lay in bed. I'm thinking up all sorts of ideas of what I'm going to do when all this is done. Lord willing, I don't have any more side effects and I can start recovery after Feb.15. I'm excited for that day. I will probably host a party not so long after that :) Were getting close you guys, in the not so distant future, hopefully we can chat about other stuff than chemo and pills. But for now, it's back to bed. Night everyone.

Round 6

Had chemo yesterday, and didnt feel good the rest of the day. Today has been a better day but still spending most of the time in bed. Seems to my only place of comfort these days. Under my warm blankets with the fireplace turned on. It might sound nicer than it is. Your forgetting the several different bottles of pills beside me too. But hopefully these next 2 weeks go well. Were right around the half way point and now I count down to the last chemo day on Feb 15.

Round 5

These 2 weeks werent the best. It seemed every other day was a not-so-good day, so it was kind of hard to get a good stretch of decent days in. The one big highlight I must put up was the Fundraiser the Falcons hockey team had set up for me. It was Nov 20. A lot of people showed up, and I hope it was an enjoyable evening for all. I definetly enjoyed it and I am very grateful for everyones contributions and words of encouragment. Thanks again to those who helped organize and put a lot of time in setting everything up. All the sponsors and donators too. Thanks

Round 4

Hey everyone. Sorry i took so long again. The past few days I wasent feeling too good and sleeping a lot! But now I am up and awake and ready to share the last 2 weeks with you. When I had chemo on the Tuesday (which I have to thank my Grandpa and Grandma Kobes for taking the time to drive me there and back. Thanks a lot!) Where was I? Oh, I was fine after chemo. I had no side effects of nausea or anything, so I am very grateful for that. The biggest concern the past 2 weeks has continued to be my right foot, due to a pinched nerve i'm in a lot of discomfort, so I am on pain killers again to ease the pain. Last week Thursday, at around 9 in the morning, I passed out after going to the bathroom. Hit my head on the sink, and landed hard on my shoulder and elbow. No one was around to hear it, so when I came to which was basically right away, I made my way back to bed and fell asleep again for a couple hours. I saw my doctor this past week and he says the chemo is going very well and I am responding great to the injections. Also, I am now taking 2 injections every other week instead of 5. The doctor is also making appointments for me to see a specialist for my fainting spells and a neurologist who specializes in the nervous system.

Right now I am feeling well and trying to get as much done as possible before chemo again on Monday. Thanks again to everyone who has sent me cards, flowers, money, and other gifts. I really appreciate it. This time I will do my very very best to write sooner.

Thanks for your patience and I'll talk to you next week

Round 3

Hey everyone. Sorry its been a while sinse I`ve updated this blog. I havent been feeling well and I`ve been a little bed ridden the last week, but I`m feeling better now. When I went to chemo last monday, I felt fine. It went pretty good actually, no nausea or anything like that. My foot has been giving me a bit of grief the last few weeks though. I have a pinched nerve due to the lymphoma and its making my foot think its in a lot of pain. I have pills for it, but apparently they take a few days to work in my system. It`s been almost a week and I`m still feeling the pain. The last few days I have had stomach pain, and were not sure why. So that and the foot have kept me off my feet for almost a week. My stomach is good now and today I`m feeling pretty good. The doctors say its very hard to gain weight while doing chemo, and I`ve definetly lost a few pounds. I don`t have much of an appetite either which makes it hard to gain my weight back obviously. Well I guess that is it for now. I promise to update more often for you guys. I was getting poked by a few people to update it because I know there are a bunch of you who do check it regularely. Which is awesome by the way. I really do appreciate the support and words of encouragment. That is one of the very many benfits of church, is that your never alone when it comes to struggles, everyone seems to come together and pull for you. It is awesome knowing I have all of you and our Lord behind me helping me through all this. I`m very greatful. Thanks

Till next time, take care

Round 2

Hey, im back. Well I had chemo again this past Monday. Once again, the first few days therafter, I didn't feel good. Nausea and a limited amount of sleeping isn't much fun. But the last day or two, i've been feeling better and eating normal. Excersize is still a bit hard, as just walking up a couple stairs takes a bit out of me. My foot is pretty sore (doctor says it will go away by itself) Im a bit skeptical. Sorry for the long wait between updates. I've just been so busy.... yeah thats it. When I'm not feeling well, its hard to be motivated to do anything. Trying to keep a positive attitude and I look foward to days like this when I'm feeling better. Canucks are back on, so theres a plus.

It's a comfort knowing that this is all happening for a reason and God is puting this in my life (and yours) for His plan. I appreciate the words of encouragment from everyone. Making this situation easier.

Ok, til next time. If you have any questions or want to email me. hockey_sniper110@hotmail.com

Hey hey, I'm up and around. I've finally got some decent sleep the last 2 nights. Since I've gotten off my pain killers, I went into a bit of a withdrawl and couldn't get more then 3 hours of sleep a night for 4-5 days. Now I'm finally getting over that, and my energy is coming back. I feel like doing everything right now, but the doctors say to take it easy for a bit... I'm trying to make the most of the next couple days until I have chemo again on Monday.

I must say, although it is very early into my treaments this whole experience has been eye opening. My whole outlook on life, friends, and church are different and for the better. I used to take such things for granted, but when you get a scare like this, it really gets you thinking there's more to life, than just me and my day-to-day. Everyone has been very supportive and I feel blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people. I've tried to go to church a couple times, but it took a lot out of me, so i'm thankful for the technololgy of recording. I wish this condition upon no one else, but the things you realize when you go through it.... that I wish everyone could experience...

Round 1

Hi, sorry everyone for taking so long to update. I havent been feeling well and im finally mustering up the energy to write a little bit. I had my first chemo treatment this past Monday. it went well and afterwards I even felt better than normal. But the last couple days have not been so great. The pain in my leg has definetly gone down, although the swelling has not changed...yet. I'm pretty tired these days, nauseous and my appetite isn't much. Also received news today that for at least a month, I will have to go to Nursing care every day, to have the dressing on my surgery wound changed. It's not healing as well as the doctors hoped and chemo is definetly slowing down the progress.

Well thats it for now, thanks to everyone again for all your awesome support!!!

Discovery

Hello, welcome to my blog.

First symptoms appeared on July 18, 2009. I noticed my right ankle had swelled up and as evening wore on, the rest of my left leg also began to swell. Lainey drove me to emergency, and there I was told, that it was Cellulitus (a skin infection). I went home with a perscription and picked up antibiodics in the morning. 3 days later, with no improvement, and the development of a lump in my groin, I went back to emergency. There I was given a series of tests and 2 days later, I had my first lymphnode biopsy.

After a 3 week wait, they discovered that the biopsy came back negative, so they proceded to do a second more invasive biopsy and took out 3 enlaraged lymphnodes. After the surgery, I was released from the hospital, but returned that night due to the pain. I stayed for 7 days, while the doctors tried to get it under control.

After undergoing more tests (blood work, ct scans, ultra sounds, and bone marrow extraction) the pathologist confirmed that I indeed had Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Treatment starts Sept 14, 2009.

I will undergo chemotherapy for 6 months, which involves going to Abbotsford Cancer Clinic twice a month for 3 hour sessions.

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Thanks to everyone who has shown their support by way of visits, gifts, cards, food, phone calls, texts, thoughts and prayers.


I will keep you posted. Martin