If you’ve been following my blog, you may have noticed the updates stopped after April 2024. The truth is, once I entered remission and began regaining my strength and stamina, I decided to use the year to catch up on life.
I spent much of 2024 golfing, attended my 45th high school reunion, and even hosted a cookout with old friends—complete with a few beers. I returned to my exercise routine with strength training, running, and even swimming.
My June and September blood tests both came back within normal limits, though my platelet count remained slightly below the standard range. I’ve come to accept that as my “new normal.” My September PET scan—one-year post-treatment—showed no areas of concern, and I remained in remission. November’s blood test results were also normal, with platelets holding steady at their usual level. Overall, 2024 was a year of recovery and normalcy, which left little reason to post updates. Sorry about that.
Then came 2025, starting off with a case of RSV, likely courtesy of my grandkids over the holidays. By March, it was time for another 6-month follow-up PET. My bloodwork was in the normal range, but the PET scan showed some uptake in my right neck and left parotid gland. The radiologist suggested these findings might be related to an upper respiratory illness rather than a recurrence. I was feeling “okay” but not great, which I attributed to the RSV and general work stress.
My oncologist wasn’t overly concerned, reminding me he expected a long remission—though not a cure. When I pressed for what “long” meant, he estimated five years as a reasonable expectation, while cautioning that nothing is guaranteed. We agreed on a 3-month follow-up PET scan instead of waiting the usual six months.
Scheduling the July 2025 follow-up turned into a bit of a saga. My July 3rd appointment was canceled because my oncologist was out of the office. The labs were moved to July 21st, but the PET scan on July 21st had to be rescheduled again when the reactive material was found to be defective, canceling all scans for the day. The blood tests came back normal, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I was jinxed. In hindsight, doing the PET on July 3rd and rescheduling the office visit would have saved some trouble and stress.
Finally, on July 29th, I had the scan. I was nervous—not only from the waiting but also due to lingering slight discomfort near the back of my left jaw. Then came another delay: it took 48 hours for the results to post, far longer than usual. My mind went to the worst-case scenario, wondering if bad news was being withheld.
On July 31st, the results arrived: still in remission, with no evidence of active lymphoma and a Deauville score of 1!!! The parotid gland findings are likely a benign Warthin’s tumor or pleomorphic adenoma, and the right neck lymph node uptake has decreased since March, likely reactive in nature.
My next oncologist visit is in a couple of weeks, but for now, I’m heading into the fall with far less worry—and 26 months of remission behind me. The only item left on my list is to improve how quickly PET scan results get back to me.