Remember back in elementary school when you heard someone say “I call you out after school”? This was one kid’s way of threatening another and giving them all day (or longer) to worry about it. It was simply a challenge to a dual and the terms were pretty simple. “I call you out after school… behind the library… at 3 o’clock… tomorrow”. While I don’t recall ever being seriously “called out” by anyone, everyone knew what that meant.
I say “seriously” because there were a couple of times when I heard those words but the situation was easily diffused before any actual blows were exchanged. I also recall one bully who probably called out 10 people every day and it didn’t take long for people to realize that he was full of himself and you could easily respond with “ok, sure you do” or “nah, you aren’t really calling me out” and he would move on to the next kid.
This post isn’t about fighting behind the library. It’s about my leukemia “calling me out” and waiting for my response. For just about all of 2016 I have experienced some intermittent symptoms that were either not significant enough to warrant treatment, or were easily (but temporarily) halted by a steroid treatment protocol. This cat and mouse chess game has been going on since January. We’ve been closely monitoring all of my symptoms, counts, and markers and up until now things have been generally in line. The last couple of months have been a little challenging though. I feel like the disease has upped its game and turned up the intensity on some of the symptoms in an effort to back me into a corner and force a more aggressive reaction from me. In short, I’m being called out.
So, let the games begin. Next week I start chemo treatment with Treanda and Rituxan. I’m very accustomed to Rituxan but Treanda will be new for me. This isn’t a scary thing. I’m good to go. I’m more concerned about the timing of getting through treatment before some of my longer races in the fall. Or at least timing it so the races fall at the right time of a mid cycle and my counts are OK. And I also have to take into consideration that my oncologist’s office has moved a little further away so my runs home from chemo will be a little longer, and will include one decent climb. You know if those are my primary concerns, then I’m in a good mental place for treatment.
I’m actually looking forward to treatment so I can put these annoying symptoms to rest. The one-two punch of Treanda and Rituxan has received very favorable response rates and great patient and physician feedback. I will surely keep people posted. Stay tuned more to come.
CLL – I’ll meet you behind the library – Monday at 8:30 AM.
21 Comments
Steve, I will ask our campus priest, Fr. Carl Janecki, to say prayers and a mass for your recovery. Please allow yourself time to heal and if you have to take a few days to just be, then that is fine too. No need to push yourself every day. I hope that you make progress every day-even if every day doesn’t feel like it’s progress.
With much love, ML Sicoli
Hi Steve. I saw you on a tv interview recently and of course, I remembered you from your days at Cabrini. Be sure that I’ll be praying for you and hoping that your treatments have the desired effects.
Sr. Christine Marie Baltas
Thank you!
And Sr. Christine – if you recall anything I did at Cabrini that I probably shouldn’t have …. my roommates put me up to it.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Steve,
I get the Cabrini Newsletter each week. There’s no issue this week but they listed the Prayers Requested section.
Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and those of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. I will pray for your healing during my daily prayers and at mass. As usual your attitude is great and inspiring.
On another note, I know better, yeah blaming your roommates.
Gus
Get Busy Living.
Best of luck to you, Steve!
Brother, sending you love and light from the Southern Jersey Shore.
Good luck and you’re in my prayers
Hey Buddy,
My positive thoughts & prayers are with u as u begin treatment. I’ll think of u on a daily basis and before each workout I’ll put a word in to all the angels to protect you. Do your thing man….kick it’s ass!! Please keep me abreast. Positive thoughts brotha!!!!!!
Scoogie
Kick its ass, Coach. Keep kickin its ass……….
Yo Steve,
Thanks for keeping us in the loop. We love you and all you’ve come to stand for. So if you’re good, we’re good!
“Let’s get it did bro”
Hey Roomie,
Be well my brother!
Jim V
CLL is calling YOU out? Lol. It doesn’t stand a chance, behind the library or anywhere else. You are not “Remissionman” for nothing you know.
Thanks for the update. Positive thoughts and prayers!
Fight the good fight I hope someday you can free yourself of this disease.
I’m so annoyed you have to deal with this rigt now. Enough is enough. You have done this before and you are stronger now. I have no doubt you will be addressing this like you do every time. I will give you a call from the road. I’m heading up to VT!!! Big hugs. I’m around always for a chat if you need to talk it out.
Where I grew up, being “called out” was a normal occasion. I used to say that one had to be either big or smart to survive. Steve, you are both big and smart — go take it on!
Dr. R.
Steve
You have the right Attitude to fight the good fight!!
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs and more hugs,
Steve, love you bud !!! On my worst day ..I am reminded of how other people(you) have tougher roads to travel. Thank you for knocking me down a peg and setting me straight and for just being you… Not just any role model, but THE role model. Put those boxing gloves on once again and knock it out of the park!!! I will be sure that your college roommate takes the brunt of blame for Cabrini shenanigans…teehee
This leukemia punk still hasn’t figured out who he’s dealing with. You’ve already kicked him around quite a bit. Now it’s time to send him back where he belongs, his mom’s kitchen. Kick his ass Steve!
Right here with you Steve for this next round – I know you’ll knock the CLL to the curb. Cheering you from the sidelines!
Steve…thinking about you, always do, just letting you know now! I will envision you on your way home…running!