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Life is way too fleeting!

I just got an email from an MCL buddy in Italy, who I was hoping to meet up with during our trip there next month.

I had written him about a month ago, informing him of our trip to Italy, but I had not heard from him since then. I was a little concerned, but felt he was probably just on vacation, and was having too good a time to respond. So the other day I wrote again, and he quickly responded.

As it turns out I was right to be concerned, after 38 months in remission, the MCL (we call it the beast) came back, and he wasn't doing well. He was having trouble breating because of a mass of lymphnodes pressing against his lungs, the largest one being about 7 cm, and he was experiencing pain in his heart.

So the reason he couldn't write, is he had to go to Torino (apparently a very nice place, as it is home to many of the top hematologists) for treatment, and didn't have his computer available until just the other day.

Unfortunately Torino is also a little out of the way for our trip, so I am not sure if I will get to see him. Hopefully he will be done with treatment by then and be back home, where we can visit.

What really got me though, was how he ended his email

Even though I have relapsed Marc for the first time after 38 months of complete remission, I really was enjoying life. I think I am going to give [the beast] a battle. I just hope that my heart will hold up.


How quickly things can change. 38 months in remission and the beast acts up again. Did he accomplish everything he wanted in that time? I doubt it! I've already had 52+ months without treatment, and I haven't accomplished everything I want.

But then again, I'm going to live forever, right?

Get well Sam!!!
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