The biopsy results are in, and, in truth, it was always going to be serious. I mean, your body doesn’t just stop producing blood cells because the mind is elsewhere (temporarily distracted, say, by wondering if God can create a stone that’s too heavy for even Him to lift, or what was the best thing before sliced bread?). Plus, two blood transfusions in a fortnight was kind of a clue that something was up.
Webs of Autumn
Reader, I have leukaemia. It’s a comparatively rare form, charmingly named “hairy cell leukaemia”. I’m not going to pretend I understand all this, since I majored in medieval history and foolishly didn’t take the module “ways in which your body will try to kill you in your sixties”, but basically you produce too many of the wrong kind of blood cells. These bad cells then crowd out the ones you need [Think of it like fifth century Anglo-Saxon invaders driving out the native Celts – Ed.], leaving you tired, anaemic and liable to infection, much as I’ve been these last few weeks.
Haybales at Sunset
Well, it can be treated by chemotherapy, and I’m just waiting to find out when my course will start. The doctor says I should return to a full quality of life afterwards, and that it shouldn’t impact how long I live; so while I don’t suppose it’s ever fun to be told you have cancer, all in all I suppose it could be much, much worse.
Rainbow over the harbour
When the call comes I’ll go into hospital for a couple of weeks, then self-isolate at home until sometime in the new year; my body needing time to start filling me up again with my own blood, instead of other people’s. Till then, all I can do is keep on keeping on, see how far I get with the current project… and ponder important questions like, how much deeper the ocean would be if sponges didn’t grow in it…?
Birds on a Wire
Update – Monday evening: Gordon is now receiving chemotherapy at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. And yes, he took his knitting.
I have a friend who has had this condition for as long as I can remember…she gets treatment..it goes into remission for years sometimes..it can reoccur..she gets treatment again ..each time she recovers well.and lives normally…so that is good news for you to hang onto…..wishing you all the best xxmeg
Thanks for sharing. Good luck with the treatment- sunds like it will be unpleasant at first but all in a good cause with a great outcome. All the best
I am so sorry to hear of this health issue. While the thought of chemotherapy is daunting, it sounds like you will be on the mend and feeling much better in 2024. By the way, I really enjoy your posts and your sweaters are an inspiration. I have a few cones of Frangipani (I think that’s what the yarn is called) nagging me to get going on a sweater. Here’s to a successful treatment and recovery.
I’m very sorry to hear you have such an ill ess. At least it’s not a “common, or garden, one” and you have a rarity! All the very best for your treatment and recovery. Your lovely knitting will be an activity for you in hospital. 🍇🌼
Good luck with the chemo, Gordon. I hope it doesn’t interfere with your knitting life too much.
Sorry to read the bad news. But you’re upbeat about it. The chemo will be shit, but you’ll get there. Keep knitting!
Your turn of phrase, your knitting and your photography are wonderful and always uplifting even in the face of this alarming news. Here’s hoping for a full and speedy recovery.
my father had it.
hairy cell leukemia usually develops slowly.
the diagnosis was when she was 72 years old, treated and in remission for years; it recurred three times, never too heavy.
my father died at 96 not of leukemia.
good luck
In this life, some days we are the pigeons, some days we are the statues…
Fingers crossed for many more ‘pigeon days’!
Fingers also crossed that the chemo isn’t as bad as you fear, and the prognosis (a useful word to wave at the medics, that one) stays up-beat – to live with it.
At least the knitting is always positive. I won’t be able to do any with all those crossed fingers!
Hang in there mate – as we say here in Downunder. This “cat” from Downunder has her paws crossed for you for the best possible outcome. Thinking of you. There are more ganseys to be knitted yet!
Really liked a whole lot the photo of the gorgeous rainbow over that big harbour, quite apropos for your positive info before that about returning to a full quality of life after the great big diagnosis. And treatment. And I also want to say that that gansey is incredible in color, design, and your creativity. Thank you for sharing this momentous news.
I am so sorry! Yes, the course of action will improve your life expectancy and when you begin to feel better, you will undoubtedly knit on for many more years.
I have something in the same class as yours with a name that takes an entire line to spell it. I’ve been on chemo for over 20 years, very lucky I only have to take a few pills. I’m still on two feet and it doesn’t affect knitting.
The worst part is all the testing for a diagnosis, once that is over, it’s clear sailing.
So its a great relief to look forward to many more years of waiting for Monday to come, so I can see what kind of progress you have made on the latest gansey.
Good luck and hang in there!
I’m joining the throng to send very best wishes to you as you begin the chemo. Hope you can feel how surrounded you are by love and concern (but not in a creepy way) 😉
I’m so sorry to hear of your ill health but am sending hope that the chemo does the job and you start feeling better quickly. On a far more amusing topic, I have a graduate degree in Medieval Literature so we could probably have a jolly conversation, perhaps in Middle English?
Hwaet! Your own version of Ragnarok. Hence the diminished immune system that has been troubling you. Wish you all good health to come for your future, at least you are repairable and will be safe in your future. Not to sound flippant but think Monty Python “Life of Brian” and give you and Margaret a smile 😀.
Blimmin heck. All the best on this next part of the pattern
Gordon,
Sending all my positive thoughts and wishes for you.
I have been enjoying your posts for many years. You mean a lot to so many whom you have never met. May the treatments go well, and we all look forward to hearing good news in the future.
With prayers.
Gordon!! I didn’t know that you were I’ll !!
You’ve nailed it… Just keep on keeping on.
There is always little that one can say, but two of my close family are/have been receiving chemo in the last few weeks, & my sister in law Evelyn has got the all clear. We live in hope.
I often think of Nucleus and of the staff, hope that y’all going to be fine !!
I’m sending you healing vibes and prayers, Gordon. My two cats send head-butts and purrs.
The devil you know beats the devil you don’t. A diagnosis and a treatment plan… best news.
Goodness, Gordon! I am so glad you are getting treatment. We are all grateful for your knitting and everything ganseys dot com. Love and best wishes to you and Margaret.
Felicity in California
Oh damn. I’m glad there is a treatment and that it is effective. May you be well soon and long-term.
Hello everyone! What can I say in the face of such a wonderful outpouring of good wishes and such kindness? I’m overwhelmed. As one of my fellow wardees said, he finds it very hard to deal with the kindness of strangers just now (though we are hardly strangers now); well, so do I. But thank you.
I’m going to try to post weekly updates on the blog, so you can see how I’m getting on, both physically, spiritually and knittingally. The routine so far is I get a blood transfusion in the afternoon, feel ok next morning, sit up and knit, run out of juice by lunchtime… and rinse and repeat. It’s going to be quite the journey, and at times a rather lonely one, and it really is great to feel I have so many people wishing me well.
Aww, Gordon, so sorry to hear this news and please know that healing thoughts are coming your way and hoping the side effects of chemo aren’t disabling.
Hi Gordon, I always enjoy reading your posts, for the knitting, the beautiful photographs, and for your wit!
Sending many best wishes, floating all the way up from the Berwickshire coast.