Treatment Shortened

Hello, everyone.

Acute leukemia is a cancer with one of the longest treatment protocols, and one can expect to be in treatment for around two years. I have T-cell ALL, and since I’m a boy, my pediatric protocol was planned for three years from the start of maintenance.

Recently, though, new research has been released. In other parts of the world, and even in the adult protocol, the maintenance period is only two years (even for boys). This year, the pediatric doctors here have switched to that timing as well. I just received the news that I will be on the updated protocol, so my maintenance phase should hopefully be ending later this year!

After that phase is completed, I will still be taking certain drugs and be closely monitored for many months to ensure my stability, then continue to have frequent checkups for another five years. It will be a gradual recovery, but I am still looking forward to it. I have had more than enough pills and injections for a lifetime.

Future Plans

I only just learned about this new schedule, so I was planning to attend university in the fall of 2022 since I didn’t apply last year. I’ll continue with my plan to apply at the end of this year, and I’m hoping to go to Waterloo for Systems Design Engineering.

Temple Trip

Last month, our family was blessed to have a chance to go to the temple right before it opened for the next phase. I was especially grateful because it meant that I could visit, even with my weakened immune system.

Current Pastimes

I still have oral chemo every day, with some worse ones every week, injections every month, and lumbar punctures every quarter. My energy fluctuates wildly and I need a lot of rest. The weekends are especially tough, but recently I’ve been able to gather more energy in the middle of the week to be able to try new things.

Chinese

I’ve been learning my Chinese characters for about three months now with my mom and my grandpa. My goal is to achieve a level of literacy that will allow me to do family history for my Chinese ancestors. Currently, I know about 300 and I can read and write simple sentences. I’m excited to go to university and have more opportunities to speak with other Chinese people.

Cooking

One of my simple joys these days is cooking for my family. During my stints in hospital, I happened to watch a lot of Korean cooking vlogs. One of my relatives got me a lot of Korean and other Asian groceries, and learning how to use those ingredients has been really fun!

• ← Coffin Dance for 3D PrinterMay 16th, 2020
• ↑ Blog
• Onwards →March 28th, 2022