January 2026 marks the end of the eleventh full year after I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. I am now living in the 12 th  year since I found out. It has also been 25 months since my Car T cell procedure. That procedure was the fifth attempt by my oncologist and myself at managing this most persistent disease ( I could have used the word incurable instead of persistent, but it seemed so harsh and brother in my humble opinion, boy do we need some less harsh energy).  So w

The first time I visited a mental health professional, I was highly reluctant and resistant to the process even though some part of me knew it would be wise to attend. It had been eleven months and two weeks since I received my MS diagnosis and twenty days since my last stay in the all-too-familiar medical surroundings of the UC Denver Anschutz hospital. But I was on a new disease modifying treatment for the MS that finally seemed to show promise and my physical and occupatio

To all who peruse this post, I extend to you the thought of the accomplished folk artist Burl Ives who once sang “have a holly, jolly, Christmas, it’s the best time of the year.”  OK, well maybe its not the best time of the year but it certainly can bring about much good cheer. Well, Hallelujah! I made it to two years post CAR T procedure. Back in December 2023 (the exact date of receiving my reconfigured T cells was 12/26/23 – day after Christmas) the future and what was to

It’s that time of year when merry cheer is lauded as the trademark of holiday spirit. Just look at the lyric sheet for any popular carol and the synonyms leap out at you:  Wonder, love, light,  comfort, joy, bright,  happy, jolly, cheer, delight bushels of fun  and a beautiful sight … to name a few. One can feel social pressure to exhibit happiness, an expectation to display laughter and smiles. Certainly, I receive joy from positive interactions with friends and family. But

Expectation: A strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future Disappointment: A sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of a hope or expectation. Happy Thanksgiving. May the joys of the season extend to all readers. When I went in for my Car T Cell Procedure, I was told that I could expect about 12 – 18 months without treatment (chemo). As time progressed, that estimate was raised to 18 - 24 months. November 2025 marks twenty-three months

Upon learning that I have MS, others often extort some iteration of: “I’d never’ve known from looking at you!” “You look great! You must be doing well.” “You don’t look sick…” I acknowledge the complementary subtext of such statements, ignoring the psychological zing it triggers, graciously thanking my interlocutor while fighting the urge to sardonically snap, “looks can be deceiving.” The reality is, much of the burden of multiple sclerosis is veiled to the naked eye. Neurol

Twenty-two months removed from my Car T Cell procedure and overall, my numbers are holding steady. This past month I had an injection of stem cells (harvested some 10 plus years ago when I went through a stem cell/bone marrow transplant) in an attempt at increasing my ANC number which has been hovering in the very low range (as low as 200) for quite some time. The result to date indicates a slightly improved ANC situation. Shots and infusions attempting to generate better num

(Maybe I need a vacation) Twenty-one months since my CAR T cell procedure, and my cancer numbers are holding steady. The monoclonal peak...

I’m a recovering over-achiever. Hustler. Striver. But if you’ve been reading my columns for a while, you probably already gathered that....

I still do not feel 100% following a turn with pneumonia but as Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy once sang, “I’m back in the saddle again”....

A handful of months after receiving my MS diagnosis in 2014, I boarded an international flight that deposited me in Istanbul, Turkey to...

This month is like none before. About three weeks ago, I started to have some profoundly serious fatigue and lack of motivation. I was...

Ask anyone in Wyoming and they’ll tell you that our summer weather and access to the outdoors makes enduring the brutal winters worth it....

Month 18 post Car T Cell protocol and my blood numbers are holding steady. Other than the routine monthly shots to increase my ANC...

I go in for my monthly blood draw on Monday at 11:00 am and, as usual, I am a bit nervous about what will be revealed. 17 months post CAR...

I’m nearing one full orbit of the sun since stepping down from a top leadership position at the theatre company that I founded twelve...

In the months after my MS diagnosis, riddled with the WebMD-derived fear of a wholly dependent, disabled future, I ran. A lot. I embarked...

Sixteen months post Car T and gratefully not much has changed since the last post. Numbers are holding steady regarding the monoclonal...

It has been almost fifteen full months since my CAR T cell procedure. December 2023 seems like a long time ago. Again, I am reminded that...

In an exciting and terrifying turn of events, I have journeyed into the realm of publishing. A recent artist residency allowed me the...