2020 – One of the most intense years of my life
Dealing with Leukemia, buggered knees, chronic lower back pain & thoracic outlet syndrome. Then throw in the fear of Covid-19.
I started 2020 with dread. My leukemia (oh yes, diagnosed 8 years ago) was progressing & the fatigue was so severe, it was controlling my life. During workdays, I had to sleep in-between morning & afternoon sessions with clients. I was unable to commit. Usually having to cancel social gatherings with family and friends. It was becoming depressing.
Wishing the whole world would just stop for a while, so I could sleep & catch up on things. However, I was too fearful of taking time off work, as Personal Training is my source of income, and if I don’t work, I don’t have any money. And I was scared of losing clients if I took too much time off.
And then in March Covid-19 impacted Australia with much of the country shutdown, & so many businesses impacted and restrictions placed upon them. This potentially deadly virus that was impacting the world, was allowing me to slow right down & our Government was stepping up to the plate and financially supporting many (not all) of those who need help. And thank goodness I was one of them. I could take a sigh of relief, I could look after my health. And this would continue until May 2020.
Health wise, not only was I dealing with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, but also:
Chronic lower back pain
- Facet joint arthropathy, disc degeneration, various disc bulges and hypertrophic facet arthroses. To try and get some pain relief, I had facet joint injections into my SIJ area, and “Radio Frequency Thermal Abrasion” of the nerves on both the left and right side of my SIJ area all through the Pain Clinic at the Royal Brisbane
Hospital.
Knees
My knees, both Grade 4 chondropathy, (the most severe grade) indicates exposure of the bone with a significant portion of cartilage deteriorated. Bone exposure means bone-to-bone rubbing causing pain and constantly swollen. Both my patellae’s where severely displaced & had been for around 30 years. I saw a Surgeon who performed an Arthroscopy and Lateral Release on my both my knees.
Pain in the neck
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, diagnosed by a Vascular Surgeon, & subarticular marrow oedema, focal synovial cyst
formation/focal synovitis anteriorly and marginal osteophyte formation of my left clavicle bone. This condition was treated with Botox being injected guided by ultrasound into the Scalene muscles on the left side of my neck. Also, my Rheumatologist put me on medication to reduce the swelling from arthritis in my clavicle.
Drum roll please
- And then for the big one, in October I had my regular blood tests for my Hematologist overseeing my chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). My levels had risen to a point where intervention was required. To get a better understanding of how much the CLL had invaded my body, I had a PET Scan, and also a bone marrow biopsy.
Getting the results in late October, it was clear that treatment (chemotherapy) as required asap. So this I started at Icon Cancer Care on the 5th of December 2020. This initial dose, caused me to have Tumor lysis syndrome. This occurs when tumor cells release their contents into the bloodstream, either spontaneously or in response to therapy, leading to the characteristic findings of hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia. These electrolyte and metabolic disturbances can progress to clinical toxic effects, including renal insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and death due to multiorgan failure. So I was taken to the Wesley Hospital via ambulance.
So there you go, my health wrap up of 2020. I have four more months of chemotherapy left. I should be finished just before the end of April 2021. And then back to watch and wait.
I have responded very well to the treatment, and it is a new drug (only available in Australia since 2018, I think) Fortunately, it is not as severe as the traditional chemo. So I have been able to continue working (not fulltime) and I am still exercising at least 4 – 5 times a week. Nothing can stop me from resistance training.
If you happen to be reading this, and you have any questions, I am happy to answer them. Just text me to send me an email https://www.fabulousphysiques.com.au/contact-me/ and I will get back to you asap.
I wish you the most amazing 2021. The best year of your life.! xoxo