Reflections on Three Years

On July 9, 2019 By Tom LindsayIn Leukemia1 Comment

I posted this over at Plumb Mad Dog Mean, but I wanted everyone to know –

Three years ago, I received a bone marrow transplant, to treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and so far, it has worked.

Two weeks ago I had some testing done, and we finally met with the staff at Northside Hospital yesterday, and I am happy to report, I am still in remission! In fact, the doctor has now effectively released me over to the care of my personal physician, with the understanding that I visit him at least twice a year, for a full CBC and check up.

We then went over what I can expect going forward. Not much to be concerned about, except for an increased chance of other cancers, thanks to the chemo. Now, I will tell you, I have not researched this, nor do I plan to. What happens, happens. Plus, that’s what the extra testing is for, to look for early indicators that things are amiss.

I am planning a post shortly on my experiences in the past 3 years, over on the Plumb Mad Dog Mean site. I encourage you to go sign up there, or follow me on Twitter, as I think you will find it interesting to say the least.

Moving Along

On November 11, 2016 By Tom LindsayIn Blogs, Competition, Goals, Leukemia, Moving Along, Projects

Now, I know that’s the kind of title I might use if I were announcing I was closing down my blog.

On the contrary. I mean quite the opposite.

Those who follow me here, or on Twitter or on Facebook or my other blog, Plumb Mad Dog Mean, know that since last March I have been fighting leukemia. Between that and keeping life going, it’s about all I have had time or energy for.

The last USPSA match I shot was on February 27, 2016. I looked at this match as the last one I would shoot before qualifying for Senior in March. I was right, but it was also the last match I would shoot before being diagnosed with leukemia on March 15.

I must confess, thanks to a suppressed immune system, and not really feeling like going to the range, I haven’t fired a gun since that match. But all of that is going to change.

I have come to realize, the hard way, that life is short. There are things I enjoy in life, and I owe it to myself to devote some time and energy to those, and to enjoy them to their fullest.

So, I have put together a set of goals that I want to reach, before the anniversary of my transplant on June 28:

Post to this blog at least once a week, preferably more.
Post to Twitter and Facebook at least daily.
Devote time each day in my office dry firing. (This is one advantage of working from home!)
Work on my physical strength and endurance so I can compete decently. After all, I have lost quite a bit of weight, and I need to take advantage of that, and regain my strength. I may even try to find a coach or other training so I can get my stamina back.
Start competing regularly in USPSA and GSSF.
Move up from D class to C class in USPSA Production.
Look into other aspects of shooting sports to see if I want to give them a try:
- Reloading
- Open shooting
- 3-gun
- Sporting clays
Attend the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta.
Be more involved in GeorgiaCarry.
Renew my Glock Armorer certification.

So, look for more posts. The ones involving these goals will be tagged Moving Along.

Take What I Can Get

On August 23, 2016 By Tom LindsayIn Concealed Carry, Leukemia1 Comment

One of the side effects of my leukemia treatment is that I have lost about 30 pounds, and about 4 inches on my waist. As a result, I can actually carry a pistol in a shoulder holster without having to do some kind of sick judo move on myself just to get to it.

Now, if I decide to, I can carry my father-in-law’s old Beretta. Nice.

Who knows what’s next.