Six Years Later & All Is Well!

As of my check up yesterday, it’s officially 6 years later of being in remission. It’s hard for me to believe sometimes, but almost 6 years ago (April 2007) I was discharged from HUP for the last time following an intensive 8 month regimen of chemotherapy for my then non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. During those crazy days my father died and our first daughter Sophia was born (Sophia is now 6, and Charlotte is 3). And now I get to look back with both horror and joy at those times, and be grateful that I am here and healthy.

Some More Exciting Milestones

Just a quick note to let you know that I had my official 5-years-since-chemo visit (even though my official post-chemo anniversary isn’t until April 4–I won’t see the doctor again until August) and got the big thumbs up from Schuster. Everything normal. A durable remission, I am told. And this May will be 7-years-since-diagnosis. Finally, next week I celebrate my 11th birthday (in leap years).  So all is good here.

Lymphomathon 2011

On October 22nd, our family will walk in the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s annual 5K “Lymphomathon” to raise money for the organization that has been an important part of our lives over the last 6 years.  It is amazing to think that this spring will bring the 5 year anniversary of my ongoing remission.  Each year we talk and think about lymphoma a little less, but of course there is so much work that still needs to be done.  Tens of thousands of people are diagnosed with lymphoma every year and many still die from the disease, including friends of ours.

I am writing to ask those of you who live in or near Philadelphia to consider joining our team, BaldMike, for the walk on October 22nd.  Bust out your sneakers, double strollers, rocket-powered roller skates, whatever, and make your way to the beautiful Norristown Farm Park. We have had friends walk with us in years past and it makes the day even more special.

For more information please click the link below…

http://www.lymphomathon.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=483257

Been Too Long

Greetings earthlings. It has been almost a year since I posted to the site and I’ve received a few emails from worried well-wishers making sure that I was ok.

Yes, I am doing great, thanks for asking.
Next week I will pass the 5-years-since-chemo-started milestone and I will be celebrating it in good health. I had a check up last month and got the big thumbs up.
Good health to all those out there in lymphoma-land!

All Is Well

I’ve gotten a few emails recently from blog readers asking if I was OK, given that I have not posted since the sleepless days of March when Charlotte was born.

The report from here is great. Charlotte is thriving, Sophia is doing great, and Jacq and I are starting to get some sleep (thank goodness!).

Charlotte Ella Rick Yudell


Charlotte “Charlie” Ella Rick Yudell was born at 7:23am and is healthy and beautiful. She weighed in at 7 lbs 12 oz and is 21 inches long.

Mommy and Charlie are doing great, and we can’t wait to introduce her to the world.
Charlie is named after my father, Allen Charles, whom we miss dearly and wish he could have known her. But in her he will always be.
Jacq and baby will be resting for the next few days at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.

C-Section

After more than 24 hours of laboring, and with progress having ground to a halt, we are going to move ahead with a C-section in a few hours (unless Jacqui’s cervix of steel decides to open up).

So, the Rick-Yudell clan is soon to grow.

Updates in a few hours…