Happy New Year!

Yesterday, I had an appointment with Dr. Treister, my consulting dentist at Brigham and Women's Hospital.  He gave me clearance to go ahead with the bisphosphonate, Zometa, after my recent dental woes.  Everything has healed fine, so there is no reason to delay any longer.  I will let my medical team know so they can at last send in the "Coast Guard" in the fight against MM.

Dr. Treister also convinced me to go ahead with getting a proper (i.e., expensive) crown and bridge for my upper teeth, rather than continue with the interim temporary solution.  The reason for this is that the temporary bridge doesn't seal the edges properly, making tooth decay more likely.  If I am taking Zometa, the last thing I would need is more dental problems (in case you've forgotten, check out my Sept. 19 post on ONJ).

Reflecting on this past year, I have to admit it kind of sucked.  Getting diagnosed with an incurable cancer is a bit of a downer.  On the other hand, I can't really complain too much.  I'm feeling good, my treatment is working beyond expectations, I have the best medical team in the known universe, and I am surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends.  What's so bad about that?  I go into 2012 with a lot of uncertainty, but then doesn't everyone?

So I'm planning to pop a bottle of champagne tonight to celebrate the New Year with the hope of good things to come.  Happy New Year to you all, and please stay healthy!