Wins Worth Celebrating
In support of
Jonathan Agin
View Support Registry
Jonathan Agin
Hello to my tremendously supportive community!
CHATGPT (basically the new Webster’s Dictionary, but with fewer page numbers and way more attitude) defines progress as “the process of developing or improving over time.” Well, friends—I am ALL about PROGRESS!
I’ve got so much good news to share since my last update. Right now, I’m halfway through my 2nd round of chemo/arsenic treatments—month 4 of 8 for those keeping score at home. Compared to many of the fellow APL warriors I hear about or meet regularly, I’ve been very fortunate. While others deal with tough side effects like nausea, headaches, fatigue, shingles, and joint pain, my side effects have been pretty minor—like the mini version—manageable and mild.
My Care Team at Northside’s Blood & Marrow Transplant Group of GA is amazing and truly impressed by my energy, positivity, and focus. They especially love my daily “Life is Good” t-shirt wardrobe—because nothing says “I’m beating cancer” quite like a t-shirt that screams optimism. My motto: every day at treatment is one less day I need treatment. That math always works in my favor.
And speaking of good news—remember how I shared earlier about my vision issues after leaving the hospital? At one point, I needed a magnifying glass just to read a book or even my phone. Thanks to new contacts (and, yes, maybe a carrot or two), my eyesight is back on track!
Even better, my neurologist cleared me to drive again. That’s right, my independence is back! You never really appreciate the privilege of driving until it’s gone—and suddenly, even sitting in Atlanta gridlock feels like freedom. And the logistical freedom of not having to coordinate finding someone to pick me up from chemo every day is a relief—although I do miss the quality drive-time conversations with my amazing friends and family who volunteered to help out for six weeks.
And the good news doesn’t stop there! My Physical Therapist was so impressed with my progress and the news that I am back on the tennis court (rallying with my Chadds Walk tennis crew feels like a new lease on life). I've graduated from PT. Another goal crossed off the list!
Here’s another milestone: Exactly 4 months to the day I was admitted to the hospital, my “Back to Work Day” is officially September 16th ! My management and team at Canterbury Press has been incredible throughout, sending cards, texts of encouragement and other supportive messages. The plan for me is to ease back in, virtually, until treatment ends in February/March. It feels amazing to have this next chapter lined up.
Life for me, Alli, and Darrah still isn’t fully back to normal, but each day gets us closer. I can literally see the light at the end of the tunnel (thanks to those new contacts)! Alli and Darrah have been incredible since Day 1. The trials and tribulations of being in a fight of this magnitude have taken their toll on all of us, not just me. But side-by-side, we keep moving forward.
Lastly, we’re gearing up for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night event on October 4 at Piedmont Park. Team Agin will be there (as part of the Northside Hospital Team), and we would love for friends to join us. It’s only about 1 mile. If I can do it, trust me—you can too! Come walk with us! Registration is free, but participants are encouraged to fundraise to help advance blood cancer cures, improve the quality of life for patients and their families, and ensure access to life-saving treatments, which have been CRUCIAL to my success thus far in fighting leukemia! For more info, to “Join the Team” or to help me get to my $500 fundraising goal- visit https://pages.lls.org/ltn/ga/Atlanta25/JAgin.
In closing, I’ll say again: we've made it this far because of all your support, encouragement, and love. This community is simply the best, and I am truly one Grateful Dude!
XOXO,
Jonathan
Jonathan
Comments
Lori Agin
Pam B
Pam B
Carolyn Weinstein
Michael Epstein
Cindy Hirsch
Evelynsw1
Keep up the good work.
You have every reason to be positive.
Gerrieschwartz
Lloyd Marbach
Esther Rotella
Deniselevykaplan
I’m thinking about you.
I’m sending you so much love.
Rhoda Agin
So glad see this good news; steady progress, returning to former physical activities and some work activities. Easy does it. Bravo for your resilience and discipline.
Love,
AR
Hadley Lowy
Rebecca.l.baggett
Faith Levy
Mona.ingram
Dave Tester
Brenda Kaye