[Che-student-staff-list] Update (January 7, 2017)

[Varma, Arvind]

Dear Colleagues,

First of all, a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to you and yours!

Since several folks have inquired, I am writing this brief update of my health and sabbatical-research leave.

As some of you are aware, during October-November while at home, my body temperature cycled between 98-102 F twice daily (occasionally up to 104 F).  Many tests were performed but the reason remained elusive.  With this, the oncologists canceled my prior plan to attend the AIChE meeting.  Then some other health related complexities arose but Karen & I were finally able to leave for Scottsdale for my normal 2-month check-up on November 29.  Many tests were continued there (I'm likely the most tested person in the US for temp cycling!), including bone marrow biopsy - none indicated any problems.  The PET scan continues to show no tumor activity and the cancer marker remains within normal limits.  The temp cycling, which had small amplitude by then, stopped on its own about 15 days ago -  we'll never know the reason, and that's fine.  The oral chemo drug (Olaparib), which was stopped about 6 weeks ago (it was a possible reason for the temp cycling), was resumed about a week ago.  All in all, I am very lucky to have all this good health related news!

I should mention that while all this was going on, thanks to the great and supportive atmosphere in our School, during the Fall semester I was able to submit 7 research proposals - 3 solo (NSF, DOE and ACS-PRF) and the rest with colleagues.  I submitted a few research articles to journals too.   I think that remaining involved in work, with outstanding students, postdocs/visiting scholars and colleagues, has been great therapy for me.

Leaving Scottsdale, Karen and I reached Santa Barbara on NY eve for the first leg of my sabbatical-research leave - we'll be here until the end of March.  With the long weekend, we were able to start rental house hunting only on Tuesday, Jan 3.  We moved into a town house yesterday afternoon and are now settling in - because it's been hotel rooms since Nov 29, we're glad to finally not be living out of suitcases!  I've been in email contact with a few local colleagues but start going to the department only on Monday.  We'll return home for a few weeks in early April - then, oncologist permitting, spend the following 3 months at ETH-Zurich.

With best wishes,

Arvind

Arvind Varma
R. Games Slayter Distinguished Professor
School of Chemical Engineering
Purdue University

Tel: 765-494-8484; Fax: 765-494-0805; Email: avarma at purdue.edu<mailto:avarma at purdue.edu>
https://engineering.purdue.edu/ChE/People/ptProfile?id=11068



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