Two Years in Remission Now

As the year, 2010, winds down with a howling blizzard going on in New England that started yesterday, December 26 and is expected to end late tonight or early tomorrow morning, December 28th, I thank God that
I've reached the two years in remission milestone.

My next scheduled CT scan, CEA bloodtest and oncologist exam with followup is tentatively scheduled for the week of April 26th through 29th, 2011.

Looking back over the past year, I remember some precious moments such as our son's graduation with a BS degree, his ongoing excellent relationship with his girlfriend, my parent's health issues, especially my father's two
major abdominal surgeries and I look forward to the new year when my wife and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in March and many other family milestones.

I also look back at who we lost this past year and remember in our prayers,
Uncle Buddy USN-R, Holly, Fred and others who will be missed.

In closing with this final post for this year, I am thankful for many things such as our family, friends and our Lord who has given us what
we've prayed and asked Him for. Blessings to you all who are fighting this horrible disease and let this be a lesson in that it can be beat!

Best wishes to all for a very happy, health and safe New Year!!!

Autumn Leaves

The singer in the video, Eva Cassidy, had a wonderful voice and talent that was cut short when she died of melanoma in 1996. In 1993, Cassidy had a malignant mole removed from her back. Three years later, during a promotional event for the 'Live at Blues Alley' album in July 1996, Cassidy noticed an ache in her hips, which she attributed to stiffness from painting murals while perched atop a stepladder. The pain persisted and a few weeks later, X-rays revealed that the melanoma had spread to her lungs and bones. Her doctors estimated she had three to five months to live. Cassidy opted for aggressive treatment, but her health deteriorated rapidly. In her final public performance in September 1996, at the Bayou, she closed the set with "What a Wonderful World" in front of an audience of friends, fans and family. She was subsequently admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Cassidy died at her family home in Bowie, November 2, 1996, at the age of 33. She was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Washington Area Music Association. In accordance with her wishes, Cassidy’s body was cremated. Her ashes were scattered on the lake shores of St. Mary's River Watershed Park, a nature reserve near California, Maryland.

That said, cancer is a horrible disease and knows no age or limits and
this being Breast Cancer Awareness month, I'm saying some special prayers for those fighting it.

I recently had my cancer screenings and CEA blood test and so far
everything looks good. My oncologist wants me to have my next CT scan and CEA blood test in April of next year. I told him that our insurance provider will be changing and will have to notify them with contact info soon, so they can coordinate these expensive tests through the new healthcare provider which will be some kind of United Healthcare program.

We're still waiting on the information package which should be coming soon as enrollment is due by November 15th. I've always had some form of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, so I'm a little sad to be losing that as they seemed like a great provider and very helpful while going through my cancer tratments.

New Blood Test for Colon Cancer Developed

Saturday, October 9, 2010

New Blood Test for Colon Cancer Developed

(HealthDay News) -- Seeking to increase screenings for colorectal cancer, scientists say they have developed an inexpensive and effective method that uses less than one milliliter (mL) of a patient's blood.

In trials, the new approach -- referred to as a microRNA -- has successfully detected disease in patients already diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Next, the research team will launch screening tests among a larger group of patients who show symptoms of the disease. These patients will also undergo colonoscopies, which will be used to confirm the new diagnostic tool's effectiveness.

"Our test has the potential to be safe, cheap, robust, accurate and of little or no inconvenience to the individual, and could, therefore, easily be integrated into national screening programs as part of an annual checkup," study author Dr. Soren Jensby Nielsen, a scientific manager with Denmark-based Exiqon A/S, said in a news release from the American Association for Cancer Research.

October and Fall Foliage Begins

The autumn leaves have begun to change and with it comes many other
changes that will start. I've started with the extra vitamin D3 and
along with diet changes and excercise from mostly walking have lost 12 pounds so far which I'm kind of proud about. A good start I think!

Our new healthcare provider is going to be United Healthcare, but we
don't know much about them or the plans yet. Stay tuned for more on
that later after we find out more information and get to review the
options before it kicks in on January 1st, 2011.

I'll be seeing my oncologist in a couple of weeks and having my
next series of tests to find out if I'm still cancer free. It's
always a bit scary after intially hearing those three words, "you've
got cancer" after my diagnosis. At any rate, I continue to have
faith and think positive about it and try not to dwell too much
on the past. I'll also get a flu shot, which has prevented me from
getting the flu for the past several years now.

I will be updating after my oncology visit(s) so stay tuned
for more along with my new change of lifestyle and healthy living!

The Glycemic Index

Today I had my follow-up with primary care doctor and we reviewed
my lab reports. (see last post).

I was told about the Glycemic Index and how I would have to
learn to use it and start walking/exercising on a regular basis.

He showed me my chart and how I was able to get the numbers
down a few years ago through diet and excercise and we agreed
that I should be able to do it again.

Regarding the vitamin D deficiency, I'll be starting on 1,000 i.u.
of vitamin D on a daily basis for three months or whenever I'm
tested next (he suggested late January or early February).

So, he's diagnosed me as 'Glucose Intolerant' which is very
similiar, if not the same thing, as pre-diabetes.

I've got to work on cutting out sugars, carbs and all the good
stuff that I've been eating since my chemo treatments ended.

Next month is more testing/screening with my oncologist and
we're still not sure what we'll have for healthcare come the
first of the year.

Annual Checkup - Physical

I got my lab reports back from the hospital and my blood cell counts are good, along with a few other things (good blood pressure, cholesterols, etc) but it shows some vitamin D deficency (chemo might have been a cause?) and an A1C Blood Sugar level that was off the charts. I got a 7.0 and the normal range is 4.7 to 6.1. So I've got to eleminate sugars and some of the things that I've been eating along with getting a little more excercise.

Hemoglobin indicates high risk for cardiac problems and they also reported a *trace* of protein in urinalysis which was circled as abnormal. I've already started on my new lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) and I have a follow up appt next week to review with my primary care doctor.

Next month starts the series of cancer screening again and I suppose I'll get a flu shot while I'm there. Stay tuned!

September & Hurricane Earl

Here we are on September 3rd. The heat and humidity are still with us but the rain and winds from a now downsized Hurricane Earl should cool things off soon.

I had my annual checkup and exam with my primary care doctor and it went well. I'm awaiting the results of the bloodtests and labwork. He suggested a pain management program for my arthritis since chiro manipulations are not helping, but with our
health coverage and provider changing soon, I've decided to hold off until we see what will be covered.

My next series of oncology visits are next month and I'm hoping for good results but you always have that feeling about if this is going to be the test that shows recurrence at all. Still, I remain positive in my thoughts and thank God that I've made it this far after the diagnosis. It's hard to believe that just two years ago I was into my 3rd month of chemo (folfox) treatments.

The Heat Goes On

Here we are with the day after tomorrow being September 1st and the heat, haze and humidity is still with us. I think we've had 3 rainy days all summer since early June.

Tomorrow I go for annual checkup and bloodwork and start my next series of tests with my oncology group in October. Some days are better than others, but I can't complain, although sometimes I do.

The weather people are predicting a close enough call with the next storm (Earl) that it's already causing severe rip currents along the east coast. It depends on which way the jet stream moves as to how, when and where it comes by the end of this week.

They say that foliage will be early this year. I can already see some of the trees starting to change due to the hot, dry summer heat.

The Dog Days of August

Well, this has certainly been one of the hottest and muggiest summers that I can remember. Here we go into August and after a short few days of cool dry weather, we're back in the hot, hazy and humid stuff for another stretch.

I'll be seeing my primary care doc this month for annual checkup and bloodwork and next month will be my next CEA blood test with my oncology group.

My only complaint is some numbness (neuropathy?) in right foot/toes and the arthritis in my back has spread to the thoracic spine joints. I'm also starting to notice some arthritis in knee and fingers. A day at a time and don't sweat the small things!

Hotter Than the 4th of July

We're in the middle of a very hot and humid weather pattern. Today could be the hottest day of the summer (so far) with temps near 100 and the heat index at about 107 degrees F.

Just try to keep cool today and stay hydrated! Happy July!!!

Summer of 2010

So, here it is a few days past the longest day of sunlight of the year. It's been very hot as well and very muggy, but this is what we wait all Winter for I guess?

Dad's progressing, slowly, but still progressing. The 4th of July is this coming Sunday (hard to believe!). The general pace is slow during the summer and the news always seems to be worse with the Gulf Oil Crisis, Health Issues and Government Corruption making headlines a lot lately.

We wish you all a safe and happy 4th of July!

Dad goes home from Hospital

The phone rang about 4:00pm today and it was Dad. He said "guess where I am"? I said I'm not sure but you sound happy. He had been discharged (finally) and was sitting
on his front porch. He says to me that the seabreeze in Maine feels great while I'm standing in 90 degree weather with tropical dewpoints in the 70s. You know, the days that even the friendliest dogs will chomp you if you look at them wrong.

So, it's still going to take some time to get used to the stoma and lifestyle change, but we're all hoping that his stomache pains are gone for good now. We know about the kidneys and heart and diabetes and stuff, but hopefully this will be one less health issue for him and who knows...maybe in a year or so, it could be in good enough shape to be reversed and somewhat normal again (whatever that is these days!)

It's been a roller-coaster ride for the past 2 weeks, but maybe the ride is slowing down and coming to a halt...at least for a little bit?

Also...I changed the design scheme of this blog...do you like it? I'm afraid that I wouldn't know how to change it back even if I wanted to.

Until next time...Happy Trails to you...

Dad's Surgery

Well, it's been a rough week. My Father, who has been battling several other health issues blacked out last Sunday night. My mother thought that he was dead and called 911 while trembling and crying. They took him by ambulance to the nearest emergency department of the hospital and the doctors decided that some kind of infection in his intestinal tract was the problem and immediate surgery was required. He is 79.

Due to the fact that he's on blood thinners and meds for other ailments, they had to give him blood transfusions for a couple of days before they could do the surgery. The diagnosis was colitis and it was supposed to be a laproscopic colonic resection, but due to complications, he ended up having a full scale six hour surgery and ended up with a huge incision and a colostomy!

He's been in ICU for two days now and the doctors have explained that it was the only way to save his life, due to complications from his other health problems.

So, we've been to visit him in ICU and they plan to keep him there until he is more stable, but he is a 'very sick man' as the doctor said.

You never know in this journey of life, what obstacles are going to be thrown at you, but it's important to try and think positive and keep thinking forward without looking back and wondering "what if", etc.

Memorial Day Weekend

~~~~The picture says it best~~~~

Have a great but safe Memorial Day weekend!

Salem State College Graduation

They say that "time flies"...well, watching our son graduate yesterday with a Bachelors Degree of Science from Salem State College, that thought kept running through my mind.

It was a great day, weatherwise, for the 10:00am ceremony and the speakers kept it short and to the point, as the class of 2010 received their Degrees.

The main guest speaker was former Massacusetts Governor, Michael Dukakis, and he kept it short mentioning his wife, Kitty, attending "somewhere in the audience" and also stated that if he had won the victory of defeating Bush 1, that we never would have had to deal with Bush 2, but we'd surely have had other problems.

Dr. Malika Marshall and her mother, both of TV, were also given honorary degrees
and spoke to the graduating class.

We enjoyed a small luncheon at The Chateau Restaurant afterwards for family and friends and a very good time was had by all.

Mother's Day - 2010

My mother and father were able to make it down to my sister's for a Mother's Day get together with 'most' of the family. The food was delicious and a good time was had by all.

It was a bit too cold and windy to sit outside, so we all stayed inside and
laughed, took pictures, caught up on things and had a great time!

Water - Emergency Ban

I thought that this was big enough news to post on the blog. We were at a relative's yesterday afternoon and were heading home around 7:00 pm when we saw a sign on the side of the highway alerting drivers about an "Emergency Ban on Water" and although we didn't see the whole sign, figured it might have had to due with the threats of wildfires in the hot and dry weather.

We got home and just in time to catch the "Breaking News" on TV about 2 million people affected by this "emergency water ban" and we were in the area...and actually only 2 miles from where a pipe had ruptured.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/05/repairs_underwa.html

http://www.mwra.com/updates/leak.html

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/05/02/residents_businesses_race_to_adapt_water_vanishes_from_stores/

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/05/02/tunnels_failure_catches_mwra_officials_off_guard/

So with all of the area stores sold completely out of bottled water, we have to be careful not to use tap water and boil water before using until this problem is fixed and resolved. In the meantime, people have been fighting and getting downright nasty
with some stabbings involved, in order to find and acquire bottled water for their needs. Many of the restaurants and especially the hospitals have been extremely
affected and with high humidity and temps near 90 degrees F today, the timing of this was at a very bad time.

Keep checking the MWRA.com link above for updates...

Clear PET Scan

Just got home from oncologist visit. They drew blood for another CEA test and
then I had exam by my oncologist. He then told me to put on my shirt and come into
his office. (I thought it strange since he hadn't mentioned results after I told him
that I felt good about Monday's scan.).

My wife was with me and we sat in the chairs in front of his desk while he was
reading the report. He said that the scan was 100% clean! Then went on to say that
they still want to monitor me for 5 years since the chemo started and June will be
two years.

We told him about how our health insurance has changed and we now have to pay 20% of
all "allowed charges" for tests, xrays, scans and even bloodwork. He said that instead of another CT scan in six months (October), I'd just have CEA bloodwork and perhaps just a CT scan next year. Then I told him that I knew of someone that has only had CEA tests since finishing chemo and his response was that different doctors treat patients different ways. I "almost" brought up the fact that I read about doctors ordering unneccesary tests, but bit my tongue and kept quiet.

So, overall I'm happy that everything is fine but I'm still
wondering if the scans are really necessary.

Have a great weekend!
God bless us all!

April 1st - 2010

Here we are in April now. After three more days of heavy rains and severe flooding we are hoping for some sun and warm, dry weather for Easter.

The above video clip explains how a PET scan works. Mine is scheduled for April 12th with a followup oncology visit on Friday, April 16th. Depending on the results of this procedure will determine the next step in the journey I've been on.

Tomorrow is Good Friday, then Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. I hope that everyone enjoys this weekend and remembers the real reason for it.

More details after the results have been discussed.

March 2010 - PET scan scheduled

Well, here we are into March of 2010 now and it's been a tolerable winter for the most part. I've just confirmed and received my acknowledgement for my next scheduled PET scan which is in 6 weeks (April 12th) with a follow up including labwork at the Cancer Center on April 16th. I've been trying to keep thinking positive since my diagnosis and see no reason to stop now.

When you stop and think about "life" there are many things that make you wonder about and really don't understand. By helping others who have been diagnosed with cancer and trusting in our Lord, it has helped me and I'm ready for whatever is dealt my way. While we are here on Earth, one thing is for certain, nobody gets out alive...

Valentine's Day Weekend - 2/12/2010

Happy Valentine's Day weekend to all. I have a neice who's birthday is on Valentine's day and this Sunday is the Baptism of her second child, a boy named Joseph.

I got a call from my oncologist today and was told that my next PET scan is scheduled for April 12th with a follow up on the 16th. Even completing six months of steady chemotherapy after a major abdominal surgery where the surgeon believes
that he got it all out, you still wonder about that 20% chance of re-occurence
and always ask yourself..."is this going to be the test that shows something?"

I've learned to think positive though and leave it all in the hands of God. Only HE knows when he wants me.

So in closing, enjoy your Valentine's Day and put some love in this world that could really use some!

Midway through January 2010

Well, here we are midway through January with a little January thaw coming in by Monday. The Winter NAMM show has just ended in California and lots of new and exciting gear was showcased.

Things are going pretty good at this point...still some neuropathy in my feet, but all in all, much better than last year at this time.

I've now been cancer free for one whole year!

Happy New Year - 2K10?

Well, now the question seems to be what do we call it? Is it 2 thousand 10, or twenty ten...I've decided to call it 2K10 (4 easy keystrokes!).

It's hard to believe that it's been one year now since my chemotherapy treatments have ended. It feels great too! Of course, I'll still need the routine CEA tests and PET/CT scans, but the feeling of having that mediport out and not having the needles and carrying the pump around is a great feeling...and I'm very thankful.

I hope that your new year is off to a good start and best wishes in 2K10!!!