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.

May 11th - 2009

It's been almost a WHOLE YEAR since my diagnosis now. I'm starting to feel a little anxiety about my upcoming CT scans and blood tests. Eight more days!

Then a week after that I have an oncology appointment to have the port flushed and get the results of the procedures. I'm hoping that the scans are clean and I'll be able to have the mediport removed soon.

I hope that everyone had a Happy Mother's Day yesterday.

Neuropathy is much better, but still evident. More later...

March 24th - Oncology Follow Up

I had my next follow-up this morning and was told that everything looked good, so my oncologist ordered a CT scan for mid-May and my next follow-up for May 26th.

I asked him about CEA blood tests and he said he was sending today's bloodwork out and would let me know if there was anything to worry about. He said the scan would be the biggest help in determining if anything is showing, but it has to be worked out with my healthplan provider before scheduling.

So, we went with the May 26th for the next follow-up, but he said if insurance doesn't approve the scans yet, then it may have to be re-scheduled later. If those come back good, then he said I could plan on my follow-up scope for June or July.

The neuropathy has improved and is only slightly felt in my fingertips. He asked if handling ice cubes caused any problems and it doesn't, and told him so.

So, it was a good visit and now I just wait to see how the insurance company is going to react to the scans. My last ones (CT and PT) were done last May.

If all goes well, I'll be able to have the surgery to remove the mediport in my chest sometime this summer :)

Thanks again for the positive support and mojo!

PET and CT Scans

Within a few days, I was back at the hospital's radiology department for the subject scans. Approximately one hour after drinking something to help show certain areas in the scans, I was brought to the scanning lab.

The equipment used for the scans was very similiar to an MRI machine. For one of the scans, I was given an IV of F-18 FDG for imaging procedures.

This was right before the big Memorial Day (summer kickoff) weekend and I was told that the reports would be read by the next morning.