Bring on December

Well, we got through Thanksgiving and gave thanks that it didn't snow again
so soon after our October nor'easter. Thanksgiving was pretty much uneventful
which was fine. I had a problem with a tooth that I had seen my dentist about the week before Thanksgiving and after an xray and "nerve test" ouch! he said I needed
a root canal...I pleaded with him that it was really unaffordable and asked if just a filling would help...he replied that it *might* help, so we agreed to try a filling and so far, so good and going on 3+ weeks now. My next appt is in January, but I'm thinking that I might want to change dentists now?

I should mention that the items that I've been sharing via the links over on the right side cannot be shared or deleted now - I'm sorry about that, but Google/Blogger have not responded to my requests and have no changed google reader and have made it non-user friendly.

I'm coming up on my full third year of being in remission and that is another thing that I'm very thankful for. Next CT scan with CEA test and colonoscopy will be in the Spring, but I'll post something cheerful for December, Christmas and New Year's
Day of 2012...

October's gone - bring on November

Remember...walking in the sand......seems like not that long ago but the month
of October was a busy month and lots of exciting and different things have
come and gone since we walked in the sand last.

First of all, I reached the next level of insight as I turned 60 years
old in early October. Don't really notice any new aches, pains or problems
though so I guess that's a good thing. The neuropathy is better and really
only notice it when trying to carry something like an ice cube from the
freezer to the livingroom. Solution: bring the glass to the freezer! Maybe
I'm wiser since turning 60? At any rate, I'm still creative and have a
good imagination, in my humble opinion.

We also had Mother Nature play a trick (or treat?)on us before the Autumn Leaves
were even off the trees in the form of a snowy Nor'easter where some still
are without power after several inches to several feet of snow fell
in local areas. Hope you all have your power back on soon.

Lastly, I went through my series of cancer screenings and also got my
flu shot so I've been 'winterized' so to speak. If all goes well and the
good Lord willin' - - I'll finish my 3rd year of remission in January!!!

So, not to postpone anything coming up I'm going to sign off for now
and order a wall calendar (At-A-Glance) for 2012 because it will be here
before we know it. Thanks and blessings for your continued support!!!

October is here - Next cancer testing this month !!

So...here we are into October already! I chose the video clip of some
foliage because we won't be seeing much this year due to Hurricane Irene's
visit.

I'm now into my sixth decade or past the years of fifty somethings or if you're
still confused...I turned 60 years old last week! There have been some times in
my life when I never thought that I would make it to see this happen, but I did and I'm very thankful.

My next checkup at the cancer center is scheduled for October 31st which happens to be Halloween. I'll have bloodwork done, an exam and hopefully get my flu shot while I'm there too.

As my third year of remission is coming to a close, I'm finding less things to write about, but will try to keep it interesting none the less. As many of you know, October is Breast Cancer awareness month (you've seen the pink ribbons and decorations around maybe?) and I hope that all of you are still tolerating your treatments well and doing okay. It is indeed a horrible disease, as is any form
of cancer, but that is why we must have faith, hope and trust in our medical professionals and to God above. I'll be keeping you all in my prayers and thank
you all for the emails and support that you've been giving me. It really does help and it means a lot. THANK YOU!!!

Dog Daze of August

It's August 4th, 2011 and the dog days of summer are going on all
over the country. The weather has been "triple H" (hot, hazy and humid),
but a couple of days of relief before back to the hot days of summer.

Besides having some pain that could be scar tissue/skin adhesions, everything
seems to be going okay, not great, but I'm happy with okay!

My next oncology visit will be in October, on the 31st (Halloween) and I'll
be asking some questions that I keep adding to my list.

Have a happy and safe summer, but beware of carcinoma!

Hotter Than the 4th of July !!!

The month of June started off with some chilly weather and rain, but it's
now hotter than the 4th of July and expected to stay like this for awhile (through the 4th of July).

Aside from some internal adhesion/scar tissue pains, I'm still doing well and hope that this continues and best wishes for a very Happy and safe upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend!

It's June and 55 degrees F ???

It must be because the Bruins are still playing hockey and tonight is game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final Playoffs!

We've had a few stretches of hot and hazy weather, but it's nice to get a break from the heat every now and then. I can recall when I was starting chemo three years ago and the wicked heat we had. I used to wear long sleeves and cover with a blanket during my infusions. Those chemo meds
work well, but the side effects included neuropathy and feeling cold very easily.

At any rate, we're hoping for a Bruins victory tonight and then looking
at a warm summer season....eventually! For those of you who are going through chemo right now, may God bless you as He has blessed me!!!

Edited to add - The BRUINS won!

Starting 3rd Year in Remission !!!

Yes, my recent screenings went well as I start my third year in
remission now. I had a CBC and CMP test done, then a week later
went for a CT scan and had my CEA and follow up the following
week and so far - - so good!

Thanks again for all of your support and remember, early detection
can make a huge difference, so if it's your time, I urge you to
get checked.

The Ides of March

Greetings! What a difference some rain and a few warm days make. The snow is gone and talk of baseball is in the air. We turned our clocks forward last weekend and Spring is in the air :)

This month, my wife and I celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary (Pearl) and I've just finalized my dates for next months cancer screenings. These are various tests that I undergo twice a year now, not including the colonoscopy.

I'm starting my 3rd year in remission! ...I just had to stop and say a prayer for how thankful I am to still be here and able to say that.
My diagnosis was in May of 2008 and it's been quite a journey since then,
but positive thoughts, prayers and God have helped to make it a very
bearable journey. There have been some unpredicted twists and turns along the way, but that's to be expected. I can still remember those words that I heard from my doctor that day, "You have cancer, and it's spreading".

So, moving forward, I begin lab tests/CT scan/oncology visit and exam on April 15th through April 29th. This time I've been given to option to drink the barium at home, so when I go in for the first 2 blood tests which are taken a week ahead of the CT scan on the 15th, I'll be also picking up my barium milkshake to bring home to remind me every time that I open the fridge that I'm very lucky. Colon cancer has the highest risk of any cancer to re-occur, because I was diagnosed stage III, I'm a bit more at risk.

I still remain positive in my thinking and hope for a good report from the tests when they are all over and done for this period, but I'd by lying if I said that I had no anxiety about finding out if this will be the series of tests that show something bad. Every cancer fighter goes through these thoughts and although some may not say it, they are thinking it.

So, that concludes this month's update and hopefully next month's will be a good one!!!

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!

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.

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!

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!

Signs of Autumn and Sorrow

The sun is coming up and setting later as we get more into the autumn season. You can feel a chill in the air as well as the windy leaves blowing from the trees.

As mentioned in an earlier post, our prayers are with sister-in-law, Theresa for her loss and now I'm also saddened to hear that one of our friends, my wife's co-worker's husband has passed after a fight with leukemia.

If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. This is a poem about these times of suffering :

I watch when your asleep,
I know you miss me so much,
and you loved me with all your heart,
but I’m in a better place now,
and you cant tear it apart,
you don’t have to worry now,
I’m with some of our relatives,
I’m always around you,
and always on the inside,
I’m in the wind,
in your dreams,
anywhere you seek me,
and some day we'll be together again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~B L E S S I N G S ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Flu Shot today - New Cancer Center

I went for my oncology visit and got the regular flu shot
while I was there. My oncologist said that the H1N1 symptoms
are different for each and for me would be the same, so
no other shot needed.

He also said that the media is over-hyping the H1N1 symptoms.

It's been about two hours now and my arm is just now feeling a bit
sore and I feel a siesta is coming soon.

Now I'm good until next April when I have my next PET scan.