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.

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...

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...

Thoughts & Observations

First of all, my prayers are with a friend, a fellow musician/guitarist, who I've never met but has been a huge inspiration for me. I've been communicating with Rob for about four months now since my diagnosis. Today is his follow-up colonoscopy.

Rob, from the Detroit area, had a similiar diagnosis and went through the same treatment (Folfox) that I'm currently going through, but he also had radiation. He has now had his mediport removed and is cancer free and I'm hoping that he gets a good report today! This is the link to Rob's blog : (thanks again, Rob!)

http://rocamata.com/news.aspx

I'm starting my 6th cycle if all goes well. The "tingling" sensation (neuropathy) in my fingers is not subsiding as in the past. It seems that many of the side effects are a bit more intense than in previous weeks as well.

I know that the treatments have a cumulative effect and I expect that it's going to be a bit tougher to be comfortable from here on in. So far, there have been some tough stretches, but it's been tolerable for the most part.

The little things seem to be getting worse (i.e. headaches are bordering on migraine, the metallic taste of food and beverages are lingering longer, fatigue is more intense, nausea feeling is happening more often.)

When I do finish this next cycle, I will be halfway through my chemo treatment.

I can't stress enough to everyone that if you're due to get "the test" go and have it done. The prep for a colonoscopy is like having a cold beer compared to going through chemotherapy!