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...