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 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!!!

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.

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.

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!

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!!!

Early October - In My Life

Yesterday was my birthday...I'm doing okay...I have an oncology appointment tomorrow. My thoughts and prayers go out to my sister-in-law, Theresa, whose husband, Peter passed away today after a fight with cancer.

Sometimes life can be so unfair...

Round 11 Finished - One more to go !!!

Today's treatments went well and the doc's report was very positive sounding. I had the mediport flushed, talked about some of the follow-up procedures and then was disconnected from "the pump" for the second to last time!

I have a dual mediport implanted and when I go for follow-up they will flush BOTH ports with the 4" needle at the same time. I'm glad this is only every 6-8 weeks or as needed depending on a variety of factors. At least I have piece of mind that I won't be leaving attached to the pump.

So, it looks really good for December 22nd, 23rd and the grand finale on December 24th (Christmas Eve). I'll have to take a cake, cookies and stuff for the oncology nurses and doctors. I feel very fortunate to have had a very compassionate and professional team of physicians and nurses during this whole journey.

Round 11 (of 12)

Well, I'm into my ELEVENTH Round of chemotherapy now. My oncologist told me today that the neuropathy will probably still be evident for another several months. For that reason, they will be doing follow-up bloodwork, CEA blood tests, PET/CT scans and mediport maintenance.

It went okay today and some of the nurses came by to "remind" me that the end is near. It's nice of them, but I don't need to be reminded. I'm kinda/sorta at the point where I've had enough. It will be great to be disconnected for the LAST time and to eventually have the mediport taken out of my chest.

That said, I still don't want to get ahead of myself because any little thing can change the schedule and/or progress, which has been very good so far with only one setback that delayed treatment back around cycle 5 I think?