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!!!

February 1st - 2011 - Still More Snowstorms !

Not the best video on this blog, but an 'A' for effort! It's been snowing at a clip of one or two snowstorms a week since the turn of the new year.
I'm looking forward to Spring...very much!

The Red Sox are looking pretty good with their signing of Carl Crawford, formerly of the Tampa Rays. Speed, power and skillful knowledge of the game and who knows...maybe he's the spark that the club has needed? Time will tell.

I had my flu shot last October and so far, so good. The family has been struggling with flu symptoms and colds, but so far I've been lucky enough to avoid that...but then again, they chose not to get a flu shot.

We're all taking vitamins now too. One-a-day, supplements, vitamin C and b complex, omega 3 caps. Getting plenty of stretching and excercise in also.

We're into February now, let's get the taxes done and see if
we're getting anything back or paying this year. Usually we do get a small refund from the Federal, but a chunk of it goes to pay the State. They don't call it Taxachusetts for nothing. ;)

Next CT scan and CEA bloodtest is scheduled for late April and no colonoscopy this year - - woo hoo - I get the year off and don't need another until next year (2012).

Stay tuned, next month we celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary!

2011 - More Snow

Well, the holidays are behind us now and 2011 came in with a powerful
nor'easter on January 11th and 12th. Some of the weather people were calling it 'Thundersnow' - - we called it an old fashioned blizzard!

I have two years in remission now and have my next series of tests
and CT scan tentatively scheduled for the last week in April. Maybe
by then all of the snow will have melted ;)

I'm feeling pretty good for the most part but still a bit of lingering neuropathy is noted especially in the cold weather. It's mainly the fingertips and toes of my feet. Compared to what it was like while going through chemotherapy, this is very mild and just a nuisance.

I'm still taking my daily vitamins and D supplements and was doing pretty good as far as losing some weight until the holidays hit - - but now it's back to the excercises and treadmills and hoping to 'lighten up' a
bit and get back to following the glycemic index more faithfully.

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!!!