Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wed Mar30

Hi all,
Ok, had the cat scan last Wednesday. Got the results yesterday plus another, albeit smaller, dose of chemicals. The scan was a high contrast scan of the abdomen. It was made in the same manner as the baseline scan we made in November so we could get to this day and be able to measure  our progress. Three things were on the mission plate
1. stop the spread of the cancer cells- Happy to report that no new cancer tumours showed up yesterday-yea

2. reverse the process and start killing off the existing cancer cells-excellent success with the tumours on the liver-They appear to have shrunk to less than half their November size. yea in November probably 40% of the liver was covered with tumours. very good progress

3. Toumor in the small intestine. No progress there and will probably require surgery down the road to remove-this is the mother toumor which is the original starting point.
 Oncologist is dropping the really nasty chemo cocktail. it's the one that is $16,000 each chemo session or $32,000 per month. (ya'll might want to check your medical insurance details before you get to where I am).

My stamina level is getting better each week. Hope to be back dancing in a few weeks if all contiues to go well. Have also noticed that I not longer have those nasty nose bleeds today. hmmmm
Anyway all seems to be going to plan
John

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Thursday Mar 17

Hi all, Last week was suppose to be a chemo week, but Drs. decided the blood factors were too low so we skipped that week. It was great for me to have two weeks back to back. Sort of dreaded this week however.  Anyway this was the chemo week.  Had it on Tuesday instead of Monday. So it's Thursday evening, and I'm just starting to be able to and drink and not throw up. The vomiting actually started in the car on the way home from Chemo Tuesday evening.  Have spent the last two days in bed sipping water and hoping itstayed down. It did not until Wednesday afternoon. Went in to the clinic today to get the pump pack removed. Got an Intrvenous pack of anti nausia goop since all the pills for the same were coming back up. Anyway seem to be on the road to stability at the moment.   I am scheduled for a CATT scan next Wednesday. This is the "see where we are check", which was scheduled for early May. Not sure why it has been moved up.  THe tumour marker this week is 270, so looks like we're still heading in the right direction.  Sorry to miss all the St

Friday, March 4, 2011

Friday March 4 2011

Hi all,
Finally going to update the blog. The last chemo session two weeks ago really layed me low. In addition, I picked  up some cold type bug that really added to my misery.  It appears my low white count is border line as to weather or not to drop a chemo session so my bone marrow can play catch up.  Skipping a week sure gets my vote. Will know thjis Monday if we proceed or not.  I could use the break emotionally.  A quick look to give you an idea where I'm at.
  Normal level of tumour markers in a well adult is 5 or less. The Oncologist did a baseline check of the marker on me at the end of October . My marker measured 1475 and rising. I'm still stupified that my Primary care physician of seven years never bothered to check.  Anyway the good news is my marker measured 375 last week. It's been a pretty straight line downward since I've been getting the chemo and I'm still alive.  Still aways to go and the last 370 will probably be the hardest to get down. 
   Big thanks from the old timers from the Norwegian winter dance camp. Your email of greetings was greatly appreciated. Hope you're all home safely by now. Thanks to Susan Brodie of New York for organizing that effort. I really appreciate all the positive energy and prayers being sent my way. 
   Physically, I still have most of my hair and have been able to stablize my weight.  Still very low energy level and very effected by cold air(nose bleed city with that). 
Hats-- so far I'm through my baseball cap, a french beret, and looks like an irish cap my be coming my way. 
John