It has been Mother Nature's week. Brian was unable to travel to CTCA because of the blizzard that roared through the western panhandle of Nebraska starting Wednesday and continuing on through early this morning. We had 12-16 inches of wet, wet snow and the visibility was nil! I left work early on Wednesday and haven't been back.
New plans have been made, granting Mother Nature cooperates. This time Brian and I are going to fly out to CTCA on Sat. Nov. 7Th and return on Tuesday the 10Th. Our friends Bruce and Mary are going to pick us up at O'Hara Sat. so we can have another good visit. Then they are kind enough to take us to Zion the next day. It isn't every day we get to fly out their direction, though more now since doctoring at CTCA.
It looks more like Christmas instead of Halloween. Have a safe weekend while trick and treating!
Mary
Angkor Wat
Temples of Angkor Wat
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
10/26/09 Brian's notes
Should be titling this message HAIRLESS! Mary and I were up at the Pieper Red Angus sale this past weekend. Of which Jessamyn and her family were blessed with another successful fall sale. While at the sale, each time I tugged my mustache a pinch full of black hair came out just like it was harvest time. My scalp has been steadily thinning out for several weeks, and it was getting plucky too. So, Jessamyn gave me the military buzzcut and kind of like Elvis going to the Army; I'm off to finish the battle as the cancer fighter.
A close friend asked me today if I was writing any songs during this time. Sadly, I told her I had not picked up a guitar in 30 days. I should have responded that I have been keeping a journal of my success with lots of inspiration being recorded for future reflection. I could have said that my hands may have needed a rest, and that along with the glucosomine pills my arthritis has not been bothersome.
It is truly God's miracle that when we are feeling good, we forget whatever pain we may have gone through to heal. Of course, I'm lucky enough to be able to sleep a lot. My stress level has been nil; thanks to the wonderful sick leave program that the USPS career has provided. To be self employed, having to work and go through this would be a vexation.
As Mary wrote in the previous blog, I will be off to the CTCA on Wednesday, appointments on Thursday and return on Friday afternoon this week. A quick trip but necessary to stay on the prescribed schedule of chemotherapy each third week. After a rainy weekend, the sun is shining today so I will be out for my two mile walk on the prairie, my spirits are up and it is a great day to be alive. Wish you were here to go walking the walk with me.
Again, I can not begin to thank everyone for all of the prayers, chants, healing ceremonies, supportive thoughts and cards with kind words that you send our way each day. Most of all, thank you for the subtle, caring love you are sending to Mary and I during this journey.
A close friend asked me today if I was writing any songs during this time. Sadly, I told her I had not picked up a guitar in 30 days. I should have responded that I have been keeping a journal of my success with lots of inspiration being recorded for future reflection. I could have said that my hands may have needed a rest, and that along with the glucosomine pills my arthritis has not been bothersome.
It is truly God's miracle that when we are feeling good, we forget whatever pain we may have gone through to heal. Of course, I'm lucky enough to be able to sleep a lot. My stress level has been nil; thanks to the wonderful sick leave program that the USPS career has provided. To be self employed, having to work and go through this would be a vexation.
As Mary wrote in the previous blog, I will be off to the CTCA on Wednesday, appointments on Thursday and return on Friday afternoon this week. A quick trip but necessary to stay on the prescribed schedule of chemotherapy each third week. After a rainy weekend, the sun is shining today so I will be out for my two mile walk on the prairie, my spirits are up and it is a great day to be alive. Wish you were here to go walking the walk with me.
Again, I can not begin to thank everyone for all of the prayers, chants, healing ceremonies, supportive thoughts and cards with kind words that you send our way each day. Most of all, thank you for the subtle, caring love you are sending to Mary and I during this journey.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Tubeless
Hi all!
Its the weekly update and the weather has improved! It is sunny out and breezy, but warmer. I have been back in the saddle at work, so I am catching up on a few things today.
Brian has finally gotten his intestinal tube removed on Wed. The tube was inserted in preparation for surgery and since that is not an option, he wasted no time in getting it out. It has been his bane from the get go. Brian was feeling better by the end of the week after severe fatigue and body aches. At least he could eat and not have much nausea. He gets his blood checked now every week for 16 weeks. His blood work was normal this week and we are thankful.
We have decided that Brian will go to CTCA on October 28TH solo because tickets for me are $900.00. Since there will be no tests, only chemo we decided I should go next time in November when they plan to do more testing.
Hope all of you have a good week!
Mary
Its the weekly update and the weather has improved! It is sunny out and breezy, but warmer. I have been back in the saddle at work, so I am catching up on a few things today.
Brian has finally gotten his intestinal tube removed on Wed. The tube was inserted in preparation for surgery and since that is not an option, he wasted no time in getting it out. It has been his bane from the get go. Brian was feeling better by the end of the week after severe fatigue and body aches. At least he could eat and not have much nausea. He gets his blood checked now every week for 16 weeks. His blood work was normal this week and we are thankful.
We have decided that Brian will go to CTCA on October 28TH solo because tickets for me are $900.00. Since there will be no tests, only chemo we decided I should go next time in November when they plan to do more testing.
Hope all of you have a good week!
Mary
Sunday, October 11, 2009
At Home
Greetings to all!
Made it to Scottsbluff around 12:00 midnight Friday. What a trip getting home. The plane from Los Angles that we were to board hit extreme turbulence and was cancelled to Denver. We had to wait for another plane to be found and it was smaller. So some unhappy people where left behind. It caused us to miss our plane connections, but they cancelled the flight to Alliance anyway due to snow. So we got on the plane to Scottsbluff after many delays and Paqui picked us up. We stayed overnight at her house, Rico was ecstatic to see us. We also got to see Zeyda the next morning. Got home to Alliance around 1:00 pm Saturday.
Brian was extremely fatigued yesterday and was not feeling well at all last night. He couldn't eat much, only wanted to sleep. He was achy all over and having some heart palpitations. This morning he is better, still very tired. He started on the naturalist's prescribed supplements and hopefully he will feel better. He already was snoozing with Rico in lap after breakfast.
I am trying to get all the mountains of laundry done and our stuff put away today. It is snowing and the visibility is about 1/4 mile. I can't hardly believe it! What happened to fall?
We will be flying back to CTCA for next round of chemo on October 28Th and then flying home again on the 30Th. Hope the weather cooperates.
Luv, Mary
Made it to Scottsbluff around 12:00 midnight Friday. What a trip getting home. The plane from Los Angles that we were to board hit extreme turbulence and was cancelled to Denver. We had to wait for another plane to be found and it was smaller. So some unhappy people where left behind. It caused us to miss our plane connections, but they cancelled the flight to Alliance anyway due to snow. So we got on the plane to Scottsbluff after many delays and Paqui picked us up. We stayed overnight at her house, Rico was ecstatic to see us. We also got to see Zeyda the next morning. Got home to Alliance around 1:00 pm Saturday.
Brian was extremely fatigued yesterday and was not feeling well at all last night. He couldn't eat much, only wanted to sleep. He was achy all over and having some heart palpitations. This morning he is better, still very tired. He started on the naturalist's prescribed supplements and hopefully he will feel better. He already was snoozing with Rico in lap after breakfast.
I am trying to get all the mountains of laundry done and our stuff put away today. It is snowing and the visibility is about 1/4 mile. I can't hardly believe it! What happened to fall?
We will be flying back to CTCA for next round of chemo on October 28Th and then flying home again on the 30Th. Hope the weather cooperates.
Luv, Mary
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Getting new chemo regimen
Hi all!
Brian is getting a new chemo regimen starting tomorrow. He met with his new oncologist Dr. Neelam. She was very nice and restated plan of treatment. Surgery is out of the equation now and she is concerned with tiny nodule in right lower lung so wants to try two different chemo agents, Carboplatin and Docetaxel solution . He will receive these agents in one time dosing. It will cause his blood count to drop more than the other chemo and he will lose his hair. We just don't know how nauseated and sick he might get. It isn't supposed to be as bad as cystoplastin was with 5Fu and the radiation. He will come back to CTCA every 3-4 weeks for 3 more doses then he will get a CT scan to see if everything is clear, including nodule gone. Also, he will be getting a blood test done back home every week.
The good news today is that the pathology from biopsies of the esophagus taken during the esophagael scope were all negative for any cancerous cells, YEAH!! We will probably stay here tomorrow night and Friday to make sure Brian has tolerated treatment.
Will keep in touch!
Mary
Brian is getting a new chemo regimen starting tomorrow. He met with his new oncologist Dr. Neelam. She was very nice and restated plan of treatment. Surgery is out of the equation now and she is concerned with tiny nodule in right lower lung so wants to try two different chemo agents, Carboplatin and Docetaxel solution . He will receive these agents in one time dosing. It will cause his blood count to drop more than the other chemo and he will lose his hair. We just don't know how nauseated and sick he might get. It isn't supposed to be as bad as cystoplastin was with 5Fu and the radiation. He will come back to CTCA every 3-4 weeks for 3 more doses then he will get a CT scan to see if everything is clear, including nodule gone. Also, he will be getting a blood test done back home every week.
The good news today is that the pathology from biopsies of the esophagus taken during the esophagael scope were all negative for any cancerous cells, YEAH!! We will probably stay here tomorrow night and Friday to make sure Brian has tolerated treatment.
Will keep in touch!
Mary
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Finally a plan
Hello to all!
We had the esophageal scope on Monday and got to see the surgeon today. The surgeon Dr. Brown was very nice and thorough with his assessment of Brian's current tests in comparison to tests prior to treatment.
The good news is that the tumor and affected lymph node on the hepatic ligament is gone. He continues to have Barrett's esophagus but otherwise his esophagus and stomach junction looks normal.
The surgeon stated that surgery would only prevent cancer from coming back in esophagus and since it was also found in the hepatic lymph node chances are favorable for it to spread to the liver. The doctor stated an esophagectomy is a very life changing surgery that would change Brian's life forever. He stated if the cancer was only located in the esophagus it would be a cure and the recommended form of treatment. Since it was already noted in node outside it wouldn't be considered a cure. The cancer could show up in liver or lung.
On the CT scan a small nodule was seen in the right lower lung. The PET scan didn't indicate any increase of metabolic activity in the chest, lungs, liver, or pelvis. Doctor didn't know what the nodule was because it was new, he thought it could be scar tissue.
The doctor stated he used to be aggressive with surgery but over time has determined to be more selective related to effects of surgery and recurrence of cancer showing up in the liver. The bottom line is he didn't recommend surgery for Brian, but recommended going to oncologist and receiving more chemo to try and prevent cancer from returning in esophagus and spreading to liver. Then having frequent scopes and scans to monitor for recurrence of cancer. So tomorrow we have an appointment with a Dr. Neelam an oncologist to see what and how long chemotherapy will be.
Both Brian and I had a wonderful massage today! He got his free and mine was only $20.00.
They have all sorts of activities here for patients and caregivers, not to mention the food is good.
L. Mary
We had the esophageal scope on Monday and got to see the surgeon today. The surgeon Dr. Brown was very nice and thorough with his assessment of Brian's current tests in comparison to tests prior to treatment.
The good news is that the tumor and affected lymph node on the hepatic ligament is gone. He continues to have Barrett's esophagus but otherwise his esophagus and stomach junction looks normal.
The surgeon stated that surgery would only prevent cancer from coming back in esophagus and since it was also found in the hepatic lymph node chances are favorable for it to spread to the liver. The doctor stated an esophagectomy is a very life changing surgery that would change Brian's life forever. He stated if the cancer was only located in the esophagus it would be a cure and the recommended form of treatment. Since it was already noted in node outside it wouldn't be considered a cure. The cancer could show up in liver or lung.
On the CT scan a small nodule was seen in the right lower lung. The PET scan didn't indicate any increase of metabolic activity in the chest, lungs, liver, or pelvis. Doctor didn't know what the nodule was because it was new, he thought it could be scar tissue.
The doctor stated he used to be aggressive with surgery but over time has determined to be more selective related to effects of surgery and recurrence of cancer showing up in the liver. The bottom line is he didn't recommend surgery for Brian, but recommended going to oncologist and receiving more chemo to try and prevent cancer from returning in esophagus and spreading to liver. Then having frequent scopes and scans to monitor for recurrence of cancer. So tomorrow we have an appointment with a Dr. Neelam an oncologist to see what and how long chemotherapy will be.
Both Brian and I had a wonderful massage today! He got his free and mine was only $20.00.
They have all sorts of activities here for patients and caregivers, not to mention the food is good.
L. Mary
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Whew what a whirlwind!
Hi to all!
What a day we had! We went to the newbie orientation, then ended up in a meditation session (which really did relax us). We ate lunch then saw the mind and body counselor, nutritionist, and then Dr. Pankaj Vashi an internal gastrointestinal doctor.
This doctor was great! He right away called our insurance company Blue Cross and Shield and got approval for the PET scan that we needed and couldn't get approval for in Scottsbluff, hallelujah! Brian is also scheduled for another esophageal scope on Monday morning. These tests will determine future treatment plan. What is so great is that it all happens in one locale where all information can be accessed by all the providers.
We see a surgeon on Wednesday and that is the last appointment we know of until tests and plan is formulated.
Dr. Vashi thought Brian looked pretty good for a 57 year old man.
Bye for now!
Mary
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