Cycle 5 on the 26th Dec. brought the usual array of symptoms, nothing unexpected, if not unwelcome.
I have received my appointment from the Stanford medical centre, Jan. 5, I am very grateful to get an appointment so soon, with any luck they can shed some light on why the mass is no longer shrinking.
I'll post the results, if any, of said appointment as soon as I can.
Until they, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and here's hoping for a more prosperous new year for us all.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
All quiet on the southern front!
Well, it's Christmas eve, or whatever you choose to call it. Yesterday I suffered the indignity of yet another colonoscopy, and I am happy to report that, other than early signs of diverticulosis I am all clear.
The diverticulosos, a bulge in the colon wall, is often caused by constipation, from which I have suffered as a result of the chemo therapy, all that straining and what not. Happily, most people are able to cope with this problem by maintaining a proper, high fiber, diet, so I am buying shares in Kellogs ---- the makers of All Bran.
Christmas day tomorrow, the girls are so excited, I am really looking forward to watching them unwrap their presents.
Chemo on boxing day so I will post again once I am felling better.
The diverticulosos, a bulge in the colon wall, is often caused by constipation, from which I have suffered as a result of the chemo therapy, all that straining and what not. Happily, most people are able to cope with this problem by maintaining a proper, high fiber, diet, so I am buying shares in Kellogs ---- the makers of All Bran.
Christmas day tomorrow, the girls are so excited, I am really looking forward to watching them unwrap their presents.
Chemo on boxing day so I will post again once I am felling better.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Stalled
Well, Nicky and I met with my oncologist today to review my latest PET scan. I wish I could tell you that I am in remission and that all is well but, as indicated by my climbing SED rate, things are not going as well as planned.
My mass has not responded to the last two cycles and is, in fact, the same size as it was two months ago, 9cm * 9cm. You may recall that after the first two cycles it had reduced significantly.
Dr. Kankipati is going to refer me to Stanford, a lymphoma center of excellence, to determine whether there is any need to adopt an alternative strategy.
I remain, in the main, optimistic that this is simply a bump on the road to recovery but one can not help but entertain some dark thoughts.
One thing I am resolved to do is to simply forget about this until after Christmas, I am determined that this will be the best Christmas ever for the girls and for Nicky.
Happy holidays to you all and a prosperous new year.
My mass has not responded to the last two cycles and is, in fact, the same size as it was two months ago, 9cm * 9cm. You may recall that after the first two cycles it had reduced significantly.
Dr. Kankipati is going to refer me to Stanford, a lymphoma center of excellence, to determine whether there is any need to adopt an alternative strategy.
I remain, in the main, optimistic that this is simply a bump on the road to recovery but one can not help but entertain some dark thoughts.
One thing I am resolved to do is to simply forget about this until after Christmas, I am determined that this will be the best Christmas ever for the girls and for Nicky.
Happy holidays to you all and a prosperous new year.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Cycle 4 complete
Had the last treatment of cycle 4 today, no problems other than the obvious.
Alice has saved Christmas by moving my next treatment from the 23rd to the 26 so at least we, that is I, will be able to enjoy Christmas dinner. I am however, having my colon scoped on the 23rd, so I may be sitting a little awkwardly.
I'll update as soon as I get some results from the PET.
Alice has saved Christmas by moving my next treatment from the 23rd to the 26 so at least we, that is I, will be able to enjoy Christmas dinner. I am however, having my colon scoped on the 23rd, so I may be sitting a little awkwardly.
I'll update as soon as I get some results from the PET.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Big week next week
Tuesday marks the end of cycle 4, the following Friday I am having my bimonthly PET scan. We are hoping that it reveals that I am in remission which means two more cycles and then radiation. If there are any traces of the enemy then it will likely be another 4 cycles.
The girls are starting to get really excited about Christmas, I have to admit, I am dreading it. I have chemo two days prior which is going to impose a punishing Christmas day. All that wonderful (BRITISH) food and I am going to be sick as a dog.
My dad is arriving in two weeks so hopefully he will be able to keep the kids entertained while I feel sorry for myself.
I'll jot another note after chemo on Tuesday. Till then.
The girls are starting to get really excited about Christmas, I have to admit, I am dreading it. I have chemo two days prior which is going to impose a punishing Christmas day. All that wonderful (BRITISH) food and I am going to be sick as a dog.
My dad is arriving in two weeks so hopefully he will be able to keep the kids entertained while I feel sorry for myself.
I'll jot another note after chemo on Tuesday. Till then.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Cycle 4.
Cycle 4 has begun, with predictable results. Feeling a little under the weather but nothing I am not familiar with.
A couple of unknowns have come up:
1. My SED rate. which had dropped precipitously from the 90s to the 20s (Good), has risen into the 30s. There is no rationale for the climb and we will have to wait for my next PET scan in a couple of weeks to confirm that it is nothing ominous.
2. I have developed a pain in my chest when I take a deep breath, my excellent Doctor's and Nurses are monitoring this development so I am not unduly worried, I am taking Warfarin so I am somewhat insulated from pulmonary edema which if you recall the clot in my shoulder is something that could occur.
So a few clouds in an otherwise clear sky, nothing to worry about now, lets hope they blow away.
A couple of unknowns have come up:
1. My SED rate. which had dropped precipitously from the 90s to the 20s (Good), has risen into the 30s. There is no rationale for the climb and we will have to wait for my next PET scan in a couple of weeks to confirm that it is nothing ominous.
2. I have developed a pain in my chest when I take a deep breath, my excellent Doctor's and Nurses are monitoring this development so I am not unduly worried, I am taking Warfarin so I am somewhat insulated from pulmonary edema which if you recall the clot in my shoulder is something that could occur.
So a few clouds in an otherwise clear sky, nothing to worry about now, lets hope they blow away.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
halfway
Today marks the halfway point in my planned chemo schedule. It's a pretty big milestone for me as I feel like the long tab up hill is now a gentle jog down the other side, still I wish my Bergen were lighter and I wasn't carrying the LAW, if you know what I mean?
Observed my minutes silence at 11, not quite the same, not being at the Cenotaph and all, but nonetheless 'We will remember them'.
Hope the Dukies had a smashing weekend and sank a pint or two for absent friends. As with every year, I am planning on attending next year.
FYI the Duke of Yorks Royal Military School is the high school I attended from 11-18 yrs of age. It's a boarding school so the friends I made there are firm friends that I will never forget. Once a year, around Remembrance Sunday, the old boys of the school return to participate in the remembrance parade and regret the amount of alcohol consumed the night before. It's a fantastic weekend that always leave me longing for simpler times.
Signing off now before I start rambling about how the Army was just an extension of boarding school .......
Observed my minutes silence at 11, not quite the same, not being at the Cenotaph and all, but nonetheless 'We will remember them'.
Hope the Dukies had a smashing weekend and sank a pint or two for absent friends. As with every year, I am planning on attending next year.
FYI the Duke of Yorks Royal Military School is the high school I attended from 11-18 yrs of age. It's a boarding school so the friends I made there are firm friends that I will never forget. Once a year, around Remembrance Sunday, the old boys of the school return to participate in the remembrance parade and regret the amount of alcohol consumed the night before. It's a fantastic weekend that always leave me longing for simpler times.
Signing off now before I start rambling about how the Army was just an extension of boarding school .......
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