Monday - is Surgery Day

Daddy's new cardiologist calls him "Doc" and made an appointment with the cardiac surgeon under the name Doctor Hall! All of you who know Daddy will totally understand. He is a take-charge kind of man and had already made some conclusions and decisions about what they were going to probably tell him - he had done his research on heart disease already.

The tests from last week indicated very strongly that Daddy indeed has congestive heart failure. His pulmonologist referred him to a great cardiologist (mentioned above!) and there is lot’s of action going on right now. There was a heart cath scheduled for Wednesday, January 27^th, with the understanding that most likely Daddy would be transferred to Hermann Hospital the same day, when it was completed, to have one or two stints put in. That plan changed quickly as you can see after reading on a bit.

Mama, Daddy, Kenneth, and I were at the hospital all day yesterday - January 27th. Dr. Oliverira went into Daddy's heart yesterday with the cath and found 80% blockage in one major artery -- but then they found a surprise -- he has a large aortic aneurism in that main artery feeding his heart. It's just above his mechanical (St. Jude's) heart valve. So they did not put in any stints and he's now been referred to a cardiac surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital - Dr. Coselli. He sees Dr. Coselli tomorrow morning/day sometime between the doctor's surgeries and then will probably have the surgery on Monday.  We have been told that Coselli is one of the best in the world. 

The doctors are looking at several options and may not know exactly what they do until they get in. They can replace the aneurism with a dacron graft, and do a stint on the blocked artery; they can replace the aneurism with a dacron graft, and do a bypass on the blocked artery; they can do the aneurism graft, and/or stint/bypass, and replace the 17 year old heart valve. So you can see that there are lots of possibilities. Part of this depends on the surgeon and how he feels Daddy can handle the surgery, how long daddy will be open, and other possible contingencies. Obviously the most optimum would be for the shortest time in surgery -- makes for the least trauma and a safer and easier recovery. They all have said that Daddy is in remarkably good condition for his age and so that helps with the surgery and recovery.

As far as we can tell from the other doctors that Daddy has seen recently -- because we have not heard this from the oncologist specifically -- Daddy's PET/CT scans are clear and not showing any evidence of the cancer at this time. So that is a good thing for sure. 

One of the best traits that my parents have, among their many others, is their unbelievable ability to look at life in the most positive light possible. Included in this is their always looking forward to new adventures and challenges, not back at life's mistakes. Sure there might be some -- but they always look forward to a bright and positive future. 

So, for those of you out West in Albuquerque, they won't be home for probably at least few more weeks. We will know more as Daddy recovers from the surgery and will keep you up to date.

Please keep Daddy and Mama in your prayers and thoughts and thank you for your love.

Laura

We know it’s been a while . . .

With our last update – nine months ago – you read about Daddy getting some surgery on his back.  I’ll sort of pick up there. The surgery to repair the fracture in one place was great for a very short time and then caused another fracture – so the cure is to leave it alone and not do any more vertebrae surgery!  Osteoporosis runs in the family and then the chemo/radiation just exacerbated the condition. With some pain medicine, Daddy is able to control it. He just has to be very careful not to lean over bathtubs to scrub and the backs of car seats to grab stuff – and things of that nature!

Daddy and Mama came back to Houston a couple of times for tests and consultations with the doctors. With the end of September visit, there was some fluid discovered on his right lung. He was advised to go back to Albuquerque and have it drained. Daddy also had a carotid artery ablated and because of some erratic heart activity – he had a pacemaker put in at the end of September. No more whizzing through security at the airports – that’s for sure.

Now for some fun news – in October three of their four kids and spouses if possible – were able to take Mama and Daddy on a houseboat adventure out on Lake Powell. Lake Powell has a very long history in our family. We first went there in the summer of 1970. It was love at first sight. In subsequent years Mama and Daddy bought boats, houseboats, jet skis, different boats, different other boats . . . you get the picture! So this was a real dream trip.

I’ve included just a few of the thousands of pictures taken by everyone combined – to show you how great the trip was.

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Piloting us out of the marina and into the wilderness!

Daddy coming up to the top of the houseboat for a look around.

The houseboat in a really ugly setting!!!

Daddy pulling Kathryn one more time while she skis!!!!!

Mama and Daddy enjoying one of our evenings at the lake.

Daddy - bringing the ski boat back to the houseboat!!!  Just like falling off a horse.

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After the trip, Daddy had his right and then left lung drained. The results came back great with no malignancy showing up in the fluid.

Mama and Daddy are in Houston right now. Their last appointment is this coming Monday, January 25^th. On the 12^th Daddy had all the tests run that they normally come for and then on the 13^th met with Dr. Blumenschein, his oncologist. Daddy had just recently – probably around the 9^th or so, been having more trouble breathing. The night of the 12^th, he ended up going to the emergency room – with no relief provided – because he could not get enough air. This is with him using oxygen most of the time. It turns out that both of his lungs had filled up again. Dr. B wanted Daddy to get a “Denver” catheter put in by a pulmonologist. So the appointment was set for Tuesday, January 19^th. Dr. Jimenez was very thorough and took a detailed history from Daddy. He ended up declining to do the catheter because his opinion at that time was that the fluid is due to congestive heart failure. That can be treated with medicine, and so the catheter may not be necessary. Tuesday Dr. Jimenez took x-rays and then did an ultrasound guided thoracentesis (drain the fluid) on the left side. Then the next day Dr. Jimenez did the right side. He had the results tested and his opinion is that the fluid is related to congestive heart failure.

Thursday, January 21^st, Daddy had the PET/CT scan again for his lungs and then today he had an echocardiogram and resting EKG. They have an appointment with a cardiologist on Monday to find out the results of the tests today and to determine a plan for treatment.

I believe that the results of the PET/CT scan will be talked about over the phone once Mama and Daddy get back to Albuquerque. They will be going home on Wednesday! 

Other than being very tired from a longer than expected trip – both Mama and Daddy are in really good spirits. We got to celebrate Mama’s birthday here in Houston and that was so much fun and an unexpected treat.

As a family we thank you for your continued and ongoing prayers. We know that they make a difference and so very much appreciate your love and concern.

After the Surgery

Well, Daddy came through the back surgery from this past Tuesday with FLYING COLORS. He's out and about today and Stacie just sent out this email to all:

"Just wanted to let you all know I just got a call from daddy.  He is out and about 'cause he called from his cell phone.  He said he had just gotten a call from Dr. Faccini.  She told him she's just gotten a verbal that the biopsy showed no tumor!!!!  It's a great day!"

Next up is the trip to Houston for CT/PET scans and a wedding!  It's ALL good. 

Thank you all for your prayers, we all feel them and Mama and Daddy deeply appreciate them.

Talk About STANding STRONG!!!

So, here is what the Doc at MD Anderson said after studying the new tests taken on Tuesday!!!!

 

"THE NEWS IS ALL GOOD!!!!"

"GO HOME AND ENJOY LIFE AND COME BACK IN 3 MONTHS FOR ANOTHER CT SCAN AND WE'LL DO THAT EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR A WHILE.   AT THE MOMENT YOU HAVE NO CANCER AND THEREFORE THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON YOU AT ALL."

WE HAD A BIG CELEBRATION DANCE RIGHT THERE IN HIS OFFICE AND THEN A REALLY FINE PRAYER OF THANKS SAID BY DAUGHTER KATHRYN.

THE DR. SAYS THAT THOSE THINGS, PRAYERS, ATTITUDE,  CHEMO, AND RADIATION ALL DID THEIR PART ON CLEARING OUT MY CANCER.  

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS!!

 

 

Update

I talked with Daddy today and he said that his white blood cell count was UP today when they checked it. He got the shot anyway - and will take steroid pills tomorrow in preparation for the BIG dose of Chemo on Wednesday.   Laura

Sunday, January 4, 2009

I have had a definite lack of energy since restarting the Chemo here in ABQ and it has certainly taken a toll on my hair.  Still have some on top of the head and around the edges, but it is fading fast as have my eyelashes as well as all body hair.  Only good thing is that it also slows beard growth and only need to shave about every 3rd or 4th day!!!   Also, I must stay away from all crowds and anyone who is coughing or sneezing because my white cell count down means immune system is at a low ebb.   The first update since we came home from Houston and actually started Chemo here at home in Albuquerque.   As I have stated before, we really like our Woman who is the Oncologist here at MD Anderson in ABQ .  The plan from Houston was to get two very large doses of Chemo three weeks apart and then have three weeks before going back to Houston for the tests and reports on how well the treatment has done for me.    That schedule is being followed except that she broke up the first Chemo session into three because to take that big a dose, one really needs big doses of steroids just prior to the treatment and there was not time to do that at the time of the first session.  So, I have been getting Chemo  three weeks in a row including Christmas eve and New Years Eve !!  This past Friday I had to go in for a shot and I will do it again tomorrow (Monday) . A shot to stimulate my bone marrow into making more white blood cells because my white cell count is way down due to the Chemo.  On Tuesday I will have blood test and if the count is still down will get a third shot.  I will receive two big doses of Steroids Tuesday Nite and Wed Morning and then receive the BIG dose of Chemo.  That will be the last treatment for now and on Jan 27 MDA Houston will perform a Pet scan (determines if cancer is present and if so, exactly where) among other tests to determine if all this since near the first of September has worked or not.  I SAY IT WORKED!!  From those results the Dr. there will determine if anything else is needed or when to return for further testing.  

I have had a definite lack of energy since restarting the Chemo here in ABQ and it has certainly taken a toll on my hair.  Still have some on top of the head and around the edges, but it is fading fast as have my eyelashes as well as all body hair.  Only good thing is that it also slows beard growth and only need to shave about every 3rd or 4th day!!!   Also, I must stay away from all crowds and anyone who is coughing or sneezing because my white cell count down means immune system is at a low ebb.  

These shots that I am getting to stimulate my bone marrow most of the time makes the person's bones hurt all over the body.  So far, no such thing has happened to me.  Perhaps a second and/or third shot will do that!!  

Till next Update, Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  Stan

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Carol and I went to Houston 12/9, saw the oncologist (Chemo Dr.) on 12/10, and returned home this evening 12/11.

The Dr. was verrrry pleased with the way I look and stated that I do not appear as if I have received treatment. However, he says that I now will receive two Chemo treatments 3 weeks apart. I asked him if we could start that day because we have plane reservations back to Albuquerque today. "OH Yes, I forgot you are from New Mexico. Would you like to take the Chemo there at home?? " Wow, would we prefer that!! So, within a matter of minutes he had arranged with the doctor here at home to give me the Chemo on two occasions. The first will be December 16. and the second dose will be probably JAN 6. Then we will go back to Houston on Jan 27 for a PET SCAN and meet with the Dr. the next day for the results. PET Scan can tell the Dr. if there is Cancer anywhere, and thus how well they have or have not done with the treatments.

The Chemo doses that I will get are 3 times as large as the ones I got in Houston during the Radiation/Chemo treatments. The ones I got there did a number on my stamina and made me sick at my stomach. Guess we will see what the much larger dose will do!!!

We are thrilled that we can do this here At MD Anderson-Albuquerque because it will be much easier logistically for we only live about 5 miles fro MDA here. Also, We really like the Woman Oncologist we have here. MDA Houston has been sending her all the reports on me thru my whole treatment. She is the one that told us we were doing the right thing when we went to Houston for the Proton treatments.

Thats the current news from here and we wanted to share it with you. - Stan