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

Friday, November 14, 2008

IT'S BEEN A GOOD WEEK !!

First of all , all of our kids but Placitas Daughter & Hubby Stacie and Barry were here at Kenneth's house for an early celebration of my 80TH Birthday. Which was actually on Tuesday Nov. 11. We had a great deal of visiting, A lot of GREAT Birthday cards, chips and dips, and a SUPER CAKE. (NO, it did not have 80 candles as the local fire ordinance will not permit such a blaze!!!)

Then, Tuesday the 11th was an easy day down at MD Anderson, so that was celebration enough for the real day.

A MINOR CELEBRATION YESTERDAY THE 13TH!! The Last Chemo was taken yesterday!!! The last one, that is, until Dec 10th. Dr. Blumenschein may or may not order another one then and again on January 7 maybe another one. But at least they are all over for now!!

Including today there are only 4 more Proton Radiation treatments. HURRRRRAY!! Next Wednesday the 19th will be the last Proton and we fly home on the 20th!! I get a haircut on the 21st. (Of what's still left of the grey stuff) I have found the ONE TINY benefit of Chemotherapy. Takes about 3 minutes to shave every third day. The beard REALLY slowed down it's growing!! I assume that it will resume it's normal growth along with the hair on the head once all this Chemo stuff stops. It's my understanding that both the chemo and the radiation continue to do their work for about 2 to 3 weeks after the last treatment.

Everyone have a good week-end and rest assured that all is going well here because of your prayers and the incredible treatments that I am receiving.

Stan & Carol

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Yesterday we met with Dr. Blumenschein, the Oncologist (Chemo Dr.) He had not seen me in 3 weeks. He did his usual exam of listening, poking and prodding and a lot of questions about how I have been coping with the usual side effects. He was thrilled with what he SAW, HEARD, and MY ANSWERS. Then he said "YOU just don't look like you are in treatment. You don't look it at all, your chest doesn't sound like you are in treatment, and the side effects you have are like those of a person JUST STARTING treatment." We were thrilled!!

We talked a bit about when we come back for the larger dose of Chemo. He said, "originally I had said 3 weeks and 3 weeks. Let's plan on 5 weeks from today and that makes it Dec. 10. We'll examine you and decide if you need another Chemo at that time. Chances are we will do one, and it will be a very much larger dose. Then see you again on Jan 7 and examine you, and probably another Chemo, and then probably about 6 weeks later have a CT scan to see if we got it all. (With all those trips in the near future I need to remember to buy stock in Southwest Airlines!!)

Then he really blew me away. He said something like "this is the worst of it." I took him to mean the two larger doses were the worst of it, and I said, "I've heard that the larger doses are the worst." Then he said, "NO, NO, I mean right now is the worst of it! You will skate thru the larger doses because they are not every 7 days like these have been and your system has more time to recuperate and you won't be getting Radiation at the same time."

He is about 6' 4" or 5", and at one time I was standing on a small stool getting down off the exam table and therefore was about an inch taller than him. I said, " I'm really losing my hair right now," and I looked at the top of his head and even though I have about 35 years on him, I right now have more hair than he does. Oh, wow, he looked at me and simply said, "It'll probably come back in RED."

As he was walking out the door, he was saying, "YOU just don't look like you are in treatment." Carol and I were on top of the world and did a little dance there in the exam room and did some high 5's to Celebrate.

On Monday past I sent out an update that told of my increased nausea and fatigue. Must have been a sort of phase I was going thru because that is actually somewhat better now. (Three Cheers) I am currently leaving a Grey trail behind me. Hair seems to be falling out fast. (The good news is that my beard has actually slowed down it's growth.) - Stan

November 3, 2008

The effects of both Chemo and Radiation are both building. They are
cumulative and we see it almost daily. In fatigue and nausea. Don't
I look tired in the photo above?? But I get some really good rest in
between bouts. Soooo... I would say that I'm doin fine and can FEEL all
the prayers that are being said for us. Only 13 more Proton Radiation
treatments and only TWO more Chemo's before we go home for a while.
We do fly home on Nov. 20. We should find out this week just exactly
when we will be coming back twice for the two large doses of Chemo
about 3 weeks and 6 weeks after this main regimen is over. So, when
we find that out, I'll let you know. Stan & Carol