Some Uplifting News

Dr. Chen confirmed at my appointment this past Monday that the tumor that was between my ribs and the tumor just below my shoulder blade seem to be gone after one cycle. Woohoo!!!!! Now we are looking at 4 cycles and probably going down to just 2 drugs for cycles 5 and 6. We will keep everyone up to date.

The First Cycle

And my two rest weeks are coming to an end. Do you know what that means?? Cycle number two starts on Monday the 14th. The first cycle wasn't too bad. Wednesday was the worst day, but some drugs during hydration took care of the nausea and upset stomach. I have to give kudos to my lovely wife for insisting that I do hydration during chemo week. It has helped immensely with how I felt during the week. Mary and I thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes. Peace out!

It's hard to believe..................

that one week ago today, and at the time of this writing, I was under the knife and having a tumor removed from my lung. How time flies. Although it was great having my meals and pain pills brought to me it's still not home. I have been at home since Monday and am enjoying being able to sleep through the night without being woken up for this or woken up for that. The pain has subsided to only feeling like a mild muscle pull on my right side. Multiple doctors visits are scheduled for the next few weeks along with bloodwork and a chest x-ray. If all looks good I could be back in a couple of weeks. Hopefully the doctors agree with me. To all the folks that have been following our journey and praying for us, Mary and I would like to offer our thanks to you. Until the next update.

Peace Out!
Steve

Surgery and the day after

Steve had surgery on the 5th and Dr. Tsau did not need to remove the lobe. In fact, he was done in just under two hours, just when Geoff, Carol and I went to grab a snack in the cafeteria my buzzer went off. Dr. Tsau told me that the tumor had metastasized from his throat/neck cancer and it was not lung cancer - which is a good thing (at least that's what I've been told) and the margins were clear (I can't take credit for asking this, Geoff was there and asked). He was put in ICU (same place as when his feeding tube was in, not as scary) and hopefully will be moved to a "less expensive room" (my words) this evening after Dr. T comes in. Steve has an epidural in his back and that will most likely stay for a couple more days. Everything is fine, so far and he's feeling a little better - what a trooper. I keep saying Three Times a Charm and he will be done/finished with the big C.
Thank you to Alanna for coming yesterday morning and Geoff and Carol for spending the morning and afternoon with me. This was much appreciated.
Love to all - Mary

It's been a few months........

since the last post and I have a little discouraging news. The tumor on my lung, that was taken care of by chemo, has reappeared in the same place. Don't be too glum chum there are a couple of bright spots. The tumor is a fraction smaller, the activity is quite a bit less than the first one,it came back in the same spot, and best of all there isn't any other cancer in my body. Discussing my options with Mary and Dr. Chen, my oncologist, I have made the decision to have surgery to remove the tumor. Dr. Chen explained that although she could give me two more doses of chemo it would not benefit me. Another option would have been radiation treatment that would take care of it. But,,,,, there's always a but thrown in there, if it were to come back and I had surgery it would be a longer healing process than just having surgery right off the bat. The procedure will be handled by Dr. Pei Tsau who is a cardiothoracic surgeon that graduated from the University of Arizona. She's another one of my doctors that tells it like it is and doesn't mince words. The surgery consists of three small incisions on my right side, collapsing the lung, making a V cut in the lung and removing the tumor. The tumor will be sent to the pathologist and if it comes back that it is the same as what was in my neck two years ago they inflate the lung and close the incisions. If it is something else they will remove the entire lower lobe of my right lung. Don't fret, I have two other lobes on that side. Recuperation time is anywhere from two to four weeks. Of that four to seven days will be in the hospital. Again thanks to all for your support through this. Mary, Stephen, Alanna, and myself appreciate it.

Drum roll please.....................................

Ladies and gentlemen of the blog site I have some exciting news. I had my PET scan on Thursday and I got the results today.(Monday) And the results are..........wait for it............wait for it...............the cancer has been taken care of by the chemo. There is nothing there anymore. Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!! I celebrated this evening with an ice cold beer with dinner. I go to the radiation oncologist on Tuesday, 09/27/11, to see what is next. I will keep all informed.
Thanks for the prayers.

Cycle 4 is..........................

out the door and there ain't no more. Next will be a PET scan in a couple of weeks to see how much more, if any, the tumor has shrunk.(I'm keeping my fingers crossed) Then 5 radiation treatments in October. I'm glad the chemo is over and done with. This round was a little bit more taxing on the system physically. Plus I had to carry a fanny pack with a pump in it for a week. What a pain taking a shower. I guess it will be all worth it in the end and I shouldn't complain since I requested it for the extra % points in cure it was giving me.

I tell you it has been a crazy year for all of us. Mary and I couldn't have gotten through it without the support of our kids, Alanna and Stephen, and all of our family and friends. Hopefully this will be the last of it and we can get to living a somewhat normal lifestyle cancer free.

You can overcome all obstacles with the help and support of family and friends.

Peace out!!!!
Steve