12/23/10 Update

I may not have mentioned it but a few months ago I developed a hernia in my groin. Last month I met with my surgeon to have it repaired and we set a date for January 3rd to have it done.

Before hand I would need clearance from my cardiologist. So I have a cardiolite stress test last week and met with him to review the results. It turns out that I have a blocked artery . The same one that I had angioplasty on 22 years ago. That explained the chest discomfort I was experiencing each time I exerted myself.

The remedy would be to put a stent in but since my platelets are still low that's not possible.
They need to be over 100. On my last blood test two weeks ago they had risen to 65.

So we have had to put on hold both the hernia repair and the stent. They did put me on some heart medicine as an interim measure.

In the meantime my next pet scan is scheduled for 1/19/11 to see how my cancer is doing.

So as you can see things have gotten complicated. But with God's grace and your prayers things will all work out .

12/4/10 Update

Well my platelets are holding steady at 59 for the second month in a row!

We'll check them again in another month.

I also have a pet scan scheduled for mid- January to see how my cancer is doing.

Looking forward to the holidays! Hope yours are Happy and Holy!

10/2/10 Update

My recent pet scan results indicate no cancerous activity which was further confirmed by my CEA reading of 3.2!

My platelet readings continue to show a decline at 58k. I will be meeting with a hematologist next week to get some testing to determine the cause.

The Phillies have won their division and are about to begin post season play on their way to another World Series Championship!

The Eagles on the other hand continue to get banged up and have just lost to Mc Nabb's Redskins!!

9/4/10 Update

For some unknown reason my platelets have dropped to 65,000. Perhaps my last reading was false.

I will have another blood test in a couple of weeks to see if the downward trend continues.

If so we will determine what kind of treatment will be required.

I will post another update then...jm

More good news!

My platelets have rebounded to 104,000!

We'll check on them monthly to see if they get back to the normal level of 150,000.

I'll update you then....jm

All Gone!

According to my Pet Scan last week there are no more tumors in my liver!

So all looks good for now. I get another scan in October to continue to keep an eye on things.

Otherwise my blood test indicates my CEA is 4.8 which is very good but my platelets are 77,ooo which is below normal so I have another blood test in a month to check on it. It may have been a side effect to the radiation .

I'll post an update then. Hopefully the heat wave will have ended by then!!

Recovering

On Tuesday I learned that the radiation took out all the tumors in my liver except one. But it's anticipated that the radiation will keep working and may also remove the remaining one.

Most of my side effects have pretty much subsided and I'm beginning to feel normal.

I'll have another scan in two months.

So basically good news!!

Pet Scan

Had my Pet scan on Thursday and meet with my Oncologist on Tuesday for the results.
Feeling much better but still not 100%. Perhaps in another week or so...jm

3/26/10 Appointment

Met with Dr. Kerr, my new Lancaster oncologist ,on Friday. My previous one went into a private practice but I preferred to stay with LGH.

Kerr seemed to be very nice and I understand from many sources very competent and caring.

He reviewed my recent blood work and examined me. He feels I am tolerating the beads well.

In about 3 weeks I will have a pet scan to see what effect they are having.

It's been about 5 weeks since they were inserted and I continue to feel weak and fatigued. I do get a spurt now and then but it doesn't last long. But as long as it's doing the job I'm fine with it.

Have a Happy Easter!!!...jm

Follow up appointment

Saw my oncologist yesterday and she said my liver is holding up well so far. My only side effects have been a loss of appetite and feeling weak and fatigued. This is expected to continue for another week and then start to subside. I will be house bound til then.

My next follow up appointment will be in 3 weeks with a pet scan in 6 weeks. After all this radiation I will soon probably start to glow in the dark!....jm

The real thing!

All went well yesterday with my radiation treatment!

They inserted several million radio active "beads' through an arterial catheter into my liver.

They will collect in my tumors and and stop their growth and possibly shrink them .

They will remain active for a month .The greatest activity occurs during the first week so I 'm not supposed to get close to people during that time so as not to affect them.

Not exactly an easy task for me!

Otherwise there may be some minor symptoms but I'm feeling fine today.

If anything new develops I'll keep you posted!...jm

Trial Run

Had my trial run today and all went well. Not too invasive and with minimal side effects.

My next Treatment will be on February 23rd..

1/19/10 appointment

Met with Dr. Putnam today at Fox Chase. He recommended and explained a radiology procedure involving Sir Spheres. Radio active "beads" are inserted into the liver to collect in any tumors and effectivly burn them out.

I am scheduled for a trial run on Thursday 2/4 to be followed by a full procedure a week later.
These are both out patient treatments.

Well at least it won't interfere with my birthday on 2/3..... 71!!

Miracle!

The reason for my colonoscopy was that a few weeks ago my pet scan showed what appeared to be cancerous activity in my colon. I'm happy to report that the colonoscopy was negative!

No cancer there!

I don't normally pray for a cure but rather that I be given the strength to endure whatever God has in store for me. But this time I did ask that we not complicate matters with cancer in the colon as well as in the liver. My prayers were answered and I am very grateful.

We will now decide how best to handle the tumors in the liver.

Keep praying for me and all those who are in need of God's help.

You , of course, are always in my prayers.

Colonoscopy

Well I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy on Thursday the 7th. I actually had a precautionary one last year and it didn't show anything. So we'll see what this one says.