Nothing really new to report on the past few days. Radiation and chemo are going ok, no side effects yet. I did strain my hip running on the treadmill at Duke, thought I could run through it for a couple of days, but the 7 miler on Saturday seems to have made it worse. I think it is a little better today but probably not running again tomorrow morning.
We hope to have an uneventful week this week. No trips, no extra doctor visits just work, treatments and home. We are going to cap off the week with a trip to a Cincinnati Reds game. It is back to being wild and crazy for Marti and Bill.
Thanks for caring.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Relay For Life
Marti and I just got back from participating in Relay For Life for the first time. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of such a courageous group of people.
I had three radiation treatments this week and took chemo three times as well. I get a break from the radiation over the weekend but will continue the chemo every day. So far I have had no side effects from any of the treatments. I have been able to run 6 miles the last 2 mornings, including yesterday when I assumed I could beat the rain I saw coming in on radar. Needless to say I got soaked.
On the medical news front, I found out yesterday that two additional biopsies had been preformed on my tumor, looking for specific "markers". Both test yielded results that were positive for me. Very good news.
Sunday I am playing racquetball with my oncologist. If he thinks he is going to get any sympathy from me because his knee hurts, he is sadly mistaken.
Have a great weekend and thank you for caring.
I had three radiation treatments this week and took chemo three times as well. I get a break from the radiation over the weekend but will continue the chemo every day. So far I have had no side effects from any of the treatments. I have been able to run 6 miles the last 2 mornings, including yesterday when I assumed I could beat the rain I saw coming in on radar. Needless to say I got soaked.
On the medical news front, I found out yesterday that two additional biopsies had been preformed on my tumor, looking for specific "markers". Both test yielded results that were positive for me. Very good news.
Sunday I am playing racquetball with my oncologist. If he thinks he is going to get any sympathy from me because his knee hurts, he is sadly mistaken.
Have a great weekend and thank you for caring.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Week We Have Been Waiting For.....
It is Wednesday afternoon and Marti and I have already had a good/busy week.
On Monday we drove to Durham NC to be ready for an early appointment on Tuesday. We made the drive in 2.5 hours less than it took us to fly there a couple of weeks ago. I am not sure we will always make such good time, we had easy traffic and good weather. Also judging by the number of orange barrels on the side of the road it looks like NC is getting ready to declare war on I-40.
Tuesday I had the leukapheresis (collection of my white blood cells). This was a 4 hour process which was timed down to the minute. 350 cc's of blood were collected and before they could take the IVs out of me a person was there with a cooler to collect the white blood cells and to take them to the lab to begin work on them to create my own unique vaccine.
For you bio majors I will try and explain how this is going to happen. For you Political Science majors, I will try in do it terms we can understand.
The vaccine that's created will be loaded with RNA which stimulates Dendritic Cells which will be used to fight the protien found in brain cancers. (clearly I am trying to summarize what is on a sheet of paper and really have no idea what I am talking about) In addition I will be receiving a drug called granulocyte macrophage - colony. This drug will help the vaccine boost my immune system. If you really want more information you can probably read more at the web site for the Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center.
The other interesting thing we found out is the trial is closed, they are accepting no more applicants, but somehow I got in. I believe we
must have had a strong advocate here in Danville advocating for us.
Marti and I are getting help in many different ways from many different people, and we need it. There are so many things to follow through on that we have a notebook divided by pharmacy, insurance, Commonwealth Cancer, Radiation, Duke, and UK. When we meet with any of these folks we both take notes and then compare when we get home. Still issues come up that will make you crazy.
For example my chemo drug dosage is 160mg. The drug company does not have a pill in this dosage so I will have to take a 140mg and a 20mg. While Marti was driving yesterday I received a call saying the insurance would not authorize the 140mg pill, so I would have to take 8 20mg pills at a time. The oncologist office was all over it, but the bank's HR rep got involved, an outside case manager got involved, and I spent about an hour on it. In the scheme of things it is very petty, but is an hour that all of us could have done something more important. In the end we got the 140mg pill.
By the way I had my first radiation treatment today and took the first chemo pills. One down, 32 to go. So far so good.
Thank you for caring.
On Monday we drove to Durham NC to be ready for an early appointment on Tuesday. We made the drive in 2.5 hours less than it took us to fly there a couple of weeks ago. I am not sure we will always make such good time, we had easy traffic and good weather. Also judging by the number of orange barrels on the side of the road it looks like NC is getting ready to declare war on I-40.
Tuesday I had the leukapheresis (collection of my white blood cells). This was a 4 hour process which was timed down to the minute. 350 cc's of blood were collected and before they could take the IVs out of me a person was there with a cooler to collect the white blood cells and to take them to the lab to begin work on them to create my own unique vaccine.
For you bio majors I will try and explain how this is going to happen. For you Political Science majors, I will try in do it terms we can understand.
The vaccine that's created will be loaded with RNA which stimulates Dendritic Cells which will be used to fight the protien found in brain cancers. (clearly I am trying to summarize what is on a sheet of paper and really have no idea what I am talking about) In addition I will be receiving a drug called granulocyte macrophage - colony. This drug will help the vaccine boost my immune system. If you really want more information you can probably read more at the web site for the Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center.
The other interesting thing we found out is the trial is closed, they are accepting no more applicants, but somehow I got in. I believe we
must have had a strong advocate here in Danville advocating for us.
Marti and I are getting help in many different ways from many different people, and we need it. There are so many things to follow through on that we have a notebook divided by pharmacy, insurance, Commonwealth Cancer, Radiation, Duke, and UK. When we meet with any of these folks we both take notes and then compare when we get home. Still issues come up that will make you crazy.
For example my chemo drug dosage is 160mg. The drug company does not have a pill in this dosage so I will have to take a 140mg and a 20mg. While Marti was driving yesterday I received a call saying the insurance would not authorize the 140mg pill, so I would have to take 8 20mg pills at a time. The oncologist office was all over it, but the bank's HR rep got involved, an outside case manager got involved, and I spent about an hour on it. In the scheme of things it is very petty, but is an hour that all of us could have done something more important. In the end we got the 140mg pill.
By the way I had my first radiation treatment today and took the first chemo pills. One down, 32 to go. So far so good.
Thank you for caring.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Key Dates and Other Stuff
Now that the treatment plan is in place we have goals to hit.
6/22 - Treatments start
8/8 - Last treatment
8/12 - Annual baseball trip
11/12 - Mini marathon
The annual baseball trip is something the boys (John, Sam, and Todd) and I do every year. Each year we travel to a different stadium for a couple of games and we always cheer for the home team. John and I started this about 10 years ago.
As a long time Chicago Cub fan there are a couple of principals that can never be compromised. The first is do not expect to play in, much less win, the World Series. It is just not going to happen.
Secondly, and more importantly, you have to hate the St. Louis Cardinals ( for proof of this read Are We Winning).
We always decide around Christmas where we are going the following summer and we knew that one year, if we were going to get to all the stadiums, we would have to go to St. louis. Well this is the year we are to cheer for the Cardinals. I will let you decide if the trama of going to St. Louis is what brought on the brain issue or if this is some sort of strange coincidence.
On a brighter note, all the kids, and of course grandson Will, came in yesterday and will be here today for Fathers Day. Marti's folks are coming over also so we are looking forward to a big cookout.
Happy Father's Day to any dads reading this entry.
Thank you for caring.
6/22 - Treatments start
8/8 - Last treatment
8/12 - Annual baseball trip
11/12 - Mini marathon
The annual baseball trip is something the boys (John, Sam, and Todd) and I do every year. Each year we travel to a different stadium for a couple of games and we always cheer for the home team. John and I started this about 10 years ago.
As a long time Chicago Cub fan there are a couple of principals that can never be compromised. The first is do not expect to play in, much less win, the World Series. It is just not going to happen.
Secondly, and more importantly, you have to hate the St. Louis Cardinals ( for proof of this read Are We Winning).
We always decide around Christmas where we are going the following summer and we knew that one year, if we were going to get to all the stadiums, we would have to go to St. louis. Well this is the year we are to cheer for the Cardinals. I will let you decide if the trama of going to St. Louis is what brought on the brain issue or if this is some sort of strange coincidence.
On a brighter note, all the kids, and of course grandson Will, came in yesterday and will be here today for Fathers Day. Marti's folks are coming over also so we are looking forward to a big cookout.
Happy Father's Day to any dads reading this entry.
Thank you for caring.
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Plan
We received confirmation from the Radiologist today, which was the final piece of the puzzle. The plan is for the LeukaphBeresis to be completed Tuesday and radiation and chemo to begin Wednesday. My radiation treatments will be at 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. I should be done with this phase August 8.
Marti and I continue to confuse LeukaphBeresis with Luca Brasi, who sleeps with the fishes. (Godfather)
Thank you for caring.
Marti and I continue to confuse LeukaphBeresis with Luca Brasi, who sleeps with the fishes. (Godfather)
Thank you for caring.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Two Quick Updates
1. I did miscount the treatment days in last nights post. If I start radiattion this Wednesday the 22nd (not confirmed yet) my last treatment will be August 8th, not the 1st. I blame this miscalculation squarely on the tumor/recovery/the full moon/ anything other than me just being stupid.
2. In an earlier post I mentioned that I had an Uncle and an Aunt on different sides of the family afflicted with the same diease that I have. When we discussed this with the doctors at Duke, both found it interesting but both said they were 99% sure it was NOT hereditary. No matter what else happens, that is the best news we are going to receive.
Thank you for caring.
2. In an earlier post I mentioned that I had an Uncle and an Aunt on different sides of the family afflicted with the same diease that I have. When we discussed this with the doctors at Duke, both found it interesting but both said they were 99% sure it was NOT hereditary. No matter what else happens, that is the best news we are going to receive.
Thank you for caring.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Plan Is Taking Shape - REPOST from Wednesday
This is a repost from Wednesday as somehow how it got deleted. No doubt Operator Error.
The basic treatment plan is in place and we honestly believe we have everything moving in the right direction.
The plan consist of 33 radiation treatments which we hope will start Wednesday of next week. Treatments will be 5 days a week with the weekends and the 4th of July off. If I have counted correctly the last treatment will be August 1st. During this time I will be taking a chemotherapy pill, Temador. I take this pill 7 days/week through-out the radiation period.
I have also been accepted into a clinical trail at Duke. This is a pretty cool test that they are seeing very good results. The basics are we will go back down next week and I will undergo LeukaphBeresis. This is like giving blood to yourself. They draw blood from one arm, run it through some contraption that extracts the white blood cells and then returns the blood to my body in the other arm. The white blood cells are immediately taken to the lab where they will harvest them and develop a unique vaccine for me. The blood cells need to be harvested prior to the start of radiation. The vaccines will start 2 to 3 weeks after radiation, 1 every other week for 6 weeks and then once a month for 7 months. There are no side effects to the vaccine. My only concern is that after they pull out the white blood cells the only thing left to go back into my other arm will be Miller Lite.
The doctors at Duke said they were only accepting patients in the early stages of GBM and only those with the best chance of success. He also said this was the most promising strategy. Tom Baeker agreed and said he believed immunotherapy had the best chance of making quantum leaps forward in the not too distant future.
This is really exciting stuff and as I have said before I can't wait to get started.
Thank you for caring.
The basic treatment plan is in place and we honestly believe we have everything moving in the right direction.
The plan consist of 33 radiation treatments which we hope will start Wednesday of next week. Treatments will be 5 days a week with the weekends and the 4th of July off. If I have counted correctly the last treatment will be August 1st. During this time I will be taking a chemotherapy pill, Temador. I take this pill 7 days/week through-out the radiation period.
I have also been accepted into a clinical trail at Duke. This is a pretty cool test that they are seeing very good results. The basics are we will go back down next week and I will undergo LeukaphBeresis. This is like giving blood to yourself. They draw blood from one arm, run it through some contraption that extracts the white blood cells and then returns the blood to my body in the other arm. The white blood cells are immediately taken to the lab where they will harvest them and develop a unique vaccine for me. The blood cells need to be harvested prior to the start of radiation. The vaccines will start 2 to 3 weeks after radiation, 1 every other week for 6 weeks and then once a month for 7 months. There are no side effects to the vaccine. My only concern is that after they pull out the white blood cells the only thing left to go back into my other arm will be Miller Lite.
The doctors at Duke said they were only accepting patients in the early stages of GBM and only those with the best chance of success. He also said this was the most promising strategy. Tom Baeker agreed and said he believed immunotherapy had the best chance of making quantum leaps forward in the not too distant future.
This is really exciting stuff and as I have said before I can't wait to get started.
Thank you for caring.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Yesterday-First Day Back At Work
Yesterday was my first day back at Farmers National Bank and it was great to be back. It started with a large poster on my door with "welcome back Bill" and right away I had a couple of people stopping by to welcome me back. A few minutes later I walked by the conference Room and noticed boxes of Burke's Bakery doughnuts, coffee and orange juice. A welcome back reception had been organized and I was able to see everyone at our 3rd and Main location.
I cannot express how good that made me feel. I went home for lunch yesterday and when I walked in the first thing Marti said to me was "you look energized today". It is just one more step back to normal.
Yesterday afternoon I got out and visited with some friends in the downtown area. Greg probably does not need to know all of these details as yesterday was probably not my most productive day of all time.
The only downside to yesterday is we were hoping to hear from Duke and we did not. The Duke information is the last piece of the puzzle for the treatment plan. We should know today.
By the way I got in a 5 mile run this morning before sunrise, which was, and now is again, my usual time to run. It was perfect morning to run and is another step back to normal.
Thank you for caring.
I cannot express how good that made me feel. I went home for lunch yesterday and when I walked in the first thing Marti said to me was "you look energized today". It is just one more step back to normal.
Yesterday afternoon I got out and visited with some friends in the downtown area. Greg probably does not need to know all of these details as yesterday was probably not my most productive day of all time.
The only downside to yesterday is we were hoping to hear from Duke and we did not. The Duke information is the last piece of the puzzle for the treatment plan. We should know today.
By the way I got in a 5 mile run this morning before sunrise, which was, and now is again, my usual time to run. It was perfect morning to run and is another step back to normal.
Thank you for caring.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Back to Answer the Tough Questions
With Sarah and Todd in Aruba (rough life) and Mom and Dad traveling back and forth to Duke, I'm sure many of you have questions. Well don't you worry. I'm back with all the answers.
Sarah and Todd are in Aruba?
Yep
Why?
Their Honeymoon
Wait, wasn't their wedding like three years ago?
Yeah, I don't really have a good answer for this one
O.k. so on to more important matters. Your parents went to Duke?
Yeah. In case you haven't heard, their hospital is kind of good.
So, it's o.k. to admit that Duke is good at something?
Duke is a really good school and has a really good hospital. This is something you probably should have admitted to yourself a long time ago.
Do we have to cheer for Duke sports now?
Absolutely not. In fact, that is discouraged.
What about that stupid Laettner shot they show 1,000,000 times every March? Am I supposed to pretend to enjoy watching that?
No. Whenever they show that clip, you should constantly remind people that this also happened.
What about when Duke plays someone equally awful (i.e. Louisville, IU, Tennessee)? Should I cheer for Duke then?
No. You should do what I do, watch and hope that some third team emerges spontaneously during the game to defeat both teams.
Has this ever happened in the history of college sports?
Not to my knowledge.
Sam, we're starting to get worried. This is your second post on this blog that basically consist of you answering your own questions.
Shut up.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Book Review - Unbroken
Again, no medical news today however I did just finish an excellent book my brother gave as I was going in for surgery. Unbroken was written by Laura Hillenbrand, who also wrote Seabiscuit. The book is about Louie Zamperini, a man that ran in 1936 Olympics in Berlin and should have been the first person to break the 4 minute mile. Instead he joined the Air Force at the start of World War II. In 1943 he was shot down over the Pacific Ocean and spent 40 plus days in a raft with 2 other men. They finally drifted onto an island that was held by the Japanese.
He was held as a POW until the end of the war. The beatings, living conditions, lack of food and water he survived on for 2 years is truly unbelievable. However the way he endured these sufferings, by maintaing his pride and dignity, is the remarkable part of the story. At one point the author writes "without dignity identity is erased. In it's absence, people are defined not by themselves but by the circumstances in which they are forced to live".
How cool is that?
Thanks for caring.
He was held as a POW until the end of the war. The beatings, living conditions, lack of food and water he survived on for 2 years is truly unbelievable. However the way he endured these sufferings, by maintaing his pride and dignity, is the remarkable part of the story. At one point the author writes "without dignity identity is erased. In it's absence, people are defined not by themselves but by the circumstances in which they are forced to live".
How cool is that?
Thanks for caring.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
More Help
No medical news today but I just wanted to mention a special medallion I received from our very good friends, the Weavers. I knew if there was a Saint to cover what we are going through either Jean Crowley or Jamie Weaver would find him/ her.
Sure enough yesterday I received from Jamie a medallion for Saint Peregrine, the Patron Saint of cancer patients.
Saint Peregrine was known for his preaching, penances, and giving counsel to individuals. He was cured of cancer after he received a vision of Christ on the cross reaching out his hand to touch his cancerous leg.
Thanks Jamie. Saint Peregrine and I are now traveling together at all times.
Thank you for caring.
Sure enough yesterday I received from Jamie a medallion for Saint Peregrine, the Patron Saint of cancer patients.
Saint Peregrine was known for his preaching, penances, and giving counsel to individuals. He was cured of cancer after he received a vision of Christ on the cross reaching out his hand to touch his cancerous leg.
Thanks Jamie. Saint Peregrine and I are now traveling together at all times.
Thank you for caring.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Duke Trip
Tuesday Marti and I flew to Duke for 2 days of meetings with doctors, nurses and other support staff. The trip was uneventful except for the landing in Raleigh. It was perfect on the 2nd try.
Wednesday morning we met with Dr. Sumrall and Dr. Reardon. They were very encouraging regarding long term prospects and laid out 3 options for treatment. They also stressed how important the successful brain surgery was, the fact that I am in relatively good shape and actually my age was a positive. Of the 3 options the one we are leaning towards would involve some potion of the treatment being done at Duke. Any treatment we ultimately decide on will involve 33 radiation treatments and a daily chemo pill, Temodar. We had hoped to have made the treatment decision today but we are waiting on blood test results from Duke which we should have by Monday we think.
On Thursday we met with Dr. Reardon's Nurse Clinician who passed on information relative to potential side effects as well as what to expect with weekly blood counts. She also left us with a binder full of stuff to read.
After the nurse, a social worker came in. She was very nice and said I see where you wanted to speak with a social worker. We answered that we had not made this request which made this a very short meeting.
After returning the rental car we jumped on the shuttle bus to take us to the airport and a car promptly smashed into the side of our bus. No one was hurt but really, what next?
The bottomline is I am 2 weeks removed from surgery. I feel great. I ran 5 miles this morning. Every doctor that has looked at the pre and post MRI says that Dr. Pitmann did great job. I have treatment options that I am excited about and really want to get this started. Once I know exactly what the treatment plan will be I will pass it on.
Until then have a great weekend.
Thanks for caring.
Wednesday morning we met with Dr. Sumrall and Dr. Reardon. They were very encouraging regarding long term prospects and laid out 3 options for treatment. They also stressed how important the successful brain surgery was, the fact that I am in relatively good shape and actually my age was a positive. Of the 3 options the one we are leaning towards would involve some potion of the treatment being done at Duke. Any treatment we ultimately decide on will involve 33 radiation treatments and a daily chemo pill, Temodar. We had hoped to have made the treatment decision today but we are waiting on blood test results from Duke which we should have by Monday we think.
On Thursday we met with Dr. Reardon's Nurse Clinician who passed on information relative to potential side effects as well as what to expect with weekly blood counts. She also left us with a binder full of stuff to read.
After the nurse, a social worker came in. She was very nice and said I see where you wanted to speak with a social worker. We answered that we had not made this request which made this a very short meeting.
After returning the rental car we jumped on the shuttle bus to take us to the airport and a car promptly smashed into the side of our bus. No one was hurt but really, what next?
The bottomline is I am 2 weeks removed from surgery. I feel great. I ran 5 miles this morning. Every doctor that has looked at the pre and post MRI says that Dr. Pitmann did great job. I have treatment options that I am excited about and really want to get this started. Once I know exactly what the treatment plan will be I will pass it on.
Until then have a great weekend.
Thanks for caring.
Monday, June 6, 2011
June 6th Update
We had a fairly quiet weekend with Sarah and Todd coming in from Louisville.
Although getting a chance to jog a little bit was fantastic, the highlight of the weekend was attending Mass. Father Tom met me with a huge hug and welcomed me back home. It was great to be back.
Today I was able to have the staples removed from the incision. Also I was fitted for a mask today to be used during the radiation phase of this process. These sessions will be 5 days/week and will start in the next 10 days to 2 weeks. I am doing a little running because it is good for my mental health but more importantly I want to be in as good of shape as possible starting out the radiation.
I also stopped by Farmers National Bank today where I have received nothing but support and request from people to do anything we need. It was an easy first step back to work. Hang in there one more week Sharon. I still plan to be back full time a week from today.
By Friday we should have all the information we need to finalize the treatment part of this adventure.
Thank you for caring.
Although getting a chance to jog a little bit was fantastic, the highlight of the weekend was attending Mass. Father Tom met me with a huge hug and welcomed me back home. It was great to be back.
Today I was able to have the staples removed from the incision. Also I was fitted for a mask today to be used during the radiation phase of this process. These sessions will be 5 days/week and will start in the next 10 days to 2 weeks. I am doing a little running because it is good for my mental health but more importantly I want to be in as good of shape as possible starting out the radiation.
I also stopped by Farmers National Bank today where I have received nothing but support and request from people to do anything we need. It was an easy first step back to work. Hang in there one more week Sharon. I still plan to be back full time a week from today.
By Friday we should have all the information we need to finalize the treatment part of this adventure.
Thank you for caring.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Adventures with Dad
Dad and I have shared some classic moments during this whole ordeal. While I'm sure there will be many more to come, it's time to update our blog friends on my two current favorites.
Last Friday, the day we were discharged, I was at the hospital with Mom and Dad to help escort our less than 24-hours ago surgery patient to the car. As Dad and I gathered his remaining belongings, we began to realize how bad this was about to appear. For starters, Dad did not have any shoes. They had apparently been packed in another bag. So here I am directing this guy in a gauze cap and slipper socks out of the hospital. As we paced around looking for Mom (our getaway car), we received many puzzled and disapproving looks.
Todd and I are back in Danville this weekend. Yesterday the four of us (Mom, Dad, Todd and myself) went to the park. With the approval of Dr. Marti (and some actual doctors, too) Dad decided that he wanted to try running. We did the 2 mile loop. I say we, but let me clarify. Dad claims he is ready for things to get back to normal, no more pity parties. With that being said, let the record show that some of us did 4 miles (me). In true Dad fashion (and probably because he knew I would be posting a blog entry today), we went back to the park this morning, where he not only did the 4 miles with me, but also sprinted at the end to beat me. Punk.
Last Friday, the day we were discharged, I was at the hospital with Mom and Dad to help escort our less than 24-hours ago surgery patient to the car. As Dad and I gathered his remaining belongings, we began to realize how bad this was about to appear. For starters, Dad did not have any shoes. They had apparently been packed in another bag. So here I am directing this guy in a gauze cap and slipper socks out of the hospital. As we paced around looking for Mom (our getaway car), we received many puzzled and disapproving looks.
Todd and I are back in Danville this weekend. Yesterday the four of us (Mom, Dad, Todd and myself) went to the park. With the approval of Dr. Marti (and some actual doctors, too) Dad decided that he wanted to try running. We did the 2 mile loop. I say we, but let me clarify. Dad claims he is ready for things to get back to normal, no more pity parties. With that being said, let the record show that some of us did 4 miles (me). In true Dad fashion (and probably because he knew I would be posting a blog entry today), we went back to the park this morning, where he not only did the 4 miles with me, but also sprinted at the end to beat me. Punk.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Friday June 3rd Update
Let’s start this post with a little levity. This falls in the category of “there is nothing left to do but laugh”.
For those of you not reading this in central Kentucky I need to let you know that we went from a very wet cool spring to the middle of hot and humid in about a minute and a half. To my family in south Texas and Florida it may not sound like a big deal to you, but it has been August like around here.
Late Wednesday afternoon we noticed that our air conditioning was not working. Neighbors were here in a heartbeat with extra fans and Custom Air has been fabulous. Monty came out yesterday afternoon, declared it a dead compressor, called Lexington late in the day yesterday and secured one, Dr. Marti exchanged her surgical gown for a delivery hat, picked up the compressor this morning and it has been installed and we are cooling again. More thanks, this time they go out to my neighbors and Custom Air/Monty, Frank and Chris.
A belated word about Marti; She is the one that has gotten me this far and I am sure will get me all the way down the road. She is part doctor, therapist, realist, humorist (let’s not forget the picture she took right after they marked me surgery or the fact she called me out when I said I may not be able to walk 5 mile with her) and apparently delivery driver. Marti is the one who first noticed some of my changes and insisted on telling everyone she knew. More about Martha Jane in post to come.
Apparently I have not said exactly what I have but it is a Glioblastoma multiforme. I stand by “nasty” from an earlier post. The other news is that my uncle on my Mom’s side died from the same thing 11 years ago and I found out today my aunt on my Dad’s side death certfiicate indicated she died from something called an “infiltrating glioma” in 1946. Same monster by a different name? I don’t know yet.
Yesterday Marti and I were welcomed by Pat and David Liebschutz who are blazing this trail ahead of us. Marti and I are on step 3 of the journey while the Liebschutz are miles ahead. Nonetheless it was somewhat calming to know we have a tremendous resource that will answer questions ranging from treatment types and side effects to the best place to have lunch in Raleigh/Durham. What a great example to try and emulate.
With nothing new on the horizon the blog is taking a couple of days off. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Once more, thank you for caring.
For those of you not reading this in central Kentucky I need to let you know that we went from a very wet cool spring to the middle of hot and humid in about a minute and a half. To my family in south Texas and Florida it may not sound like a big deal to you, but it has been August like around here.
Late Wednesday afternoon we noticed that our air conditioning was not working. Neighbors were here in a heartbeat with extra fans and Custom Air has been fabulous. Monty came out yesterday afternoon, declared it a dead compressor, called Lexington late in the day yesterday and secured one, Dr. Marti exchanged her surgical gown for a delivery hat, picked up the compressor this morning and it has been installed and we are cooling again. More thanks, this time they go out to my neighbors and Custom Air/Monty, Frank and Chris.
A belated word about Marti; She is the one that has gotten me this far and I am sure will get me all the way down the road. She is part doctor, therapist, realist, humorist (let’s not forget the picture she took right after they marked me surgery or the fact she called me out when I said I may not be able to walk 5 mile with her) and apparently delivery driver. Marti is the one who first noticed some of my changes and insisted on telling everyone she knew. More about Martha Jane in post to come.
Apparently I have not said exactly what I have but it is a Glioblastoma multiforme. I stand by “nasty” from an earlier post. The other news is that my uncle on my Mom’s side died from the same thing 11 years ago and I found out today my aunt on my Dad’s side death certfiicate indicated she died from something called an “infiltrating glioma” in 1946. Same monster by a different name? I don’t know yet.
Yesterday Marti and I were welcomed by Pat and David Liebschutz who are blazing this trail ahead of us. Marti and I are on step 3 of the journey while the Liebschutz are miles ahead. Nonetheless it was somewhat calming to know we have a tremendous resource that will answer questions ranging from treatment types and side effects to the best place to have lunch in Raleigh/Durham. What a great example to try and emulate.
With nothing new on the horizon the blog is taking a couple of days off. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Once more, thank you for caring.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
DEADLINE TODAY!
I always hate it when people type using all CAPS and lots of exclamation points because I feel like they are yelling at me over the computer. Well, now I am actually yelling at you because:
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO GET THE $50 PRICE FOR THE HALF-MARATHON REGISTRATION!!!!!! GO TO http://lscmarathon.com TO SIGN-UP!!!!!!
As Nike says: Just do it.
Update (2:37 p.m.):
According to their Facebook page, the deadline for the $50 fee is now tomorrow. The marathon's website has both dates as the deadline. I am confused. So to be safe, go ahead and register today. K, thanks.
June 2nd Update
Quite a bit of stuff going on.
Marti and I got in three good walks yesterday and started today with a mile and a half.
We then had our first consultation with Dr. Carlsen, the Radiologist I will be seeing here in Danville. The next step is to go in Monday, have the staples removed and begin the process of mapping the radiation therapy. Start date, and the exact number of treatments are to be determined.
On Tuesday of next week Marti and I are headed to Duke University to consult with Dr. Reardon who was just recently named Clinical Director, Center for Neurological-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institue, Boston. We have meetings with Dr. Readon on Wednesday and Thursday and will return home Thursday night.
The plan is coming together. And with the framework of a plan a couple of short term goals are required.
1. First jog approximately 5:30 am Tuesday June 7th. Coach Jeff Thornton has volunteered to come along.
2. Back to work full time - Monday June 13th.
Enough sitting, eating and watching the Cubs lose. I just hope it is warm Tuesday morning.
Marti and I got in three good walks yesterday and started today with a mile and a half.
We then had our first consultation with Dr. Carlsen, the Radiologist I will be seeing here in Danville. The next step is to go in Monday, have the staples removed and begin the process of mapping the radiation therapy. Start date, and the exact number of treatments are to be determined.
On Tuesday of next week Marti and I are headed to Duke University to consult with Dr. Reardon who was just recently named Clinical Director, Center for Neurological-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institue, Boston. We have meetings with Dr. Readon on Wednesday and Thursday and will return home Thursday night.
The plan is coming together. And with the framework of a plan a couple of short term goals are required.
1. First jog approximately 5:30 am Tuesday June 7th. Coach Jeff Thornton has volunteered to come along.
2. Back to work full time - Monday June 13th.
Enough sitting, eating and watching the Cubs lose. I just hope it is warm Tuesday morning.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
June 1st Update
First of all a brief disclaimer. Marti and I know that this will be a long journey with highs and lows along the way. Our intent is to never get too out of whack high or low. I am going to give you all as much information as I can but please realize that everything (good or bad) is just one step in the process.
The other point to make is this is all foreign territory for us. At times we may have to go back and correct something from an earlier post because we just did not understand something properly.
Today's news:
We met with Dr. Baeker yesterday and are in the process of developing an aggressive treatment plan. More to come on this in the next few days.
The tumor is a "nasty" tumor and re-occurrence is the overriding concern.
However the surgeon has indicated he got it all but please reread the last sentence. The overriding concern is it will come back. Nonetheless the fact that they got all that was there is great news!
Other positive stuff:
I am in relatively decent shape, which will help in the fight.
The tumor was a frontal tumor which is better than others.
We were in Lexington this morning for a follow up with the neurosurgeon. He indicated the staples could come out in few days, week at the most, once that happens he will release me to work, probably starting with half days.
I was released to drive and drove home from Lexington.
I can begin exercising and he even said I could start some "light" jogging. However on the way home I received an unsolicited 2nd opinion from Dr. Marti who said I would NOT start any jogging light or otherwise until the staples are out.
I have an appointment with Dr. Carlsen tomorrow to lay out a radiation plan.
And as always I have to say the prayers and positive thoughts are working. Thank you so much.
The other point to make is this is all foreign territory for us. At times we may have to go back and correct something from an earlier post because we just did not understand something properly.
Today's news:
We met with Dr. Baeker yesterday and are in the process of developing an aggressive treatment plan. More to come on this in the next few days.
The tumor is a "nasty" tumor and re-occurrence is the overriding concern.
However the surgeon has indicated he got it all but please reread the last sentence. The overriding concern is it will come back. Nonetheless the fact that they got all that was there is great news!
Other positive stuff:
I am in relatively decent shape, which will help in the fight.
The tumor was a frontal tumor which is better than others.
We were in Lexington this morning for a follow up with the neurosurgeon. He indicated the staples could come out in few days, week at the most, once that happens he will release me to work, probably starting with half days.
I was released to drive and drove home from Lexington.
I can begin exercising and he even said I could start some "light" jogging. However on the way home I received an unsolicited 2nd opinion from Dr. Marti who said I would NOT start any jogging light or otherwise until the staples are out.
I have an appointment with Dr. Carlsen tomorrow to lay out a radiation plan.
And as always I have to say the prayers and positive thoughts are working. Thank you so much.
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