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.
Friday, June 10, 2011
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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