finishingup

I know it has been a while since my last post but that is actually a good thing.  To catch you up.. after treatment #6 my doctor took me off the adriamycin.  A nurse call it "the red devil".. and she was right.  Doc substituted another med in it's place and and ordered an echo-cardiogram.. The echo was normal.. thank God.. because the adriamycin has a side effect on the heart.

Round 7 was given 3 weeks ago with the substituted med and I tolerated it so much better..  It's the third week and I feel like my old self.  Still dealing with numbness in the hands and feet.  My weight is 206 which is a little more that what I want, but I'll deal with that later.  My last treatment is Wednesday 10/31.. Halloween.  I'm hoping the nurses dress up.. I have a PET scan scheduled for December 3rd and a doctor's appointment on 12/7.
I'm still working from home as my white counts are below 3.0 consistently.. I have not been sick like with a cold or fever.. which is great and even though at times my WBC is low, and my neutrophil count were low before my treatments, my counts have come back to a point where I can take my treatment without getting a Neurlasta shot..

So I'm looking forward to being done.. getting my hair back, and the feelings in my fingers too..

Thanks you all for your prayers and thoughts.. God Bless you all as we begin to enter into the holiday season..

Round 6

After Round 4 I had a CT scan.  The results came back pretty good.. The lymphoma has shrunk in half and it's response to the chem is very good.  All my organs are normal.. things inside are great !   I met with y doctor who is recommending we take this out to 8 treatments,  which is what I was planning on anyway.. So today was round 6.. My CBC last week had a WBC of 1.7 which the doctor felt was low.. so we had another one done today and my WBC bounced back to 2.5 which meant I did not need a shot of neulastin.
So I tool my treatment and mom took me to lunch after I was done.. Thanks mom !!  I came home and took a nice nap and am now relaxing, watching The Big Bang Theory..   So six down and two to go, then life should return to normal.. well almost.. We are now looking at 2 weddings this year.. Peter and Holly in June, and Jon got engaged to Sammy this weekend.. They are looking at a late summer wedding.. we are so excited for both couples and I get 2 beautiful daughters in addition to my beautiful Annie..

Pre-round 5 appointment

It's been a while and things have been good.  I've been feeling real good after the last couple of rounds of chemo.  After the first day or so I'm bouncing back better.  Today I went to the doctor for the pre-chemo visit.  My weight is increasing.. I'm at 200 lbs now.. which I may want to hold back a few pounds.. I like the 180-190 range myself.  My white count is normal and my hemoglobin and hematocrit is back up to the 14 and 42 range respectively. That explains my energy.. We got a copy of the CT scan I had last week and the scan reported good news.  The lymphoma has shrunk to about half it's size and reports the chemo is working quite well with all my internal organs normal.  Praise GOD !!!
I've been exploring additional activities this week as I was on vacation.  Andrew and I went to the driving range and hit a bucket of balls.  I helped Jon out today with his "water extravaganza" youth event.. that was fun and boy am I tired.. So round 5 is scheduled for Monday morning.. let's keep shrinking this thing !!

Pre-Round 4 doctors appointment..

I'm recovering from round 3 really well.  It seems like it took a few more days for my digestion track to spring back but once everything evened out I feel great.  Yesterday I felt like getting some exercise so I went out and mowed the lawn.  Boy did that feel good.

Today I had my doctor's appointment prior to my next round of chemo.  The doctor and the nurse practitioner examined me and neither one of them could detect an abdominal mass or any enlarged nodes. The doctor and the NP were very happy with my progress.  Dr. Charlie actually said I was doing fantastic. 
Round 4 is scheduled for this Wednesday.  We are 99% sure that I'll only need a total of 6 treatments.  I'll get scheduled for a CAT scan around the 20th of August.  I am at the top of the hill and can start coming down the other side of the hill.

Round 3 day 5

Sunday.
The weekend went pretty well.  In all  honesty I felt a little drawn out this weekend.  A little tired as the meds work their way through. So I take it easy..  Pick one thing a day and accomplish that.  Saturday I went to see Spiderman with Andrew, Jon and Sammy.. Loved the movie !!   Sunday I went to church and then to my moms with Peter and Holly.  Went to Friendlies for lunch, Thanks mom !! and it was great.. God I miss have a Friendlies in Albany county !!

I'm off the prednesone now and the Alopirinol.. so no more meds until the next round.. YEAH !!   Back to work after the weekend will be good.. Always good to keep busy..

Round 3 - Day 1

I had a 9:15am appointment which started with a CBC to check my white count.  Guess it was OK because they started the treatment about 10:15am or so.  Annie drove me and stayed for a bit but it's so boring for anyone to just sit there for a few hours.. so I sent Annie home.  My mom showed up just as the Rutuxan was going in.  The infusion was given this time without having to use a pump.. The drugs just went in one after the other infusion rates were manually set. I was done by 1:00pm..
One thing I did discover was the nurse that took care of me 2 out of 3 times is a Christian.  She actually knows the leader that Jon is with on his mission trip this week.   That is what we call an accidental intercession..
So tonight we ordered pizza of which I may have eaten one more piece than I should have... but I feel good.. a little drawn out.. but a good night sleep will help for sure.  Cannot wait to see Jon tomorrow evening.. and having him home.

Pre-Round 3 doctors appointment

Saw Dr. W. yesterday.  He seemed very pleased with my progress.  He even rubbed my nearly hairless head for luck.. He seems pleased there are no node involvement.  He checks my neck, axillary (armpit), and groin nodes. He felt around in my belly but did not take a measurement, but he did seem pleased.  

I'll have a CT scan after my 4th round treatment. 

I am still feeling very well, strong and healthy.  We shall see how this third round does tomorrow and I am very optimistic. 

Saturday - after my vacation

Hey folks.. It has been a week or so since I posted a blog note and that was primarily because I was up at Schroon Lake with the fam. enjoying a week of time off.  I'm feeling real good.  I still have some numbness in my fingers but my strength is coming back.  Being up at Schroon lake I was walking a mile or two a day, from the house back and forth to the beach and town.  I've been very careful about sun exposure because I have been told that the drugs do make you more sensitive to burning... so far so good..I think holly got more sunburn than anyone.  The week was very restful.. I read the book killing Lincoln by Sean Hannity and HIGHLY recommend it !!   It is a well written fast read that opened my eyes to a series of events that surrounded Lincoln's assassination that I never knew !!
I have a doctor's appointment Monday for a check up and from there I'll have round 3 scheduled.  I'm for all practical purposes assuming that I'll have 8 treatments.. just because of the size of the Lymphoma alone.  When first discovered it was 17 cm.. at the last appointment 10 days after treatment #1 the lymphoma measured 12 cm..  We'll see what Monday brings.
Thank your for your continued prayers.. They ARE my strength !!

Round 2 Day 10

A good day today.  Hot weather and I have my midterm blood word done.  WBC 3.7.. not too bad.  Hemoglobin is a little lower than the last CBC which is nothing to worry about..and probably explains a little more fatigue I'm having.  But that is ok because I'm now on vacation !!   Hope to be heading up north next week for some well needed rest and relaxation.   Really looking forward to reading, and watching some Big Bang episodes as well as some movies..

Round 2 - Day 6

Monday..
Day one after the last dose of prednisone.  Worked the day today but I think I had too active of a weekend..  I had to take an hour nap at like 5pm.. I was so tired.  But I did get up and cook some nice chicken on the grill and had dinner. 

Stomach is battling the intestinal adjustments as the med work out of my system.  Nothing bad.. no hemorrhoids this time.. so far..Planning a nice quiet evening this week and early to bed.  Good night folks !

Round 2 - Day 4

Saturday..
Last night we got to see my niece graduate High School. Was a very nice ceremony and Kayla received an award to boot for music.  didn't get home until maybe 10:30pm.. was tired to say.. 

Slept in till 8:30 or so..  It's the only day of the week I can do that.. So I took advantage of it.  I made pancakes for the kids and after taking my meds, watched a little TV.  I feel real good.. Have to keep an eye on Mr. Colon to be sure he behaves.   My hare continues to thin out.  More noticable each day.. Where are those tootsie pop lolly pops...
It was so nice out that I decided to clean out the inside of the Rav.  Vacuumed it (wow what a mess).  Power cleaned the mats.. which were gross.. and give it a light wash.  Well that wiped me out... so now I just took a little nappy and had dinner and decided to write a little.  Looks like a relaxing night..  so I'm going to take advantage of it.  I'll be going to church tomorrow,  running the board will be good.  I miss doing it..
Continuing to serve Him.
.

Round 2 Day 3..

Tolerating this round very well.. no real nausea and my appetite is still pretty good.  I'm actually working full days without too much fatigue, but as it gets close to like 8pm... I'm ready for bed.  I'm sleeping well.. getting up a few times to go to the bathroom..
Still drinking lots of fluids and eating good food..  If I have to have 8 treatments.. hey, I'm a quarter of the way there !! 

Round 2 - Day 1

This morning I received my second treatment.  I took the Rutuxan without any reactions.  No flushing of my face or rash due to the auto immune nature of the drug.  They administer it gradually so most of the time there is spent in prep of the drugs and waiting for my CBC.  WBC was 3.9 this morning.  The rest of the meds went in fast and we were out of the office by 2:30pm..  I'm feeling pretty good.. a little tired, not too bad.. and I'm hungry for dinner.  Nausea is not really effecting me.. Thank God for Emend !!!
My hair has been slowly falling out.  the hairs just come right out if I pull them.  That is a little depressing but I can get over it..It will grow back.  I'll just keep my Crimson Tide hat on all the time..Roll Tide !!  So I continue to drink water like a camel at on oasis.. If tomorrow is a good day I'm thinking of working a half day .. Staying indoors for a bit too.. Maybe will go for a short walk later.. but thank God for our A/C ..

Round 1 Day 16

Monday..  Still feeling good.  I have noticed some hair beginning to fall out.. so I guess I need to stock up on tootsie roll pops.. "Who luvs ya baby"..
Had a very busy weekend which is why I did not post this weekend.. Went to a Father/Daughter breakfast at Our Saviors on Saturday morning with my beautiful daughter Annie.  After that we came home, picked Andrew up and shot up north.  What started out to be a simple sink sprayer replacement, became a replacement of the whole kitchen facet.  Andrew mowed the lawn and Annie trimmed and she also took the plastic down from the porch.  We came back home just in time for Jon's Refiner's Fire silent auction for his Romania mission trip.  I bought a larger print Bible.. nice..

Sunday I went to church and then drove over to see my mom.  By then I was pretty much pooped.. Came home and Cathy have gotten a call from her friend in Long Island that her husband had taken a bad turn..  So he went to Long Island to help out, which is ok..  We had Pizza and wings for Fathers day dinner and Holly and Peter bought a great cake.. The kids also went to Schroon Lake to have engagement pics done.. which I'm sure will be great from the samples we've seen. 

 

 Round 2 will be on Wednesday and I'll get all the drugs at NYOH on the same day..   Thank you for reading and your continued prayers.. God Bless..

 

Round 1, Day 13

I continue to feel better each day.  I went to the doctor this morning.  This was the first time I saw Dr. W. after my first round.  Dr. W. was glad to hear about the side effects being as minor as they have been.  My weight is at 183 lbs.  and my BP is good.   No fever and my WBC is at 1.6 having dropped a little from 2.2.  Doc says be careful not to cut myself and to continue to eat well.. At this time it looks like Round 2 will commence next week on Wednesday...   I should be able to take the entire treatment at the NYOH office and hopefully will not take all day..   I continue to be optimistic and that was encouraged by the doctor indicating that the lymphoma has gotten smaller.  God is Good !!   I plan on going to visit Schroon Lake tomorrow for a while to check the plumbing and have Andrew cut the lawn.. Looking forward to that.. for sure.. Maybe I'll post some pictures ...    Thanks again for the prayers and keep them coming as I move thru the bump in the road. 

Round 1 day 10

Woke up this morning to the realization that I was going back to work today after a week of vacation time off.  Really looking forward to it.. Not looking forward to processing the hundreds of e-mails I got... yuckk

I had an 8am appointment at NYOH for my 10 day CBC..  Basically it revealed what we are thinking..
WBC 2.2  Platelets good, H/H are good also.. Nurse said just to be careful and call them if I get a fever.. So I need to be careful..  I have an appointment with my doctor on Friday to plan out round 2.  Everyday is a step closer to feeling better.   God is Good !!

Round 1 Day 9

Sunday..
I went to church today.  it was so nice to see my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I'm feeling better as certain parts of my body are healing nicely such that I can sit down..   After church I went to my moms to visit with her and our dear friends Pat and her daughter Maureen.  Maureen and I have known each other since we were kids and our families are family, brothers and sisters from across the street.  Well tomorrow is Monday and I am going back to work. I'm really looking forward to getting back into the grind.   I do have an 8:15am appointment to have my blood drawn..  It will be interesting to see how my WBC count is as well as my h/h and Platelet count is..
Still hanging in there.. still strong .. Thank you Lord for all you are doing in my life !!

Round 1 Day 7

Having not a bad day today.. With the exception of a bothersome bottom, I have been walking and enjoying the nice weather.  My appetite is still good and I have not really had any noticeable effects from ending the prednisone.   If the bottom feels better I may venture to Schroon Lake with my kids on Saturday..
I got my hair cut today and I actually like it.. It was weird to feel the breeze on my scalp when I walked around the block this evening.  Now I don't need to comb my hair in the morning, and may even save on shampoo.
My pastor came over today and it was so nice to see my brother in Christ.  We chatted read the Word, prayed and Cathy and I both received communion.

Well tomorrow is TGIF..  Happy Friday !!

Round 1 Day 6

No Prednisone today.. This should be interesting.  Planning on taking a few more walks today.  Strength feels good in the morning but by the evening I get pretty wiped.  I could go to bed at 8pm..  But I do have to say I feel a little better each day.
Staying strong..

Round 1 Day 5

Last dose of Prednisone to be taken today.  I slept well last night. I'm finding i can even sleep on my side a bit which I couldn't do before.  I can notice significant shrinkage (the good kind) in my abdomen.  No pain.. no fever.    I dressed in shorts and shoes today.  I want to take a few small walks today.  I need to stretch out and exercise a bit.  My pastor is coming over today also to say hi.  I look forward to his visit at noon.
If I was no on vacation this week I could work without too much problem.  This is good for next week when I go back to work.
I stepped on a scale last night and I was at 190.. not too bad.  Eating small frequent foods is doing the trick also.  I'd really like to see the sun come out today also.. Could use that Vitamin D for sure !!

Round 1, Day 4

One more day of the prednisone..  then we'll  see if exposed to gamma rays I become the Hulk or a blubbering fool.  Told my wife if she catches me sitting in front of the TV watching The NoteBook, slap me besides the head..

Happy Anniversary to us.. 29 years today.. I think we'll wait a week or so before celebrating.. ie going out for dinner...  

Appetite is pretty good so far.  no real pain to write home about.  Stomach is behaving itself too.  Keeping showered and shaved..  Thank you all for your continued prayers...  Keeping in the word too.. I have a little catch-up to do in 1 Timothy..

God bless!!

Round 1 Day 3

First day without anti-nausea meds.  So far, so good.   I still feel pretty good and feel like I am getting stronger.  I'm hoping to get outside and do some short walks tomorrow, after all it is our 29th anniversary tomorrow..
Eating well and still drinking fluids.. 2 more days of the prednesone.  Over-all I think I'm doing well.

Round 1 Day 2

Saturday...
Well today my intestines woke me up to a loose and lively show on the throne.. I went back to bed for a bit and got up about 8:30.. Had some breakfast and took my meds.. Allopirinol and Prednesone.  Today I have to say I feel pretty washed out..so I am relaxing, watching TV..and snacking and keeping fluids in.  No more runs in the bathroom.. I took a shower and continue to lay low.

Hope to be better tomorrow....

Home now..

I was discharged this morning around 9:30am.  Still feeling good.  Took my day 2 dose of the anti-nausea med which seems to be doing the job.  Took a little snooze because I really only got like 2 hours of sleep last night.
It's Andrew's birthday today so we are going to have a nice quiet dinner at home and celebrate together.
I am on vacation next week and it's also our anniversary on the 4th.  expecting a relaxing week.  I am trying to get to the barber next week to get my hair buzzed down. I'll post pics of the new me..
Have a great weekend everyone..  God bless you all !!

Almost done

The meds took all of an hour or so to administer. So far no side effects that I can feel. God is good!! I've had I'VE fluids hung all day yesterday and they will hang till I get the all clear. My job has been documenting my output. And boy has that kept me busy...lol. Hope to get out early today. Will post when home . Thank you for your prayers.

At the hospital

Sitting in my hospital room. Got me a private room due to low census. Staff is great! No meds have started yet. Getting hydrated first and the the meds will go in.

Part 1 of round 1.. Checked into NYOH about 8:30am.  Was escorted into the transfusion were my wife knows one of the  nurses..  My nurse gave  me some tylenol and when the needle was inserted into the port (which did not hurt much at all).. I received a drip of NaCL and Benedryl.  Next cam the Rutxan.  Because it' a monoclonal antibody the body can have a allergic response to the drug.  And that's just what happened.  I started to feel flushed and my cheeks (the ones on my face) were red, so my nurse turned off the drip for a few minutes.  Once restarted the infusion continued for a while but I became flushed again and we had to stop again.. This time the nurse hung some steroids and I felt better faster and we continued..  The last thing that happened was Cathy noticed a rash on the inside of my leg. What she was doing looking at the inside of my  leg... IDK. So my nurse hung some more benydryl and the rash went away very quickly.  The drip was continued and I finished around 2:30pm..
Mom and Joe came in and hung out with us.  There were a number of other folks in the room but the three nurses in the room did an excellent job of caring for their patients.
I'm home now.. I ate.. and am relaxing.. I feel pretty good.
Tomorrow I check into the Oncology unit at St. Marys for an over nighter to get the rest of the treatment.  After I get out I rest for a couple of weeks.  Next doctor appointment is 6/11 and to schedule Round 2 around 6/18 if my counts are good.
Just a bump in the road..

Happy Memorial day weekend..
It's been 48 hours since the port has been installed and I just changed the surgical dressing and got my first view of the port site.  Covered with a couple of pieces of surgical tape I could see the stitches.  they will come out next week. The port is under my skin so I don't have any visible indication that it's there except a rise in the skin.   Cathy and I did the chemo class and it seems that the major theme to this is to KEEP HYDRATED !! So lots of filtered water and green tea for me..  Nausea is manageable and the hair lose is not bothering me at all.. Round one will start Wednesday with the Rituxan.  I'm pretty anxious because everyone has been raving about this drug.. I'm very curious..   I'm going to rest this weekend and I've got a scheduled vacation the following week for Andrews birthday (27) and our anniversary (29 years).. More next week..

Post port in AMC,..

Post is installed. Feeling good from the drugs..going home to relax

The port is IN... and reaady to go..

Glad today is over as another milestone is left in the dust.  The port went in without a glitch.  I’m a little sore but I got me some happy pills.  Now tomorrow Cathy and I will attend the Chemo class and my first chemo will be next week. 

After the class I'll get caught up on work and enjoy the weekend !!

Thanks for your continued prayers and support.. We love you all !!

Plan of action

Ok so this is written in my calendar..

Port goes in tomorrow .. 9am appointment with the good folks at AMC Radiology.   Twilight anesthesia and a local.  Plus they send me home with pain pills..  ;-)

Wednesday 5/30 I'll head up to NYOH for the Rituxan..
Thursday 5/31 I check into St. MAry's for hydration and infusion of the other elements of the R-CHOP protocol.  I came home Friday 6/1 and celebrate Andrew's birthday and begin a 3 week rest cycle.

One down..

Preliminary battle plan

Ok so yesterday afternoon I went to see my doctor to get test results and discuss the “battle plan”..  The results came back with no surprises.. which is good.  Bone marrow was normal.. So we are on track for the R-CHOP protocol. 

We are set up to take a Chemo class on Friday at 8am.. Takes about an hour or so.. Patty called to say the appointment for a sub-clavian port to be inserted is all set for Tomorrow, Thursday.. 9am. Once the port is in place Chemo can start.

I asked the doctor about the uncomfortableness in my belly and how soon I should get relief from that.  He indicated very quickly.. probably after the first infusion..

Then around 8pm last night Dr. W. called the house.. (I was out) and spoke to Cathy.  He’s been dwelling on the lymphoma size and is concerned about this “Tumor lysis syndrome”.. He wants to play this safe and is suggesting that I get my first infusion on the oncology ward at a local Hospital.  He’s recommending St. Mary’s in Troy.   So once I get the port scheduled I could be looking at going to the hospital Monday.. and getting released Tuesday once the infusion is complete.   Future infusions would be done as an outpatient..

I am hoping to feel “different” next week..   Oh and btw.. my weight went up a little.. from 188 to 191.. BP is still good.. Mental status is still good ready to DO THIS !!

Had my appointment with Dr. W.  We discussed the tests and scans I had last week.  No real big surprises.  I did find out that the lymphoma is a T(14:18) trans location mutation.  That will not effect the treatment regime which is still the R-CHOP protocol.
So my schedule as I know it will be Friday morning we take a chemo class... gee, I wonder if I can count this as a continuing education course ... ??  he he he..
Pat is going to call AMC to schedule the subclavian port.  she will call in the morning.  I anticipate the first chemo to be next week.  The first session will probably take two days.  The Adriamycin will be slowly infused first to minimize the side effects.  Then I'll come in the next day and get the other infusion done and come home with a prescription for prednesone for 5 or 6 days. 6 to 8 session, 3 weeks apart. Doctor says my discomfort should be lessened very quickly.. like even after the first infusion.. So I am looking forward to that..

Back home and working after the chest CT.. Now I can breathe a sigh of relief until Tuesday afternoon when we go to the doctors to discuss our "Battle Plan"..

Ok... so today I had 2 appointments at Albany Medical Center.  I was scheduled for an echo cardiogram in the morning and a PET scan in the afternoon.  So I wake up at 5am and by the time I came to my senses it was like 7am.  I was hungry but because I had to fast for the PET scan for eight hours I could only drink water.. SO I fasted all day. The echo was no problem.. jelly on my chest and the tech using the echo probe to get the images and measurements needed.  The echo is done because the chemo can stress the heart out and we need to be sure my cardiac system can handle it. 
Came home and relaxed.  With a a PET scan you cannot do anything strenuous.  So it's 1:15 and Andrew drove me in.  It's a good thing I work at the VA because I just park there and walk across the street to AMC.  I get checked in and after a few minutes I get called in.  They give me an injection of radioactive glucose to trace and I have to drink the barium shake.. which really was not that bad..  Then you sit for an hour and relax.  After the hour you are brought into the scanner room.  Much like a CT scanner.  A huge mechanical donut..You lay down and put you arms above your head and stay still for like 30 minutes as the scanner shoots pictures of your insides.  The toughest thing was keeping my hands held up.  They started to cramp at the end.  So then Andrew drives me home and we order Pizza, wings and garlic knots.. yummy !!   Now I'm relaxing for the evening watching my favorite show.. The Big Bang Theory..  

Morning folks..
I'm up early today to get my heart Echogram and then this afternoon to get my PET scan.  tomorrow is my Chest CT and Tuesday we meet with my doctor to discuss our battle plan.  I want to thank everyone for their concern and prayers.  I do get strength from your prayers.   I also have a new respect for any pregnancy woman..lol..   Having your internal organs competing for space does cause some interesting feelings.. I'm just thankful this thing is not a kicker .. lol..

So this morning I had a bone marrow biopsy and aspirate done.  Having worked in Hematology for 1 years and having assisted in specimen preparation on probably hundreds of marrows at the VAMC needless to say I was very curious.
I did get to spend like 20 minutes in the room by myself and just prayed and chatted with my heavenly Father, Holy Spirit and Jesus.. 
I was very familiar with the process, although the biopsies were taken first not the aspirate...
Lidocaine was administered under my skin and then down to the bone.. Which the doctor peppered very well.  Thank you doc !!
Biopsies were taken, and then the aspirate which was a little painful.. sharp pain going down the leg.. Like a 2 out of 10.  It was not bad at all.  Now the lidocaine is wearing off a little and there is a dull ache in my hip but a little advil will take care of that.

PET scan is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.. MUGA and Chest CT are pending yet..

Still feel good.. am working.. no fatigue.. sleeping well at night.  I'm down to 188 having gained a pound form the last visit last week.. BP is good.. Blood tests look good..   more later..  

Weekend wasn't too bad folks.  I definitely am finding I have to learn how to take it easy.. The scans are getting scheduled.. I have a Bone Marrow scheduled for Tuesday at 8:45am and the PET scan and Thursday afternoon.  The MUGA and Chest CT are pending.

Still feeling good.. no fatigue.. but that will come when the treatments begin.   I really do appreciate all the prayers for my friends and family.  I get my strength through HE who cures all.   God's will is my will and I expect to be serving Him a for some time to come.

More tomorrow ...

Got back from the appointment with NYOH this afternoon.  Doctor did an exam and looked at the CT scan.  Had my blood drawn (CBC was normal).  Looks like the plan will be for a chest CT, MUGA and PET scans next week as well as a bone marrow...oh and a Hep. B Antibody..
I've assisted on hundreds of bone marrows at the VA.. I told the doc to be sure he peppers the periostium real good.. he said.. Oh yes I do..
Chemo will start soon after.. probably the next week.    R-CHOP is the protocol.. 6-8 treatments, in 3 week intervals.  Side effects are pretty standard, hair loss, fatigue, sun sensitivity.. They also have to monitor me because of the effects that the tumor breakdown may have on my body.. Spiked Uric acid levels..  So we move forward..

And so it begins...
NYOH oncology appointment scheduled for Friday morning 10:30am ...

May 8, 2012

May 8, 2012

Well I have a story to begin writing about.. or should I say a saga..

A few weeks ago I went to my doctor thinking I was dealing with a hernia. The doctor examined me and referred me to a surgeon to have a look. The surgeon ordered a CT scan to rule out the hernia. I took the scan and a few days later was notified by the surgeon that the scan revealed an abdominal mass and that she wanted to do a biopsy.

So I had the biopsy done last week and Cathy and I went in yesterday to get the results and talk to the surgeon about a course of action.

Weeeelllllll ... The biopsy showed I have a Large B Cell Lymphoma in my belly. The mass looks to be involved lymph nodes. She does not see evidence of any organ involvement. These type of lymphomas respond very well to chemo and I have already bee referred to NYOH in Latham. I have already spoken to them and once they get all the data from the surgeon an initial appointment will be made and the trek God has laid out for us will begin.

My Spirits are good..

I feel pretty good. am in good health.. strong and young.. My family is strong. Mom, Joe and Joni are very supportive and Joni is a wealth of information. My kids are OK.. this is something we just have to get through. It is not life threatening.. and we will be OK.

Keep stationed to this blog.. I'll update it as much as possible.

God is in charge.. He has the wheel !!