News from early March, 2008

We don't have great news. My tumor has returned. Surgery and radiation have been ruled out and we're left with some type of clinical study or the chemo and other medication from 2006.

My oncologist (Dr. Kaesberg) is opting for joining a clinical study and we will meet every 3-4 weeks to see if/when I can join. I have to be not taking any other chemo if the clinical study is to start so we'll be in wait and seem mode each 3-4 week period.

Again, Dr. Kaesberg has indicated these are not cures and the overall outlook is not good (5-6 months).

We just found out this morning, but will, obviously, fight with all we've got.

To those family and friends who read this....take care, be safe, and thank you for all your thoughts.

Jim

January, 2008

Happy New Year every one!

My work disability continues. Dr. Klug (kidney specialist) indicates I'll be off until at least April 1st, 2008. I had a rough three weeks right before New Years, but have had a lot more energy since the first of the year. Now if only the storms would stop. Dr. Klug has started long term disbility paper work which includes data on pancreatic cancer, kidney disease, and coronary problems. Other than those three items, I feel great!

Now you can throw in eye problems. I visited an eye specialist yesterday at UCD and he inicates a growth in my left eye should be removed. He said it may not be cancerous, but that if it is, removing the growth would remove the cancer. I'll probably have that short procedure done some time in late February or early March.

Most of the family will be spending 3-4 days at Disneyland in early February. It's going to be great to feel warm weather.

Work Slowdown

Once again, it's been quite some time between blogs and I thought I would update those who are interested.

The cancer is still in remission and the next round of blood tests and an MRI will be done later this month. I have a new oncologist (Dr. Kaysberg) who I will see for the first time in late November. We're hoping the very good news continues, but, as always, will be on pins and needles until we hear the results.

I have also been seeing a nephrologist (a kidney doctor) who has recommended I get some total rest. My kidneys were not good before the cancer and they were fried by both the effects of the chemo and radiation. They're both operating at about 30%. The doctor indicates nothing drastic just yet, but he wants me to take a few months (at least) off and get away from the stress of traffic, work, etc. Starting October 11, I will be a house husband and try to do a little paper work for Kaye as she is 'in the field' most of the day. I actually feel pretty good, but am constantly tired (according to the docs, more effects of chemo and radiation). The kidney doc wants me to eat right, get enough exercise, and REST. He indicated a few naps each day would help improve on the 30% number.......not anything major, but not dropping either.

We've planned another trip to Hawaii in early November. This time we're visiting Maui. There will be some golf, some siteseeing, and a lot of laying around the beach.

I'll keep everyone updated after the visit with the oncologist. Keep up your good thoughts while we're in wait mode.

News as of July, 2007

It's been a long time since I updated our blog, so here goes.

In general, things have been great since the early part of the year. We've had another trip to Hawaii in mid-February (sort of a post-chemo, post-radiation celebration), both went through the dregs of turning 60, threw our own 60s party, and were completely surprised when Brad and Amy threw us a surprise birthday party at the end of June. Our health has been good. Kaye keeps going like she'll live to be 150. I've been okay....still am constantly exhausted, have some stomach pains, but feel good for the most part.

The medical plans for me are to have blood work and scans done every 3-4 months to make sure Mr. C has not returned. I had blood work done in mid-June and an MRI in late June. I saw both my oncologist and radiologist late this week. The news is very promising. My cancer marker blood test indicated a 6 (first one was a 5). Dr. Lau (filling in for Dr. D'Andre) indicated this is well within the 'normal' range. Also, the MRI scan shows nothing but some rough edges in some of what's left of my pancreas which the docs seem to think is residual effects of the surgery. For the time being, we've started whipering a great word "remission".

This is a happy time. We know the dread will return with the next set of tests in the fall. The docs are also worried about my kidneys (we had to forget about them while fighting a bigger beast).

Kaye and I have agreed every day is a good day and we're going to enjoy each the best we can. With that in mind, we've planned yet another trip to Hawaii in November (right before the Nevada Union playoff run starts.....right Brad?).

Thanks, as always, to our large extended support family. From actual family members, to co-workers, and friends, your kind words and deeds do not go unnoticed.

Latest Medical News

I know, I know.......it's been some time since I last posted a blog update. Well, here goes. Since my last blog, I've had two stress echo tests, a blood test including those tests for cancer markers, and an MRI scan on both my abdomen and pelvis.

First the bad news.......if you can call it that. I had to have a second stress echo because the first one indicated a part of my upper GI tract now sits in front of the lower part of my heart, thus blocking the image. Yes, Ali, this was confirmed by my cardiologist. Anyway, the second one shows my heart is working just fine.....pre-stress, during stress, and post-stress.

On February 26, I had a follow up visit with my surgeon, Dr. Bold. He looked around, felt my tummy, and pronounced he did not want to see me again. I couldn't thank him enough, but also said I never wanted to see him again either. Great office visit....a lot of laughs. He showed me the results of the cancer marker bloods test..........my CA19-9 count was <5+ which is on the low side of normal!!!!! No cancer to worry about there.

We were dreading today as I had an appointment with my oncologist to review the MRI results. She called me at work this morning to cancel my appointment because she's not feeling well (pregnancy). Dr. D'Andre mentioned the blood test numbers and also mentioned the MRI scan shows nothing abnormal except the fact I had had surgery. Great news for Kaye and I as our year plus of hell may be put on the shelf for awhile. No more blood tests or scans for three months.

I still think something will pop up in the future, but we're still taking each day to it's fullest and just enjoying life, the kids and grand kids.

My never ending thanks to all those friends, family and co-workers at CDA for their unwavering support. You all are tremendous. And I can never repay my love (Kaye) for being my wife, my love, my friend, my advocate, and a giant keeper of the faith during the rough times.

I'll continue to post, and I just hope the good news continues.

Jim

1 Down, 2 To Go

My last 3 weeks of chemo started last Wednesday (January 17). Dr. D'Andre had indicated I probably wouldn't handle this last round as well as the other rounds last year....and she's been right.

I started feeling some stomach problems Friday night and spent most of the weekend on the couch alternating between shivering and feeling like I was burning up. Things have finally started to settle down, but I'm fearful the final two weeks will just get worse. Even the oncologist said I probably didn't need this last round, but I want to be as sure as I can be that the drugs are doing what they're supposed to do.

I have a drug induced stress-echo scheduled for early in February, will have blood work done and a CT Scan, then we wait and see.

Kaye and I are heading to Hawaii in mid-February for our first R&R in over a year. We're going back to our favoite place on the big island and we're counting the days.

Hopefully, with good reports, my blogs will become less and less frequent. My continued thanks to Gary and Suzanne for suggesting this easy way of communicating.

As always, your thought and prayers do work!

Happy New Year

I have completed my 25 doses of radiation (done on December 1) and have completed the lower dose of chemo to go along with radiation (also early December). We had an appointment with the oncologist in late December and we're going with the following plan....

Wait untiil mid-January to go through the last of the six rounds of full-strength chemo. The last dose will be done on January 31. At that time, my picc line will also be removed (finally). In early February, there will be blood tests for cancer markers and a baseline CT Scan. We're hopeful those tests will indicate no further growths or abnormalities. We're taking things one day at a time and will be on pins and needles until late February when test results will be given to us.

According to the doctors, it takes up to six weeks for your system to recover from the doses of radiation, and I fit that pattern. I still get tired real easy, can't stay warm, and still have a lot of surface stomach pain (like a huge bruise right under my skin). At least I haven't suffered from any nausea. I am eating well and have put back 19 pounds of the 62 I lost after surgery.

We had a great Christmas and had everyone here on Christmas Eve. Hope you all have had a wonderful Holiday season. We're hoping your new year is filled with health and happiness.