Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Cont'd.. " The good, the bad and the ugly"

Saw the oncologist today and have a plan.  Yes, I do have cancer in 3 places, coming back in the liver, lymph nodes around the aorta, and one lung.  I say that because the other lung has a small node that we will be watching, so that would both lungs.

It the same kind of cancer that was in the bile duct, they say it had already moved to these other areas but were to small to be seen even with the technology of CT scans.

We will begin chemo treatments on the 14th and the 21st, this Friday is a stent replacement because the Dr thought I looked jaundiced, and we had to correct that problem b4 beginning chemo.

It looks like I'm on Merry go round of chemo, CT scan to see if the growth has been stopped, perhaps to disappear.  Only to reappear a few months later in another spot , or even the same spot.  Then chemo again, round and round.  This will be the same chemo used the last time since it worked so well then.

I will always have cancer, just trying to control it.

Surgery is not an option because it already is moving around the body, cut here, up it pops somewhere else.

Guess I better cancel my organ transfer option on the driver's license

More later, off to UPS now.

Luv you guys, God Bless, Captain

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Trying to hang in there

The problem now is the unknown that looms ahead.  Just fighting the mental anxiety of waiting till Tuesday to see what the situation is, and what the plan is to fight it.

Trying to complete the Christmas decorations, b4 Joan's party on Thursday.

God Bless you all, Captain

Friday, November 30, 2012

Correct a statement from Yesterday

Yesterday I said that my nodule had grown from a spot to 6 mm, I think I got my cm's, mm's and pm's all messed up.

This I copied from the about.com page....................


First, it is important to define what a lung nodule is. A lung nodule is a “spot” on the lung that is less than 3 cm (or 1½ inches) in diameter. If a spot is larger than 3 cm, it is considered a lung mass, rather than a lung nodule. The overall chance that a lung nodule is cancer is 40%, but that risk varies a lot depending on factors such as your age, if you have smoked, and what the nodule looks like on x-ray.

So taking that math and saying that mine is 6 cm or 3 inches in diameter. Just wanted to be accurate as I can.

Not morbid here just trying to find out some answers b4 seeing the Onc on Tuesday


God Bless, and thanks for all you do ,Captain

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Yesterday I had my 9 month CT scan.  The blood work was better than before,k bbbbbbbbbuuuuutttttttt

It appears the cancer is back, possibly in 3 places.  I will know more Tuesday, Dec, 4th when we meet with the Oncologist.

Yesterday the CT scan was hot off the presses, so to speak, and the surgeon was the only one who had time to read it and meet with us.  By Tuesday, he will have met with the Onc. and the 2 of them can go over the results and come up with a plan.  Right now we're thinking going back to chemo since it has worked before.  Now I think the surgeon who came to IU from Slone-Kettering in NYC, and has patients coming in from around the US knows what he is doing.  I don't think he would have said anything if he didn't think there was some stuff to look at and pay attention to.

1. Possible cancer cells showing up in the liver.

2. Watching a nodule that is growing in the lung.  In August, this was mentioned as a spot that needed to be watched.  It was 1 mm, now it is 6 mm,

3.  Lymph nodes around the aorta , at this point I don't know where that is.

More on Tuesday, thanks for the thoughts and prayers, Captain

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Back from St. Louis

Tues. Oct. 30  Happy Halloween tomorrow.

Obviously, we're back from St. Louis, Had a great time. Took the elevator, tram thingy, whatever it was to the top of Arch.  I believe it was 655 ft above the ground, tallest man made monument in the nation.

Walked every inch of the St. Louis Zoo, some inches more than ever.  Rode the train around the complex.

Went to the American Girl Store at the Mall for Caroline.

Yesterday went to IU and had new sutures put in the stent to hold it in place.  Noticed on Sunday that one stitch had pulled loose and and the other one was holding by about 1/8 of an inch of skin.  So being proactive, I called and scheduled an appt. to fix the problem before it became an emergency.

At admittance, the lady asked who the referring Dr. was, and I said me.  She called downstairs, and got a real doctor's name.

Fine now, went to UPS last night.  Thinking our volume should drop some because nothing is coming from the northeast states.  We'll have backed up trailers somewhere, that will head east when it starts opening up again.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, God Bless, Captain

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Gone In 60 Minutes

Heading to St Louis, MO with our daughter, husband and grand children.  Will return on Tuesday.  Going to see the Arch, the Zoo and the American Girl Store among other things.

I'm doing good,  Pray for Cindy

Thanks for all you do, God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Back Again

I see I've been shirking my duties again, so here I am with an update.

Doing good, no problems with the stent, I'm covering the whole thing with gauze now, and I think it is making a difference.

The only trouble I'm now in is I'm having trouble sleeping.  I get home and in bed anywhere's from 4 AM to 5 AM.  And then I can't seem to shut my thoughts down.  I usually fall asleep around 7 - 8 AM, then sleep till afternoon, then take another nap after dinner with the wife.  I'm getting the sleep, just not when I want it.

Family doc has suggested Benadryl and / or Melatonin but it's not very fast acting, but I do sleep longe.

Anyways, doing fine, feeling stronger each day, obviously getting better every day away from the surgery back in March.  Working at UPS 5 nights a week.  Just keeping on, keeping on.

My friend Cindy with my same cancer could use some prayers, she's going into a clinical trial in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, God Bless Captain

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Tues, Oct.2, Late

Still doing good, pretty mundane, boring report.

Mowed the grass yesterday, Haircut today. 

Stent doing OK, since I'm protecting it with more gauze. We'll see if I can make it last 3 months.

Thanks for your thoughts, God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Doing Fine!!!!!!!!

I'm trying to cover this darn stent with more gauze to protect it better than in the past.  Hopefully I can get it to last 3 months like it's supposed to.

Obviously, back to working at UPS thru this whole thing, just miss a day or two when I have to go under the funny juice and I can't drive for 24 hours.

Just checking in with you all, thanks for all you do, God Bless, Captain

Saturday, September 22, 2012

One Picture

This is not an attempt to gross anybody out.  It is a close up of my side showing the stent, and how it enters my body.  This picture shows why I went to the hospital to have the stent replaced on Friday, as it had pulled loose and was actually sliding out, and leaking badly. 

You can see the yellow bile stain that had not yet been cleaned up, this was taken in the hospital bed while waiting for the exchange.

I drew an arrow to show the pulled stitches, and marked beside the tube to indicate how much had pulled out of my body ( I don't know how as I was just sitting at my desk and felt no pain. )

That black stitching around the tube is then sutured in two places down and back up thru the skin to hold the stent in place.


The picture is only to make clear what and how this stent works, it is not an attempt to get graphic.  Hope nobody is offended.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts, God Bless, Captain

I'm Fine

Was trying to wait on the pictures but will a couple of hours.

They replaced the stent once again as it had pulled too far out of my body to reinsert and then restitch. 

Pictures later today, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Captain

Friday, September 21, 2012

FYI

Tomorrow at 10 AM I will be at IU Hospital, fixing my stent once again.  I'm going to ask them if this is normal or I'm special.

What happened this time, when I thought I was doing fine.  Last night as I exited the shower I noticed that both stitches that held the tube in my body were no longer in my body.  I slept ok after placing gauze over the tube and hole.  At around noon I called IU and told them they said they could work me in tomorrow to restitch the existing tube.

I sat at my computer for about 45 minutes, when I noticed a wetness on my T shirt under my sweatshirt.  I pulled it up and looked and I had yellow bile leaking everywhere above my belt buckle, and the tube had actually pulled out of my body about 5 " and I had to wait till tomorrow.  I called them back and they told be what to do to make it thru the night.  Now they might replace the stent tomorrow

Today I made it ok, but I pretty much tried not to move around too much, which isn't hard for me right now. 

I will let you know the outcome tomorrow, probably in the afternoon.

I may try to take a couple of pictures so you can understand the situation more clearly, If you are squeamish I will warn you.

Thanks for the notes and the prayers, God Bless, Captain


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Weds. Sept. 19th

All's fine in the my world.  Vacation over, back to work I go.

Walking and jogging still, it is a slow go, much slower than I would have thought, at least for the jogging part.  I guess I thought I would just bounce back,  hahahahaha.

Has gotten cold here in Indiana, 40's at night, I'm sure it won't last too long.

Just checking in, Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.  God Bless, Captain

Thursday, September 13, 2012

It's Time

Back home from the trip to the mountains and my wife's sisters house in Tennessee.  Had great time, food and fellowship. Weather was perfect.

It's time for what you say?  Today was my third day of walking mixed in with some jogging.  We'll see where we can go, but exercise is coming back. 

My stent has at least gotten more comfortable and 75% of the time I don't really notice it.   Trying to get over this cold, coughing etc.  You know the routine.


Thanks for all you do, God Bless, Captain

Friday, September 7, 2012

ATTENTION, I'M STILL HERE 9/7/12

It is now Friday night, most of the storms are done with Lebanon, IN.  I've been fighting some things both physical ( small things ) and mental ( small things ).  Obviously, I've not been posting lately, as it became somewhat of a chore instead of fun, and I apologize.

Most important, I had my 6 month scan last Weds., and I'm 6 months cancer free.  Yippee.

Tomorrow morning the wife and I are going to TN for a few days to rest and just get away.

There will be more to follow, but the posts maybe shorter.  I was feeling I had to write 3 or 4 paragraphs every time, and I will try to post more often then every 2 months, but short quick reads.

My wife thought I was depressed, I'm now on 20mg of prozac, so don't take me to the axe and hatchet section of the Home Improvement store.  lol.  I think it may be helping, but don't tell her.

I spent another night in the hospital with another infection, and the next week they changed the stent again.  Remember this is supposed to be a 3 month deal, but it was only 1 month and there was an internal problem causing the infection. 

Again thanks for the phone calls, except you Miguel, and the prayers, we're doing good.

Captain

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Stent Replacement went OK

Took about 2 hours, the people were real nice.  For some reason I was a little nervous about this procedure, can't put my finger on it.  They told me I needed to keep it covered with cause because of bacteria trying to invade my body around the tube site.  Just seems cumbersome and more confining to move around fully.  Will try.  Next appt. is Oct. 11th for stent replacement.

Other than that I'm doing fine. Trying life for a few days without the AC, we'll see how that goes.

Thanks for your prayers, God Bless, Captain

Friday, July 6, 2012

Where has Time Gone?????

Can't believe I haven't posted anything all week.  Sorry about that.  Have worked 3
very hot days at UPS.  One more to go, which is tonight.  We get the 4th of July off has a paid holiday, aren't they nice.

On Tuesday I went to the colon Dr for a minor procedure.  Am doing fine with that.  On Monday the 9th, I go back to IU for a changing of the stent that runs thru the bile duct.  Will miss UPS on Monday at I will be under anesthesia and can't drive for 24 hours.

I hope everybody had a nice July 4th celebration with family and friends. Cliff, Suz and grand kids came up for the parade and I know I ate too much. But they had a good time.  We put up a pop up tent, so we were not in direct sunlight, but it was hot, hot, hot.  Then we came home a lit the propane grill and grilled brats, hot dogs, and a couple of Bubba burgers.  We had corn on the cob, chips, broccoli, baked beans, and I'm sure I'm missing something.

Thanks for you thoughts and prayers, sorry I haven't written more.

God Bless, Captain

Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday, June 29th

11:30 AM and it feels like 107 according to the internet weather,  when did we join up with Calif. is what I want to know. Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh.

I'm doing fine, at UPS everyday, body thermometer is out of whack.  Sometimes I put on a denim long sleeve shirt cause I gets the chills, nothing like the shakes. But other than that I'm doing great.

It's hard to write something everyday, when nothing is happening.  I did climb a ladder the other day, and cut down a dead birch tree.  My wife helped me clean up the mess, and now we have some nice firewood for the winter, assuming the temperature drops someday. 

So, please remember my friend Cindy who is battling the same disease I did. 

Thanks for your prayers, God Bless you all, Captain

Monday, June 25, 2012

The news from the CT Scan

I'm a big baby.

There is nothing in the scans to indicate a problem, no fluid collecting somewhere, no re-occurrence of cancer anywhere, no infection showing up. NOTHING..........

Most likely I'm having trouble with small bursts of discomfort from the incision itself, maybe a little constipation, mb not. Had a good week end, seem to want to overeat, mb that's part of the problem.

Anyways, nothing wrong with me.   Went to the symphony with our old friends from Avon, very nice time.  The Indpls Symphony comes to Lebanon to kick off our July 4th Celebration and we had fireworks afterward.  Nice enjoyable night.

Going to UPS tonight, and back to normal.

Thanks for the prayers, God Bless, Captain

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Update on a late Sat. Afternoon

The colon Doctor was just a discussion about what we've done so far, and where we're headed in the future.  So nothing big happened there.

On Friday I had a CT scan at 2:30 in the afternoon and I haven't heard a thing from  my Oncologist, and that is why there has been nothing on this blog.  Expecting some kind of call on Monday.  If they talk to me over the phone, then I will take it as no big deal.  If they want to make an appt. to discuss their findings then I would imagine it is more serious. 

I will let you know when I know, could be afternoon on Monday.

On Friday my wife and I participated in our local Relay for Life here in Lebanon.  We went to the Survivor's Dinner and met others who have battled cancer.  Then we walked in the survivor's walk, a special lap to honor our success in the battle and to give hope to others that progress is being made in finding a cure.

This picture is of a luminary that was one of hundreds that were lit and placed on both sides of the track that was used to complete our laps.  I stopped after leaving UPS at 3 in the morning and it was very impressive as I took a couple of laps before heading home.  Our Relay is of the 24 hour variety.  My wife took a picture of it, as I didn't know it was there, and didn't try to read every one.





















Thanks for your prayers, God Bless, Captain

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Follow up on Monday Night

Headed to the Colon Dr. in a few minutes, mb just a conversation over what we've done, mb a small procedure, I'm ready to go in either way.

I went to UPS last night and did fine.  I have a CT scan scheduled for 2:30 on Friday.  Not seeing the DR.  Just scan me and they will call me with the results and their thoughts.  I just don't want this situation to go on for 6 weeks and I finally say something to them, know what I mean.  They are looking at the top end of the small intestine, any pool of fluid that has collected since the operation, or an actual infection.  They said the shakes were caused directly from the temperature.

Will give you an update as soon as I know.  It may be late Friday or first thing Sat. morning.

Thanks for your prayers, God Bless you all, Captain

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Missed UPS last night

Last night I took off for UPS, I started having the shakes, I turned up the heat in the car.  I know it was 81 degrees outside.  I kept heading to work thinking this would pass, well it just got worse.  My teeth were chattering together, my arms were shaking so hard I had to loosen the grip on the steering wheel in order to stay on the road.  Nothing seemed to help me, and they weren't going away. 

I stopped at a gas station about 1 mile from UPS, I couldn't hardly get the key back in the ignition, I called the boss and said I was not coming in, I left a message on her phone, I hope she got it.  I turned around and came home.  At home my temperature was 102.7, so I took some Advil, they were out of Tylenol at CVS, do you believe that.  In about 1 1/2 hours my temp was down to 100.4.

Right now I've got a call into the Oncologist to see what if anything is happening.  I don't want to go on like this. And tell them it's going on for about 6 weeks.

Today I feel much better at this time.

Thanks for your prayers, God Bless, Captain

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Sunday, June 17th

Happy Father's Day to all those fathers out there.  Hope you all have a great day and get to spend it with your families.

I'm doing good.  Just reading, resting and using those new patio chairs.  Last week, my intestines were acting up, I had that colon procedure on Thursday that went fine.  It was basically to mark the area where they removed the polyp earlier during the colonoscopy so they could find that spot again. 

I don't have any Doctor's appts. this week, what will I do?

Getting ready to go to my parents, my wife is taking in some food and we are then eating there.  We're trying to take away my 90 yr. old Dad driving in these construction zones and getting confused, hell, I get confused. 

All is well,  I would like you all to lift up my friend Cindy who has this same disease but at this time is not having the same results that I did.  Her last CT scan is showing 3 spots on her spine that are eating into the bone.  She is now in radiation for 10 days for that, and I assume still doing chemo for her bile duct cancer in the liver.

Thanks for all the prayers for me and others, God Bless, Captain

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Thursday, June 14th

Getting ready for another trip to the Colon Doctor's.  Minor procedure, but it does involve anesthesia
and I will get the night off at UPS because I can't drive for 24 hours.

Just part of getting old and trying to fix old parts.

God Bless, Captain

Monday, June 11, 2012

Monday, June the 11th

All is fine in my life.  Been sanding and painting that second chair.  Pretty much have the first coat of paint on it, but it is supposed to rain the next 24 hours.  Sure it is, we'll see.

So today I'm going to do some running of errands, and take my Dad and get tickets to the Brickyard 400 coming up the end of next month here in Indy.

Not much to report, weight is staying steady just under 150, would like to get it above that mark.  Don't know why, just seems a little light.

Thanks for all you do, God Bless, Captain

Friday, June 8, 2012

Friday Afternoon, June 8th

Been working, this completes my 4th week back at UPS, feeling better every night.  On the whole I'm feeling fine.

I told you the other day about the great lawn chairs I found.  Here's a few pics, they are a little rusty and I'm taking a drill with a wire brush attachment and going over the whole chair before painting with Rust-tol-leum, obviously not sure how to spell that, but it's too much trouble to get up and go outside and look at the can. 

Now these chairs are like nostalgia to me, as my Grandfather had one up on his vacation home on Lake Erie and a couple of  weeks ago I remembered it and how comfortable it was.  They don't make them like this anymore and I really thought I would be very lucky if I ever found one.  Let alone 2.  They don't match but who cares.

This was the first chair we saw, and you can see the chips coming off, the colors are on there because we were trying to see what color we wanted to paint it.
 Picture of the the whole chair, the way it is allows you to  just sit there with a little bounce to your relaxation.
 Completed the first chair with new cushion for comfort.  Before you say "doofus" you left the tag on the cushion.  My wife has not seen the cushions yet, and I may have to return them.

Chill out.......lol
 Just a picture of the back, and no you won't find any white paint left over, underneath the arms, the seat or anywhere else.

The other chair, needs a little more sanding, right now my arms are quivering from holding the drill and the trigger in.  I'm may stop sanding for the day, and work on putting the pond back together.  I got time, the whole weekend is ahead.







So anyways that's what I've doing.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers

God Bless you all, Captain

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Weds, June 6

Saw the Oncologist yesterday, first time since before the surgery.  Of course, he and the surgeon have talked, and he has seen the same CT scan as the surgeon saw last week and confirmed that all is well.  I think he was really glad to see me, and said I looked great, but I knew that..........lol.  The last year  has really been a blur at times, seems like it has happened to someone else rather than me at times.  I've been very lucky and praise the Lord for being with me. 

I mean last June I was undergoing tests to see what the mass was in my liver area.  In that time, they told me I had cancer, a deadly kind, hard to treat with only with a  few living past 2 years.  I've been thru chemo, the chemo worked ( doesn't very often ). I've had surgery to remove the cancer which they said would not happen.  And now I'm cancer free.  All in a year.

The oncologist said yesterday that they don't tell the patients how hard recovery from this surgery is, because some start thinking if they even want to go thru with it.  I mean, cancer and death on one hand vs. a hard recovery and lots of mental challenges along the way.  I don't know how hard that decision would be.

Sorry for the rambling, it's sad, but I had to go buy a $4 daily planner to keep track of the Dr's appt.s.

I've got the pond tore up, waiting on the dirt under it and around it to dry out, so I can try to add water slowly to find the leak.  I found some great lawn chairs yesterday at an antique mall.  Going to meet a friend for breakfast/lunch at 10 am and then pick the chairs up, couldn't get them in the Honda car.

Still eating good, this am after the shower I weighed 149.7 ready to break the 150 mark.

Got to go, remember your friends in prayer, we all need it.  God Bless, Captain

Monday, June 4, 2012

Monday, All is Good

The Day spent with the wife in Brown County was very nice, we ate a lot of stuff.  Didn't spend much on merchandise.  But had a good time together.  I walked from one end of town to the other so the strength is coming back nicely.

Remember the fountain and pond that I said I rebuilt 3 times, well, we're getting ready for the 4th rebuild.  There is a leak somewhere close to the beginning of the run.  The earth outside the liner is damp and not drying up.  How else do you find a leak? Except to slowly tear the rocks down and try and find the source ( a small water flow ).  Looks like it may rain some here today so it will be later in the week as it has to dry out good.  Always something.

Tomorrow I have my first appt. with the Oncologist since the surgery, got to believe it will be the same report as the surgeon last week, but they both want to be involved, which is fine.  More heads, the better right.

Thanks for your prayers, I'm asking you to remember our friends S#1 and Boggs in your thoughts and prayers.

God Bless, Captain

Friday, June 1, 2012

June 1, 1968

44 Years ago today I married the best woman ever, " my wife ".  And she is still with me, no matter how stupid a man can be.  Through good and bad she has stayed beside me and we have survived this thing called marriage.

We been there together when you're holding the last roll of toilet paper wondering what you will do next.  She's obviously been with me every minuted of every day during this recent cancer journey.  She was with me has we built a successful balloon business and ran it for 20 years.

I love you and am here for you, as they say through the good and bad, the sickness and the healthy times.

Happy " 44 " years.  Where did time go?

Love, ME

On the health note, I'm doing fine, tonight will complete 3 weeks of UPS work. You know about the clear scan showing no new signs of cancer.  I'm eating like an animal.  Tomorrow we are going to drive down to Nashvillle, IN in Brown County to walk the streets and eat in the restaurants.  Kind of like a small Gatlinburg, TN. which is where we spent out honeymoon. 

Thanks for the continued prayers, and remember our friends who also need thoughts of love and compassion.
God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Clean Scan

Healthy looking liver, blood supply good, no signs of re-occurrence of cancer.  See me in 3 months.

Just ate at Cracker Barrel, yum, yum

God Bless, Captain

Monday, May 28, 2012

Been Fine But Busy

First......... Happy Memorial Day

Second............Since the colonoscopy on Friday, I have been fine.  We stopped at O'Charlies and my wife and I shared a Combination platter appetizer thingy.  The rest of the night I was just sluggish, tired, and took naps and rested.  They removed a polyp to be sent to the Pathologist for testing, will know something in 7-10 days.  But my recovery was fine, on Saturday morning AM I was spreading mulch at 9 AM

I've included some pictures of our side yard down below, as I have been spreading mulch since last Monday.  41 bags of Cypress mulch for the walking and sitting/entertainment areas. And so far 38 bags of Black mulch for the flower beds.  I don't think it has ever looked this good.  Usually we run out of energy and never get 1 part finished.  And yes, I was listening to the race, spreading mulch, and resting as I went.  I and the wife just finished up about 10:30 this AM.  And I'm ready for a shower and brat on the grill.



 It's like our little park setting in our side yard.  We started off with all open space, and added a couple of trees, and things went wild and crazy from there.

Sitting area
 Side door we added for easy access.
Fountain I built, ( not this year ) had to rebuild it 3 times to get it right.











Just showing why I need 2 colors of mulch and so many bags, and the fact that I've been away from the computer.  Obviously, I don't mow much grass.

I'm feeling fine, will let you know results when I know.  This Weds, the 30th is my first CT scan since the Surgery in March. This will be our first chance to see what is happening in there since then.

Thanks for your prayers and support, God Bless you all, Captain

Friday, May 25, 2012

It's 5:30 AM

And I've drank my last mystery potion for the test.  YUCK, in the worst way.  Although the stuff I was provided did have a cherry flavored taste to it.  Kind of like cough medicine.  But it is down the hatch, and I'm on the downside to the test.  It's amazing how in the last 24 hours my mind has thought of all the different foods and restaurants to eat after I recover.  I will be out with anesthesia so I don't know when I will really be ready to eat, tonight or tomorrow?????,  but I'll be ready.  I keep thinking of 6 left over pizza slices in my refrigerator,  I keep seeing Red Lobster commercials, even Wendy's is starting to look pretty good.

Anyways, now I just stay awake, no liquids or food of any kind till after the test at 1 PM, and be ready to hit the bathroom.  What a life????????????

Will keep you posted on results when I know something.  Thanks for the prayers, God Bless, Captain

Thursday, May 24, 2012

AAAAAHHHHH Chicken Broth

The breakfast of Champions. 

If you forgot or missed a day I'm having a Colonoscopy tomorrow to check on a couple of things, and today is prep day.  So as of now I'm on a clear liquid diet.  No pizza for lunch, no french fries, nada.  Maybe some clear, plain jello.  Just liquid.  Tonight at 6 PM is the start of the actual clean out time.

So I'm done with UPS for this week, should have a check in the morning for last week.  I'm kind of in the 50 % mood as to whether the check will be there or not.  They can't figure out that direct deposit still applies, that I'm really working, you know all the reasons they can come up.  We'll see.

So my test is around 12 noon tomorrow, so who knows when I will be mentally ready to blog again, maybe Sat. AM sometime.

Am going to try to to some weeding this am, while it is still on the cool side, suppose to get hot this week end for the big race.

Thanks for all you do and the prayers are still there with the support.  God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Working, Working, Working

Sorry for the delay.  Yes, UPS last night. Went fine, I'm pretty pack in the swing of things.

Yesterday and today I have spread 22 bags of mulch in the side yard,  Planted 1 more flowering bush, and kept the new stuff watered.  We have a few more weeds to go and then we will spray weed killer in that area and mulch that.  Making up for lost time earlier in the spring.

Thanks for all your prayers, God Bless, Captain

Saturday, May 19, 2012

1 Complete week back at Work

I know it's not too important to others, but trust me, there were days when my mind started trying to think of other options available if I couldn't return to work.  I did fine.  Never lost my balance and fell, didn't faint, didn't have to actually sit and rest to get out of the building.  Yes, I'm taking it easy, and I believe they are helping watch the situation.  So all is good there.

I'm feeling fine, appetite is good, back up to 144 pounds this early am.  Been doing some landscaping this week.  Not moving rocks and building water fountains, just normal stuff.  Yard is looking better.  Joan is out there now picking weeds.  For some reason they don't care that I was down and out, they just did there best at growing faster than normal.  Now it's payback on the weeds.

So thanks for all your prayers we have reached this far.  I have my first CT scan coming up on 5/30 since the surgery to give us a reading on what is happening inside and if we need to make any changes.  Next Friday I have another Colonoscopy, just as a precaution.  I decided to fix everything at the same time.

Have a great week end, God Bless, Captain

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Work Going Good

I've completed day 3 of my return to UPS.  All is fine and last night I went back to the job I left just before the operation.  We are all watching the progress and are aware of not over doing it.  By the same token I will return to better shape by working at it, not thinking about it from the recliner.  All is good.

Have mowed the grass this week, moved some bushes in the ground to see if more sun will help them.  Planted a couple of new ones.  Things are progressing back to normal.

Have a dentist appt. today, and the weather in Indiana is great if you like sun, 75-83 degrees, and low humidity.  Enjoy.

Thanks for all your prayers, God Bless you all, Captain

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Back to normal??????

I went to UPS last night and I stayed and worked my shift.  Time worked in the time clock and I made it just fine.  So I have a little more normalcy return to my life. Will obviously go back tonight, and gosh, next week I will have a paycheck.  Oh, what a feeling.

I did fine, course during the day I dug up a small dead tree, and a small dead bush.  Moved a bush to see if more sun will help it; planted 2 new shade loving flowering plants. Did some other small odds and ends.  Around here we have not be able to really keep up with the spring weeds, so now we have to play catch up.

Any ways, I'm back to work, um, wonder when my next day off is????  Oh, yeah Memorial Day.

Thanks for all  your prayers, God Bless, the Captain

Monday, May 14, 2012

Didn't forget "Mother's Day "

I didn't forgot all you mums out there it just didn't work out quite right for the timing of a post.

There are some of you screaming for a picture of the new hair cut, I didn't think that was the theme for Mother's day although I took 1 on Sat. night. ( it''s coming ) .  By the time I got around to trying to post something for Mother's Day it was almost noon, and I figured it wouldn't be seen in most cases til this morning. 

So here it is  " Happy Mother's Day "    I hope it was filled with the spirit that all mother's deserve with love and great thoughts of all you have selfishly done for us boys and men.  Thanks

So here is a couple of pictures before operation with hair and from Sat. night May 12, after hair loss, after weight loss, after operation.  Sorry you have to look at these ugly pictures.


Just found this one which is good, but I have a hat on.  From Feb. Florida fishing trip.
From the fishing trip in mid Feb. from Florida.  Acting like I'm the Captain of Ernest Hemingway's boat .
Recovery continues.  Cancer Free................

Going to dig a couple of holes in the yard today, then rest, then maybe do something else.

Luv you all, thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts, God Bless you all, Captain

Friday, May 11, 2012

Doing Fine........Just

Just still not working at UPS.  Paperwork, from too many sides.  Hoping for Monday.  Seems the light duty restrictions were the most of the hold up.  Aetna Disability has terminated my claim, so I guess that means they don't consider me eligible for time off any more. So that has been the frustrating part.

I've been working around the yard, today doing some weeding and maintenance after going and having some breakfast.  Got to let it warm out side.

So, I'm not going to mention UPS again until I actually start working again.

Thanks for all you do, Prayers are still welcome, cause there are parts of this battle that are not over yet.
God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Wednesday, 5/9/2012

I'm feeling fine, completely different then last week.  Hate to even type that.

Hair is growing, we are all getting used to it.

I went to UPS on Monday night and not all the paperwork had caught up with itself, so drove back home.  The boss was going to make phone calls on Tuesday and she did.  It looks like with some phone calls from myself last night I can go in, do the funny, " I'm in Shape " dance they can can make some phone calls and make all well again.

We'll see, but looks like I will be at UPS again starting tonight.

Going to mow the grass today, and do some weeding, well, that's that plan.  Maybe some paperwork will get in the way and hold me up here at home...................lol

Thanks again for all you do, God Bless,  Captain

Monday, May 7, 2012

Trying to contain my Excitment

1. It's 7 AM and I have already had a power screwdriver in my hand and used it to rehang 2 windows as it looks like it could rain from the west for the next 2 couple of hours. Tools gotten out, used and returned.  Wife not up yet, I got this  motivation on my own. I feel better, maybe I'll try to keep it quiet for a while.....lol

2. Had a busy, active day with the grand kids yesterday. ate quite a bit, did some walking and activity and was NOT completely worn out.  Then  returned home and ate some more and did not just zonk out in the bed.  Was some sore but not crazy sore.

I have noticed that there seems to be some xx's ands oo's somewhere in my head that still aren't hooked back up correctly.  Goofy images, goofy thoughts,

Saturday I had one of those bad decisions made.  It will grow back don't worry  Haven't decided to post a picture here or not.  My wife actually had a really good laugh which we know she needed.  I wanted it shorter, well it's shorter.  As the barber turned me around to see it I raised the sheet back up, saying I'm shocked more than I expected.  Getting closer to the mirror I said I just look like another skull found along the highway.

She took that to mean " Achmed the dead Terrorist." with all naming rights to Jeff Dunhum.

But, I'm feeling so much better than just last Weds. and Thursday.  So to continued progress, step by step.

Thanks to my friends, prayer partners. God bless you all, Captain

Special travel prayers to my best buddy and wife who are leaving to travel France to visit and enjoy the country.

See, you Captain

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Mini Marathon getting ready

Had to stop by and say to all who were around at the the beginning of this blog, that the reason for the blog was to run the Mini this year to celebrate my 65th birthday..  Well, we've had some roadblocks and changes in the course of the route.  But I'm 65. 

I've got to be short here as I have about 16 minutes.  It has a been a very rough time the last few weeks, for various reasons, not all related to the liver operation. Hence not much typing sorry.

I choose to use this missed race as the first step to the next race.  And my real recovery starts today.

Ok, got to watch the start.  Thanks for continued prayers, God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Not enjoying my trip

I don't know what the Lord has in mind, but I have a good week and then a bad week.  I just want some consistency.  If I feel good for 3-4 days, why can't the next 4 days be the same, instead of the total opposite.

I 'm not getting into the details, but NO I have not been back to UPS yet,  I have not been able to sit down for any length of time.  Out energy because of the situation.  Drinking boost, and liquids.  Have a phone call into the doctors now waiting on a call back.

Sorry about no updates, bear with me.

 God Bless, Captain

Friday, April 27, 2012

Friday, 4/27/2012, Last Day On Disability

WHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE   To all of you who are surprised and/or shocked by the quick release back to UPS, I can't tell you how good and ready I am for this to happen.  I'm sure the Dr. would not have released me if there was any questions that it was too early.

It is the next on the road to recovery, I  believe it it going to make life better for me, my family and my mental health.  I now have a schedule with deadlines that need to be kept.  Since these stents have been put in, my health has improved 100%.  I'm not quite so chilled all the time, I'm now have a reason to push myself to walk and get that energy back.

On Weds. night I drove down to UPS and made the walk, first to the guard shack, then clear to the other end of the building which would be my working area.  I spent about 1 hour there, got a lot of the handshaking and talking out of the way, so Monday can be just for working ( I know, " Old School " ) .  I talked with the boss's and I certainly feel they will work with me to make this work for all parties.

I do know that I was slowing down by the time I got back to the car.  So, I've got some work to do.  It will be fine.

Have a Great Day, and Thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts.  Mo have a Great Vacation in Belize.

God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wednesday, Update, Update.....................

Going to see the surgeon Dr. House @ 9:30  for a follow up visit.  Haven't seen him since before all this stent work began which was in early April.  Has this month gone on forever or what.

I have to think the DR.  is going to be surprised at the progress.  Aetna Disability is waiting by their phone to come up with a return to work at UPS date.  I'm hoping for mid May,  "It's time" as those politicians say.

I will try to give you an update this PM, I doubt I  know an exact date today.

Today's weight up to 147.7 1 pound every couple days, I'll take it.

Thanks for all you do, God Bless, Captain

You had better be sitting down, cause this shocked me.  I'm released to return to UPS on Monday, April 30th.  Light duty for 2 weeks, then where it takes me.

I had maybe thought in terms of mid May, but not Monday, but I'm ready.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Here I am and doing much better......

It's Monday morning, I'm trying to get ahead of the early risers.  The procedure was fine on Friday, the largest stent is in and I have a follow up appt. in July.  My side has been seemingly more sore this time after the new insertion.

Every time they put in a larger stent ( this is it ) the tube also increases in size, and that means that they have to mess around and enlarge the hole in my side.  So obviously that skin is much more sensitive while it heals it's self.  It is starting to feel better today.  So the wife and I have to flush the tube/stent twice a day and just keep things clean in general.  Probably in a month I won't even know it's there.

Saturday night was an unusual one for me, usually I'm up every 1 to 1 1/2 hour to take a leak, not a very restful night.  Saturday night was like I had a fight with the devil within my body.  First I laid down like always for bed.  The next thing it is 4 AM, I slept all that time with a potty break. But I was so sweaty I had to get up and strip off my clothes, the bed sheets, blankets etc. My pillow case was off course damp, but my pillow inside was totally wet.  I was very happy for the rest, but couldn't figure out the sweating thing.

Last night it was almost a normal night restful, only 3 visits to the bath, could sleep in between, I enjoyed it very much.  I feel much better, I have gained those dropped 10 pounds back, yesterday I was back up to 146, looking for 150 in the next 2 weeks.

Looking for an egg omelet in the next hour, it's cold outside, but trying to figure out what I can do.  My body is telling me it's getting closer to regaining some energy.

Got to go, luv you all, thanks for all your prayers, it has been quite a journey, they say don't judge till you walk in their shoes, well I can attest that no matter how they prepared me for this liver rebuild, I still was not prepared.

God bless you all, Captain

Friday, April 20, 2012

Friday 10:30 AM

Getting ready for the " last procedure " involving stents.  It  is scheduled for 1:30 PM, last week they were running behind.  Hopefully all on the bile duct front will be cleared up. Oh, forgot, I gained 10 Pounds from my 135 on 4/10,  yesterday was 144.8.

In the next 4 hours it will be 70 here in Indiana, then 4 hours of rain comes in, followed by 4-5 day of cold.  10 am tomorrow morning they are saying 45 degrees.  whoopee.

In that zone with no eating or drinking before being put under.  Oh Joy, of course we all know, I'm thirsty as a race horse.

See you on the flip side.  Thanks for all you do.

God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Wednesday , April , 18 th

If I don't have to think about a catchy title, I can just focus on what day of the week it is.  Yes, I was even thinking wrong yesterday evening. As Sue Crago says, " Growing a Liver is hard work ".

I got a couple of comments from the cheap seats on my blog yesterday.  " I read your blog, it sounded like you were drunk when you wrote it. "     Well, I can assure you I was not, it may have been confusing but not drunk.  To back up my side of a non drinker, I had 1 beer on the fishing trip in FL, the one b4 that was on 3/17/2009 which was my 62nd BD and welcome to early Social Security.  I don't think I qualify as drunk.

Then a comment came in via voice in the ear, " Glad to see you sliced your own apple ".  So I took a little writer's license of embellishing a little fiction along with the truth. I did eat the apple by myself, nobody had to feed it to me.    " I'm growing a Liver here "  give me some space.

I'm feeling fine, have to type my life in only black and white now.  Appetite is back, energy is getting there, getting ready to go dump the recylclables ( recyclables ) if more people could spell that word, we might all participate, and stop by a small breakfast place in town and actually order a 1/2 order of biscuits and gravy ( low fat of course )

I leaving for now because now the spell checher is going off every other word.

Thanks for your continued prayers, God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Tuesday, April 17th , 2012

These days are starting to run together, I have to really put together facts to figure out what day it is.  This morning at 6AM I awoke with a start thinking it was Friday and I had messed up the NBM, nothing by mouth, routine that I will be on for Friday for the next procedure.  And then, it is only Tuesday.

Ate some pizza yesterday, slice of cherry pie in a bowl with milk added.  Sliced an apple and dipped it in caramel sauce. Slightly more energy that I will test later today.  Can't type it here and ruin the surprise for the wife.  Shheeeeesssssshhhh,  now what the heck it everybody thinking?  His he walking a car lot and buying her a car, yeah, right, on my weekly $45 check from disability.  Let's just control ourselves, this is the Midwest.  I haven't received any royalty checks from any movies for a while, trying to think of the last one.       Thinking, thinking, thinking..........................oh, I remember...........NEVER.........lol

Sense of humor.....................coming back.
Sense of appetite..................coming back.
Sense of energy....................working on it
Sense of God........................He's always there

Thanks for all you do for me and others, God Bless you, Captain

In case you missed Sue's Bowling Update yesterday in the comment, Goal was $ 3000.00, raised
over $ 6,000.00.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Ok, I'm Back...............

The last 3 weeks have been really hard on me mentally, with new procedures trying to fix the bile duct and I just had to crawl under a rock for a few days.  I'm peeking out now, and things are looking up.  So I hope the low has been reached

On Friday I had the second stent replacement and this Friday the 20th will be the last one.  I know more about the process, it seems to be working much better and now for the energy part.  The first stent was a size 10 inserted into the bile duct. This last Friday , the 13th, they pulled the 10 and the tube, and exchanged it for a size 16, the opening is getting larger.  This Friday they will pull the 16 and replace it with a size 20.  This is the last one, and it will remain in their for a year.  The tube will be hanging out the side for that year, with some maintenance.  No swimming, bathing, showers are OK, don't worry.

We had the Bowling for Sue Fundraiser on Sat. the 14th.  It was very successful, and I will Sue brag on the numbers.  Sue you can leave a comment, and tell my people your joy, I don't want to steal your thunder.  I got to see some friends from UPS, TJ from the Captain Balloon business,  Mike, his wife Ann and his son Phillip were there supporting use.  I sat.  Didn't even pick up a bowling ball, did do some walking around.  According the the Doctor's liver regrowth plan, we should be pretty much done with major construction ton the liver, so my improving appetite can now go to me.  Will be watching the scales for proof.  ( Starting to have to many spell-check problems )  So I'm going to leave you now.

Thanks for all your prayers, God Bless you all, Captain

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Thrusday = April 12th,2012

Today is my Father's  90th Birthday.  Happy Birthday Dad.

Had a kind of rough night last nightJust tossing and turning over what I wondered was happening inside my abdomen.  I told you I capped off the tube running out of my body at 6:30 PM Tuesday.  That means, all the bile I had been collecting outside my body is being forced to drain inside my body  I have been on edge since then because every other time this tube was blocked off bad things have happened, jaundice, temperature and chills, landed me in the hospital for a bacterial infection in the bile.  Tomorrow, I'm supposed to go back to IU for a larger stent to be placed, which should help the situation.


I'll know a lot more tomorrow.  Thanks for all your prayers.

God Bless you all, Captain

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Quick Weds Update

Eyes do not need any surgery. It's something to watch in the future, but may or may not require surgery.  It's something that happens to old people with near sightedness. So that's positive.  I guess that's like saying if I live long enough I may need the surgery.........lol

Yesterday I capped off the tube leaving my body, so that my bile is running into the intestine like it is supposed to.  So far I don't see any jaundice, abdominal pain, no changes so far.  I was very worried about this as every time we have capped it in the past it has created problems.

Friday I go back to IU to replace the first small stent, installed last Friday, with a larger one, and of course the bile should even run better.

Will keep you up to date, ate something yesterday afternoon, and this AM.  Maybe we have pushed over the latest roadblock.

Thanks for all the prayers, God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

New Lowest Point

I never knew it would be this hard to recover from this surgery.  I now feel like I'm starting over again from day 1.  I have no energy, this morning I was panting and holding on to everything just taking a shower and drying off afterwards.  I actually felt nauseous while drying off and was slightly sick.  I now weigh ( I'm not proud of this ) 135.8 down 10 pounds from last Thursday. In high school, I wrestled at 120, in college 130, so this pretty low.  Now remember this is after 2 nights in the hospital, last Thurs and Fri. nights, not eating hospital food, drinking boost. Ate on Sat. ok, then started losing my appetite on Sunday.  Monday Am ate a couple of poached eggs, then rest of Monday I drank boost.

So, I've got to turn this around now.  At noon today I have an appointment with an eye surgeon to check out something the local eye doctor found.  Will know more later.  Getting old is not for sissies.

Thanks for your continued prayers, God Bless you all, Captain

Monday, April 9, 2012

Happy Monday

Hope everybody had a great Easter and day spent with your families.

I'm feeling a lot better today, I must say I was kind of down in the dumps over the week-end, mentally exhausted, when will these little setbacks end? etc.  I have some energy this am, ate some breakfast, slept pretty good last night.  OH, and got my taxes done and e-filed, and done, and done.  Refund from federal will cover payment to state.  wheeeeeee.

Now to call Comcast and discuss their bill. and how to lower it.

So I'm looking for a good day.

God Bless you all, Captain

Sunday, April 8, 2012

He IS Risen............Happy Easter

Today is Sunday and I came home yesterday very tired and emotionally drained.  We finally arrived around 1:30 PM.  I cleaned up and ate a sandwich and a Vitamin  water.  Hospital food totally is bad and you just loose your appetite when you go in there.

I'm feeling better, eating better, trying to get some energy back.  I still taking an antibiotic pill.  I have a new drainage bag from the topside of the stent, you would think it would drain very little but I'm pulling out 400- to 500 cc's every 5 hours since arriving home.  The original tube is pulled, so this is the only one I have and I may have it for a year, eventually getting rid of the drainage bag.  The tube will be used to change the stent size every so often.  To place larger stents, whatever, since it is now in place.

May God be with you on this and every day.  God Bless, Captain

Friday, April 6, 2012

ERCP not as planned................

Yesterday was supposed to be a in and out procedure of putting a stent into my bile duct.  Obviously we die not prepare to spend the night in the hospital and therefore I did not have my computer to update anyone, no clothes were brought with us.  Just unprepared, I was pretty frustrated

What happened was this.  You remember my link to what an ERCP was and entailed.  When they got all through the body with the scope and the wires, they just couldn't get the wire pushed into the constricted. Normal procedure takes around 30 minutes, my Doctor spent 1 1/2 hours trying to make it work.  Could not get it. 

So then the decision was to keep me overnight and go into the liver from above with a needle.  Obviously it is a much shorter route, more direct and they would be coming into the constricted area from above.

Long story short, today was a success, and now we're hopefully back on the road.  I'm in the room going thru a sort of recovery and will have to stay here again tonight.  Most likely to be released tomorrow.

God Bless  you all, thanks to you for the prayers. Captain.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Thursday 7:30 AM

Getting psyched up for an ERCP procedure, let's wrap some duct tape around it and be done with it.  Have to be there at 10 AM.

The refrigerator is fixed, better than it was new, and according to the repairman better than a new one. So that is done.

Was bothered twice by the disability people yesterday, what a pain.  They have my disability ending on 4/11 and even though I sent in paperwork signed by my surgeon extending the leave to 5/7.  They want to see notes, what a waste of time on all sides.  So much for resting and recovery while on disability.

OH well, I'll deal with it.

Well got to clean up to go take a nap.  See you on the flip side.  Not sure when.

God Bless you all, Captain

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Preparing for another Procedure Updated 12:26 PM

 The procedure is scheduled for tomorrow at 12 Noon, Hopefully all will be good after that.


 I had a pretty good day yesterday, appetite is definably coming back. But behind my back Doctors are conferring and looking at my X-rays, etc.

Yesterday at the end of the day ( 4:20 )  I was waiting on a refrigerator repairman to call or show up, a Dr. Fogle from IU called me directly.  I was familiar with him as he had done a colonoscopy, and an upper GI last summer looking for sources of cancer in my body besides just the liver. Anyways, he had received an email from Dr. House ( surgeon ) who is on vacation to look at my recent bile duct x-rays. They both felt that an  ECRP was needed asap, not an emergency, but soon.

You say what is an ERCP.  Here is a  ERCP link.  Remember we've been talking about this possible constriction area where my bile duct gets pretty narrow.  They believe that is causing all the problems, bile backup, allowing the bacteria to form, causing the temperatures and the shakes and chills. The procedure will correct all that.  This extra tube still protruding from my body, and the drainage bag. This procedure would allow an up close look at the problem ( with the microscopic camera ) they can then send down a tool kit and repair and fix the problem at the same time.

It is done as an outpatient procedure, but I would be out under a general anesthetic, not a local. So it would probably take about 6-7 hours total.

I do not have a firm date of when it will occur, waiting on a call back from the Doctor's office to confirm, I will let you know with an update, should know this AM.

Oh, and the refrigerator needs a new compressor, around $600.00, hopefully might be fixed late this afternoon.

Oh, I finally received my first disability check.  Are you ready for this?  They are paying at a rate of less than $ 10 per day.  So for a 5 day work week, I am getting $ 45.00.  Is that a joke or what?  I called them yesterday and told them what I thought of their plan.

But the insurance is fantastic.  I received the insurance payout report from my ins. carrier, I owe nothing $ 0, on my bill for the hospital stay for this operation, and nothing to the surgeon.  So for that I am forever grateful.

Got to go take some antibiotic and wait on the Dr's. call,  See you later.

Thanks for all you do, God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Tuesday 8 AM

Pretty restful night, up to bathroom 2 times only.  Feel rested, not that if I laid down I wouldn't take a nap.

Yesterday's blog continued, we were released at around 10 Am, stopped at a Jimmy John's and I ate 1/3 of an 8" sub, but that was something and more than I've had since last Thursday.  Returned home and laid down for a 3 hour nap.  You just don't get good sleep in a hospital, sorry.  Up, not napping, the rest of the day.  Ate some potato salad and another third of the same sub.  Ate 1/2 of a pecan roll from Panera Bread with my Antibiotic pill at 9 PM.  Appetite seems to be coming back, slowly is good.  Going to have some raisin oatmeal here in a minute, with next antibiotic pill ( every 12 hours ).  Took my temp. was 98.4, yeah.

Obviously just another rest day.  May or may not run 1 errand.  I'm doing better.  My old friends from Avon are heading to Washington, DC to visit their daughter and grandchildren.  May they have a safe trip.

Thanks for all the calls, texts, emails of prayers and concern.  The journey has it's ups and downs, just continue is the key.

God Bless, Captain

Monday, April 2, 2012

April 2, Where have I been ???

Yesterday was April Fool's Day, And this was no Joke.  I'm going to do this blog different since some of you are early risers and may look at it while I'm typing and see nothing new since Sat.  So, every paragraph or so I'm going to publish it so you know it is currently changing.  And you will know to come back in 10 minutes for more of the story.

Sat. morning I was feeling better, waiting on the Dr's call back from the Hospital.  Now I want to say, this is not really a complaint about the hospital as I'm sure they are busy, but most of you know I can get impatient and just go what I want.  "Katie bar the doors.  Here he comes. "

 My wife had to work on Sat. afternoon, and while she was gone, I had terrible shakes, I could look down the comforter and see it shaking while under it.  My temp. was back up.  Now a resident from the hospital had called late Friday night, remember, but on Sat. nobody else tried to call me that I knew from Dr. House's office.  I should say if I didn't, Dr. House took his family to Walt Disney World for a vacation so he was out of town.  Isn't that the way it always works out.

Someone had tried to call and the phone cell phone rang only 2 times and stopped.  The phone number was from NY state, so I thought was it was a wrong number call and they hung.  End of story.

Later, I was looking at the phone again and noticed that the phone number was the same one that had been used on Friday night, so now I assumed they had transferred from NY to Indy.  I tried to call the number back and left a message. That nobody with liver knowledge had called me back.  By now the wife had returned and was concerned because of the shakes and temp. spiking from normal to 102 and return to normal again, on a repeating basis.

Well, I started putting clothes on, and getting ready to leave the house, because we needed answers and if they couldn't get back, then we would go to them.  So we left for the hospital. I tried to call the NY # again just to give them a little warning of what we were doing, but the mailbox was full, couldn't even leave a msg.

So, this is still Sat. and I wasn't going to wait another 24 hours.  At first we were going to go to the emergency room and just wait thru the turmoil, asking for a Liver Specialist.  This was not a broken bone or something like that.  Then, while the wife was driving, my mind was running other scenarios thru.  We ended up, going straight up to 3 Surgical, which was was I had been cared for during my stay in the hospital and the chance might arise that I would know the nurses and I could get quicker care and answers.

Well, that won't, there was a Dr. House asst. right there on the floor. who we had met before, and sat us down in the visitors waiting room to talk thru what was going on.  But, I had put them in a position where I was not a registered patient of the hospital and they couldn't order any blood work or any tests.  But, I left there with a prescription for a strong antibiotic, and some info, and all the right phone numbers.  I went back home for another day, everybody hoping that the antibiotic would do the trick.    SO AS THEY  SAY don't try this at home, but I got what I wanted in that given situation.

Got back to Lebanon, and all pharmacies had closed at 6PM, it was now around 7:15,  I'm talking CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, all open, but no pharmacy.  The local pharmacy which we always use, we called the owners home phone number, and the person on call for emergency's was at a wedding reception in Indy.  We finally got the pills and I took one at 11:45, now I had felt good after returning from the hospital, and actually ate a slice of home made pizza that tasted good.  The only food I had even thought about eating since Weds. night.  I was drinking Boost and Powerade since Thurs, morning.

At 2AM I threw it all up.  Since I had only taken the antibiotic 2 hours before I thought about re taking it, but the wife convince me that it had already been absorbed into my system. Starting at that time I started taking my temp. again. it was 101.

At 3AM it was 101.5, at 345 it was 101.4, I then decided after reading the antibiotic label, that I was supposed to take 1 pill every 12 hours, so I figured not very much would happen in 2 hours before I had thrown it up last night.  So I took another one.  At 5AM temp. was 101.5, 7AM it was 100.3, and @ 9AM back to 99.3.

But, at 11 AM it was back to 102. and we started making calls to the hospital and this time the system worked.  To be safe, they wanted to see me, come to 3 Surgical, they would register me and keep me overnight for tests and observations.  So I'm back in the hospital. It is now Monday morning and I felt like I had to update you all.

As soon as I was in the hospital bed, they were drawing all kinds of blood cultures, blood test, urine tests, it went on and on, and I didn't want to impede all this activity so I didn't try to blog yesterday, sorry.

I was low on magnesium, first and only result so far of testing, so I'm now hooked to that and have been taking nutrients and antibiotic all night.  For some reason, since midnight I've been on a nothing by mouth routine, in case more tests are needed, that have not yet been scheduled.  It is now 7 AM and kind of waiting on some Dr, Resident or somebody from Dr. House's office to advise us.

Sorry this has been so long, but, the Drs. just came by and now I can add more.

After all the tests, the bile shows some bacteria in it, and that causes the liver to struggle and the feelings I've been going thru.  They have contacted Dr. House thru email and we are going to try another antibiotic pill, if I can hold it down without problems, I will be going home soon.  I have ordered a fruit cup, and a V8 for breakfast, and a Boost as back up.

So now we are all up to date, nothing serious, cause we listened to our body and nipped it in the bud.

Thanks for all your prayers even though you didn't know the details,  God Bless you all, Captain

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Rough two days

I think I'm coming out of it, whatever it was.  Yesterday I still had no energy or appetite, had 3 boosts during the day.  Just had no desire to even try to eat anything, walked between the recliner and bed with my comforter.  Starting to feel like that Charlie Brown character.  Had the shakes and shivers pretty much all day yesterday.  Last evening, I wrapped the comforter around me in the recliner and the wife put another one over me and that stopped the shivers.  PS, never had vomiting through out this ordeal

Gradually I flipped off the top one leaving me just wrapped up in one comforter.  Then I was getting hot and starting to sweat and my wife said you have a temperature.  Great.  So for next 2 hours we kept taking a temp. reading every 15 mins, she got on the phone and called the week end phone number for IU hospital to check in with them on what to do.  I told her I think I just may have overheated my own body. The temp. was slowly dropping during this time and by 9:30 was right at 100, down from a high of 102.  The shivers were over and I would occasionally sweat, but not for long.

The night went ok, just slept under a quilt, not the comforter, shivers gone, and right now am feeling better.  It's 7:30 AM on Sat. morning.  I already know what I want for breakfast, so I feel like eating something, yeah.  Going to take a shower directly to wash  all that sweat off, and put on real people clothes, that always make me feel better.

Just took my temp. and it was 97.0.

Thanks for all your prayers and positive thoughts through this journey, God Bless you all, Captain

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Today I hit the Wall

It's 1:30 PM and I just got out of bed.  I think I have overdone it the last week and it caught up with me. 2 small trips to the grocery alone, mowed a small patch of grass, Musical with first graders at Avon schools ( our grand daughter was in it ) yesterday trip to the hospital and the lunch and the drive around Indy.  Feel like I have a slight sunburn on my face, my arms and legs have been shaky all day, and a cold chill every once in awhile.  NO, I'm not running a temperature. 

And I had planned errands to get done today.  I left bed around 7:30 and went to the recliner with my comforter.  I had a boost for breakfast, didn't have the energy to actually cut and eat anything. Drinking my second Vitamin water for the day, avoid dehydration.  Probably have another boost and crawl back in bed.

Sorry, but I can't sit and type anymore right now.  God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Wednesday Morning Updated

7:45 AM  Getting ready to head to the IU Simon Cancer Center for a visit.  Hopefully I will be tube free afterwards, back to a normal person, as if I can be normal.

See you later with an update.  God Bless, Captain

UPDATE  3 PM

Most is good news.  The drainage bag is gone, the tube is still there until next Thursday, just to make sure.  Obviously, once you remove it, you can't just stick it back in there.  So we are pretty much a regular person, but sleeping on my right side is out cause I got this tube still sticking out.

The X-ray scan showed all the bile ducts open and working good, except for one constricted area, and of course we are watching it.  The liver is working fine, it is growing back or I wouldn't be here.  The liver must regenerate that fast in order to keep you alive.  If it was slower, the liver couldn't do it's job and death would follow shortly, that's why 80 % is regrown in the first 3 weeks.

So, the wife and I went to Iaria's for lunch (great Italian food ) then took Meridian st. north and just enjoyed the beautiful day, the flowering trees on houses and landscaping we can only dream about.  Ended up at Trader Joe's with nothing in mind to buy, just looking, and we only spend $11 on frozen lobster meat.

I'm going to take a nap now.  For UPS, I and the Doctor are looking at May 7th to return to work without any complications popping up.

Thanks for all your prayers, God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tuesday Morning

Things are going well, but it is once again cold in Indiana.  Yesterday I could not get warm.  I wrapped up in a comforter, I put on long underwear and wrapped up. Just fought it all day.  I did make another trip to the grocery by myself.  Did just fine.

Tomorrow is another doctors appointment for blood work, a  X-ray of the liver, and hopefully removal of the final drain tube.  Then praying for no leaks internally, and more healing to occur.

Yesterday, the disability people called.  I think I said it had been approved, now they are trying to figure out the amount to send me, I have received nothing yet.  They said we notice you are receiving Social Security, I said yes.  I suppose you are going to have to deduct that from the disability check, she said yes.  I told her the whole process was a pain in the butt and hardly worth it.  I'll be back at work before I get the first check.

It's a good thing they didn't ask how much I sold on Ebay last year, or if I sold a car and made a profit, they would want to subtract that.  Jerks...................  Why even bother.  Glad I got that off my chest.

Otherwise all is good, guess I will have to figure my taxes soon. 

God Bless you all, and thanks again.  Captain

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Sunday Morning

Went to church, first time back since surgery on 3/1.  Everybody glad to see me, and I to see them.  This morning was a good first for me.  I gained 3 pounds, yeah.  Am getting my appetite back, had breakfast yesterday, ( 2 eggs, 2 pcs of bacon, hash browns and 2 pcs of toast ).  Sandwich, potato salad and 3 pickles for lunch, warmed up spaghetti for dinner.  Things are looking up.

Friday night, I took the car and went on a small trip to the grocery by myself.  Did fine, I wasn't looking for 40 pounds of dog food, don't worry, I still have a brain. 

I'm no hero, but I'm not an invalid either, every thing I do is one step on the road to recovery.  If it doesn't hurt me, why not do it.

I'm feeling better every day, less naps, a little more energy.  Restless at night though, can't get a complete nights sleep, but I wasn't doing that before surgery.

HEY, All you bowlers, don't forget April 14th, 1 PM .  I know it's been awhile and other events are getting added to our lives but I want to see you all there, and some of you own me $$$$$$........lol

Thanks for all your prayers, God is in our lives each day, look at me, an unworthy sinner. 
God Bless you all, Captain

Friday, March 23, 2012

Friday

Waiting on my buddy Mike to visit me this AM.  You just can't do with too many friends.

Did I say the surgeon gave me the ability to drive again ( a little freedom ).

Finally got my disability time approved from  UPS ins provider.  I'm approved till 4/11, heck I can't even sit for 3 hours, let alone stand for 3 hours.  We'll see, how it works out.

Better go for now, eating good, feeling pretty good, trying to walk upright without hunching over.  Weight loss may have bottomed out.

Luv you guys, thanks for all you do for me, remember there are lots of others fighting problems in their own lives.  God Bless, Captain

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Liver Anatomy 101

Here goes as I understand it in general.  This organ has 8 independent sections that comprise the liver, each section has it's own artery and vein so any section can be removed without much problems occurring for the rest of the liver.  The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself, but you have to leave some of it for that to happen.

I had an 8 hour surgery, "extensive" as the surgeon says.  I only have 2 sections of the liver left sections 6 & 7, they removed 80% of my liver.  As we speak supposedly it has already regenerated to 80 % of it's size.  That's why all my energy is going to the liver and I'm so nap ready and can't go for long periods of time.  Of course that will change, the whole process takes 6-8 weeks.  That's probably also why I'm not gaining weight at the point, because everything I eat is going to the liver.

Here is a drawing that the surgeon made yesterday showing what's left of the liver and the bile duct routing.

Well, fudge, I can't seem to upload an Adobe file.  So anyways, I have a plastic tube that is protruding from my body, I left the hospital with it, perhaps for this situation.  It is inserted into the bile duct leaving the liver.  So that could be the site of the blockage, some of the bile is getting through, just not enough to keep me from turning jaundice.  In other words some of the plastic tubing is actually blocking the bile duct.  When they remove the tube that could clear up the problem.

But, the surgeon does not want to remove the tube too early as it needs to create some scar tissue.  If you remove it too early the hole in the bile duct may not seal correctly and you end up with a leak inside your body, We don't want that.  Also it could slow down the regeneration of the liver.  So we are going to err on the side of caution.  Next Weds, it will come out and we will watch the results.

I messed with it enough that I got it to work, now my above description may be clearer.  Remember you can click on the picture to enlarge it, if you want.  I will not show any actual photos, might be too graphic.

Thanks for all your prayers, it's not over yet,  God Bless, Captain

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

9 PM Weds night

Sorry this is so late, but I've been napping off and on today.  The results are kind of in, I will have a diagram tomorrow to show what is happening.

The liver is working fine, the liver is creating bile that is the right color, etc.  As seen by my surgeon in the the drainage bag attached to my leg.  He says all things are pretty much in line with what is expected.  He stated that it would take  6-8 weeks to work thru this process,  tomorrow is only 3 weeks from the surgery.  BE Patient, he says.  He says the bile is flowing freely, we just have to get in back inside the body and not outside.  It could be caused by the tube that is coming out, but it is too early to actually remove the tube. 

More tomorrow,  Thanks for the continued prayers, Captain

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Tuesday Afternoon

Sorry about the delay in some postings, it seems like I get tired and uncomfortable sitting at the computer.

My wife, my caregiver says my yellow is about gone, really dim.  We seem to be collecting a lot of bile in the outside my body collection bag.  I say that because at this point if we were collecting less bile, than the inside bile tube would be working better.  I have a follow up appt. tomorrow at 9:30 with the surgeon where more blood work will be done and consultations, but I'm sure the bag will remain at the present time.  Common sense tells me if we remove the outside bag, bile will just start backing up inside again. So anxious to hear what the options are.

I'm eating better, my little episode of puking Sunday night was I think caused by my diet of grease, grease and onion.  I'm down to 1 pain pill a day and I take it before bedtime just for the heck of it, thinking I may sleep better.

So tomorrow will be a later post again after seeing the doctor. 

Thanks for your prayers, God Bless you all, Captain

Monday, March 19, 2012

Struggling the Last Few Days

This may be short, but I wanted to give you an update.  The week end was hard with not much energy.  Seemed to empty a lot of bile out of my external bile bag. Not quite so yellow, but wondering what the future will bring.  NO cancer, just trying to get thru little gremlins left over from surgery.

Ate good yesterday, but too much, last night couldn't get comfortable and threw up, felt better after that, slept for 4 hours straight.  Just took a nice shower, and have trouble catching my breathe afterwards.  It just takes all my strength to dry off and get dressed so I can sit down and recover.  Weight on March 1 was 163 ( morning of surgery ) yesterday it was 145.   Don't try this diet at home..............lol

My daughter is here for a Harry Potter movie-thon.  We have never seen the final 2 movies.  See you later. Any bets on how soon I fall asleep?

Thanks for all the prayers, God Bless, Captain

Saturday, March 17, 2012

A Little Tension Yesterday

It is now Sat. AM, my birthday March 17th and I'm glad to be home celebrating it.  Wasn't so sure yesterday.  They say that cancer is a long roller coaster ride with ups and downs, Yesterday I hit a small bump and seem much better today.

Thursday was a normal day, and my best friend Mike was sitting on the porch with me, we had taken a walk and enjoying the day of 81 degrees and sunshine.  My wife returns from errands and she says why do your eyes look yellow?  I looked at her and said, "What the heck do you mean ?"  I mean we fought this liver cancer all the way from beginning to end and never any signs of jaundice which is one of the signs to look for with this cancer.  I just couldn't believe it.

She immediately called one of those emergency phone numbers they give you when you leave the hospital.  And they weren't too concerned, but since we were going to be at the Hospital to see our friend Cindy ( also battling this disease ) they said to stop by for blood work.  There was no vomiting or temperature so again, calm down.  Obviously we tried to keep the worst thoughts out of our heads, but we sure didn't want an infection, or anything to set us back with another stay in the hospital.

We saw Cindy around 11AM and then went to Surgical Outpatient for blood work.  While there they then decided that they wanted to do a x-ray of the bile ducts and they used that tube that had been left in and extending from my side. So we just waited and waited for the result to come back. Don't ask me how it is used, guess I'm glad it was still there.

Finally, we saw Dr. House, our surgeon, at around 3 PM and learned the results.  One of my bile ducts had a small constriction ( or kink ) that was allowing bile to leave the liver but not fast enough.  And therefore it was backing up and causing the jaundice look. So they hooked up another drainage bag to the tube extending from my side to free up the flow of bile.  Have another appt. next Weds to check on the progress as the bile duct inside my body un-kinks itself and becomes normal again during the regrowth of the liver.  Last night I regained my appetite, eating the most food between the hours of 4 PM and 10 PM since the surgery.  My wife, nurse, emptied about 475 cc's of bile fluid from the bag last night and early this AM.  It appears to have slowed some now.

So I think we have turned that corner and proceed forward again.  So Happy Birthday to me " 65th" and only good things for the future.

Thanks to the healing hand of God for continuing to be with me, the Drs. and there fast responses and knowledge.

God Bless you all and thanks for the prayers,  Captain

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Checking IN

Doing pretty good, starting to eat better, still taking boost every once in a while.  The last 2 days have been spent napping, but they told me that weakness and fatigue is common with this recovery as my liver is rebuilding itself.  Of course now the problem is not wanting to sleep so much at night.

Still not having a lot of pain, just being uncomfortable.  My scar and stitches start just under my sternum, goes south towards my navel, and then turns towards my right side.  Last night in bed it just felt like a large flat pizza laying there all stuck to my abdomen, and every time I moved my abdomen was one large flat piece of cardboard moving with me.  Hope that is not too confusing. 

The weather has been marvelous here in Indy, like 82 yesterday, some rain showers today, but still warm.  Then warm for the next 5-7 days, very nice for this early in the year.

Remember others in your prayers, prayers work as you can see with me.  Thanks, God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Never Got Back, Sorry

Was talking about appetite and feeling good.  Last night I felt like some KFC chicken and it tasted very good, didn't eat a lot, but to me it is always good cold.  Today is my son's birthday and he is coming over for lunch to celebrate, as he works nights this is a good schedule for him.  So " Happy Birthday " son.

My parents arrived for a visit yesterday, it was the first time since Sunday after my surgery.  While we were talking my oldest sister stopped by for a visit at the same time.  Had a nice time, maybe 3 hours and I was ready for a nap afterwards.  I'm doing fine, no temperature, bowels are working fine, energy and appetite are slowly coming back.  I now weigh 15 pounds less than I did on the morning of the surgery, do not attempt this diet at home.......lol.

I'm now drinking at least 2 bottles of boost a day to help keep nutrients flowing thru my body.  I have been up and down the stairs to the second floor of our house at least twice, so again I'm getting around fine.

Prayers to my niece today has she is having laparoscopy gall bladder removal.

Thanks for your continued prayers and thoughts being sent my way, but let's not forget our friends and neighbors.  God Bless, Captain

Monday, March 12, 2012

Maybe appetite coming back

This am I ate 2/3 of a 2 egg omelet and 1 1/2 piece of toast.  That's the most I felt like eating at 1 time since surgery.

My parents just showed up for a visit.  I will finish later.

Captain

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Doing Good

Feeling fine, just fighting restlessness.  I get tired of laying down and I stand of and walk around the house, then I sit down and try to get comfortable and that works for awhile but then I feel like laying down and so it goes, around and round and back and forth.

I'm eating, but very lightly, all body functions are working.  Taking 1 pain pill 2 a day, which is about 1/2 of my allotment ( can take every 6 hours ), just don't feel pain, just uncomfortable.  Drinking plenty of water.  The wife and I have gone on 2 short walks outside the house, walking on my own, no cane, walker or any other device.  Reading and watching sports, guess this is the next 2 big weeks for March Madness.

Thanks for all your prayers and positive thoughts, God Bless, Captain

Friday, March 9, 2012

Mildly Uncomfortable Night

Nothing to worry about, just couldn't get comfortable flat on my back, multiple trips to the bathroom, Maybe some apprehension, about what I don't know, maybe that I'm doing so well and wondering what is coming next.  I also did take that walk, not far, maybe 2 blocks outside.  I maybe overate just a little at dinner.  Some of the wife's friends brought some stuffed pepper soup over and it tasted so good, I had a second serving, now remember these are small servings to begin with, but it may have been too much.  Seems like I drank more water yesterday and it had to go somewhere.  Again nothing big, maybe just a combination of all of the above.

Here is a picture of our front door, that was decorated by a neighbor, Welcoming us Home from the Hospital.











We are so blessed with friends and family that mean so much.  I'm going to go slower today.

I'll talk to you over the week end. Thanks for all your prayers.  God Bless, Captain

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Doing Very Well, Thank you

Last night was good, got some sleep, the wife slept very good, lots of snoring was heard ( guess I'll hear about that ).  I am laying down and pretty much falling asleep.  Last night I laid down around 5 PM trying to watch some missed shows on Infinity On Demand.  I woke up with my wife in the room checking on me, the room was dark and I was anticipating that I had slept for a long while.  For some reason I was thinking 2 AM and I asked her what she was still up for?  She said it was 7:50 PM and totally burst my bubble. Maybe my whole mind is not back yet. 

I'm not trying to be any hero here but my last pain pill was 2 AM, and I just feel more discomfort than pain.  I have a pad of gauze on my side where there is 1 tube still hanging out of my body, and the tape that holds the pad is sticky and pulling on skin and you know what I mean.  Just uncomfortable.  I got up this AM at 7:30 and fixed my green tea, and let her sleep.  I've been walking around the house ( inside ) and sitting in chairs and laying down again ( 2 hour nap ).  Just trying to tell my backbone to start getting to used to changing positions again.  Using muscles that were dormant for about a week, etc.

I'm going to shower soon, put on real clothes and maybe talk a walk outside.  So still thanks to my prayer partners, God Bless you all, Captain

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Peyton and Me walking on the Same Day

It's 4:30 and I'm home.  Just took a shower and washed my hair, that felt good.  Got home around 2 PM and just crawled in bed with a comforter on me. And that's over a pair of those loose pajama pants, a long sleeve T-shirt and a nylon runners jacket.  Was watching a special on Simon and Garfunkel, very emotional for me.  It's just amazing how they can take a single sentence and someone else adds to it and they come up with a new song. They were talking about "Bridge over Troubled Waters."  And that's not talking about the actual keyboard music, the drums, the piano, etc. Just amazing and emotional for me at this time.  You don't normally think about it.

 
Saw it yesterday on ESPN that Peyton Manning and the Colts were parting ways,  Peyton will be leaving town and playing somewhere else.  I didn't watch ESPN last night but I'm sure that was all they talked about.  Never mind all the College basketball players playing to get into the NCAA tournament.  March Madness is here, can we all focus on something besides Peyton and the Colts.

Anyways, back to my title.  I just got my walking papers to leave the Hospital today.  So on the same day we are both leaving the city, I'm sure I won't make any news, I'm sure I won't be making any waves at the exit from the hospital.  No Fans crowded around to get my autograph or shed any tears to see me going home.

Don't throw your computers at me in disdain for comparing the two of us.  We're just jocks, something to talk about on a Sunday afternoon.

AND remember I'm hallucinating big time everyday. So to all my fans, see you around, I luv each one of you.

God Bless, Captain

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

All things are good................

All tubes have been removed. fingers are now free to move about on the keyboard, I got the mouse working so that is also easier to move the cursor around the screen.  I have only 1 drainage tube to come out tomorrow and then I get to leave this hospital.

I just saw Dr. House, surgeon, and he and the team are all impressed.  As follows, the chemo stepped down my cancer from the beginning at a Stage 3 to Stage 1, hardly ever happens with this cancer at the stage 3 level..  I was extremely healthy and that helped thru chemo and now thru surgery.  I have recovered from this hard surgery faster than anyone had envisioned. They just see no reason not to be optimistic.

Now for the future and what to watch for.  At this point, as of today I am cancer free.  But if this cancer reappears it will most likely do it within the next 2 years  After that 2 year period it will be more unlikely to return.  So we will be watching things closely, with Ct scans and blood work.  I will know more after the surgeon and onc meet to discuss my case leading up to my oppt in late March..as 2 future chemo or not???

I think I have most of my senses returned and am making sense.  I hope I was not too graphic in my descriptions.  Blame it on the drugs..

To all my prayer pals, my friends and family, we have met this head on and kicked some cancer butt.  Thanks to God for his merciful healing.  To God be the Glory, Great things he has  done

I have to go now, cause I'm getting tired and sweating like a dog.  (whatever that means )

God Bless you all,  Captain