The port is in and am working through the bruising and small slash across my upper chest, about 3" long. Can't shower for 48 hours, no swimming or hot tubs. Nothing like the hottest weather in Indiana and I can't get wet. What's a guy to do? Well, I guess I'll just have to sit here in the AC and not sweat. I am very pleased with the IU Hospital system. We went to IU North at 116th and Meridian yesterday and felt like we were with friends the whole time. The nurse that was assigned to me from start to finish was a good friend of a good friend of my daughters in the Zionsville area. Small world, uh?
Going to have breakfast with my son this AM, was going to play golf, but restricted for 2 weeks, but it is only going to be 97 degrees. You know that sweating thing.
I had an inspiration yesterday. You remember the reason for this blog, running........OH yeah. I have a few months left on my Health Club membership and I'm going to use their treadmills for a few weeks. I thought that was a good idea, but I can't run later today ( cause I would sweat ) and tomorrow is Chemo, guessing I won't feel like it, but we'll see.
God Bless you all, Captain
Will try to post something tomorrow, most likely after the Chemo.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Port Placement is today
This is a ( I guess ) permanent IV slot, trap door, whatever for ease of Chemo delivery. I've never seen one so don't know what to expect. " I sure hope they have designer colors, different styles for my selection. " Thinking like I'm going to a LenCrafters store.............lol
It is still hot in Indiana, 97 today with heat index up around 110. Obviously not running or even walking, but I can't wait to get started again.
Chemo on Friday, a little apprehensive, have no idea what to expect. Life is always changing isn't it.
A very nice lady and friend from our church brought by a great tasting dessert yesterday, and I can't have any right now because of the "No drinking, No eating" rule before surgery. But something to look forward to afterwards.
Again I can't walk this path alone and I know you are with me through your prayers, thank you so much.
God Bless you all, Captain
It is still hot in Indiana, 97 today with heat index up around 110. Obviously not running or even walking, but I can't wait to get started again.
Chemo on Friday, a little apprehensive, have no idea what to expect. Life is always changing isn't it.
A very nice lady and friend from our church brought by a great tasting dessert yesterday, and I can't have any right now because of the "No drinking, No eating" rule before surgery. But something to look forward to afterwards.
Again I can't walk this path alone and I know you are with me through your prayers, thank you so much.
God Bless you all, Captain
Monday, July 18, 2011
HOT, HOT, HOT
Nothing much today, stayed in the AC. Right now it is 93 with 104 heat index. Next medical treatment is Weds. for the installation of an IV port to receive Chemo on Friday. Chemo on Friday will be 6 hours worth.
Can't wait............lol
My oldest sister dropped by today and surprised me, we talked, laughed and cried for about 4 hours. Alone and to our self, it was very nice and comforting for both of us ( I'm assuming it was good for her)
God Bless and keep those prayers coming. Captain
Can't wait............lol
My oldest sister dropped by today and surprised me, we talked, laughed and cried for about 4 hours. Alone and to our self, it was very nice and comforting for both of us ( I'm assuming it was good for her)
God Bless and keep those prayers coming. Captain
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Am not running !
Because of the heat and all than is going on medically right now in my life, I'm taking some time off. I am a much better winter runner. Just a few weeks till September and we should see some cooler days ahead. Trust me, I'm still running the Mini next year, so Mo I'm giving some time to catch up and pull ahead of me, I know you'll need it. Sorry I suckered you into that gall bladder deal.
I will still give you updates on the other health situations, so don't leave me now. If it cools down next week, I'll be back out there. Onward and upward......................
God Bless and keep the prayers coming, I need them more than ever. Thanks for your love, Captain
I will still give you updates on the other health situations, so don't leave me now. If it cools down next week, I'll be back out there. Onward and upward......................
God Bless and keep the prayers coming, I need them more than ever. Thanks for your love, Captain
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Knockdown Friday................
I didn't post anything yesterday because the news was not what we wanted to hear and it truly took us a while to digest it.
As you may remember we had a surgery date scheduled and we were going to remove the cancer and be cured. ( first knockdown ) Well the PET Scan, which shows more detail and info than a regular CT Scan showed that the cancer had moved to the right lobe of the liver. So basically the surgery was off. Why cut out the left lobe if you still have cancer in the right lobe. Yes, they could do the surgery and look for the cancer in the right lobe, but they would never be able to find it all. There are literally thousands of place it could be hiding in the right lobe. Why would you put a patient through all the surgery and recovery only to tell them that they still have cancer and it can't be removed.
( 2nd knockdown ) They were going to put a Chemo pump just under the abdominal wall and deliver the Chemo directly into the liver, in the hopes that with a concentrated therapy like that it might shrink some of the cancer cells where something else could be done. One last check of the blood work showing current liver functions and WHAM ! The function of the liver that would make the pump work correctly was not working at all, so that option was taken away. It was not a good day.
I looked at the DR and said " Is this like the sickest, worst Game Show ever played." , my daughter said, " Yeah, How much Crap can we pile on this family in one Day??? " and we had a good laugh.
This is a rare and incurable form of cancer unless you can surgically remove it. My Oncologist has much experience in this area and I trust him with my life; he said that he has never heard of a person being cured except by surgery and that was off the table.
So obviously we had a lot to digest and tears to shed as we tried to cope with this news.
But, you can knock us down, but we don't stay down long. Next Weds, July 20th, a port will be installed in my shoulder area and on Friday we will begin Chemo. This is like having a permanent IV established to receive the Chemo and even take blood if needed. We will take 2 months of Chemo and then have another CT scan to try and determine if the cancer is having any reaction from the Chemo. Remember this will not cure the cancer. They and we are looking to slow the spread and mb even stop it.
Dr. H, says, " This is not the only tool in the tool box, but let's get it started, see the reaction and then change the plan as we see results. " Maybe the next step can be more aggressive, but we have to have a starting place.
I don't know what else to tell you at this point. But we're back on our feet today, and looking forward to the Chemo and the future results.
God Bless you all for your positive thoughts and prayers, I know that God is here with us, but we're also doing a little questioning of him.
Captain
As you may remember we had a surgery date scheduled and we were going to remove the cancer and be cured. ( first knockdown ) Well the PET Scan, which shows more detail and info than a regular CT Scan showed that the cancer had moved to the right lobe of the liver. So basically the surgery was off. Why cut out the left lobe if you still have cancer in the right lobe. Yes, they could do the surgery and look for the cancer in the right lobe, but they would never be able to find it all. There are literally thousands of place it could be hiding in the right lobe. Why would you put a patient through all the surgery and recovery only to tell them that they still have cancer and it can't be removed.
( 2nd knockdown ) They were going to put a Chemo pump just under the abdominal wall and deliver the Chemo directly into the liver, in the hopes that with a concentrated therapy like that it might shrink some of the cancer cells where something else could be done. One last check of the blood work showing current liver functions and WHAM ! The function of the liver that would make the pump work correctly was not working at all, so that option was taken away. It was not a good day.
I looked at the DR and said " Is this like the sickest, worst Game Show ever played." , my daughter said, " Yeah, How much Crap can we pile on this family in one Day??? " and we had a good laugh.
This is a rare and incurable form of cancer unless you can surgically remove it. My Oncologist has much experience in this area and I trust him with my life; he said that he has never heard of a person being cured except by surgery and that was off the table.
So obviously we had a lot to digest and tears to shed as we tried to cope with this news.
But, you can knock us down, but we don't stay down long. Next Weds, July 20th, a port will be installed in my shoulder area and on Friday we will begin Chemo. This is like having a permanent IV established to receive the Chemo and even take blood if needed. We will take 2 months of Chemo and then have another CT scan to try and determine if the cancer is having any reaction from the Chemo. Remember this will not cure the cancer. They and we are looking to slow the spread and mb even stop it.
Dr. H, says, " This is not the only tool in the tool box, but let's get it started, see the reaction and then change the plan as we see results. " Maybe the next step can be more aggressive, but we have to have a starting place.
I don't know what else to tell you at this point. But we're back on our feet today, and looking forward to the Chemo and the future results.
God Bless you all for your positive thoughts and prayers, I know that God is here with us, but we're also doing a little questioning of him.
Captain
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Heading to the PET scan
PET scan @ 8 AM, hopefully last test before surgery on the 27th. Great weather to run, but no time, probably be too hot this afternoon, mb not.
Meeting with Oncologist tomorrow @ 11AM for results and I guess final arrangements for surgery.
Will perhaps be able to tell you something later, we'll see.
Thanks again for all your support, I know it is making a difference, God Bless, Captain
New info added......
Obviously home from the PET Scan, I have no results or even a clue. I didn't want to ask the machine operator to interpret what she saw ( and let me worry or feel safe for 24 hours ) when a radiologist will read it and I will know the results tomorrow at 11 AM from my Oncologist. So tomorrow we should be on the fast track to surgery on the 27th, or press the pause button on the remote and make up a new game plan..................it's just not cut and dried at this point.
I just had my hair cut, so lookin hot for all those nurses...........lol, right, I know they are interested in a 64 yr old with liver cancer.hahahahaha Soon I'm going to have to find a place to park my walker @ UPS.
Thanks again and I will see you tomorrow afternoon, God Bless, Captain
Meeting with Oncologist tomorrow @ 11AM for results and I guess final arrangements for surgery.
Will perhaps be able to tell you something later, we'll see.
Thanks again for all your support, I know it is making a difference, God Bless, Captain
New info added......
Obviously home from the PET Scan, I have no results or even a clue. I didn't want to ask the machine operator to interpret what she saw ( and let me worry or feel safe for 24 hours ) when a radiologist will read it and I will know the results tomorrow at 11 AM from my Oncologist. So tomorrow we should be on the fast track to surgery on the 27th, or press the pause button on the remote and make up a new game plan..................it's just not cut and dried at this point.
I just had my hair cut, so lookin hot for all those nurses...........lol, right, I know they are interested in a 64 yr old with liver cancer.hahahahaha Soon I'm going to have to find a place to park my walker @ UPS.
Thanks again and I will see you tomorrow afternoon, God Bless, Captain
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Met with the Sugeon Today
Things are moving along quickly now. Appt. @ 8:30, finally saw him around 10 AM, probably about normal. He ordered a EKG and more lab works while we were there. The operation is scheduled for 7/27 at 3: 30 in the afternoon. In the hospital for 5 days, recovery at home for 4-6 weeks. So in Sept the weather will be much cooler and I can get back on the MINI training plan, and you and I will see more progress. Still on track to meet all goals
Operation is about a 5-6 hour ordeal, that's what we hoping for. Nothing is ever 100 % in this world, and they start out with a small incision in the navel and insert a scope to look around the outside of the liver, (lymph nodes, gall bladder, etc ) looking for any other signs of problems, with the ability to biopsy and have the report within 12 -15 minutes. The worse answer at this point is there is more cancer out in this area, and they would stop the surgery and close the navel back up. Why take out the left lobe of the liver if this has gone too far.
The reality is setting in that it still could go either way. After that, they would remove the gallbladder ( while in there ) and the left lobe of the liver, depending on what is found in the right lobe it could determine future treatment plans.
I know God has been with me every step of the way, except for the original cancer diagnosis, everything else has been cancer free. He is still with me and the wife, and there is no reason to believe that all will be ok. We carry daily fear and uncertainty around with us because somehow we don't fully trust him with our heart.
Got to eat something now, I hope you all believe, God Bless, Captain
Operation is about a 5-6 hour ordeal, that's what we hoping for. Nothing is ever 100 % in this world, and they start out with a small incision in the navel and insert a scope to look around the outside of the liver, (lymph nodes, gall bladder, etc ) looking for any other signs of problems, with the ability to biopsy and have the report within 12 -15 minutes. The worse answer at this point is there is more cancer out in this area, and they would stop the surgery and close the navel back up. Why take out the left lobe of the liver if this has gone too far.
The reality is setting in that it still could go either way. After that, they would remove the gallbladder ( while in there ) and the left lobe of the liver, depending on what is found in the right lobe it could determine future treatment plans.
I know God has been with me every step of the way, except for the original cancer diagnosis, everything else has been cancer free. He is still with me and the wife, and there is no reason to believe that all will be ok. We carry daily fear and uncertainty around with us because somehow we don't fully trust him with our heart.
Got to eat something now, I hope you all believe, God Bless, Captain
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