Friday, January 27, 2012

Three steps forward one step back. It seems like a reoccurring scenario. Wednesday didn't go as good as we wanted it. The new chemo has not been effective and the tumors have grown and spread. At least we found out only after 8 weeks of the chemo rather then going months. To be honest I anticipated this mostly due to the fact that I've been feeling like my old self since switching to it. Hands and feet back to normal. Appetite back and energy level up. The topper was that my blood work came back the best its been in well over a year. Everything to normal. The new chemo just wasn't strong enough. The only saving grace is that I needed to have this chemo in order to qualify for the trial drug study. So Wednesday afternoon I ran around the hospital having lab work and an EKG done. Thursday morning I was back bright and early for an ECHO (heart study) and CT Brain Scan. Next week I'm scheduled for a CT Scan of my pelvis (this is the 3rd CT scan in a week - you would think they would get everything done at once), bone scan and more labs. I'm tentatively set up to start the trial chemo on Feb 8. All they need to do is to re-evaluate my tumor block. They actually keep the tumors removed from you, in this case from 9 years ago, in what they call a tumor block (wax like substance). the hospital is required to keep it in storage basically forever. In this case it will be sent to Germany (drug company sponsoring the trial is Rosch which is a German Pharmaceutical company) to verify that the cancer I have is the one they are studying in the trial. I am confident that this will not be a problem since the tumor has been evaluated by both RUSH and U of C hospitals once before. Good news is that the drug company pays for a lot of the tests and drugs. Once I get more into the thick of it I will let you know what is involved. Until then I just keep on going with a positive attitude and the fight continues.

Stay tuned for more updates and don't forget to Keep on Dancin"!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Happy New Year! Hard to believe that we are starting a new year already. The holidays just flew by with great times with both family and friends. It's times like these that make me even more determined to fight this beast. Luckily the new chemo I started 6 weeks ago has had minimal side effects. Besides fatigue the worst has been a weakening of the tendons/muscles in my right ankle which at times makes it difficult and painful to walk. This is a side effect of one of the medications I am required to take for the trial study. Besides that I feel good and have had more noticeable energy. I have a CT scan on January 24 and hopefully it will show that this new chemo cocktail is working. I can handle the ankle if the scan shows that this chemo is working. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

I've never been too much into new years resolutions. I've always tried to set goals for myself (thanks to my years at Bussmann and having to do yearly professional goals - thanks Ray!) and given myself time to achieve them no matter what time of the year. However, this year I am challenging myself to do something that will make a positive impact. Whether its volunteering or just leading by example I'm not quite sure what it will be but I'm hoping I have enough energy this year to accomplish it. I am hoping that some day my ramblings here in this blog will be able to help someone see sunshine at the end of the tunnel. That being dealt a bad hand doesn't have to result in having to stop your life in its tracks but to live each day to its fullest. I would rather have one meaningful year of living then two years of being miserable.

I hope all of you have started the new year on a good foot and that 2012 will bring great things to all of our lives.

Until I have more news later this month, put on those dancin' boots, run out in the snow and just KEEP ON DANCIN'!