I guess the chemo process has lulled all of you into the same rhythmic cycle of numbness that I’m in? LOL. It’s just funny to me that nobody panics anymore if I don’t post a blog entry on a daily basis. No complaints here… status quo in this case is a good thing.
As of yesterday I’m free of the IV again and tomorrow is my regularly scheduled post-IV visit to Dr. Richards for a Neulasta injection and some IV fluids. Or “watering” as the oncology nurses like to refer to it… lol. They get a kick out of being able to say, “OK, Jack’s here to get watered…”. It’s a bit of a time consuming process but it does help at this point in the treatment cycle.
I’m curious to see what my blood counts are this time around since last treatment they dipped very low at this point. Again, no real cause for concern since this is what the Neulasta is for but it’s interesting to know in relation to how I’m feeling. It is good, however, that I’ve been able to work from home and not deal with public transportation during these periods where my immune system is low.
Not much else to pass along that is new news. Mintz’s Mentschen training is kicking into gear as I said it would now that the weather is warmer. Fundraising is also proceeding well as our combined team total is now over the $11,000 mark.
Helen Ihde’s fundraising dinner at The Shrimp Box on May 13th has a number of seats that are still available. Please support Helen’s LiveSTRONG Day event as the Lance Armstrong Foundation will be present in addition to Barbara Rabinowitz, who is the head of oncology from the Meridian Hospital System. It proves to be a very fun evening. I’ll be there with many family members. Helen can be reached for dinner reservations at hitrube@aol.com and 732-604-1928.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Friday, April 18th
Good morning all.
I'll start with.. .Happy 22nd Birthday Erin!!
Well, treatment #4 is underway. I was feeling kind of crumby last night but I’ll attribute that mostly to a restless night of sleep on Wednesday. I slept a bit later this morning and I’m feeling much better today. I hope to get out for a mid-day stroll in this gorgeous spring weather we’re having today so that I can take in some fresh air.
As promised, I did get a hardcopy of the recent CT scan results so here are some of the hard numbers that were included. Lymph nodes decreased from 3.0cm to 2.4cm and lesions on the liver decreased from 1.3cm to 1.0cm as well as another that decreased from 2.8cm to 2.1cm. Nodules that had appeared in the lungs are multiple and small, remain unchanged, and Dr. Richards put in the category of “schmutz” that he is not concerned about because he’s not convinced that they are cancerous. Some are in the 4mm-5mm range and would have shown up on the PET scan if they were of concern. Of course these will be watched in follow-up scans. Dr. Richards cautioned that some people might look at these numbers and feel as though these don’t reflect a significant change. He said that he is “very encouraged” by these improvements and that they are indeed significant after only 3 treatments. Amy and I ensured him that we are thrilled with the results. He said that we’d reassess everything, including the treatment regimen, after another CT scan in early June after treatment #6.
Here’s a follow-up on my 15-minutes of fame via the LiveSTRONG Challenge newsletter from earlier this week. For those of you that don’t receive it directly you can view it here. We’re on the left side of the document and don’t forget to click through on the “read more” link at the bottom so that you can read the entire story. It does get harder and harder for me to read all this mushy stuff about me. Suffice it to say that I’m thrilled about what the Mintz’s Mentschen stands for and what we’re accomplishing already in these early stages of our training and fundraising. As I’ve told other TEAM members, the best part for me is my knowing that our TEAM will not be a one cycling season flash in the pan. I know that we’ll stay together for other cycling enjoyment for exercise, incredible camaraderie and friendships, as well as for other charity efforts.
To be continued.
I'll start with.. .Happy 22nd Birthday Erin!!
Well, treatment #4 is underway. I was feeling kind of crumby last night but I’ll attribute that mostly to a restless night of sleep on Wednesday. I slept a bit later this morning and I’m feeling much better today. I hope to get out for a mid-day stroll in this gorgeous spring weather we’re having today so that I can take in some fresh air.
As promised, I did get a hardcopy of the recent CT scan results so here are some of the hard numbers that were included. Lymph nodes decreased from 3.0cm to 2.4cm and lesions on the liver decreased from 1.3cm to 1.0cm as well as another that decreased from 2.8cm to 2.1cm. Nodules that had appeared in the lungs are multiple and small, remain unchanged, and Dr. Richards put in the category of “schmutz” that he is not concerned about because he’s not convinced that they are cancerous. Some are in the 4mm-5mm range and would have shown up on the PET scan if they were of concern. Of course these will be watched in follow-up scans. Dr. Richards cautioned that some people might look at these numbers and feel as though these don’t reflect a significant change. He said that he is “very encouraged” by these improvements and that they are indeed significant after only 3 treatments. Amy and I ensured him that we are thrilled with the results. He said that we’d reassess everything, including the treatment regimen, after another CT scan in early June after treatment #6.
Here’s a follow-up on my 15-minutes of fame via the LiveSTRONG Challenge newsletter from earlier this week. For those of you that don’t receive it directly you can view it here. We’re on the left side of the document and don’t forget to click through on the “read more” link at the bottom so that you can read the entire story. It does get harder and harder for me to read all this mushy stuff about me. Suffice it to say that I’m thrilled about what the Mintz’s Mentschen stands for and what we’re accomplishing already in these early stages of our training and fundraising. As I’ve told other TEAM members, the best part for me is my knowing that our TEAM will not be a one cycling season flash in the pan. I know that we’ll stay together for other cycling enjoyment for exercise, incredible camaraderie and friendships, as well as for other charity efforts.
To be continued.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Treatment day
Good morning on treatment day #4. I don’t have any real news on the treatment front although I do hope to get a copy of the CT scan report and will pass along statistics for those that like to see numbers. LOL.
Amy and I enjoyed a nice night out last night when we joined a group of our dear friends from the high school marching band for a terrific meal at a local Italian restaurant. I took in a major protein load with the steak I had been craving so I’m about as ready for treatment #4 as I’m going to be.
Quick update on Mintz’s Mentschen activities. Yesterday the April issue of the LiveSTRONG Challenge eNewsletter came out. And the exploits of our TEAM were documented with a picture of me and everything! We’re famous! LOL. Later today or tomorrow I will try to capture the newsletter and provide a link for all of you to enjoy. Please know that your donations are starting to really add up. Collectively Team Mentschen is already over $10,000 raised and the potential for what will ultimately be the final total from our team of approximately 50 people is very exciting to think about. Keep those cards and letters coming! Thank you so much. The link to my personal fundraising page, one more time so it’s easily accessible, is right here.
Next post later today or tomorrow.
Amy and I enjoyed a nice night out last night when we joined a group of our dear friends from the high school marching band for a terrific meal at a local Italian restaurant. I took in a major protein load with the steak I had been craving so I’m about as ready for treatment #4 as I’m going to be.
Quick update on Mintz’s Mentschen activities. Yesterday the April issue of the LiveSTRONG Challenge eNewsletter came out. And the exploits of our TEAM were documented with a picture of me and everything! We’re famous! LOL. Later today or tomorrow I will try to capture the newsletter and provide a link for all of you to enjoy. Please know that your donations are starting to really add up. Collectively Team Mentschen is already over $10,000 raised and the potential for what will ultimately be the final total from our team of approximately 50 people is very exciting to think about. Keep those cards and letters coming! Thank you so much. The link to my personal fundraising page, one more time so it’s easily accessible, is right here.
Next post later today or tomorrow.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday, April 13th
The good news that came on Friday was, needless to say, such a relief. I don’t know how many chemo treatments this is going to take but knowing that it’s working makes all the difference in the world. I long for a return to normalcy but if it means that it will take more then 6 treatments to get there then so be it.
Not only did I get peace of mind from the CT scan results but it has also helped to stir me into action. Sure, I was trying to cycle at every opportunity but that’s only been few and far between since the treatments started in mid-February. But with the good news and that I was going to be home alone on Friday night I opted for a visit to the gym instead. I hadn’t been to the gym since November when I wasn’t feeling well and my initial doctor visits actually began. 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer and some stretching never felt so good! It didn’t matter that I had jelly legs as I stepped off of the elliptical… it’s the beginning of my road back. I am going to make an extra effort to get to the gym for simple aerobic work.
That was capped by the 18 miles I cycled today with the Mintz’s Mentschen group out of Washington’s Crossing. The cool temps, wind, and spotty sunshine didn’t make any difference. We had a great turnout and it was great to see and have the chance to ride with everyone. The problem is that I’ll need to wait 3 weeks for the chance to get out there again.
Here’s a picture that Stephanie Tobler took of me reviewing the cue sheet with Dan. Don’t we look spiffy in our LiveStrong cycle jerseys? Sorry for the view of our backsides I promise to take more attractive pics going forward. LOL.
And the exploits of Amy’s Army continue… homemade cookies from Dee and the fruit basket that Irene brought by today are just terrific. Thank you all so much.
Not only did I get peace of mind from the CT scan results but it has also helped to stir me into action. Sure, I was trying to cycle at every opportunity but that’s only been few and far between since the treatments started in mid-February. But with the good news and that I was going to be home alone on Friday night I opted for a visit to the gym instead. I hadn’t been to the gym since November when I wasn’t feeling well and my initial doctor visits actually began. 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer and some stretching never felt so good! It didn’t matter that I had jelly legs as I stepped off of the elliptical… it’s the beginning of my road back. I am going to make an extra effort to get to the gym for simple aerobic work.
That was capped by the 18 miles I cycled today with the Mintz’s Mentschen group out of Washington’s Crossing. The cool temps, wind, and spotty sunshine didn’t make any difference. We had a great turnout and it was great to see and have the chance to ride with everyone. The problem is that I’ll need to wait 3 weeks for the chance to get out there again.
Here’s a picture that Stephanie Tobler took of me reviewing the cue sheet with Dan. Don’t we look spiffy in our LiveStrong cycle jerseys? Sorry for the view of our backsides I promise to take more attractive pics going forward. LOL.
And the exploits of Amy’s Army continue… homemade cookies from Dee and the fruit basket that Irene brought by today are just terrific. Thank you all so much.
Friday, April 11, 2008
I'm going to Disney World!!
I don’t have absolute details yet as I don’t have a copy of the radiology report in my hands but Dr. Richards just called to tell me that the CT scan “report is good”. I said, OK, but can you be a little more specific? He said that ALL TUMORS HAVE SHRUNK. They’re not gone but since ALL tumors have shrunk measurably we now know that the treatment is working and we’re heading in the right direction.
Bring on treatments 4, 5, and 6!!
I’m going to Disney World!
Well, not really. But I AM riding with the Mintz’s Mentschen group this Sunday and I can’t wait!
Have a great weekend everyone.
I’ll provide more details as I get them.
Bring on treatments 4, 5, and 6!!
I’m going to Disney World!
Well, not really. But I AM riding with the Mintz’s Mentschen group this Sunday and I can’t wait!
Have a great weekend everyone.
I’ll provide more details as I get them.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
CT scan done... now wait
Hello everyone. The CT scan today went well and now we wait anxiously for the results. I’m hoping to know something tomorrow (Thursday), Friday for sure. Of course I will let you all know as soon as I possibly can.
Meanwhile my eating has not recovered as quickly as I’d like. As you’d expect I’m very anxious to be able to enjoy food for a few days prior to the next treatment so it’s been a bit frustrating for me that eating is still very much an effort.
On a more positive note various aspects of the Mintz’s Mentschen effort continue to amaze.
1) Helen Ihde’s fundraising dinner at The Shrimp Box on May 13th is approaching a sell-out of 50 people and will be attended by representatives from the Lance Armstrong Foundation as well as the Director of Oncology from the Meridian Health System.
2) Dan Nies just sent an announcement that the TEAM will be featured in the LiveStrong Newsletter next week.
3) Last week my employer, JPMorgan Chase, formally added me to the quarterly Giving Campaign for my department and donations have started to roll in.
All very exciting...
What’s more exciting, at least to me, is that it looks like I’m going to get in a bike ride this Sunday. That it may happen as part of a Mintz’s Mentschen training ride is icing on the cake.
Thank you all for your cards, letters, emails, and certainly your generous financial support for LAF.
Meanwhile my eating has not recovered as quickly as I’d like. As you’d expect I’m very anxious to be able to enjoy food for a few days prior to the next treatment so it’s been a bit frustrating for me that eating is still very much an effort.
On a more positive note various aspects of the Mintz’s Mentschen effort continue to amaze.
1) Helen Ihde’s fundraising dinner at The Shrimp Box on May 13th is approaching a sell-out of 50 people and will be attended by representatives from the Lance Armstrong Foundation as well as the Director of Oncology from the Meridian Health System.
2) Dan Nies just sent an announcement that the TEAM will be featured in the LiveStrong Newsletter next week.
3) Last week my employer, JPMorgan Chase, formally added me to the quarterly Giving Campaign for my department and donations have started to roll in.
All very exciting...
What’s more exciting, at least to me, is that it looks like I’m going to get in a bike ride this Sunday. That it may happen as part of a Mintz’s Mentschen training ride is icing on the cake.
Thank you all for your cards, letters, emails, and certainly your generous financial support for LAF.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Thursday, April 3rd
My routine visit today with Dr. Richards was definitely routine but with one little wrinkle and also some new information to pass along.
The big mission for my visit today was for the Neulasta injection to boost my immune system. The wrinkle is that this was the first time that my white blood cell count pre-injection was significantly low. That’s what the Neulasta is for so all should be OK very shortly on that front. The new information is that the CT scan has been scheduled and it will be a few days earlier then we had expected. It will be next Wednesday, April 9th. With the added motivation of wanting so badly to know what the scan will show maybe the lovely contrast drink will go down a bit easier…… NOT!!!!! LOL.
As an aside, my favorite side affects that had been so muted in recent days are now starting to act up. It’s a bit frustrating to get through the 6-day IV period and a couple of days later to start what for me is the worst of chemo. But others have it much worse then I so I do try to make a point of not complaining about it (at least not too much… LOL).
And now it’s time for me to put my tail between my legs and to beg forgiveness. Last night it hit me that I’m now starting the 4th month of blogging on this journey and that I have failed to mention or thank Amy’s Army even once. As with the Mintz’s Mentschen cycling TEAM the group now known as Amy’s Army formed immediately upon my diagnosis. This local group of very dear friends mobilized to offer all kinds of love and support while also keeping us supplied with baked goods, cut flowers, plants on our front steps, and other mystery surprises such as a lawn of Shamrocks. The love has been constant. Not trying to be dramatic or anything but with a tear in my eye, THANK YOU all.
The big mission for my visit today was for the Neulasta injection to boost my immune system. The wrinkle is that this was the first time that my white blood cell count pre-injection was significantly low. That’s what the Neulasta is for so all should be OK very shortly on that front. The new information is that the CT scan has been scheduled and it will be a few days earlier then we had expected. It will be next Wednesday, April 9th. With the added motivation of wanting so badly to know what the scan will show maybe the lovely contrast drink will go down a bit easier…… NOT!!!!! LOL.
As an aside, my favorite side affects that had been so muted in recent days are now starting to act up. It’s a bit frustrating to get through the 6-day IV period and a couple of days later to start what for me is the worst of chemo. But others have it much worse then I so I do try to make a point of not complaining about it (at least not too much… LOL).
And now it’s time for me to put my tail between my legs and to beg forgiveness. Last night it hit me that I’m now starting the 4th month of blogging on this journey and that I have failed to mention or thank Amy’s Army even once. As with the Mintz’s Mentschen cycling TEAM the group now known as Amy’s Army formed immediately upon my diagnosis. This local group of very dear friends mobilized to offer all kinds of love and support while also keeping us supplied with baked goods, cut flowers, plants on our front steps, and other mystery surprises such as a lawn of Shamrocks. The love has been constant. Not trying to be dramatic or anything but with a tear in my eye, THANK YOU all.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Treatment #3 winding down
So that I don’t get attacked for not providing information about how I’m doing here’s a quick update. At this point this information is very much status quo and I think we’re all in agreement that is definitely a GOOD thing!
Lana came this afternoon to remove my IV very reliably as the last drips of 5FU drained out of the bag. And as usual it was a huge relief to be removed from my tether. The delousing HOT shower followed soon after.
I’m almost afraid to say that the mouth/throat symptoms that usually kick in at this point seem somewhat muted right now. I think that I’ve been hydrating better and I’ve definitely been using the prescription “magic mouthwash” much more proactively. Maybe that’s done the trick this time. I hope for a slow steady recovery over the next week so that I can enjoy some real eating and EXERCISE. Gosh I feel like such a lump.
More details to follow as prep for the all important CT scan comes together. The scan will likely be in mid-April just before treatment #4 but clearly that will be huge as it will provide our first real view into what is going on.
Stay tuned…. And thanks for reading along! Amy and I know you’re all out there and we feel it. We honestly do.
Lana came this afternoon to remove my IV very reliably as the last drips of 5FU drained out of the bag. And as usual it was a huge relief to be removed from my tether. The delousing HOT shower followed soon after.
I’m almost afraid to say that the mouth/throat symptoms that usually kick in at this point seem somewhat muted right now. I think that I’ve been hydrating better and I’ve definitely been using the prescription “magic mouthwash” much more proactively. Maybe that’s done the trick this time. I hope for a slow steady recovery over the next week so that I can enjoy some real eating and EXERCISE. Gosh I feel like such a lump.
More details to follow as prep for the all important CT scan comes together. The scan will likely be in mid-April just before treatment #4 but clearly that will be huge as it will provide our first real view into what is going on.
Stay tuned…. And thanks for reading along! Amy and I know you’re all out there and we feel it. We honestly do.
LiveStrong Day at The Shrimp Box
In early 2001 I signed-up for what was to be my first 100-mile cycling event and for what I thought was going to be a one-time big splash effort to raise funds for a worthy organization. The event was in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and little did I know that those first pedal strokes would become 7 years of incredible reward.
As you might expect, these seven years of volunteering in support of the LLS is something that I’m personally very proud of. Aside from the obvious reasons for why I or anyone else would volunteer their time to a specific organization I think there are significant intangibles that also come into play. Of course there’s the cause itself but another powerful intangible, I think, is the people.
My involvement with the cycling team for the South Jersey chapter of LLS introduced me to a core of coaches and mentors that beyond a doubt are some of the most caring, compassionate, giving, and positive people that I’ve ever met. I have had the opportunity to make friendships with some special people that I know I will have for a lifetime.
One of these special people is Helen Ihde who as one of the LLS cycling coaches helped numerous people train for and complete their own 100-mile events. When I was diagnosed with cancer in January of this year and the Mintz’s Mentschen LiveStrong TEAM quickly came together thanks to the organizational work of Dan Nies, Doreen Dunnigan, Joanne Vencius, and others, Helen signed on right away. And Helen already has an awesome fundraising event in the pipeline that I need family/friends in NJ to know about so that you can help support her effort.
Helen is having a fundraising dinner at 6pm on Tuesday, May 13th at The Shrimp Box in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ (www.theshrimpbox.com). The owner is contributing a significant portion of each dinner to the fundraiser and MINIMUM donation per person is $30. There will also be a silent auction so bring your checkbook! May 13th also happens to be Lance Armstrong Foundation LiveStrong Day and they may send a representative to the dinner. Helen has also arranged for the head of oncology from the Meridian Hospital System to be a speaker. It proves to be a terrific night and I will be trying very hard to attend with my wife, daughters, parents, aunts, uncles….
Please contact Helen directly to purchase tickets in advance. She can be contacted as follows; hitrube@aol.com and 732-604-1928
I can’t thank these people enough. I know that I’ve droned on in prior blog entries about the overall Mintz’s Mentschen effort but it is just so humbling that people are doing these things in my honor. And as the seasons have changed to Spring the team will begin training and fundraising in earnest so expect more updates on our progress!
As you might expect, these seven years of volunteering in support of the LLS is something that I’m personally very proud of. Aside from the obvious reasons for why I or anyone else would volunteer their time to a specific organization I think there are significant intangibles that also come into play. Of course there’s the cause itself but another powerful intangible, I think, is the people.
My involvement with the cycling team for the South Jersey chapter of LLS introduced me to a core of coaches and mentors that beyond a doubt are some of the most caring, compassionate, giving, and positive people that I’ve ever met. I have had the opportunity to make friendships with some special people that I know I will have for a lifetime.
One of these special people is Helen Ihde who as one of the LLS cycling coaches helped numerous people train for and complete their own 100-mile events. When I was diagnosed with cancer in January of this year and the Mintz’s Mentschen LiveStrong TEAM quickly came together thanks to the organizational work of Dan Nies, Doreen Dunnigan, Joanne Vencius, and others, Helen signed on right away. And Helen already has an awesome fundraising event in the pipeline that I need family/friends in NJ to know about so that you can help support her effort.
Helen is having a fundraising dinner at 6pm on Tuesday, May 13th at The Shrimp Box in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ (www.theshrimpbox.com). The owner is contributing a significant portion of each dinner to the fundraiser and MINIMUM donation per person is $30. There will also be a silent auction so bring your checkbook! May 13th also happens to be Lance Armstrong Foundation LiveStrong Day and they may send a representative to the dinner. Helen has also arranged for the head of oncology from the Meridian Hospital System to be a speaker. It proves to be a terrific night and I will be trying very hard to attend with my wife, daughters, parents, aunts, uncles….
Please contact Helen directly to purchase tickets in advance. She can be contacted as follows; hitrube@aol.com and 732-604-1928
I can’t thank these people enough. I know that I’ve droned on in prior blog entries about the overall Mintz’s Mentschen effort but it is just so humbling that people are doing these things in my honor. And as the seasons have changed to Spring the team will begin training and fundraising in earnest so expect more updates on our progress!
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