Yep, I know that it’s been a while and a lot has certainly happened since my last post. I’m going to try and go through it in chronological order.
Last Thursday my friend Ed McNeill, president and owner of the Gold’s Gym in Lawrenceville, NJ, had a spin bike delivered to my house. It was yet another moment where a simple “thank-you” just didn’t seem to cut it. Hopefully my gift of an “All Jacked Up” cycling jersey will help in that regard and also as he learns that he’s an honorary Mintz’s Mentsch. I hope that the bike enables me to get some exercise while I can’t be out and exposed to the public or the cold since the Oxaliplatin has side affects that are adverse to not only cold winter air but also cold drinks and anything cold to the touch like car doors, etc. Really weird.
This past weekend I went with Sasha and my mom to visit Colorado State University. The college decision had come down to NC State vs. Colorado State so this was a very important trip. To make a long story short it was a successful trip since the campus was great, we met with some faculty, and then we found out that Sasha got accepted to the honors program. So the decision itself became a no-brainer. And needless to say my aunt and uncle in Denver are thrilled that they’ll be able to have Sasha nearby since Fort Collins is only about 1 hour 15 minutes north of Denver.
Miraculously the weather cooperated not only with the flight out to Denver but also on the return trip so our flights were all on time. This was important because I had my medi-port insertion procedure scheduled for 7:30am on Wednesday. We got home from Colorado at around 11:30pm Tuesday and Amy and I were up early for the trip to New Brunswick and Saint Peter’s University Hospital. It was definitely all a bit surreal because the memories are still pretty fresh from the first pass at this. Having been there before we had what felt like an “Easy Pass” at registration since they just waved us on to head down to the radiology department. The nurses all remembered me and we had a chance to catch up on what has happened since they last saw me. It definitely made the process of my second port insertion, a procedure that I did NOT like the first time around, much easier to take. I definitely felt like they all cared about me as a person. Even the doctor this time around, Dr. Gibbon, stuck his head under my tent draping in the operating room to introduce himself, to describe the procedure, and to let me know that I should speak up if I was too uncomfortable. I assured him that I would do that but this time around the drugs were much much better. I was awake throughout but I do think that I caught myself snoring once or twice. All in all much easier to endure then last time.
A big aspect of the medi-port procedure though was the question of “where were they gonna put it?”. You may remember that the big reason my last one was taken out was because of the blood clot in my neck near the port catheter. If not for the clot there’s a chance that I’d still have that original port. So I was a bit nervous that it might get placed in the same spot. I spoke in detail with all of the nurses and as soon as they took me into the OR they checked out the original site with ultrasound. The technician opted to get the surgeons opinion and without even checking the ultrasound the surgeon said that we’d use the other side. So, the port is on my left side this time. I’ll have matching scars now… cool.
And then no rest for the weary as the chemo began yesterday. No tears… not even close. I guess I’ve had way too much time to prepare for it mentally. No doubt that it was strange. It was definitely weird to have them accessing the port again and then to be sitting in the treatment chair for nearly 5 hours while the various IV’s dripped away. Aside from getting a bit “green” it went well. I don’t think I ate enough in advance of the treatment so I think it got my stomach a bit unsettled. They gave me some IV pepcid and I felt better before too long.
The return to the treatment room was also, as is so often the case, an opportunity for reinforcement of the “cancer sucks” lesson. It’s been nearly 7 months since I had been there and it was very sobering to see familiar patients. The woman sitting next to us and that Amy spent some time talking with is now having her 5th bout with cancer. Please know that these are the people and the cause that the Mintz’s Mentschen cycling team raises money to help.
In no time flat Amy’s Army is in full swing. The muffins and cards that have come already have been terrific. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep on saying it, every email and card means a great deal. Thank you all so very much.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
No pump!!
Amy and I trekked into Manhattan and saw Dr. Meng at MSKCC bright and early today. The mission was to discuss the chemo protocol and they took us right on time for our 8:45am appointment. You will probably be surprised when I say we were out of there in less then 15 minutes. No joke, we were out of there by 9am. I guess that despite this being serious stuff it’s still just that cut and dried. We asked some questions and we were back on the train heading back home before we knew it. A nice side benefit to the trip was breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel since that allowed me to kick a lox craving that had been building up for a while. LOL.
As I just told my father, just like there’s no such thing as being a little pregnant you either have cancer or you don’t. And I have cancer… BUT… It’s true that I don’t have the same physical symptoms as last year and that there are fewer cancer lesions to treat this time around. Dr. Meng made it clear that my complete response last year is a bit uncommon and, therefore, significant. He said that there’s every reason to expect the same general response this time. However, he also said, as Dr. Richards has mentioned before, that cancer is never truly “cured”. It’s possible that this same cycle of having it go into remission and then to come back will repeat itself. He explained that these treatment cycles may kill 99.99% of the cancer and to the point where remaining cancer cells are undetectable by PET or CT scans.
OK, here are the details for the chemo protocol we’ll be using. As before it will be a 3 drug protocol where one is new and the others are related to two that we used last time around. The protocol is called “EOX” and uses, Epirubicin (drove requirement for the MUGA scan), Oxaliplatin (instead of Cisplatin last time around), and Xeloda (instead of 5FU). These drugs have some unique side affects as well as all of the same ones I had to deal with last time around. I guess it’s the variety that will make this “interesting”. LOL. The one bit of very good news (after all there has to be SOME kind of good news, right?) is that the Xeloda is administered orally. Therefore, I will NOT have the 5-day pump as I did last time for the 5FU. Not having to sleep with, shower with, and drag that pump around will be terrific. Although not having Lana come to remove the pump each treatment will be missed (no comments from the peanut gallery….LOL).
That’s about it. The medi-port gets put back in next Wednesday morning and the first chemo treatment will be the very next day. This was the same scenario last year. In fact, I’m exactly 2 days ahead of schedule from last year. With a bit of luck I’m hoping to not have to repeat this NEXT year!! LOL.
As I just told my father, just like there’s no such thing as being a little pregnant you either have cancer or you don’t. And I have cancer… BUT… It’s true that I don’t have the same physical symptoms as last year and that there are fewer cancer lesions to treat this time around. Dr. Meng made it clear that my complete response last year is a bit uncommon and, therefore, significant. He said that there’s every reason to expect the same general response this time. However, he also said, as Dr. Richards has mentioned before, that cancer is never truly “cured”. It’s possible that this same cycle of having it go into remission and then to come back will repeat itself. He explained that these treatment cycles may kill 99.99% of the cancer and to the point where remaining cancer cells are undetectable by PET or CT scans.
OK, here are the details for the chemo protocol we’ll be using. As before it will be a 3 drug protocol where one is new and the others are related to two that we used last time around. The protocol is called “EOX” and uses, Epirubicin (drove requirement for the MUGA scan), Oxaliplatin (instead of Cisplatin last time around), and Xeloda (instead of 5FU). These drugs have some unique side affects as well as all of the same ones I had to deal with last time around. I guess it’s the variety that will make this “interesting”. LOL. The one bit of very good news (after all there has to be SOME kind of good news, right?) is that the Xeloda is administered orally. Therefore, I will NOT have the 5-day pump as I did last time for the 5FU. Not having to sleep with, shower with, and drag that pump around will be terrific. Although not having Lana come to remove the pump each treatment will be missed (no comments from the peanut gallery….LOL).
That’s about it. The medi-port gets put back in next Wednesday morning and the first chemo treatment will be the very next day. This was the same scenario last year. In fact, I’m exactly 2 days ahead of schedule from last year. With a bit of luck I’m hoping to not have to repeat this NEXT year!! LOL.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Ramping up....
Sorry… didn’t mean to keep you all hanging on the edge.
And I’m sorry if this doesn’t read all that well but I’m kind of tired at the moment. However, I want to get this info out to everyone while I have the chance.
The pace is quickening a bit in the steps leading up to treatment. Since my last post I have had blood work done at Dr. Richards office for pre-mediport testing and office visits with gastro docs Dr. Fidanzato and Dr. Dahr.
It looks like the endoscopic ultrasound may get postponed since it won’t really have any bearing on the initial treatment protocol. But I am scheduled for both a MUGA scan and MRI of the abdomen on Monday. I’m glad that we were able to get these through insurance approval so quickly because we’ll be able to take the results with us when we go to Sloan-Kettering next Wednesday. It’s when I see Dr. Meng at MSKCC that I expect to hear about the treatment protocol he’s been discussing with Dr. Richards. As I had mentioned in my last post the chemo protocol will be different this time around so I’m eager to learn about the drugs that we’ll be using and just as importantly the details for how they’ll be administered. My specific interest there is to know whether I’ll have to use a pump as I did last time. Wearing the pump for 5-days for each treatment was nasty.
Mixed in with this whirlwind of tests and doctor visits we are squeezing in the last two important college campus visits for Sasha. We’re heading down to North Carolina tomorrow to visit NC State and the following weekend to Colorado to see Colorado State. She has been accepted by both schools and they are both on the short list for a final decision.
We return from Colorado on the evening of February 10th and I’m scheduled to have the mediport put in on the 11th. I’d expect that chemo will begin on the 12th or 13th.
As I’ve asked before, are we having fun yet? LOL.
Yeah, I’m still kind of angry about all of this but generally I’m in the same positive mindset as last time. I’m trying to get myself setup to be able to get some exercise here at home. In that regard an old college track buddy of mine, Ed McNeill (owner of the Lawrenceville Gold’s Gym), is helping to set me up with a spin bike. He said that he’s going to give it to me. How cool is that!?! He doesn’t know it but that immediately makes him an honorary Mintz’s Mentsch. LOL
To be continued…
And I’m sorry if this doesn’t read all that well but I’m kind of tired at the moment. However, I want to get this info out to everyone while I have the chance.
The pace is quickening a bit in the steps leading up to treatment. Since my last post I have had blood work done at Dr. Richards office for pre-mediport testing and office visits with gastro docs Dr. Fidanzato and Dr. Dahr.
It looks like the endoscopic ultrasound may get postponed since it won’t really have any bearing on the initial treatment protocol. But I am scheduled for both a MUGA scan and MRI of the abdomen on Monday. I’m glad that we were able to get these through insurance approval so quickly because we’ll be able to take the results with us when we go to Sloan-Kettering next Wednesday. It’s when I see Dr. Meng at MSKCC that I expect to hear about the treatment protocol he’s been discussing with Dr. Richards. As I had mentioned in my last post the chemo protocol will be different this time around so I’m eager to learn about the drugs that we’ll be using and just as importantly the details for how they’ll be administered. My specific interest there is to know whether I’ll have to use a pump as I did last time. Wearing the pump for 5-days for each treatment was nasty.
Mixed in with this whirlwind of tests and doctor visits we are squeezing in the last two important college campus visits for Sasha. We’re heading down to North Carolina tomorrow to visit NC State and the following weekend to Colorado to see Colorado State. She has been accepted by both schools and they are both on the short list for a final decision.
We return from Colorado on the evening of February 10th and I’m scheduled to have the mediport put in on the 11th. I’d expect that chemo will begin on the 12th or 13th.
As I’ve asked before, are we having fun yet? LOL.
Yeah, I’m still kind of angry about all of this but generally I’m in the same positive mindset as last time. I’m trying to get myself setup to be able to get some exercise here at home. In that regard an old college track buddy of mine, Ed McNeill (owner of the Lawrenceville Gold’s Gym), is helping to set me up with a spin bike. He said that he’s going to give it to me. How cool is that!?! He doesn’t know it but that immediately makes him an honorary Mintz’s Mentsch. LOL
To be continued…
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 25th, 2009
At this point many readers of my blog are already aware of this but for those that I haven’t managed to call or copy on an email yet….
I know this comes totally out of left field but I need to clue you in on the fact that as of this week I'm in cancer recurrence mode.
I had a PET/CT scan on Monday the 19th that showed a couple of spots that require attention. One is the "original source" of the cancer at the GE junction. It is a bit more prominent of an issue then when it also showed up on my October scan. In October I had a PET/CT that flagged this same spot and I followed up with an endoscopy/biopsy that proved negative so all was good. At this moment it's not entirely clear just how significant this particular spot is but there's now mention of "slightly more mass-like" whereas in October it was just "increased metabolic activity".
There's also a spot on the liver (there was one on the liver last year as well...) that the PET/CT report has flagged as cancer.
So it's very much like deja vu all over again. We’re in the process of scheduling an MRI as well as an endoscopic ultrasound... With those in hand we venture back to Sloan-Kettering on February 4th since they drove the chemo decisions last time and since Dr. Richards said we wouldn't be using the same chemo protocol again. The idea there is that while the cancer went away it also came back... that maybe we should try something different this time.
From what I know right now, and based on my extensive medical background (LOL), we can view all of this as somewhat "less" then last time around. Bottom line though is that while there's still a bit of testing and diagnosis to be done it seems clear that I'll be on some type of chemo in the near future.
More info to follow as it becomes available.
I know this comes totally out of left field but I need to clue you in on the fact that as of this week I'm in cancer recurrence mode.
I had a PET/CT scan on Monday the 19th that showed a couple of spots that require attention. One is the "original source" of the cancer at the GE junction. It is a bit more prominent of an issue then when it also showed up on my October scan. In October I had a PET/CT that flagged this same spot and I followed up with an endoscopy/biopsy that proved negative so all was good. At this moment it's not entirely clear just how significant this particular spot is but there's now mention of "slightly more mass-like" whereas in October it was just "increased metabolic activity".
There's also a spot on the liver (there was one on the liver last year as well...) that the PET/CT report has flagged as cancer.
So it's very much like deja vu all over again. We’re in the process of scheduling an MRI as well as an endoscopic ultrasound... With those in hand we venture back to Sloan-Kettering on February 4th since they drove the chemo decisions last time and since Dr. Richards said we wouldn't be using the same chemo protocol again. The idea there is that while the cancer went away it also came back... that maybe we should try something different this time.
From what I know right now, and based on my extensive medical background (LOL), we can view all of this as somewhat "less" then last time around. Bottom line though is that while there's still a bit of testing and diagnosis to be done it seems clear that I'll be on some type of chemo in the near future.
More info to follow as it becomes available.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Happy Holidays
Sorry for waiting until the last second but it wouldn't be right if I let the holiday season slip by without wishing everyone a happy and healthy. I hope that you're all doing well, enjoying the season with family and friends, and looking forward to a terrific 2009. Have no doubt, I am!
All is status quo with me medically. I feel good and look forward to my January 7th office visit with Dr. Richards. My next PET scan will be scheduled at that time and as I've mentioned previously those results will be input to discussions with Dr. Fidanzato.
About the only other notable news is that I actually had to get a haircut this past Sunday. Yep, lots of strange emotions related to that simple task. On one hand it was funny because there is an awful lot of skin still showing through up top and then too, as you'd imagine, it prompted a lot of emotion as well. I'm glad that I went for the haircut by myself as I didn't need to be embarrassed by the few tears that came while I was driving there.
So.... here's a current "fuzz" picture. It's a little longer around the sides then the last picture I shared. I fear that the moustache just isn't going to make a return. Dr. Richards is trying to be supportive but at this point we get some laughs out of it. In the big scheme of things it's not all that important to me.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Join the Mentschen!
I'm sorry for the short notice but TODAY presents an opportunity for you to join the Mintz's Mentschen TEAM and to register for LiveSTRONG 2009 at a discount.
If you go to www.laf.org you will see that the Lance Armstrong Foundation is offering a one-day only discount on 2009 LiveSTRONG event registration. The discount code is shown there. Click into the August Philadelphia event and be sure to select "Join a Team". Choose Mintz's Mentschen from the pulldown list as Dan Nies has already set us up.
TUESDAY, 12/2 update: We have at least 11 people registered for the LiveSTRONG Philly event. Please know that registration is only $50 if you missed the discount yesterday. Please join us!
We already have 4 members registered (including me)! And this year I'm not whimping out on the 10-mile ride. It will be the whole enchilada for me this time around.
Please join us! As I've described before, we have many years of experience with training even novice cyclists for 100-mile events. And you can always opt for one of the shorter event routes since, as you saw with me this year, there's even a 10-mile option. You can wait until August 2009 to choose the actual event even though the registration process asks you to make your choice right up front.
JUST DO IT... it will be an experience of a lifetime. I'm looking forward to hearing from some NEW Mentschen.
Jack--
If you go to www.laf.org you will see that the Lance Armstrong Foundation is offering a one-day only discount on 2009 LiveSTRONG event registration. The discount code is shown there. Click into the August Philadelphia event and be sure to select "Join a Team". Choose Mintz's Mentschen from the pulldown list as Dan Nies has already set us up.
TUESDAY, 12/2 update: We have at least 11 people registered for the LiveSTRONG Philly event. Please know that registration is only $50 if you missed the discount yesterday. Please join us!
We already have 4 members registered (including me)! And this year I'm not whimping out on the 10-mile ride. It will be the whole enchilada for me this time around.
Please join us! As I've described before, we have many years of experience with training even novice cyclists for 100-mile events. And you can always opt for one of the shorter event routes since, as you saw with me this year, there's even a 10-mile option. You can wait until August 2009 to choose the actual event even though the registration process asks you to make your choice right up front.
JUST DO IT... it will be an experience of a lifetime. I'm looking forward to hearing from some NEW Mentschen.
Jack--
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
My visits to Dr. Richards and Dr. Fidanzato this week while run of the mill also managed to provide me with an unexpected surprise.
The only new information that I got from Dr. Richards is that my next PET scan will be in mid-January. But first I get to see him on January 7th for my next follow-up visit.
Dr. Fidanzato was able to share some endoscopy pictures that I hadn’t seen before. There wasn’t anything additional that I needed to know about this last endoscopy but the new set of pictures, when viewed side by side with the originals from January, provided me with a clear tangible image of the positive change that has happened. As Dr Fidanzato said, “somebody must really love you”. I just nodded my head in full agreement.
We then discussed the endoscopic sonogram that he is recommending. Since there is no real urgency for this test our plan is to wait for the January PET scan to see if it shows any activity. He thinks that the October PET scan showed normal cell re-growth in the esophagus and since this re-growth will be of finite and relatively short duration the January 2009 PET scan may show no unusual activity. Therefore, I have an appt. with Dr. Fidanzato on January 29th and we can decide then whether the endoscopic sonogram is even necessary.
The surprise was when he questioned the need for me to continue taking Prevacid. Since there are no symptoms to treat and since the endoscopy showed no evidence of reflux then there is no real reason to continue with the Prevacid. Therefore, I’m starting a weaning process that should have me completely free of medication in 2-3 weeks. It was only one pill a day but to be medication free will be very symbolic.
So, on that note I want to wish all of you, and your families, a Happy Thanksgiving.
Lots of hugs and kisses.
Jack--
The only new information that I got from Dr. Richards is that my next PET scan will be in mid-January. But first I get to see him on January 7th for my next follow-up visit.
Dr. Fidanzato was able to share some endoscopy pictures that I hadn’t seen before. There wasn’t anything additional that I needed to know about this last endoscopy but the new set of pictures, when viewed side by side with the originals from January, provided me with a clear tangible image of the positive change that has happened. As Dr Fidanzato said, “somebody must really love you”. I just nodded my head in full agreement.
We then discussed the endoscopic sonogram that he is recommending. Since there is no real urgency for this test our plan is to wait for the January PET scan to see if it shows any activity. He thinks that the October PET scan showed normal cell re-growth in the esophagus and since this re-growth will be of finite and relatively short duration the January 2009 PET scan may show no unusual activity. Therefore, I have an appt. with Dr. Fidanzato on January 29th and we can decide then whether the endoscopic sonogram is even necessary.
The surprise was when he questioned the need for me to continue taking Prevacid. Since there are no symptoms to treat and since the endoscopy showed no evidence of reflux then there is no real reason to continue with the Prevacid. Therefore, I’m starting a weaning process that should have me completely free of medication in 2-3 weeks. It was only one pill a day but to be medication free will be very symbolic.
So, on that note I want to wish all of you, and your families, a Happy Thanksgiving.
Lots of hugs and kisses.
Jack--
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Mentschen available on video
Dan Nies, the ring-leader and person that is responsible for creation of Mintz's Mentschen, carried a video camera with him throughout the weekend of the Austin LiveSTRONG event. In total there are 7 videos that have been posted to YouTube and that document the festivities leading up to the ride as well as during the actual ride itself.
The 7th video clip is the final segment of the ride and includes special recognition that happened at the finish line for the whole Mentschen team. Note that this video has received an official "3 hanky rating" by me.
Here's a link to the 7th video. Links to the other 6 will also display on the YouTube page.
The 7th video clip is the final segment of the ride and includes special recognition that happened at the finish line for the whole Mentschen team. Note that this video has received an official "3 hanky rating" by me.
Here's a link to the 7th video. Links to the other 6 will also display on the YouTube page.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The results are in
No.... I'm not referring to the presidential election.
Although the pics I had posted last week had Dan Nies convinced that I am pregnant, Dr. Fidanzato's office called late yesterday afternoon to tell me that the biopsy results came back and that it is benign. I have an appointment with him later this month to discuss yet another endoscopy. He is recommending an endoscopic sonogram to take a look "below the surface" of the esophagus at the GE junction. That appointment is on 11/20 and I'll be seeing Dr. Richards again on 11/19. So... more info to come from those office visits.
The Austin LiveSTRONG event was at the end of October and just as happened with the Philly event it was a special weekend. What was very cool is that it was even special for me despite my inability to take time off and participate myself. Cell phones, email, and text messages kept me in touch with the Mintz's Mentschen TEAM throughout the weekend. And Dan Nies took a series of videos with a handheld camera through the weekend. Those have been posted to YouTube and I'll provide links on this blog when I have a bit more time.
We've already started talking about potential cycling events in 2009 but for now we'll continue to bask in the glow of a Mintz's Mentschen LiveSTRONG fundraising total of over $53,100. Wow.
Although the pics I had posted last week had Dan Nies convinced that I am pregnant, Dr. Fidanzato's office called late yesterday afternoon to tell me that the biopsy results came back and that it is benign. I have an appointment with him later this month to discuss yet another endoscopy. He is recommending an endoscopic sonogram to take a look "below the surface" of the esophagus at the GE junction. That appointment is on 11/20 and I'll be seeing Dr. Richards again on 11/19. So... more info to come from those office visits.
The Austin LiveSTRONG event was at the end of October and just as happened with the Philly event it was a special weekend. What was very cool is that it was even special for me despite my inability to take time off and participate myself. Cell phones, email, and text messages kept me in touch with the Mintz's Mentschen TEAM throughout the weekend. And Dan Nies took a series of videos with a handheld camera through the weekend. Those have been posted to YouTube and I'll provide links on this blog when I have a bit more time.
We've already started talking about potential cycling events in 2009 but for now we'll continue to bask in the glow of a Mintz's Mentschen LiveSTRONG fundraising total of over $53,100. Wow.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Endoscopy today
Sorry for not putting up a blog post to let you know that the endoscopy was actually TODAY. Dr. Fidanzato is terrific and since I haven't seen him in nine months his reaction to how my condition has changed is one of amazement. I kind of like that... LOL. Anyway, while he did take some biopsy samples his assessment of things visually is that my esophagus and stomach look normal and that the "mass is gone". The biopsy results may take another week.
I don't mean to gross anyone out but I scanned the endoscopy pictures of my lower esophagus (where it meets the stomach) from the procedures done in January and today. I know that none of us are medical professionals but the improvement, in my opinion, is more then obvious. The before pictures are on top and the current pictures are on the bottom. Looks much better, huh?
And as promised... here's a picture, courtesy of Gary Vencius, as we shivered prior to the start of the Covered Bridge ride last weekend.
I don't mean to gross anyone out but I scanned the endoscopy pictures of my lower esophagus (where it meets the stomach) from the procedures done in January and today. I know that none of us are medical professionals but the improvement, in my opinion, is more then obvious. The before pictures are on top and the current pictures are on the bottom. Looks much better, huh?
And as promised... here's a picture, courtesy of Gary Vencius, as we shivered prior to the start of the Covered Bridge ride last weekend.
Me, Joanne and Gary Vencius, Ingrid French, and Dan Nies
Monday, October 20, 2008
PET/CT scan results
I’ve talked with some of you regarding the preliminary PET/CT scan results so I apologize knowing that you and everyone else that is still reading my blog have been kept waiting for more complete information.
Here goes… while the scan results are not completely clean they’re not awful either. Aside from “mildly increased metabolic activity near the GE junction” there is no suspicious activity anywhere else. The radiology report recommends an endoscopy for a closer look so I have an appointment tomorrow morning with Dr. Fidanzato, the gastroenterologist that assisted with my original diagnosis back in January. I expect this appointment to be fairly brief and hopefully I’ll come home with a date/time for the endoscopy.
With that said please know that I'm feeling just fine. I have no symptoms with eating, swallowing, etc. and have continued to enjoy cycling at every opportunity. In fact, just yesterday I was with Dan Nies, Joanne Vencius, Gary Vencius, and Ingrid French at the Covered Bridge ride and thoroughly enjoyed the weather and a 32-mile ride. I may even have some pictures soon to help prove it!
The Austin Mintz's Mentschen team convenes in Texas this weekend for the actual event. Let's all keep them in our thoughts as they go out to carry the flag in memory/honor of far too many cancer patients. Our TEAM has collectively raised over $51,500!! Simply amazing. Thank you all.
Here goes… while the scan results are not completely clean they’re not awful either. Aside from “mildly increased metabolic activity near the GE junction” there is no suspicious activity anywhere else. The radiology report recommends an endoscopy for a closer look so I have an appointment tomorrow morning with Dr. Fidanzato, the gastroenterologist that assisted with my original diagnosis back in January. I expect this appointment to be fairly brief and hopefully I’ll come home with a date/time for the endoscopy.
With that said please know that I'm feeling just fine. I have no symptoms with eating, swallowing, etc. and have continued to enjoy cycling at every opportunity. In fact, just yesterday I was with Dan Nies, Joanne Vencius, Gary Vencius, and Ingrid French at the Covered Bridge ride and thoroughly enjoyed the weather and a 32-mile ride. I may even have some pictures soon to help prove it!
The Austin Mintz's Mentschen team convenes in Texas this weekend for the actual event. Let's all keep them in our thoughts as they go out to carry the flag in memory/honor of far too many cancer patients. Our TEAM has collectively raised over $51,500!! Simply amazing. Thank you all.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Big Day
Well..... today is the big day. My first post-treatment scan and as I mentioned before I'm nervous about it. I guess it's to be expected and I know the fear is a big part of cancer survivorship, something I'll need to come to grips with. For now though it's definitely safe to say that I'm scared.
I feel fine and have no reason to think that the scan will be anything but positive. I just can't help but think that I'm this one scan and a matter of hours away from possibly being back in treatment mode. It gives me a chill just thinking about it.
After all that I've been through I'm definitely not trying to be melodramatic here. I need to vent and I've been told that there are still people out there reading this blog. So thanks for listening.... LOL.
I don't know if I'll get the results later today but hopefully by tomorrow I'll have heard something and I'll post it here as soon as I can.
I feel fine and have no reason to think that the scan will be anything but positive. I just can't help but think that I'm this one scan and a matter of hours away from possibly being back in treatment mode. It gives me a chill just thinking about it.
After all that I've been through I'm definitely not trying to be melodramatic here. I need to vent and I've been told that there are still people out there reading this blog. So thanks for listening.... LOL.
I don't know if I'll get the results later today but hopefully by tomorrow I'll have heard something and I'll post it here as soon as I can.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Columbus Day
Today completes what has been a fun 3-day holiday weekend. Erin was home this weekend to partake in our usual Saturday marching band festivities. This worked out well since the WWPHS-South band took 1st place for Group II bands at the North Brunswick competition. And on Sunday morning I managed to get in a bike ride with members of the Austin Mintz’s Mentschen team. The ride was short at only 22 miles but it was at a decent pace and somewhat hilly (at least for me...). So, I'll view it as somewhat of an "interval" ride and definitely rate it as a good one since I felt strong throughout.
My appointment with Dr. Richards last Thursday was, as I had predicted, mostly uneventful. One item of note is that my hemoglobin has finally returned to normal range. Dr. Richards also suggested that a PET scan would be a better choice then a regular CT scan so the process of insurance approvals was set in motion. I received confirmation today that the PET scan will be on Thursday, 10/16 at 9am. I will post the results here as soon as I get them.
My appointment with Dr. Richards last Thursday was, as I had predicted, mostly uneventful. One item of note is that my hemoglobin has finally returned to normal range. Dr. Richards also suggested that a PET scan would be a better choice then a regular CT scan so the process of insurance approvals was set in motion. I received confirmation today that the PET scan will be on Thursday, 10/16 at 9am. I will post the results here as soon as I get them.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Sunday, October 5th
All has been going well with me. Hence the long lapse of time since my last post.
Work has been VERY busy so while I haven’t been to the gym as much as I’d like when I do get there the spin classes have been great. And I’ve been cycling outdoors at every opportunity as well. I’m handling rides in the low 30-mile range without too much trouble and rode with some Mintz’s Mentschen teammates today at Washington’s Crossing. My 28.5 mile ride was terrific.
I have an appointment with Dr. Richards this Thursday morning. I expect the visit itself to be very short as it will probably be nothing more then a quick check of my blood counts. The important thing to come from this appointment will be that the wheels will start turning to schedule my CT scan. Considering the time it takes to obtain all required insurance approvals I expect the scan will happen sometime during the week of Monday, 10/13. If you’re wondering, despite that I’m feeling well, yes, I am nervous about it.
Following are some pictures that I think you’ll like. One was taken at the Philly LiveSTRONG ride in August of me posing with the caricature of me that is on our Mentschen cycling jersey. The other is a picture of the fuzz on my head. Yep, it’s still a bit sparse up there.
Work has been VERY busy so while I haven’t been to the gym as much as I’d like when I do get there the spin classes have been great. And I’ve been cycling outdoors at every opportunity as well. I’m handling rides in the low 30-mile range without too much trouble and rode with some Mintz’s Mentschen teammates today at Washington’s Crossing. My 28.5 mile ride was terrific.
I have an appointment with Dr. Richards this Thursday morning. I expect the visit itself to be very short as it will probably be nothing more then a quick check of my blood counts. The important thing to come from this appointment will be that the wheels will start turning to schedule my CT scan. Considering the time it takes to obtain all required insurance approvals I expect the scan will happen sometime during the week of Monday, 10/13. If you’re wondering, despite that I’m feeling well, yes, I am nervous about it.
Following are some pictures that I think you’ll like. One was taken at the Philly LiveSTRONG ride in August of me posing with the caricature of me that is on our Mentschen cycling jersey. The other is a picture of the fuzz on my head. Yep, it’s still a bit sparse up there.
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