I could not sleep the night before my trip to Pittsburgh. Things were racing through my head. Questions after question. “If I am stabilized, how long will it last? How can I get rid of my fatigue? Will I hit any road delays on the way down to the Center?. And so on. It was now 1:38 am and I was planning to get up at 3:00 am to be on the road by 3:30 am. I would do the trip solo again so Dee could bring home the bacon to support the “little ones” in college.
Well , I jumped into the shower at 2:45 am (first turned off the alarm so I would no wake Dee). I was right on time.
At 3:31 am I left the driveway and was on my way. The 292 mile trip went smoothly with no major road construction. I arrived an hour earlier (8:30 am) for my 9:30 appointment.I stopped by Joyce’s office to say hello. She gave me a big hug and asked how I was doing. I said, “fine”. We talked a little and then I excused myself to go to the outpatient receptionist to login.
They told me to have a seat until they could draw some blood. Since I was early there was no rush.They took some vials and then sent me to concourse D. The receptionist sent me to an examination room. This is where I would see Melissa, the physician Assistant to Dr. Kirkwood. She came in with a big smile and asked me how I was doing. I gave her the run down and then she proceeded to check me over. She was amazed that the tumor on my back had shrunk to a small scab with little height to it.
The course of action is to wait another 8 weeks and take another MRI and CT scan.They also wanted some more blood for research, so they took another 14 vials.
I left the center at 10:30 and I was back in Rochester around 3:30/4:00 pm.
That is it for now.
Jimmy B.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
8/23/07 Good News!!!!!!!
Over the last three months there has be no detectable growth in the tumors in my lungs.
NO CHANGE!!!!!!
Grrrrrreat!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from the report:
1.) No evidence of disease progression
2.) No emerging lymphadenopathy
3.) No change or slight decrease in size of subcutaneous nodules
4.) No change or slight decrease in subcentimeter right lung nodules
I am schedule to go down to the Hillman Cancer Center on August 29, 2007.
Melissa Demark also said that they are filing a protocol procedure based on my therapy sequence. It seems that they had another patient follow it and had similar results.
That is it for now.
Time to celebrate the small victories.
Keep in touch
Jimmy B.
NO CHANGE!!!!!!
Grrrrrreat!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from the report:
1.) No evidence of disease progression
2.) No emerging lymphadenopathy
3.) No change or slight decrease in size of subcutaneous nodules
4.) No change or slight decrease in subcentimeter right lung nodules
I am schedule to go down to the Hillman Cancer Center on August 29, 2007.
Melissa Demark also said that they are filing a protocol procedure based on my therapy sequence. It seems that they had another patient follow it and had similar results.
That is it for now.
Time to celebrate the small victories.
Keep in touch
Jimmy B.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
8/14/07 CT and MRI scheduled!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well it has been a long couple of months off. Dee and I took a short vacation to the shore to see my family. It was great to see everyone!!!!!! The kids have grown like wild flowers. Chris came along to get some R & R. He ended up catching a giant stripe bass in the inlet and it gave him the fight of his life.
We had quite a few get- togethers while we were there.
Well anyway, I ‘m scheduled this Friday to have a CT and MRI done. I hope everything looks good.
Jess and Chris start college in 2 weeks and we become empty nesters for a while. Where has the time gone to?
Well anyway, I ‘m scheduled this Friday to have a CT and MRI done. I hope everything looks good.
Jess and Chris start college in 2 weeks and we become empty nesters for a while. Where has the time gone to?
Take care and we will post the news as it happens.
Jimmy B.