I guess my posts are becoming more sporadic as the more chemotherapy I am doing, the more it is taking a toll on my body in the sense of being tired. I still feel good and am up and about doing the things that I need to get done, but that extra energy and focus is sometimes hard to find. I still consider myself very blessed as I am still able to do quite a few of normal things like go to the store, drive myself around, go to church (at least the first hour), and most importantly spend quality time with Gloria and Zoe.
Now for the update! As stated previously I was admitted to the hospital for a third round of chemotherapy on July 17th. It went well and I was home on Friday afternoon July 20th. I was a little bit tired though and unfortunately was not able to return to work the following week. During the 1st and 2nd round of chemo I was able to return to work by the following Thursday but it just didn't happen this time. All is okay because I was able to get a few work related items done from home and my friends at work (they are so much more than just co-workers) have been and continue to be a great support. I'm excited to be back in the office tomorrow and get some things done. There is a great feeling that is hard to describe about having some normality and even routine come back into one's life.
Until the next time, thank you for all your support and prayers!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Belated Update...Lots of News
My last post was July 8th and now it is July 17th today. The reason for such a delay is because the quality of effective care at the Radiology Department at McKay-Dee is greatly lacking. I had a CT scan on July 9th and they did not inform me that I needed to provide them with a copy of the first CT scan from the clinic where it was taken. The next day I went and got another copy from the Tanner Clinic and drove it up to the Radiology Department at McKay-Dee and hand delivered it and then things just went downhill from there.
A radiologist reviewed the first CT scan and instead of finishing his report and attaching his addendum to it, he didn't finish it until Friday the 13th and didn't finish it until the evening which by then resulted in my doctor's office being closed and unable to receive the report. I had an appointment yesterday July 16th with Dr. Johnson and even though both CT scans were in the system with their reports, the Radiology Department did not do a comparison of the two CT scans and therefore Dr. Johnson was unable to make an exact determination of the progress. How does it take someone a whole week to do a work up on one CT scan and then not even compare the two? Talk about inefficiency and a complete disappointment. Please note that this is the Radiology Department only. Dr. Johnson, his staff, and the oncology nurses at McKay are awesome!
The good news from all of this is Dr. Johnson was able to look at the two scans and determine that the tumor has shrunk around 40% from the first two rounds. That is great news! 40% is almost half and that is great progress. Dr. Johnson immediately consulted with Dr. Goff and even though Dr. Goff said he could operate it would be better to do two more rounds of chemotherapy to see if we can get the tumor down to another 40%. This would take away the danger and complications of having to sacrifice some major blood vessels and a major nerve that controls the diaphragm on the left side. So today it is July 17th and we are in the hospital for another round. I look at it this way. I've gone two rounds with this tumor, I have blackened both of its eyes, drawn blood from its nose, face, and mouth. I haven't quite knocked it out but that will happen after a few more rounds. I am kicking its butt and I don't plan on letting up on it. This is the Rocky in me.
Of course in all reality it is not me that is kicking this cancer's butt. I still truly believe that the Lord has his hand in every aspect of my life and that he is blessing me with the ability to be healed. In the New Testament of the Bible there was a blind man that was called by the Lord to come unto him. When he came unto Jesus he was asked what Jesus could do for him. He asked that he could have his vision restored and Jesus said to him, "thy faith hath made thee whole" (Mark 10:52). If faith can make a blind man see again then faith can heal me of this tumor. Thank you again to everyone for your continued support and prayers!
A radiologist reviewed the first CT scan and instead of finishing his report and attaching his addendum to it, he didn't finish it until Friday the 13th and didn't finish it until the evening which by then resulted in my doctor's office being closed and unable to receive the report. I had an appointment yesterday July 16th with Dr. Johnson and even though both CT scans were in the system with their reports, the Radiology Department did not do a comparison of the two CT scans and therefore Dr. Johnson was unable to make an exact determination of the progress. How does it take someone a whole week to do a work up on one CT scan and then not even compare the two? Talk about inefficiency and a complete disappointment. Please note that this is the Radiology Department only. Dr. Johnson, his staff, and the oncology nurses at McKay are awesome!
The good news from all of this is Dr. Johnson was able to look at the two scans and determine that the tumor has shrunk around 40% from the first two rounds. That is great news! 40% is almost half and that is great progress. Dr. Johnson immediately consulted with Dr. Goff and even though Dr. Goff said he could operate it would be better to do two more rounds of chemotherapy to see if we can get the tumor down to another 40%. This would take away the danger and complications of having to sacrifice some major blood vessels and a major nerve that controls the diaphragm on the left side. So today it is July 17th and we are in the hospital for another round. I look at it this way. I've gone two rounds with this tumor, I have blackened both of its eyes, drawn blood from its nose, face, and mouth. I haven't quite knocked it out but that will happen after a few more rounds. I am kicking its butt and I don't plan on letting up on it. This is the Rocky in me.
Of course in all reality it is not me that is kicking this cancer's butt. I still truly believe that the Lord has his hand in every aspect of my life and that he is blessing me with the ability to be healed. In the New Testament of the Bible there was a blind man that was called by the Lord to come unto him. When he came unto Jesus he was asked what Jesus could do for him. He asked that he could have his vision restored and Jesus said to him, "thy faith hath made thee whole" (Mark 10:52). If faith can make a blind man see again then faith can heal me of this tumor. Thank you again to everyone for your continued support and prayers!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
A Little While
Many of you know that my brother Nick has an amazing talent for writing songs and putting them into a great array of chords and melodies. A few years back he and some close friends of his created their band Double or Nothing. They have played many shows over the years and written hundreds of songs. I have to say they are awesome and have real talent. My brother expresses himself through song and when I was diagnosed with cancer it was hard for him to even come to my hospital room let alone know what to say to me. So he did what he does best and wrote me a song. It is called A Little While.
Through life's troubles and sorrows we need to keep in perspective that these things in most cases will only last a little while and even though some things may last our whole lives, our life is but a blink of an eye when we look at the eternal aspect of things. Please take the time to listen to this song, and think about your tough times and know that they will only last a little while.
A Little While
Through life's troubles and sorrows we need to keep in perspective that these things in most cases will only last a little while and even though some things may last our whole lives, our life is but a blink of an eye when we look at the eternal aspect of things. Please take the time to listen to this song, and think about your tough times and know that they will only last a little while.
A Little While
Monday, July 2, 2012
Loving Me Through This
This second round of chemotherapy has started to take a toll on me. I am losing more hair, I'm definitely more tired, and just struggling a little bit. That is how it works though, not until after the trial of our faith will we see the things that only God knows we need come to fruition.
I just happen to stumble upon a music video from Martina McBride called "I'm Gonna Love You Through It." This song really touched me because it is my story in reverse. My beautiful and loving wife Gloria is loving me through this. Through all the good moments and the unpleasant ones as well. She keeps me upbeat and happy. I am so grateful to her and her unconditional love. Thank you for being my rock, and my foundation through this spiritual and trying time. I love you with all my heart and I dedicate this song to you.
I just happen to stumble upon a music video from Martina McBride called "I'm Gonna Love You Through It." This song really touched me because it is my story in reverse. My beautiful and loving wife Gloria is loving me through this. Through all the good moments and the unpleasant ones as well. She keeps me upbeat and happy. I am so grateful to her and her unconditional love. Thank you for being my rock, and my foundation through this spiritual and trying time. I love you with all my heart and I dedicate this song to you.
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