Monday, 30 March 09
Avastin injection #2 was performed today. CBC results show the obligatory adverse platelet impact; the signature side effect for Carboplatin chemo. The benefit of Carbo, which I experienced first-hand in the Summer of 2007, is the destruction of tumor cells.
Sunday, 29 March 09
Arrangements are being made for my 3rd annual trip to Moldova and my son Aaron plans to accompany me. Each trip is so unlike the previous one. This time, we will be joining a new camp program for Transitional Living teens who have aged out of government facilities. My family is supporting two children: Nelly and Gaby Sofroni. My mom has Tatiana Chirhan and Ion Coseri. All of these children are in the CERI Transitional Living program. Galina Barba was sponsored by my mom until Galina completed the CERI program - she is now able to live completely on her own, educated and equipped and able to enjoy a safe and productive life. During this camp, which runs from July 31 through August 8, Aaron and I aim to spend an afternoon or two with these wonderful children and their families. Viva Lime will be a featured beverage.
A photo essay of the first trip is available, as are pics of the second excursion.
Monday, 23 March 09
Weekly CBC shows good levels for all four key parameters, but I know that it is just a matter of time until my platelets take a nose dive. This is a primary side effect of Carboplatin.
I took a trip across town to visit a new friend in the hospital who is recovering from brain surgery. She is one tough grandma with a large support network of family and friends. I expect her to bounce back soon!
I then enjoyed a conversation in the hospital restaurant with Frank and Wanda DiRosa. Mr. DiRosa was a radar operator on the destroyer USS Forester (DE-334) during World War II. It was my great honor to be in the presence of these patriots. Truly the Americans of the 1940s were the greatest generation.
Sunday, 22 March 09
This afternoon was spent bringing the irrigation system back on line for the Spring. This time, there were no split manifolds or cracked pipes, since I had cut off the water to the system in November before the cold weather turned freezing. There were five sprinkler heads that had to be cleaned, repaired or replaced. I also blew out one of the pipes for our septic system and returned two heads to operational status. All of this is just routine maintenance. What a perfect day to be outside! I paused in the driveway, raised my arms and I said "Here am I" to the God of creation.
Saturday, 21 March 09
I'd like to thank everyone for the emails. I appreciate your encouraging messages and pages, and return the favor by asking the Lord to bless you.
Friday, 20 March 09
It has been one week since the 3rd recurrence was identified. I celebrated this event by going to work for 1/2 day and then working for more than two hours in the yard, raking leaves and hauling them, 78 gallons at a time, to the back of the yard. I cleaned out the flower beds on the South Side of our home, which do not presently contain any flowers and have not for years. But it doesn't matter - the point is that I am doing hard manual labor for an extended period of time after receiving a major chemo infusion earlier in the week. By doing this, I am demonstrating to myself that the 2nd recurrent recovery process is in fact in progress.
Thursday, 19 March 09
Two people politely fussed at me for not keeping them informed concerning my status! It is nice to be cared for in this manner. How fitting to be composing this post after reading several emails from well-wishers and prayer warriors while listening to Pray Away by Chris Christian as the prayer pager vibrates!
Wednesday, 18 March 09
Our cat Gypsy gave birth to five kittens today. An interesting assortment of colors: one black, one gray, two white/brown and one multimix. Please take a look at these pics and let me know how many you want!
Tuesday, 17 March 09
Today was a great day. Slight head buzz in the morning, but I went to work after it cleared, then labored in the yard for about two hours, disposing of two medium sized trees that had died and fallen in our yard a couple of months ago. As I dragged these branches and tree trunks across the yard to the fire, I imagined the Carboplatin doing the same thing to that tumor. The fire leaves nothing behind, as will be in the case of the chemo.
Aric and I used his AirSoft guns to shoot some soft drink cans. Just dad and his youngest son on a warm Spring evening. Two interesting things; persistent hiccups and a difficult to describe modulation in my right ear, which I have experienced before.
Monday, 16 March 09
The radiologist's report confirms a recurrent tumor. This was expected and even the required response. We would have rejected a clean report. Two surprises were found in the radiologist's report:
Surprise #1: the 4 mm focus of enhancement actually appears in all three MRI sequences. I saw the spot only in only one coronal image, but the radiologist found it in the axial and sagittal views as well. Image numbers were even provided so we could find the dot. So a total of three images (out of a total of 423 collected) unmask the first tumor's second cousin; excellent investigative work indicative of a top shelf radiologist!
Surprise #2: The report states that the tumor "is new since the most recent study of 09 Jan 09." This is incorrect; it is a simple matter to return to the Jan 09 scan and see a little storm gathering. The radiologist from January missed this one, which is totally understandable, since it basically looks like the blood vessels in the area. Looking back, the ambiguity is resolved because hindsight is 20-20. So the report received today should have stated that the minimal enhancement from Jan 09 has progressed to a 4 mm sphere.
Kathy, Dr. Stark-Vance and I held a brief strategy meeting following CBC tests, which demonstrated strong platelet counts. The path we elected to follow is to do one cycle of Carbo and Avastin. The enhancement should be totally un-enhanced by mid April. We will decide at that time what to do next. If the beast has grown, we'll probably switch to CPT-11. Or maybe not, since the 1st recurrent tumor's response required two Carbo cycles. But #1 was much larger than #2; therefore this junior tumor should be obliterated straight away. I see a mix in the works. A little bit of Carbo and a little bit of CPT-11. These returned tumors are annoying if not scary, so the game plan might need to be adjusted to be a bit more proactive instead of reactive.
Friday, 13 March 09
My 34th MRI was
conducted today. I made the call before I even finished reviewing the film sequences. The little degenerate has returned for a 2nd
confrontation. So be it. It will be killed, like its predecessors. The onslaught brought a large tumor my way; a surprise attack for which I was
unprepared emotionally. Well, that attempt to take my life in 2004 was rejected, by the grace of God. The 1st recurrent beast tried to fly in
under the radar, but was detected in a slice of an axial (top) scan in June 2007. It was 540 times smaller than the original perpetrator. I learned of the 1st recurrence from my oncologist and sprang into action, with little emotion.
Thus doubly defeated, the tumor now attempts to
sneak up from behind, but a coronal (back) image from today's MRI flags a 4 mm growth. There is nothing to be seen in the sagittal (side) or
axial slices; just one cut in the back series of images. This time, the tumor is 1700 times smaller than the original beast; displacing about 48% less volume than the first returned tumor. Its the three stooges: 59 cubic centimeters (cc), 0.065 cc two years ago and today 0.034cc, which is almost unbelievable, I realize. But that is what the math says. Check it yourself and left me know: the first recurrent tumor was 5 mm and the second recurrent tumor is 4 mm. The formula for the volume of a sphere is 3.1415(d^3)/6. The trend is asymptotic with zero, the ultimate goal of this extended fight.
My oncologist and I have already conversed electronically. We will have a brief "right here, right now" chat on Monday and then chemo will be unleashed to dispatch the intruder straight away. Monthly MRIs will be reinstated along with weekly CBC tests. Your prayers are both requested and appreciated!
Tuesday, 10 March 09
I have begun my next literary project; reading a book about George Preddy, as described last month. I admire people who face dangers and peril with courage and patriotism. I aim to do the same with the tumor.
Sunday, 08 March 09
A visit with my good friend Dave, whom I had not seen in 10 years and his wife, about whom I had heard but never met. Dave is making a remarkable recovery from major back surgery - he is one tough guy. Dave asked me if I planned to bring my Firebird to the hospital. So I did, and for the first time since I purchased the car, I was able to calculate the bird's fuel mileage: about 15.7 miles per gallon. My time with Dave and Francis was a highlight of the day.
Saturday, 07 March 09
Aric and I watched Aimee and the Argyle High School Winter Guard win first place in their division today in Aledo. It is amazing how quickly the Color Guard has progressed this season.
Friday, 06 March 09
I completed George Muller's Autobiography. The ministry that Muller had with orphans in the later half of the 19th century London shows that one man's vision truly can make a difference.
