The Journey Continues

So the journey to the cure continues…We arrived in NYC again to meet with the surgeons. We arrived a day before the meeting due to an appointment for a CT scan the night before. Now I know why they call it the city that never sleeps. You can get a CT scan at 8 PM in NYC…

We took the train down again and it was a beautiful ride. We arrived and decided that we would walk to the hotel (about a 1.5 mile trek) on E 62nd St. We walked up 7th Ave to Times Square and then cut over through Rockefeller Center to 5th Ave. When we got down to Bergdorf’s there was a film crew set up filming a scene for the sequel to Sex in the City. We stopped to take it in and we saw Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie) and Kristin Davis(Charlotte) doing a street scene. We caught a couple of pictures of the shoot.


We walked over to our hotel and checked in. We stayed at the Bentley which is a decent hotel and we got a fair rate (under $200). The hotel is mid way between the Sloan outpatient offices and the hospital where the CT scan was done. We decided to walk around a bit and explore the eateries in the vicinity after which we went to the appointment and were out by 9PM. We were both starving by this point and decided on an Italian restaurant that we found earlier. The meal was delicious and the wine was too. We capped it off with a tiramisu and cappuccino and then walked back for a good night’s sleep.

The next morning we were scheduled to meet with the liver pump doc and have an EKG done or so we thought… We met with the doc and he discussed the option for the pump and explained all the details both good and bad. We had already been briefed by the oncologist that we saw the week before so we were certain this was the path we wanted to go down. After the exam and the talk he asked if we wanted to go home and think about it to which I promptly replied that I was ready to sign up. We did some paperwork, signed the consent and decided to donate the tissue from the biopsy to a tissue repository where it will be used for future studies. I thought that was a good idea because it’s something that I can do to help someone else who is facing the same challenge as me. Besides what am I going to do with it? The next step was to meet with the colon surgeon. The liver guy warned me that she would more than likely do an exam. Well she did more than an exam. As a matter of fact I think I should send her flowers as she really got to know me in ways that I never dreamed of. I survived and went on to the next stage a pre op screen that determines whether I am healthy enough for surgery. That was an easy thing to go through however by this time it was around 5 we were free and the surgery is scheduled for October 9. I had nothing to eat all day and was ready to eat my shoes and I’m pretty sure that Sandy was too. When all was said and done we headed back over to the train station and had some NYC pizza slices and a beer. We caught the train home and slept comfortably knowing that I am in good hands.

A New Hope

A New Hope is the sub title of the very first Star Wars film. Luke Skywalker was new hope to help save the universe from the evil empire. I met my Luke down at Sloan yesterday in my battle against the evil empire attacking my body.

Sandy and I took the train down to NYC to meet with a CRC(Colorectal Cancer)doctor at Sloan. The day started off nice with a beautiful train ride down the Hudson river to NYC. We arrived around 11 AM and we proceeded to walk up to Times Square. We spent some time looking at all of the stores and advertising. Then we walked over to St. Patrick's Cathedral to say some prayers and ask for help in finding a cure. We had lunch walked over to 5th ave and window shopped and then walked over a couple blocks to Sloan.

The staff was very nice to us and we filled out a bunch of forms and went in to meet the Doctors. First we met with Dr.C's fellow and another doc from China who is here to learn about CRC. The cases of CRC are starting to increase in China. Although they don't know what causes the disease, I suspect the rise in the number of cases in China may be related to all the fast food companies that have opened up there. Anyways he examined me and asked about the history and what I was looking for. We told him we wanted to have liver resection which leads to a cure. He left and and told us that he and Dr. C would talk it over and develop a strategy. We waited about 1/2 hour 45 minutes then the knock on the door came. Dr. C came in and introduced himself and proceeded to give us a lecture on CRC and how the disease works. he went on to say that under my current treatment that I would not be a candidate for liver resection. My heart fell on the floor. That was when he told us of a study using a hepatic arterial pump therapy that has potential to lead inoperable people to candidacy for resection. He went on to say that I would be an ideal person to participate in this study. My heart hopped back into my chest and my new hope was realized. Our prayers were answered!

We left Sloan and will be back next week for an appointment with the surgeon who is running the study. I will be undergoing a very serious operation to have the pump implanted in my abdomen. They will remove my gall bladder due to a risk of infection. They will also remove the original tumor in the same surgery session. I will more than likely spend 7 days in the hospital in NYC and have 3 weeks at home to recuperate. I beleive that this will occur sooner rather than later as the Sloan Docs recommended that I pass on the chemo treatment this week. The chemo causes your body to heal slower so you have to be off of it for a couple of weeks before undergoing any surgery.

So that's my story. We went to NYC with nothing and came back with a new hope. I'm looking forward to this week end and not having a chemo hang over. I plan to spend my time with my 2 favorite girls; my wife Sandy and my little angel Olivia.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Red Sox Game

I've always wanted to go to Fenway and see a game. My brother Ed lives and Boston and just so happened upon 2 tickets to last Wednesday nights game against the White Sox. The drove over and met my brother at his house and we drove into Boston for the game. It was a great night and the weather was cooperative by not raining and staying cool. They had a nice tribute for Ted Kennedy before the game started. The game was really fast paced and Wakefield did a great job on the mound after his long break. The game was tied up and the Sox brought in Danny Bard who proceeded to intimidate the White Sox by throwing 100+ MPH pitches. The bottom of the 9th came up and Youkilis and Big Papi were on deck. I turned to my brother and said Big Papi is going to hit another home run and win the game for us. Youkilis ended up striking out and then Big Papi came up and and blasted one out into right field and just clearing Pesky's pole. Everyone cheered and the game was done. The Red Sox WIN!








What a great night. Thanks Ed!

Cycle 10 almost over.

Cycle 10 is almost behind me. I have my home infusion pump hooked up until tommorow at noon. The home nure will come and disconnect me. I can't wait. We met with the local onc yesterday and will be meeting with a new doc down at Sloan in 2 weeks. I am hopeful that they will be able to ofer us a more agrressive treatment towards a cure. Work is getting busy and is keeping me occupied. I enjoy it very much. Next week I'm going to Boston to see my brother and catch a Red Sox game. I am really looking forard to that...

A freind of mine from my days at MapInfo is going to China and I have to say that I am jealous. If you read this before you go have a great time K and get in touch when you get back. I'm looking forward to seeing your pics and hearing about your experience.

Busy Week End

I'm feeling really good and we're have a busy week end. Last night we went to the Altamont fair and had a ball. Olivia loved going on the rides and to tell you the truth so did I. We saw the petting zoo, the rabbits, the chickens (big hit w/ Olivia), horses and ponies. We ate fair food like greasy fries, and batter dipped veggies mmmmm good!
Me and Olivia on the Bumble Bee ride.

Mommy and Oliva on the Cars.

We all had fun at the fair and are looking forward to going for years to come.

On Saturday we went to the local mustang club's Dealer Day Show at Metro Ford. The dealership is right around the corner form our hosuse so it was a no hassle show for us to attend. Olivia and Sandy came over for a little while until the sun got high and hot.
Olivia has a mustang too.

We didn't place this year in our class. There were about 12 other cars in the class and some really nice ones. Congrats to the winners! The show had over 200 cars entered and there was probably another 100 that didn't register. The show was well attended and even my Dad showed up. It was a good time and I saw lots of old and new friends.
Here is a shot of the show and my car.



Tommorow we have church and then another car show. I'm grateful to be feeling good!

Until next time.

Acknowleging what's important

This morning I opened a deck of cards that have inspirational quotes. A dear friend gave them to me to aid in my healing. I shuffled the deck a bit and the card on top told me to “Acknowledge what’s important”. It went on to say that “Deep within, you know that the only thing that’s truly important is being in alignment with Spirit.”
Some of the things that keep me aligned and I consider important are my wife Sandy. She is my rock. She keeps me well with her love. My daughter Olivia whose innocence reminds me how precious life is. She is an inspiration to me and helps me stay focused on being healthy. My mother/mother in-law, who help us out by giving us a respite from Olivia. My brothers, who have been very generous helping me live out some of my wishes. All of my friends, who have supported me by keeping me in their thoughts and prayers. These are the important things.
Things that are not important fear, illness, worry, shame, anger and any other negative emotion. These are not worthy of my attention. I choose to focus on the positive…

This just in

Yesterday I had my third CT Scan to measure the progress of my treatment. I wasn't expecting the office to have the results back today since they out source the reading to another facility. My PA told us that she would attempt to get the results back by the time we left for the day. We waited and waited and there is a term that is used by cancer survivors called "Scanxiety" which is the feeling you have waiting for the results. Anyways the results weren't in before we left...Oh well wait another day. Our research nurse called us a little while ago with the results and they were very good. The measurable tumors in my liver are shrinking at a good pace and the original tumor in my rectum is no longer measurable via CT scan. My CEA is still at a good level. CEA is a marker that is produced by tumors. When CEA levels decrease after therapy, it means that most or all of the CEA-producing tumor has been removed.

On a sadder note the clinic was really busy today. I was able to get my favorite chair. They actually reserve it for me. There is a new guy who has throat cancer. He is a really nice guy and has a great attitude. We chat and joke around a bit to liven up the place. I always manage to get the nurses laughing when they ask if there is anything they can get me and I respond "Find me a cure for cancer." There has got to one out there and it's really important to keep the research funded. I know we are in the midst of tough economic times and money is tight however if you have budgeted money for charity please consider giving a little to the American Cancer Society in order to help rid the world of this scourge.

One of the things that I failed to mention in my last post was that I found a 4 leaf clover when I was on vacation. I consider my self lucky and I'm grateful for everyone who is supporting me though their thoughts prayers and actions. A special thanks goes out to my wife Sandy who is always there for me no matter what and my mom and mother in-law for always helping out with Olivia and to you my friends (some of whom I have never met) for reading my blog.

THANKS!