Friday, June 20, 2008

A visit to the ER

Not the best of days. Thursday mid day I started to have pain in the center of my chest. Yes, the very same area they bombed extensively with radiation. By evening time the pain was so bad that I was having problems breathing. So off we went to the ER. After the obligatory "couple of hours" and lots of tests, they concluded that I had pneumonia. They discharged me late evening and off we went home.

The next morning, after a lousy nights sleep, we went and got the prescribed pain med and antibiotic. We had our radiology oncologist doctors look at the xray and CT scan. They basically concluded that it could be pneumonia but more likely to be post radiation effects. The pain meds still helped and taking the antibiotic wouldn't hurt anything.

A day later with a good nights sleep (and the meds) and I feel better. Hopefully the improvement will continue.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Medical Team Meeting

Today we met with Dr. Erlich, Dr. Skaryak and Dr. Citron (Dr, Brenner's partner). It was a really good meeting with some good news.

They reiterated that there is no evidence of the tumor on the lung anymore. They also mentioned that there is a good likely hood that the reason the nodes near the oesophagus are still showing slight evidence of "activity" are due to the residual radiation. The residual radiation should be with me for another couple of weeks. Crap!

The plan now is for me to start another round of chemotherapy on July 1st. It will be a six week weekly course of chemo with three different drugs. Different from the original round of chemo treatment I had. After the six weeks I will have another PET/CAT scan followed by another six weeks of treatment. So a total of twelve more weeks of chemo. I have been told that I should tolerate these upcoming rounds of chemo quite well. No radiation. So the swallowing issue should be ...........well, a non issue.

Now back to the residual radiation!!! I have had good days and not so good days. The swallowing issue is remarkably better. There are still times when it hurts swallowing but I guess it's self induced. I tend to scarf my food with minimal chewing. Well that's going to have to change. I am actually going to have to concentrate on chewing my food. How boring. Oh, I better start bulking up in the weight department. I lost about 22 lbs. My weight right now is 138 lbs. Too thin!!!

The fatigue is also quite difficult at times. I am just going to have to accept that I will have tough moments. Rest and relax, rest and relax. I sound like a therapist.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Happy Anniversary

What more can I say about Diana and how she has endured this medical ordeal with me. She has also endured 23 years with me (not to mention the pre marriage years). We, like most couples, have faced our ups and downs but we just seem to come out stronger in the end. My health battle was the perfect example of this. She has been by my side from day 1. She has been a real strength for me.

So I just want to say to her "happy anniversary and I love you more than ever".

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Fathers Day

Waking up on Fathers Day morning was bitter sweet. Bitter because I am not able, any more, to wish my Dad a happy fathers day. It's been just over six years since he passed away. Sweet, very sweet, to appreciate being a father to two of the greatest kids in the world and savouring the encouraging news from Friday's scans.

This coming Wednesday we meet with Dr. Erlich and his team to discuss, in detail, the PET/CT scan results and the upcoming treatment plans. As soon as the meeting is over I will post all the updated and latest news.

In the meantime I will relish the fathers day attention.