Friday, September 3, 2010

I'm gutted

I have just learned that a UPS B747-400 has crashed in Dubai and the 2 crew members aboard were killed. My thoughts and prayers go out to my fellow pilots and their families. I'm devastated and heartbroken. Blue skies and tailwinds my friends.

Rest in peace.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Comments

Any one, any one. Bueler, Bueler.

I think I have made it easier to comment so fire away. I have thick skin (yea right) so have at it.

Things like........"suck it up you sissy" or "you have such a girl's name" will be tolerated. I'm a comfortable metro sexual man !!! Oh yea, I had a manicure/pedicure for my birthday. Thanks Phil.

Carpe Diem.

The shirt says it all




Carpe Diem

Chemo 1 (Round 7)

Today is the start of a new round (round 7) of chemo consisting of Alimta and Avastin given every 3 weeks. I have had this very protocol previously and had responded well to the drugs with minimal side effects.

I made the final choice to go back on this protocol after meeting with my oncologist this morning. The reason I want to be somewhat proactive is that I would like to nip this in the bud before it develops any further as, on the PET scan, there is "activity" showing up in the right pleura with no spread. My doctors are in complete agreement with my decision as there is really no definitive right or wrong course of action.

One thing I had learned after my initial diagnosis in March 2008 was never regret what you did or did not do. It serves no purpose. While I understand and know that this drug combo is no cake walk I am comfortable with the decision. I could be on this protocol anywhere from 3 to 10 months.

The meeting with Dr. Schraeder was very informative and constructive. My Vital signs, weight and blood work were all fine and the infusion didn't take too long. Historically, days 3-4 as well as days 9-10 were a tad rough. So we will see !

Carpe Diem.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

The war continues

The war continues and the next battle begins.

Tomorrow I will be starting the Alimta chemotherapy and continuing the Avastin. The choice is mine but let me explain.

Dr. Schraeder (my oncologist) looked at my latest scan films and concluded that he would only keep me on the Avastin and start me back on Alimta if I so desired. Dr. Sidransky (of MouseSkin fame) had also looked at the films and his conclusion was that I would eventually need to go back on Alimta. Both doctors consulted with each other so there was somewhat of a consensus. It may not appear that way but allow me to elaborate. I was advised some time ago that I would , in all likely hood, eventually need to go back on Alimta. All the while continuing with Avastin.

I can only remain on Alimta for 10-12 months so hopefully it will do it's job. Both the Alimta and Avastin are very good drugs. I have responded well to them in the past and my genetic and molecular study confirms this so there is no reason to think otherwise. The side effects were reasonably tolerable. So out of a 21 day cycle if I have 4-5 days that are not so good then it's worth it.

Somewhere down the road these drugs will eventually loose their effectiveness. Hopefully, prior to that, other options will become available. Every day discoveries are made like newer more sophisticated genetic tests that look for gene mutations. It's simply amazing what is being developed now. The MouseSkin family continues in the wings with very slow progressions. So no testing yet.

Of course I'm a little apprehensive but the option of wait and see did not fit well with me ! Besides, I have too much traveling to do.

Carpe Diem.