BLUF: Had my last medical and lab appointments yesterday, four weeks to the day after my last radiation treatment. Diagnosis: REMISSION was reconfirmed!! I'm giving thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercies endure forever!
The rollercoaster parts of this journey appear to be over for now and a semblence of normalcy is returning. Effects of the radiation have all but disappeared--mild tongue sensitivity, taste abnormality, hair loss on upper lip and in nostrils remain, but they are all VERY minor annoyances. My stamina is back to about 90% of normal--no more must-have naps, a vast improvement over the 10% I experienced during chemo.
I continue to be in awe of and humbled by, the friendships, expressions of support and prayers of so many people during my journey. I am trying to share that forward with so many others who are either early in their own cancer journeys or who have resumed their journeys because of the return of this disease.
Please join me in sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise for He is, indeed, good!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
July 16, 2007
BLUF: Radiation symptoms are fading: nasal secretions starting up, my gums look almost normal but my tongue still feels burned and my taste is not yet normal, especially for salt. My upper lip (great--don't have to shave!) and nostrils (not so great) are still totally exfoliated. All small stuff.
Downer today. Was reminded how fleeting our life on this earth really is. Clarence Kealoha, our friend who was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer about the same time I was diagnosed, passed away this morning. Please keep his wife, Pohai, and two teenaged children in your prayers. we're comforted by the belief that Clarence is no longer suffering and is in the loving arms of our Father.
Clarence, millions of others and I are the reason a bunch of us got together over this past weekend for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. We had nine official team members, including Jonathan, my five year-old grandson, and Jansen, a 10 year-old nephew (we didn't let them walk by themselves). This overnighter was not a running relay but simply a track around which we walked, to beat cancer, in memory of those who lost their battle with cancer, and in celebration of people like me, who are survivors of this insidious disease.
Thanks to all who donated and helped our team almost double our original goal. It was a bonding, inspiring event which we all agreed we want to do again next year.
One of the things we heard at the Relay was there is no finish line with cancer until a cure is found. How so very true! I'll be lighting a candle in memory of Clarence at next year's Relay, assuming the Good Lord allows me to live that long.
"Lord, remind me of how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered and that my life is fleeting away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath." Psalm 39:4-5
Downer today. Was reminded how fleeting our life on this earth really is. Clarence Kealoha, our friend who was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer about the same time I was diagnosed, passed away this morning. Please keep his wife, Pohai, and two teenaged children in your prayers. we're comforted by the belief that Clarence is no longer suffering and is in the loving arms of our Father.
Clarence, millions of others and I are the reason a bunch of us got together over this past weekend for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. We had nine official team members, including Jonathan, my five year-old grandson, and Jansen, a 10 year-old nephew (we didn't let them walk by themselves). This overnighter was not a running relay but simply a track around which we walked, to beat cancer, in memory of those who lost their battle with cancer, and in celebration of people like me, who are survivors of this insidious disease.
Thanks to all who donated and helped our team almost double our original goal. It was a bonding, inspiring event which we all agreed we want to do again next year.
One of the things we heard at the Relay was there is no finish line with cancer until a cure is found. How so very true! I'll be lighting a candle in memory of Clarence at next year's Relay, assuming the Good Lord allows me to live that long.
"Lord, remind me of how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered and that my life is fleeting away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath." Psalm 39:4-5
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
July 4, 2007
Bottom Line Up Front: All treatments are OVER! Praise God!!
Had my last radiation treatment on July 2nd--what a relief! I just realized that I've continuously been in tests, diagnoses and treatments of one kind or another since March. I won't know what to do with all my free time but this Independence Day is very special because I'm free of medical appointments! Not really, I do have two follow-up appointments but they aren't ntil the end of July!!
Anyway, the effects of radiaion, feeling like my entire mouth has been badly scalded, sore, swollen, almost peeling gums (tough to brush my teeth) and dry nostrils are all relatively minor when compared with the side effects of chemo. I guess most everything's relative.
Am getting stronger every day--my weekend jog did not, for the first time since treatment started, result in my feeling totally exhausted. My golf game hasn't improved but that probably has more to do with skill rather than stamina!
Looking forward to getting back to normal and giving God all the praise for my progress so far. Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th!! Please take a moment to say a prayer for all of those fighting for all the freedoms we enjoy every day.
Had my last radiation treatment on July 2nd--what a relief! I just realized that I've continuously been in tests, diagnoses and treatments of one kind or another since March. I won't know what to do with all my free time but this Independence Day is very special because I'm free of medical appointments! Not really, I do have two follow-up appointments but they aren't ntil the end of July!!
Anyway, the effects of radiaion, feeling like my entire mouth has been badly scalded, sore, swollen, almost peeling gums (tough to brush my teeth) and dry nostrils are all relatively minor when compared with the side effects of chemo. I guess most everything's relative.
Am getting stronger every day--my weekend jog did not, for the first time since treatment started, result in my feeling totally exhausted. My golf game hasn't improved but that probably has more to do with skill rather than stamina!
Looking forward to getting back to normal and giving God all the praise for my progress so far. Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th!! Please take a moment to say a prayer for all of those fighting for all the freedoms we enjoy every day.
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