10/10/08

Haven't p0sted in a while but all has been good. On 10/06/08, I went in for a PET scan. This has nothing to do with dogs or cats but stands for Positron Emission Tomography during which a radioactive glycogen is introduced into my system. I then have to lie still for about an hour (no reading or even listening to my MP3--so I took a nap) while the glycogen circulates throughout my body. The theory is that since cancer cells grow much more rapidly than normal ones, they will accumulate more radioactivity and show up when imaged by a large machine. The actual scan took about 30 minutes and included my whole head and body, except for my arms and lower legs.

Then came the wait for the results. Three days later, I had a routine visit with my radiologist, Dr. Becker, who has become my regular oncologist physician by default. Looking at my charts, and reviewing the results of previous blood tests and the latest PET, he pronounced, "Nothing but good news!" In fact, Dr. Becker admitted he wished his cholesteral levels were like mine! All other parameters were within the "normal" range. What a relief! Although I've been feeling great, probably close to 100% of my former self, there is always a little bit of apprehension during these routine check-ups. I have learned to give this whole issue to God, but that does not eliminate the nagging fear of the disease returning.

I called Geri immediately after appointment and relayed the good news. We were both happy, relieved and grateful to our loving Heavenly Father.

Thank you Lord, for You and for life itself!

Relay for Life

From 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12th to 7:00 a.m., July 13th, at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park, Geri and I participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Our team, named the P.O.D Racers (for Phil--me!; Omi-Geri's sister, a breast cancer survivor; and Denys, Geri's sister-in-law's sister who died from breast cancer a couple of years ago) placed second in the Friends/Family team competition by raising over $6,000, thanks to many of you who contributed toward this effort. We had team shirts and a walking stick which we tried to keep on the track for the whole 12 hours. The photo is only part of our team.

One of the more memorable parts of this relay was the Luminaria, lighted candles inside paper bags, in honor of victims of cancer. Here's what they look like:

We sponsored a luminaria in memory of Clarence Kealoha, who passed away almost a year ago while he was only 46 years old. This was our tribute to Clarence.

Estimate that I walked 20-25 kilometers throughout the evening based on the sore feet, one blister and super-tired body all day Sunday, but it was worth it if we contributed, in some small way, to finding a cure for this dreaded disease. Despite the fatigue, the event was inspirational and fun and we vowed to do it again next year.

Thanks again to all who contributed and supported us. May blessings be returned to you 10 times over!

Another Quarterly Check

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! Another quarterly check and another clean bill of health!! God is good! There was a little apprehension going into this check-up, not because the diagnosis may not be good, but because of what a bad diagnosis might mean in terms of more chemo and radiation. But the news was good--no sign of cancer!

The regimen is one more check-up in October, 2008, with complete PET/CT scans and if I'm still clean, then we'll move to, perhaps semi-annual checks. Hooray!!

My health has been good and I'm back to close to 100% of where I was when this journey began--minus the extra year older that I got! But the little aches and pains are less troublesome now and every day is still a gift which I appreciate and enjoy. Trying to spend some time on my golf game: the good news is that it hasn't gotten any worse; the bad news is that is hasn't gotten any better! I truly believe that God invented golf to keep us humble!!

Signing off for now. Still grateful, thanking God and swinging!

Quarterly Check-Up

Completed my quarterly check-up yesterday with Dr. Becker, Triple Army Medical Center--some probing, listening and many questions. No abnormalities found and complete bloodwork, PET/CAT/X-rays scheduled for next quarterly check-up in June 08.

He did mention that he was very optimistic about my being in remission and that "cure rate" for my particular disease was over 90%! Had never heard that before but was certainly grateful to receive the good news.

Every day is still a new gift and if there's one overarching benefit I've gained from this whole episode, it is to appreciate every new day and to live life now! This has been reinforced in a church study I've been doing called "Men's Faternity" which is nothing like a college frat. The last segment of this study entitled, "The Great Adventure," challenges us to live a life of intentionality, rather than merely reacting to whatever comes our way. The ultimate challenge was to fill out a table entitled, "Before I die, I want to . . . Be, Do, Have, Help, Enjoy, Leave" (kind of a bucket list as in the recent movie) and then start working on the list.

God is good, life is an adventure and I am grateful.

January/February 2008 Update

Been busy, busy, busy with non-health related issues. Trust everyone had a blessed holiday season which we enjoyed with family and friends. January and February flew by with renovations to a townhouse we're trying to get ready to rent consuming most of our free time. It's been an educational experience, to say the least. Went with a general contractor friend who, to save us money, asked us to do all the legwork to purchase the major components: we now know about bathtubs, countertops, faucets, vent fans, paint, etc., etc., etc.!

In my case, no news is good news. My next checkup is in March and I've not had any sypmtoms which caused any concern, so will continue to praise God for his healing and sustaining power. Please join me in offering a praise of thanks!

Please pray for a dear friend of ours, Bill Gay, who suffered a mild heart attack three hours out on what was supposed to be a week-long cruise here in Hawaii. Bill now has the dubious distinction of having turned the ship around to return him to Honolulu. Yesterday, doctors discovered that he did have a blockage and inserted a stent. He's recovering and his wife, Lois is doing well, but we all covet your prayers for a full and speedy recovery.

Thanks in advance!