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
Monday, July 16, 2007
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.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Relay for Life
The American Cancer Society is sponsoring a Relay for Life on July 14-15 at Magic Island, Honolulu, HI. Our team has been named PODracers for Phil (me), Omi (Geri's sister, also a survivor) and Denys (Geri's sister-in-law, who passed away from cancer) by our team captain, Rodney Tam, Geri's nephew.
ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE, but if you'd like to make a donation go to this site http://www.acsevents.org/hi/relay/magicisland/podracers Simply click on my name. If you're in Honolulu, please consider joining our team for this overnighter which should be lots of fun for a very worthy cause.
Bottom Line on the Bottom: Radiation is almost done but side effects of painful mouth and sores persist. Only three more to go! God is good!
ABSOLUTELY NO PRESSURE, but if you'd like to make a donation go to this site http://www.acsevents.org/hi/relay/magicisland/podracers Simply click on my name. If you're in Honolulu, please consider joining our team for this overnighter which should be lots of fun for a very worthy cause.
Bottom Line on the Bottom: Radiation is almost done but side effects of painful mouth and sores persist. Only three more to go! God is good!
Monday, June 25, 2007
June 25, 2007
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Side effects of radiation are showing up--the entire inside of my mouth, including my tongue, feels like I've got a sunburn (gotta quit driving around with the top down and my mouth wide open!) and gums on the right upper side are very sensitive to spices, heat and touch.
I've also been very fatigued which, both my radiologist and the head radiology nurse say, has nothing to do with the treatments. Sleeping nine hours per night and still having to take naps, no stamina when doing anything physical--not too good for productivity but I did manage to get the yard done this weekend. Bloodwork last week was in the low but normal ranges. As the saying goes, I'm getting sick and tired of being sick and tired!
But only six more radiation treatments to go! Still praising God for every new day and for the blessings of family, friends and his glorious creation! Have a great week!!
I've also been very fatigued which, both my radiologist and the head radiology nurse say, has nothing to do with the treatments. Sleeping nine hours per night and still having to take naps, no stamina when doing anything physical--not too good for productivity but I did manage to get the yard done this weekend. Bloodwork last week was in the low but normal ranges. As the saying goes, I'm getting sick and tired of being sick and tired!
But only six more radiation treatments to go! Still praising God for every new day and for the blessings of family, friends and his glorious creation! Have a great week!!
Friday, June 15, 2007
June 15, 2007
BLUF: Completed four of 15 daily radiation treatments this morning. Compared to chemo, this is a walk in the park: 10 minutes, start to finish, no side effects.
If pics are worth a 1,000 words, here are 2,000 words. I know this looks like something out of "Tales from the Crypt" but pic shows me strapped into my rigid plastic, full-head mask to insure that I don't move so that only affected area is radiated:
And here's an artsy pic of the laser alignments (reference marks on the mask and one tatooed dot on my sternum) used to insure that I'm exactly where I need to be when they ZAP me with radiation:
Only 11 more treatments to go! Praising God for the knowledge of the doctors, the skill of the technicians, the love of family and friends and most of all, for His mercy and grace!
If pics are worth a 1,000 words, here are 2,000 words. I know this looks like something out of "Tales from the Crypt" but pic shows me strapped into my rigid plastic, full-head mask to insure that I don't move so that only affected area is radiated:
And here's an artsy pic of the laser alignments (reference marks on the mask and one tatooed dot on my sternum) used to insure that I'm exactly where I need to be when they ZAP me with radiation:Only 11 more treatments to go! Praising God for the knowledge of the doctors, the skill of the technicians, the love of family and friends and most of all, for His mercy and grace!Saturday, June 9, 2007
June 9, 2007
BLUF: Nothing but good news this past week!
On Thursday, had appt w/radiologist, Dr. Becker. After consultation with the leading expert on lymphoma in the country, he decided to radiate only the affected area in my upper jaw, obviating the possibility of adverse effects on my salivary glands, which might cause dry mouth, change the pH in my mouth resulting in caries and other not-so-good things.
After my encouraging conversation with Dr. Becker, I went back to the technical part of the clinic where I had a full-face, or rather, full-head mask fabricated: heated, perforated plastic, which resembles cheesecloth when stretched, was placed over my face, stretched and attached to the table under my head as it will be during radiation. As the plastic cooled, it became rigid, ensuring that I do not move when the radiation is administered. The technicians then turned on laser locaters and drew landmarks on the mask with one on my sternum (actually just a Sharpie line covered with a very sticky clear adhesive patch) .
Yesterday, Friday, I had an appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Hastings. After reviewing lab results and a physical exam she, though understandably, very cautiously conservative in the past, used the "R" word: it appears that my disease is in REMISSION! Even though it was Friday afternoon, she smiled broadly because she got to deliver such great news which probably does not happen very often in her profession.
While I am looking forward to getting the daily radiation treatments behind me, I have a renewed appreciation for life every day, for God's beauty all around us, for family, for friends and for the power of prayer. If you are one of many around the world who whispered a prayer for me, please shout a joyful THANKSGIVING because He heard and answered! I am grateful, amazed, humbled and still nearly bald! Have an awesome weekend!
On Thursday, had appt w/radiologist, Dr. Becker. After consultation with the leading expert on lymphoma in the country, he decided to radiate only the affected area in my upper jaw, obviating the possibility of adverse effects on my salivary glands, which might cause dry mouth, change the pH in my mouth resulting in caries and other not-so-good things.
After my encouraging conversation with Dr. Becker, I went back to the technical part of the clinic where I had a full-face, or rather, full-head mask fabricated: heated, perforated plastic, which resembles cheesecloth when stretched, was placed over my face, stretched and attached to the table under my head as it will be during radiation. As the plastic cooled, it became rigid, ensuring that I do not move when the radiation is administered. The technicians then turned on laser locaters and drew landmarks on the mask with one on my sternum (actually just a Sharpie line covered with a very sticky clear adhesive patch) .
Yesterday, Friday, I had an appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Hastings. After reviewing lab results and a physical exam she, though understandably, very cautiously conservative in the past, used the "R" word: it appears that my disease is in REMISSION! Even though it was Friday afternoon, she smiled broadly because she got to deliver such great news which probably does not happen very often in her profession.
While I am looking forward to getting the daily radiation treatments behind me, I have a renewed appreciation for life every day, for God's beauty all around us, for family, for friends and for the power of prayer. If you are one of many around the world who whispered a prayer for me, please shout a joyful THANKSGIVING because He heard and answered! I am grateful, amazed, humbled and still nearly bald! Have an awesome weekend!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
June 5, 2007
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)--Had only one (1) root canal which took less than an hour. Absolutely painless and uneventful! Tests indicated that only one tooth was adversely affected by the biopsy needing this treatment. I don't understand how this procedure came to be synonymous with pain!
Strength is slowly returning but blood counts as of last Friday show my hemoglobin at just inside low but normal levels, which accounts for my lack of stamina. Bad news is that it will probably take about three months to get back to normal. Good news is that chemo is OVER!
What hair didn't fall out is slowly growing back. Unfortunately, that's about half of what I had originally so it looks like salt/pepper peach fuzz along the top and back of my head. Still have no use for shampoo. Will post a pic as soon as it's visible! Facial hair, again what didn't fall out, is starting to grow again, forcing me to shave regularly again. Minor inconvienience!
Just received word that two more members from my active duy military organization died in Iraq. My heart aches for their families, one of which included two boys and an 11-month old girl. Please pray for all our service members who are fighting this war on terorism so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. We're still at war, although many, including those in Congress, seem to have forgotten. May God bless America!
Strength is slowly returning but blood counts as of last Friday show my hemoglobin at just inside low but normal levels, which accounts for my lack of stamina. Bad news is that it will probably take about three months to get back to normal. Good news is that chemo is OVER!
What hair didn't fall out is slowly growing back. Unfortunately, that's about half of what I had originally so it looks like salt/pepper peach fuzz along the top and back of my head. Still have no use for shampoo. Will post a pic as soon as it's visible! Facial hair, again what didn't fall out, is starting to grow again, forcing me to shave regularly again. Minor inconvienience!
Just received word that two more members from my active duy military organization died in Iraq. My heart aches for their families, one of which included two boys and an 11-month old girl. Please pray for all our service members who are fighting this war on terorism so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. We're still at war, although many, including those in Congress, seem to have forgotten. May God bless America!
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