75 Weeks

As I thank God for every extra day I have been given I have passed the 75th week of remission.

Let's see: Five years times 52 weeks is 260 weeks and then the chances of re-occurring  are slim.  Well then let's see where I am on the Chart.  75 divided by 260 is .288 or lets just say 29% on the way to full recovery or whatever they call it. They never say "cancer-free" too much liability.  Just for fun I will be almost 76 with the body of a er ....... remember ..... I work out 3 days per week .... and plan to run the steps in Philly .... I am commonly referred to as Rocky Jr ... or the Little Rock .... no not a pebble ...... let's see I'll have the body of a 75 year old .... darn and I thought I could .....oh well

The Filet is Good and a Tribute

Yesterday was a good/bad day.  While having the stitches removed from my back I received a call from the Dermman's office nurse (a cutie but at my age they are ALL cuties).  She said that the filet that was removed form my back was benign and all went well.  Thank you Jesus, The Great Healer.  Now just 4 more filets to remove and then all the cutting will have been completed.  I often wonder what do they do with these "filets".  It just makes me think of White Castle and how small the burgers have become; you need to eat 10 to fill up ... er medical filets ....... er lets see Freddies Fried Filets, lab tested for your protection, er ...... maybe not ...

I want to pay respects to my friend Linda.  She was diagnosed with Liver cancer about 6 weeks ago and passed on this past Tuesday.  My only thoughts are that she is now in heaven without all the problems she had here on earth.  My thoughts of her are she was a great wife, a great mother, and a great wife.  But most of all just a great person.  RIP Linda and prayers to your family; you will be missed very much.

On The Cutting Edge

I know some are waiting with "Baited Breath" to hear this latest saga.  I always wondered about "Baited Breath"  Does that mean if you want to date an Italian Girl you would brush your teeth with garlic?  Just wondering.

Went to the Dermoman yesterday to discuss the results of the 6 shave job.  Here we go.  The lab says that 5 of 6 require re-excision to insure adequate and clear margins.  A margin in layman terms are just the edge of the cut.  Not sure how much meat can be taken but it is not a recommended way to lose weight.  What that means is that Dermoman will cut some meat and send it to the lab.   The initial shave is about a 3/8 inch and the subsequent is about the size of a bottle cap and 1/4 inch deep not just a shave.   The lab takes the meat and bisects it and then each quadrant is tested and if the margins are clear then that is it.  You then just keep watch.  If the margins are not clear then Dermoman takes more meat and the same process is completed.  One of the moles on my back was "Basal cell carcinoma extending to the deep linked surgical margin".  Yesterday that was removed and I have 15 stitches.  The rest will be removed in January; one a day for 4 days.  I know the math has stumped you but the last one is is on the watch list.  I wonder if Homeland Security has a "Mole Watch Division"?   I will have to go to the Dermoman every six months.  This is a lot easier cure than the throat cancer.

I'm Back

Yesterday was a different type of day.  Just before teeing off I was called by the dermatologist nurse.  I had 6 mole shaves and they were sent out to determine if they malignant.  Of the six two were OK, three were pre-cancer and one was basil cell carcinoma.  Kind of bummed me out.  But today I go and have some surgery to remove another growth.  They are all on my back and none seem as bad as they seem,  Basically they will cut around until they reach margins (medical term for edges) that are cancer free.  That means I'll be developing an intimate relationship with the Dermatologist.  Not sure for how long but will know what the plan is today.  At least 5 visits and cuttings.  So another Christmas and back to the Little C blog.  Will keep you all posted.  BTW also received notice form the VA that my cancer was not caused by Agent Orange and my increase in Medicare premium costs.  Other than that it is great being vertical and not to have  assumed room temperature.  I will get through this as I did before with the help of your prayers and Jesus Christ.

I never doubted

I have been asked by many people how I feel about the tumor leaving my body.  I just have to say I never doubted that it would.  This Little c Trial re-enforced that Jesus was and is in charge of my life.  Two outcomes were possible; first I could get well, which I did or I could die which I didn't.

That does not mean that I am not scheduled to die but it wasn't my time to leave this earthly home and I don't run the schedule.  And look at my possibilities, its 50/50 and if I die I get a new well body in heaven and if I live I keep this body and have to rebuild.  So I now enter the rebuild stage of life.  My weight went from 183 to 156.  I hope to get back to 170 or 175 and stay there. Already in touch with the Villages health club and personal trainer. So will have to work at it. I am weak right now but today will be my first 3 meal day.  Cereal, strawberries for breakfast, eggs, bacon, toast and some taters for lunch and roast beef for supper.  I'm rolling, have to eat three meals per day before we leave for Florida.  Miss my car and golf buddies and I'm sure they will try to add the weight to me.  Once this sore throat goes away its Katie bar the door.  I dream of a nice steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy and some veggies especially some of Norm's secret Mac and Cheese.

Have one more Dr appointment next Wednesday and then none for 12 weeks.  Thats kind of nice, you just get tired of driving to the cancer center every day and getting something done that is good for you.  Makes you remember the days when you weren't feeling well and here come the Castor Oil because "it is good for you".

Good News

Just left the Doc's office, Cancer is Gone!  


Thank you Jesus!

I'm Back ...................

When I first started this blog I stated that it was not intended to be a complain forum.  That is why I have not posted since February 9th.  I took my 3rd chemo and in the hospital, plenty of IV's and then I took my last radiation and felt worse.  So no posting except to say this stuff will kick butt.

Today is March 7th and the sun is shining and it is a brisk 40 degrees.  I have started to eat real food (defined as food I ate before the treatment, McDonald's for breakfast, Yea yea yea!)  We set some travel standards.  They are that I must be able to eat 3 meals a day and be able to eat "road" food.  That way we will be able to travel on March 17th.  That will be a great day to head back. Been a long 4 months but hopefully it cures the cancer.  I can swallow now pretty regularly and am pounding the water in to flush my kidneys.  They are responding well and I have a blood test twice a week to make sure they are.  Doctors appointments tomorrow and then next Wednesday and Thursday.  Tube down the nose to see what it looks like and then will have the first of many scans in May.

Many thanks for all your prayers, thoughts and well wishes.  Especially to Jackie, thanks for all your guidance and assistance.