Stent Success

Yesterday I had a stent holding my right ureter open replaced. The stents typically last only 6-8 weeks before the kidney builds irritating stones around the tube. My new stent will easily last me through the end of my Chemo and will ensure that I keep both kidneys functioning. Based on the amount the tumor had been pinching off the ureter, my Urologist said that he's confident the tumor has shrunk significantly more since my last CT scan. My next progress update showing actual tumor size won't come until the first of February, so this kind of good news was very welcome.

My next Chemo is scheduled for this Friday. I intend to post updates more frequently over the next couple of months now that I'm done taking tests. Stay tuned. Again, thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Happy Holidays from the newest C.P.M.

Christmas has been particularly good this year. I have so much to be grateful for! It's so nice to be in my "good days" during Christmas and New Years, since the first half of my 21 day Chemotherapy cycles can be tough. My next treatment is scheduled on January 2nd, with a minor kidney stent removal surgery on December 29th. It's been nice spending time with family and eating good food. I've taken a few more breaks from the daily quart of carrot juice in my regimen, (please nobody tell my grandma) and I'm feeling great!

The other big news is I've studied for and passed tests for C.P.M. (Certified Purchasing Manager) Modules 2, 3, and 4 all in the month of December. I am now Certified! (http://www.ism.ws/certification/content.cfm?ItemNumber=4674&navItemNumber=5616) My current employer has been a big advocate for continuing education, and it's been nice to be able to keep working toward some of my professional goals in addition to beating cancer. After 3 month at home, I'm very anxious to get back to work. Happy Holidays!

Day 64 - Treatment #4 - 2/3 Done & Progress Continues

Leslie and I have received a lot of requests to post more updates on my progress. Since my last Chemo treatment, I haven't had a lot to report, good or bad, on the progress of the cancer. Another suggestion was more pictures. Well, you're getting both today! What you're not getting is evenly spaced paragraphs or a spellchecked document because this isn't MS Word.

Today I met with a substitute doctor who was a little more open about my progress and the condition of the tumor and type of cancer in general. First, the good news is that the estimate of tumor reduction after the 2nd Chemo of more than 50% actually read 66% on the radiologist's report. The doctor gave me a 95% chance of licking the tumor this time... which gets into the bad news. The chances of Follicular Lymphoma reoccurring after it has gone into remission is 98%. So it's not a matter of if the cancer returns, but when. The up-side is that it will likely come back in similar form and be slow-growing. He also said he estimated I would have a 90% chance of licking it the second time. I am hopeful that with the dietary changes I am making, the cancer will have a tougher time coming back so quickly. Remission could last just a few months, or it could last 5 years or more. I will be closely monitored and it will likely be caught much sooner when it does come back, so treatment should be easier and quicker. Other people doing similar follow-up treatments only do a mild Chemo on a 2 hour lunch break before returning to work the same day. Another up-side is that he told me there are some pretty cool cancer treatment advances in the pipeline. Drug companies have recently had some major breakthroughs that have shown potential to cure some types of cancer. I'm hoping Lymphoma is one of them.

As promised here are a few pictures:

I was having some fun with some of the pills I get to take on a daily basis. Name that movie "Pills are good." Me and my not-so-hairless brother Jeff at Thanksgiving at the Friel's. Kylan thinks he's pretty cool with Dad's beanie!

I received a customized beanie from a friend at work. To her and her friends I am known as "G-Money" Hence the "G$G$" pattern. I don't even want to know how many hours she put into this, but I have to say that other cancer patients were a little jealous. This was definitely blog-worthy.