Plenty to be Thankful For

Good Day

Happy thanks giving everyone.  Here are a couple of jokes for you to have a giggle giggle.  Then I will share with you what I am thankful for - including some CT Scan results. 


*     If you think Octoberfest can't fix the economy, it's because you have not drunk enough beer.  

 
*    A man buys a parrot, only to have it constantly insult him. He tries everything to make the parrot stop, but nothing works. Frustrated, the man puts the parrot in the freezer. After a few minutes the insults stop. The man thinks he might have killed the parrot, so he opens the freezer and takes the parrot out. The parrot is shivering. It stammers, “S-s-sorry for being r-r-rude. Please f-f-forgive me.” Then, after a moment, the parrot softly asks, “W-w-what exactly d-d-did the turkey do?” 




Wow what an action packed weekend and so much to be thankful for.  To start with I am thankful for everyday, especially since I am able to spend them with my beautiful wife Teresa.  She makes me smile, brightens my world and helps keep us in check with not sweating the small things.  This perspective helps to lead a much happier life and stress less especially when hosting 15 people for a turkey dinner.  There are many small things to go wrong, though they are small in comparison to spending the day with family.  We had a great time on Sunday and a wonderful meal.  Mom`s desert was excellent and having grandma with us was wonderful.  I am thankful that there is family and friends we can spend these days with and be alone. 

I am also thankful for the work our doctors and clinical trial patients who have done the research to develop the medications we have.   Without them the results from treatments may not be what they have been.  The latest CT Scan results show great progress.  The spot in the lung seems to have cleared up, there are 2 spots in the liver which have been identified, all other organs look good.  Lymph nodes appear to be ok and all other areas stable.    More treatments to follow. 

There is so much to be thankful for it is hard to put out there in 1 blog post or remember everything in 1 day.  So I find myself reflecting often all year round and reminding myself what is important, and what to be thankful for.   

Keep on Smilin everyone - you will have a brighter day by doing so.

jtee

Settling in and moving forward

Good Day






Yupp this guys needs a change of clothes.  Seems to be fitting from a conversation we had on the weekend about a guy who built a Bear Suit and then tested it - and was beat up pretty bad yet lived.  Cant imagine fishing or hiking in such a thing.  










 Moved in:  Thank you to everyone, especially Devin, Ian and Harry for helping unload the moving bin on such short notice.  3 days to load and less then 3 hours to unload.  Chris and Tim were also a great help to unload and then help move stuff around and paint.  Teresa and I are truly appreciative and thankful to have such great family and friends on both sides of the country.

 This is week 2 of unpacking and almost all done.  Wish I could find the power supply to my bedroom TV though - would be handy.  Since the power cord had a transformer in it - it is not that easy to replace and most likely will end up buying a new TV.  Darn.

Treatments: Since we have  been here I have gone through 3 treatments and all is going well.  The Cancer Center is incredible, those who designed the facility did a great job.  Open and comfortable.  The nurses are great and  volunteers are very helpful.  I am very comfortable and confident with the new facility.  Some processes are different - though good.

The great news is Genetic testing has already begun.  That is 1 of the main objectives to moving was to have this form of testing done.  Was certainly not expecting to have the referral on the first meeting with my new Oncologist.  That has reinforced our decision to move since we were only hoping for additional testing and clinical trials to happen.  It is nice to see we were thinking in the right direction.   Right now there are no clinical trials but hopeful something will be available with the testing in progress.

 With the upcoming CT Scan next week we hope to see more shrinkage and stability.  Will keep you posted as we have progress.  For now treatments will continue as we seek alternatives to beating this SOB disease. 

In the mean time eveyone - keep on smilin and having fun.  I will.

Jtee

Thank you

Good day

Over the next week I am going to have a couple posts to update to what is going on - as there is lots.

 









Something we can relate to......








As most of you know we are close to being settled in, in K - town.   Was a weird and stressful start but all worked out in the end.  For now Teresa and I have a place we can make a home .... though we are missing Regina, our second home, especially Mom and Dad Hallett.....    Without them I am not sure how we could have made the move possible or gotten through the past couple of years.  There are no words to express how appreciative I am for all they have done.  The emotional support and help has been absolutely outstanding.  They truly helped me feel as part of the family and enabled me to focus on what mattered - working on getting better.  (and the odd fishing adventure) 

Thank you John and Cathy for everything, drives to treatments, dinners, help with "house" stuff, and some great fun filled afternoons playing games.  Except for that Domino game - dont like that one much or that you never let me win ALL the time.Though we are not that far away - it still feels like galaxies apart.  Sure we will visit soon and vice versa.  In the mean time - Skype Farkel might be in order. 

Keep on  smilin eveyone.

JT

Good news and Sad times but happy times.

Good Day everyone

 

 

What do you call a fish with a tie? soFISHticated

Which fish can perform operations?   A Sturgeon!





Time sure flies. Feels like just yesterday we decided to move to KW. Now only a couple of days left here in the beautiful city of Regina.  Sure gonna miss this place and that is the beginning of the mix of emotions.  Happy and sad, excited yet disappointed then joyous with a sigh of relief.  In the end we are making forward progress overall and that is the overall satisfied feeling to keep things in check.   I will close off with my latest CT scan results.

5 foot 2 inches Happy Happy Happy

Vancouver:  Teresa and I had a great time.  We will post some pics soon from the train.  The rockies were spectacular to see and the train ride was fun.  Teresa though would not let me win at cribbage. 
Fishing - well the picture says it all - worth every penny.  Our guide Luke from Vancouver Sport fishing Center  was alot of fun and took us to where the fish were in his jet boat.  Another fun ride.   We also took a walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge.  Boy oh boy - weebles wobble but the bridge stay up.  This thing was crazy cool and terrifying at the same time.  Highly recommend both of these for anyone visiting Vancouver.  Stanley park - and the big firs was cool.  There was so much we did and so little space.  To summarize Vacouver is a great place to visit.

Move: We are all packed up and ready to go on Thursday.  Arrive in KW on Sunday Aug 18th.


Treatment Progress:   Shrinkage Shrinkage and Shrinkage.  Not much else to say.  The latest scan showed reductions in the Lung, Liver and effected Lymph Node.  Treatments are working again.  Yeah.  Once in ON we will be investigating several clinical trials to see if we can increase shrinkage.  Not much of a break though as treatments begin next Tuesday in Kitchener. 

That is all for now folks.  Keep on Smilin!

Jtee

On the road again!

Good day

Well there are a couple things to chat about today.

 First off - Thank you everyone for your support and EXTREME generosity.   Your help has made some of our upcoming news possible and aides in preparation for a future treatment option.  When we heard of the fundraiser being organized we were very surprised and humbled.  The results were outstanding there are no words to say how this has impacted us.  The boxing gloves are a great reminder to keep on the fight and that we are not alone.  Many of the other keep sakes also remind us we have an amazing group behind us.

As you know we have been exploring multiple treatment options.   After some discussion and reviews with doctors they have helped narrow down the options to 2.

1)  An Integrated natural path treatment  Hyperthermia  - a treatment applied along side standard Chemo treatments.  Consulted with the DR there and I appear to be a great candidate for this process. There are some downsides though - the biggest is that the cost is not covered by our health care system.  Then there is the success rate which is not quit as high as we would like so it comes a big gamble when the cost is aprox $25K,    So we now know what it involed - 3 months living in BC snd a bunch of doe.  So we are going to be prepared to execute this option at some point - if need be.

The 2nd option)   Clinical Trials and additional genetic analysis.   Biggest benefit here is that costs are covered by our health care system and the trials I am looking at include the treatment regiment I am on now.   The trials here in Saskatchewan we have looked into and I just dont have the right Cancer to qualify.  There are however many trails available in Ontario which do not have the same requirements - and I could qualify for.  There is also a genetic analysis I can pursue which may open the door to other procedures or trials.  All this is timely here and faster in Ontario. 

Yupp -  Teresa and I are on the move again.   Back to KW we go.  We put the
house forr sale and accepted and offer last week.  Close date of Aug 15th.  Should be in kw around Aug 20th. 

So to prepare for the sale and move we have been crazy busy doing small home projects, painting and yard work so the home shows well.  There was a 2 year list of tasks which looked impossible. With a little determination and help we were able knock it all off in time to list. The results being accepting an offer within 8 days.  

Going to miss Regina - really do enjoy it here. 

Also going to be glad to see everyone in Ontario and around. 

Keep smilin everyone.  More to come..... 

jtee

Smileys SIdekicks

Good day

Here is a chuckle to start off thank you Aunt Nancy for sharing with me.

Smiley's Sidekicks.

The Original

The image above is an original by me.  No Cancer Man is a drawing on a white board hung on the wall beside my bed.  This is the image I look at before bed and when I wake up.  The thoughts of this no cancer sign are that there is no cancer, we are beating this - together.  From no Cancer man he has evolved into my symbol for Smiley's Sidekicks.  As a young trouble maker I was given this nickname and it kinda stuck around the family for a number of years.   And who are the sidekicks you wonder?  Sidekicks I consider anyone keeping us in their prayers, sharing words of encouragement, a simple call to say hi, and all those taking the time, and effort to help.  Without all the love and support we receive I believe we would have a hard time keeping our chins up.  You are all my sidekicks and greatly appreciate everything you do everyday.  My journey is long from over and I know that there will be the Sidekicks there to help me along and lift spirits when they are down, helping out with treatments, giving a hand when I am restricted and so much more.  The most important is being there to say Hi and words which encourage us keep on Smilin...  Believe me some days that is a challenge. 

Thank you everyone...... Smiley and his Sidekicks together can kick Cancers ass.  Bring hope to others and share awareness to this awful disease to encourage screening for early detection. 

Hug your loved one's often and Keep Smilin.

Jtee

A few step back....

Good day

Here is a chuckle for those not living here in Regina...... we had a fresh couple of inches of snow the other day and our front lawn still has 2 foot snow banks.   Otherwise really looking forward to the nice weather.

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"  ~Robin Williams

After the past couple of months I am truly looking forward to spring and hoping the crap will stop for a bit and some goodness will bloom for us.  Between medical issues, the house and car throwing us curve balls, walking through snow since November 1 - sunshine and green grass will be a pleasant sight bringing smiles back to our faces.  
 
Though we have been on an emotional and physical roller coaster ride, recovery from surgery has gone well.  Progress in beating this damn thing well that has taken a few steps backwards.  We are basically back at the starting blocks.    



The not so good news:
CT results showed 2 lesions are back in the lung, sporadic spots in the liver (what ever that freakin means) some swollen lymph nodes causing a minor narrowing for the kidney causing it to swell.  And of course very little mention of the main site and stranding which the surgeon physically observed during the surgery.  So not so good news and frustration with the re-occurance coupled with difficulty monitoring the treatment effects to the main site.    Yo roller coaster operator - how about you let me know there is no lap bar before you send us over the top.  

So what now you may wonder....... that is the good news we still have some plans.

Last may in a post titled Path of Hope which outlined the plan for the surgery which occurred in February and mention of additional Plans B&C and now add D&E.

So right now we are back to treatments as we have done in the past.  Hopefully this will have the same effect on the matastic sites as in the past - get'em cleaned up.    While this is going on we are exploring ALL options and inquiring other treatments.  Those are the other plans.  That is the good news - there are potential options.   Some are simple, some are logistic heavy and one is an out of pocket cost.   So there will be some big decisions in the near future as we gather the info to these options and execute the ones which will overall give the best odds.

There are clinical trials, a integrated therapy regulated by Natural Path, and other standard treatment options.   Duke Univertsity is reviewing my case again and may or may not have recommendations, that is our second opinion.  Most of the options may not or are not available here in Saskatchewan.  Below are some links to some of the options we are looking at.  Either way I see travel for treatments in our future and most certainly some challenges within.   Teresa and I have faced some challenges and will continue to accept them and do all we can to overcome them.  We both thank everyone for your support and care which helps fuel the fight.  

BC - Hypothermia Treatment


Radiofrequency ablation 


cryosurgery


For now I will do what I do and keep on smilin.

Chat again soon.  Jason









  

On the mend.

Good Day

What. Do you call a gator in a vest?   An investigator!     Snicker chuckle

Been almost a week since the surgery.  Still in hospital but recovering well - few more days.

The results of the surgery were not exactly what we wanted as he was not able to do the resection to remove the tumor.  Good news, liver is clear and colostomy is done.  Which will improve day to day living for me and needed to be done either way.  Down side back to chemo treatments in a few weeks for an undetermined amount of time.   Great progress was made before - hope is there can be more.

So we enter a new phase of what has been Plan A. We are now in full swing with plan B. (check older post for details).   Plan C is on deck and getting warmed up if need be.


The fight is not over nor has the fighter thrown in the towel.

Keep smiling

Jtee

It is time.....

Good Day

With the Oscars in mind here is a little brain tickle.  If you have any twists of your own to add feel free to email them.

Celebrity Names With a Twist

If Ella Fitzgerald married Darth Vader, she'd be Ella Vader.
If Sondra Locke married Elliott Ness, then divorced him to marry Herman Munster, she'd then become Sondra Locke Ness Munster.
If Ivana Trump married, in succession, Orson Bean (actor), King Oscar (of Norway), Louis B. Mayer (of MGM) and and Norbert Wiener (mathematician), she would then become Ivana Bean Oscar Mayer Wiener.
If Liv Ullman married Judge Lance Ito, then divorced him and married Jerry Mathers, she'd be Liv Ito Beaver.
If Bea Arthur married Sting, she'd be Bea Sting.
If Tuesday Weld married Hal March III, she'd be Tuesday March 3.        ___________

Finally, after 2 years of hope and prayers - time for surgery.   Tomorrow will be a another day of  changes in my life and the day which will let us know what the future may hold for us in this battle against the big C. 

 Have now met with all the nurses for pre - op prep and overview of what is involved in having a permanent stoma and colostomy.  Basically After recovery I can return to almost a normal lifestyle.  No diet changes and will be able to do everything I have done in the past.  Will just take a few months to get there.  The only major change is I have an area which needs some extra care and changing.  

Will send an update as soon as I can.   

Keep smilin - not sure how but mine just got a bit bigger.

jtee  

The big day is scheduled

Good Day 

Well hope this is not the case. .......

       Great news.  All looks good for surgery which is now scheduled for February 27 first thing in the morning.  Yippee Skippeee.
Very happy mom will be here visiting
7-10 days in hospital recovery and then 6-8 weeks at home.  So all good in time for summer.

Then a round of chemo will be in order just to clean up any left overs.  Fingers crossed there are little to no speed bumps in these final couple of legs of the road.



That is it for now.   Will have some info for this years Relay for Life shortly.  Going to Participating here in Regina and in Kitchener.         Smiley's Sidekicks

Besides this good news there is always a reason to smile.

Keep on smilin


Jtee

Happy New Year

Good Day All

Well it has been sometime since I have posted.  I do apologize for the disconnect - no excuses - I will be sure to keep up and everyone informed moving forward.  

To start - I wish you all a happy and healthy new year.   Hope you commit to yourself to ensuring you are following a prevention plan and talking to your doctor about screening for Cancer.  Early detection in many cases is key to beating the Big C.  Here is a great way to get an annual reminders and suggestions for conversations to have with your Doctor.   Reminder for Life  may 2013 have great success in life. 


So what has else has gone on in the past few months you maybe wondering?

 LOTS of great stuff - though not a whole lot. 

Snow started falling right after Halloween and now we have close to 4 ft on the ground - not exaggerating.  Our walkway to the front door is more like a tunnel and the driveway is almost a garage. 

In the battle against Cancer - some real progress was made. Oct 31st I started Radiation Therapy coupled with Chemotherapy in pill form.  This went on Monday thru Friday till Dec 10th.  28 sessions in total.  Was a tough go but made it through and still smiling.  Took a couple of weeks after treatments to get back somewhat feeling "good"  though there are still many challenges faced on a daily basis: 
- unexpected and repeated restroom visits (15+ in a day) very difficult to control.
- difficulty sitting for more then 30+ minutes at a time.  (on average)
- fatigue
- severe stomach cramping which can be immobilizing
- ongoing pain and discomfort in lower back down through left leg requiring narcotic based pain medication(morphine)
- doing small tasks is tiring such as showering, dishes requiring rest time.
- have found my ability to concentrate and memory have been greatly effected by the medications

The good news in all this is right now I am awaiting a Date for Surgery.  Yupp that is correct - the inoperable situation is now operable.  Should be in for the last week of Feb.  Then 2 months recovery from there.   More details to follow.  This was an early Christmas Present.  Teresa and I are extremely overwhelmed with joy. 

For now .................                                                                                               Jason