Let the Radiation begin.

Good Day


Here is an inspirational quote for you to enjoy. Listening to this will certainly help you to keep smiling every day.




                                   Regrets...

“Always Do Your Best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.”

― Miguel Angel Ruiz


     Chemo treatments have been delayed for the past couple of weeks in anticipation of some Radiation. So Monday AM that will begin. Not sure how many rounds yet. This I will know Monday when I get my schedule. Should be 5 - 10 sessions and each session is done daily. So this could all be done by then end of next week then back to Chemo treatments we go. So for now we are just going to continue with these treatments and hope they will endure for an extended period of time. After this there are still some options though limited. Seems this treatment is preventing growth but not clearing the lungs and liver. So that eliminates doing anything besides Chemo or targeted Radiation. Will keep everyone updated to what is going on.


   Now that Thanksgiving and Halloween are over, and the first snow fall has happened the Holiday Season is looming right before us. Time to dig out sweaters, dust off the winter boots and match up

those gloves or mitts. Scarves and some extra warm jackets are always a welcome wardrobe addition, perhaps even some 80's leg warmers. Lets also not forget to make sure we have the scraper handy. The one task this time of year brings us, which we all so do not love, is the dreaded car cleaning. Going outside in the dark early AM The alternative to scraping the windows, though not the most environmental method is to blast the defrost and leave the car run for 10 minutes. Unfortunately I do choose this option most times as it becomes problematic to scrape the windows.

Drive Safe, Stay Warm and you know it.  Keep on Smilin

Jtee

A great way to help in the fight against cancer

Good day

Halloween 2014

Here is an inspiring quote to ponder.

Disappointments... 
 “I know that in life there will be sickness, devastation, disappointments, heartache - it's a given. What's not a given is the way you choose to get through it all. If you look hard enough, you can always find the bright side.” Rashida Jones 

Update on me and of course my always beautiful Teresa.

Overall things have been going good.  We are settled into our new home and getting comfortable in KW once again.  It has taken some time to feel like we are home.  It took just as long to settle in once we arrived in Regina - then it seemed like it was time to go.  As you can see we were Shrek and Princess Fiona for Halloween and Caity made it a trio as Donkey.  The Halloween part we were at we won best costume.  All the credit goes to Teresa was her great idea.
Next week is back in for treatment of some sort.  There maybe a round of radiation next week and a hold on chemo.  The radiation is to help with some pain and perhaps slow growth of the main tumor.  Yupp the roller coaster of being sick is never dull.  You never know what to expect. There have been days in emerg due to a fever which was determined no cause just a fever.  Days of concern due to a cold or others having a cold.  Days of being tired due to hemoglobin counts being low, which then leads to a blood transfusion.  Never a dull moment.

Otherwise we are good and now starting to get ready for Christmas.  Looking forward to having Teresa's folks, John and Cathy with us for the Holidays.  Going to be a great Christmas with everyone together. 

Now here is a simple way you can be a part in the fight against Cancer.  The only cost maybe a little Hydro.

Help in the fight against Cancer with your Screen Saver. 

The current project is Mapping Cancer Markers and goes directly back to Princess Margaret. Once you install the app and follow the basic instructions for setup it runs as your screen saver.  Double check your screen saver settings and that is it.  You are now participating in the fight against Cancer everyday - it is that easy. 

Once you join the efforts by clicking here -  Join Now you can download the program.

The benefit of what the project is

Mapping Cancer Markers on World Community Grid aims to identify the markers associated with various types of cancer. The project is analyzing millions of data points collected from thousands of healthy and cancerous patient tissue samples. These include tissues with lung, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic and breast cancers. By comparing these different data points, researchers aim to identify patterns of markers for different cancers and correlate them with different outcomes, including responsiveness to various treatment options.

This knowledge can help researchers and physicians to:

*   Improve and personalize cancer treatment: by making it possible to detect cancer earlier, identify high-risk patients, and to customize treatment based on a patient's personal genetic profile.

*   Accelerate cancer research and improve the overall process for identifying markers: by refining the process of identifying markers, researchers can determine an individual patient's markers more easily, and future large sets of data can be analyzed more efficiently.

 

 Keep on smilin and keep on helping others to smile.

jt

change in plans because of good results

Good Day

Well here we go again - a change in plans. 

Went to visit the Dr. to get CT results.  Turns out they are much better then expected.  We arrived expecting some really not so good news and prepared for the worst.  Though we left with smiles and little bounce in our steps.

Chemo treatments will start again on Sept 23rd.  The same regiment I was just on.  The CT results showed there was shrinkage in the lungs, liver and lymph nodes.  So the rising CEA levels was not truly reflective of what was going on.  CEA levels can increase for months without growth in tumors.  Then growth happens. 

While chemo going through chemo treatments the investigation into Radiation will still be going forward.  So more to come on that.   The hope is that after a few treatments there is a break for Radiation then back to Chemo.  If it works this way then we have a great treatment plan for the next few months and longer.  Very happy and excited. 

My file is also being reviewed by Duke University again to see what if any options are available.

That is it for now.  Time for a night at TIFF and some star stalking at the closing gala.  Gonna be soe good times there.  Then off for a few days on a House Boat then a couple days of chillin at Uncle Colins cottage in Bancroft.   A great week of R&R with Teresa before we are back to the grind.  




Smile even if it only brightens your own day. 


Jt

No so good results but still positive things ahead.

. 

Good Day

Took a few days to get this post out there as Teresa and I had alot to discuss, ponder and cope with.  We are good, still standing strong and looking forward to moving forward with more treatments. 

Basically we are back to the unsure turmoil of disease and life. After my last CT, MRI and blood test results it was determined that the treatment was no longer being effective, once again.  The tests should minor progression and CEA levels were creeping up slightly.  With chemo being administered CEA levels should either be stable or decrease.   So with these results we had to stop the current regiment being administered.  There are now new referrals to the Radiation Therapist at Grand River and back to Princess Margaret Clinical Trials to see what options might be available.

Last week I was able to meet with a Radiation Therapist who is confident he can help with doing some pain control.  Radiation treatments for me is not for curing me of cancer.  It is just to far gone for that to happen.  (earlier detection might have made that possible)  He is requesting further CT`s and MRI`s to be performed on my back and specific pelvic areas to help him understand the effects the tumor is having on the region.  He may even request a bone scan to be sure of what is happening there as well.  Then by administering a radiation treatment he maybe able to relieve some pressure ad swelling to reduce  the pain I get in my back. 

Now we wait for test schedules.  and word from Princess Margarret for a trial option.

In the mean time I am also sending my case back to World Second Opinion for another review.  Now that the testing Duke University was suggesting is done and we have new CT`s for review - there maybe NEW options or suggestions from there. 

Once we have exercised those options and are not able to go any further, there is still Naturalpath treatments and alternative clinical treatments in Toronto.  There are a couple of clinics which specialize in treatments for those who have exhausted all conventional methods.  Then and only then will they take someone on as a patient.

There is also a new devise developed at Sunnybrook which is kinda cool. May have to inquire about this one at some point.
http://sunnybrook.ca/media/item.asp?i=988


So with all this not so good news we still have options and hope.  Though the DR`s constantly remind us there are no options to rid me of this unforgiving disease, we have hope for survival.  We are also reminded that this is something Teresa and I will be fighting for the rest of my life, I will be on treatment till the end.  These are all tough words for anyone to accept and understand.  Which I do with confidence.  Though my hopes and beliefs are alot more optimistic than what the DR`s advise.  I have already beaten all the odds they have advised us of.   These treatments I keep doing give me more and more time to keep fighting.  While I fight those doing research are making more and more progress in developing better treatments and procedures which one day could provide me a cure.  There has been a chance for me to be cured already once - I can get back to that stage once again though this time be sure the surgeon is able to resect and rid me of the main tumor.  I believe this will be possible.  This is what keeps me strong, this is what I pray for. That is where my hope lies. 

So when you pray and hope - this is what we need prayers for. 

Keep on smiling and sharing your smiles with others.

Jtee

Fishin Pics

33 in the boat 45 on the line

The look of satisfaction after a great fishing day.

Not Game fish - will be a tasty dinner

Double Header.  Non stop action all day a fish every 15 mins.

It is all about the shirt with this pic. Nice Josh

Terry managing the 12 rods to keep us catching

Terry giving instruction - he is a very good guide.

Tony and Deb she drives the boat.

The guages and depth / fish finders.  Lots to check out.

Who put that monster in the livewell.  ME!  what a great fight.  Thank you fish.

Genetic Testing, MRI and a Fishing extraveganza

Good Day Everyone

What did the ambitious hat say to the other hat?

 You wait here while I go get A-Head

How do you communicate with a fish? 

Drop it a line! 

Why did the fish cross the road?     

Cause it was hooked!

Why did the vegan go deep-sea fishing?

Just for the halibut!

 Genetic Testing

Recently I went through some consulting and a genetic test.  This was a continuation from the clinical trial I participated in.  Part of the trial was that I qualified for a Genetic Test which normally you would have to pay for at $6000 - $7000.  Made the skin torture not so bad as there was a great benefit.  Now the test results of this genetic test showed I had a mutated BRCA2 gene.  Which puzzled the clinical trial Dr and she requested them to retest - not once but twice with the same result.   Now the DR was really baffled as BRCA2 mutation is not common or never heard of in Colorectal Cancer cases it is mostly found in breast and ovarian cancer.  So my situation is once again RARE.  There is no direct benefit for knowing this information,  But information is power and future Clinical Trial Treatments may or may not be available based on the Gene Mutation.  Only the future will tell.  BTW this is the same gene Angelina Joliee was found positive for and had the Mastectomy.  In summary - I was born defective and unknown to the family was at a EXTREME high risk on developing Cancer.  Through some further digging turns out my fathers side of the family has the mutated gene and my father is a carrier.  How long the information has been known? We dont know yet. This information came to me yesterday and I am still trying to get my head clear of the anger and frustration.  I know 1 thing - from me forward the family will be aware of the risk and take appropriate action with screening and prevention.   

MRI

Went for an MRI last week and get the results today - will share with everyone later on.  Want to have some time to understand the results first.  The reason for the MRI is that there were some mixed results in the June CT Scan which we did not realize till a couple of weeks ago.  There has been some pain development when I walk or stand which could be caused by Cancer cell growth adding pressure to nerves or just simply some swelling.  The MRI will help clarify what is going on or what is not going on.   Overall though I am ok.

Treatments are going well.  The side effects are not to bad.  Only being able to drink room temp beverages can be very trying.  Cold drink initiate a choking sensation which sucks alot.  Happened once and not going through that again.  Fingers also tingle when I touch cold items - getting things out of the freezer is not good.  The medication is also beating up my hemoglobin development and lowering my numbers.  May have to get a blood transfusion this week.  Will find out later.  Otherwise I am able to handle the treatment ok.

Fishing

Josh with a big 20+ lb'er.

Dan and a 28+lb beast.  Fish of a lifetime.

The big one that did not get away. 35+ lbs

Rob and another one over 20lbs

Chris landing over 25lbs of fight.

Tony with his monster 31+ lb catch

Rampage Sport Fishing Charters boat. 

Went muskie fishing on Lake St Clair - chartered the same boat as last year.   This year the weather was fantastic though and we had a great day.  There were 6 of us.  Brothers Chris and Dan were able to join in and we all caught a fish of a lifetime.  Our other 3 friends Tony, Josh and Rob all caught alot of fish and some monsters as well.  Tony also had a fish of 50" and 30+lbs.  Thank you to Rampage fishing Charters for an amazing time.  A day with Jay that none of us will ever forget.  the pictures say the rest.  

Arms are healed - back to treatment

Good day

The past couple of weeks have been busy and filled with many unexpected events.  The usual life throwing whatever S*#% it can, testing our resilience to negativity and our grasp on hope. 

To summarize in reverse order what is going on:

This past week my grandma passed away.  The funeral was held July 7th.  Though being sick for the past few weeks had kept me from visiting her during her final time with us.  The quality time we
spent over the years will be remembered and cherished.  Those times were a gift which shall never be taken for granted.  Everyday I am going to miss her and remember her. Especially when I am getting ready to go fishing.  Those pink skies at night I know will be her keeping watch.   Love you Grandma. 

Pink sky at night Sailors delight.    

Pink sky in morning Sailors warning.

We moved into our new home mid June as well and of course the day before had to go in for a minor procedure.  After the surgery I was not to lift anything - get help on moving day.  And was not feeling very good.   Life's timing - always perfectly horrible.  Slowly we are getting settled in and comfortable.  

The rash on my arms has finally healed up and now just the scarring remains.  What a slow and annoying process.  But it is done now and back to treatments we go. 

Had first treatment on the new regiment last Wednesday.  This one will be every 2 weeks and be done over 3 days.   Wed in hospital for treatment - Friday bottle disconnected at home. There are some odd side effects with this one. 

- drinking cold fluids can make you feel like your choking
- hand and feet tingling can be severe
- the other typical side effects associated with chemotherapy which have been detailed over time.


These new challenges we are ready for and will face head on.  There are still many options out there for me and I will keep on picking them off.  Insanity maybe defined as trying the same thing over and over hoping for a different result.  Well call me crazy but I know we can get the result I am hoping for.  Healing, medications, hope, faith, prayers, nurishment and even my blog will play a role.  But golly gee there Gilbert - I will get there.  With a smile.  

Stay tuned for more updates and maybe some fishing tales   Excited for some muskie fishing on Lake St Clair again this year.  http://www.muskie.name/   This is the charter we have booked.


Keep on smilin.  If I can do - so can you. 

Jtee