To: Family & Friends
Date: April 6, 2013
Subject: 2nd Treatment, so far
Hi Everyone– It hasn’t quite been a night-and-day situation (it could certainly be worse) from my first treatment, but I’m definitely struggling a lot more with this second treatment. I received my IV treatment on Tuesday around mid-day and experienced nausea and vomiting that night. I also think I had a bit of a fever…
To: Family & Friends
Date: March 30, 2013
Subject: A good “off” week
Hi Everyone– This was my “off” week from treatment and I did feel pretty normal. It had been long enough after my port installation procedure that I was able to resume working out. The port area is still a little sore, but improving. I’ve put on some more weight this week as well, I’m only…
To: Family & Friends
Date: March 22, 2013
Subject: First Treatment
Hi Everyone– On Monday I had my first chemotherapy treatment. I’m still on the every-other-week FOLFOX regimen, with the addition of Avastin (which will start on the next treatment). I will have 4 treatments, then a PET scan to see if the treatments are working. If they are, I’ll continue through a full 12 treatments…
To: Family & Friends
Date: March 15, 2013
Hi Everyone– Monday and Tuesday were rough days emotionally after learning (in broad strokes but not specifics) about the PET scan results, but the last two days have given us some better news. On Wednesday I got a call from a scheduler to set up the biopsy, and I talked to her about the two…
To: Family & Friends
Date: March 11, 2013
Subject: Tests lead to more tests
Hi Everyone– Last Wednesday I underwent a PET scan so that they could look for cancer that might have spread to other parts of my body. So far the results are inconclusive, but they’ve identified an area of my liver, areas in both lungs and an area in my pelvis that they want to biopsy…
To: Family & Friends
Date: March 4, 2013
Hi Everyone– The good news is I’m starting to feel like I’m really recovering from my surgeries. On the return trip from Tucson I walked both airports, I’m able to bend down and tie my shoes, stand straighter and raise my arms over my head. A sneeze no longer puts me in the fetal position…
To: Family & Friends
Date: February 25, 2013
Subject: Snow in CO, Sunny in AZ
Hello Everyone– Looks like we picked a pretty good week to escape to Arizona; our friends back home are all snowed in. Last Friday we met with the oncologist for the first time. My next steps are: – a PET scan to make sure there is no obvious spread of the cancer (probably next week)…
To: Family & Friends
Date: February 19, 2013
Subject: Status Update
Hello All– Last Wednesday (nearly a week ago) I went in for follow-up appointment with the surgeon that performed my abdominal surgeries. Everything appears to be healing well and he removed the 22 staples from my main incision. His overarching message to me was to be patient. My body is doing a lot of work…
To: Family & Friends
Date: February 12, 2013
Subject: Progress update
Hi Everyone– Nothing super significant has happened since my last email. I’m still recovering at home and have an appt. tomorrow to get the staples from my abdominal surgery removed (I have a zipper up my stomach right now). From there we expect a referral to an oncologist and an initial meeting within the next…
To: Family & Friends
Date: February 6, 2013
Subject: Home and progressing
Hi Everyone– I was released from the hospital last night (the earliest date they would consider) and spent my first night at home. Since I’m now on oral meds vs IV meds, I can sleep in longer stretches. All good things. Unfortunately “released from the hospital” doesn’t equate to “recovered from surgery”. Having never experienced…