My Cancer Journey

Well I have been down for 2 days with the trots, yes I know TMI (too much information). I hate when these happen as it makes for really short naps, late nights and sleep in's the next day being oh so tired.

On a happier note on March the first we reached another anniversary 37 months without cigarettes. Wow never thought I would get this far.

Well yesterday was the first time I have watched a hockey game in probably 40 years and yes Canada won gold, over and over and over and over again. Was exciting but now it is water under the bridge people. I wonder how the cop's made out with all the ride programs.

You know I am being a party pooper with this but if they spent the money for the games on a current disease, we might have a cure for it by now.

Seems like the site was down for a short, but we are back up and running again. Nothing new to tell except it is of course TAX time again and trying to get everything together for the accountant. Making sure all the receipts were in order and that the excel spread sheet reflected the same things. Hope you all get refunds.

CT Scan of chest contrast

Opinion; the findings described above consistent with primary lung
carcinoma with ipsilateral and mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

Don't ask me what all the long words are as I can not remember looking them up 3 years ago.

Have a great weekend all and a Happy Family Day on Monday

Well another anniversary has come and gone.....

Well another successful trip into Hamilton and negotiating number 6 highway with all the crazies. Dr. Ellis was away, so saw Dr. Arnold instead. Had 7 vials of blood removed and waited for those results and also my 2 chest X-rays.

Had my 6 week dose of Stimuvax (4 needles 1 in each arm and 1 in either side of the belly) from Theresa.

X-rays reported volume loss is again noted in the right upper lobe with elevation of the left hilum and tenting (not camping) of the left hemidiaphragm. Fibrotic change with traction bronchiectasis noted in the left paramediastinal region compatable with prior radiotherapy (Radiation)change.

There is persistent opacity seen in the right lower zone which has remained stable since May 2009, suspect to represent areas of scarring. Mild degenerative change noted in the dorsal spine (getting older I guess). Opinion is there is no significant interval change.

"Stable Disease"!

I do have to thank the Boss (The one with the skirt) who has stood beside me all this time and the fantastic staff at the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton as I am sure if it was not for them, I would not be here today. A special thanks to Lorraine, and Threasa and the girls at the lodge, thanks Gang.

A special thanks to Dr. Shashi who discovered the cancer and Dr. Renner who got me into the Juravinski Cancer Centre within 1 week of going to him for help and of course Dr. Ellis my Oncologist.

Have been ill the last few days with a virus that went into my chest and bronchitis, sore throat, coughing (surprised I still have lungs left) Am on an antibiotic from my GP and an inhaler so I can breathe better and have an order to go for a chest xray in the morning to make sure nothing else is wrong.

Oh and I forgot to add another anniversary 35 months without a smoke. Every month that goes by makes that first day without cigarettes seem a little more distant.

I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Michael, my daughters fiance.
Hope you have many more of them !

Have a great day

Well Sandy and I went to Hamilton yesterday for my 4 needles ( one in each arm and 2 in the gut ) of Stimuvax and surprisingly enough the number 6 highway was fairly quiet. The boss drove in and we had time to have a light breakfast at the Juravinski Cancer Centre before my appointment. We delivered some Christmas cards for Doctor Ellis and Lorraine and Theresa for all the great work they accomplish during the year on my behalf and of course the girls at the lodge. Could not have gone through these last almost 3 years without their support, and of course Sandy (the boss) who keeps me on the up and up on everything and keeps me in line.

Well had a Doctors appointment yesterday and so far the old air bags (Lungs) are sounding clear so that is a good sign. Blood pressure was 120/80 so that was good as well.

Took the boss (The one with the skirt) out to Kings Restaurant in Cambridge and had a nice lunch, probably no good for the bulge but what the heck you only live twice and I have not gotten to the second one yet, so still got a long way to go.

Well another weekend and a new hearing aid has been added to the wardrobe, was only $1800.00. I am glad that the Gov paid $500 of that and so did my medical plan at work so left me with the balance of $800.00, and I thought diamonds were expensive. I guess I have one of the cheaper one's and I hear, (no pun intended) they can go for as much as $5000.00.

For those who don't know about my right ear history, I had a perforated drum and a lot of ear infections, I had surgery on it in 2004 to have it repaired but it did not not take as there was not enough of a blood supply going to the drum. As a result of the surgery and my cancer treatment (cisplatin) I lost my hearing in that ear and the drum as well. Now if you shine a light in that ear, you can see the back of the ear drum on the other side.

During the ear test I was told that the nerves behind the ear were still intact and that a hearing aid would work well for me. Now I don't have to go around and ask people to repeat themselves although it will take some time to get use to it. Now I don't have an excuse "What did you say dear"!!

Then another appointment 6 weeks down the road and more major tests in February of next year for my 6 month review. Felt a little under the weather last night and could not sleep. Finally dosed off around 4 am and took the day off work to re coup.

Have both flu vaccines out of the way so that should take care of that for the year.