Holidays

The holidays are about over - at least the busy part of them. Brett & Arielle arrived on Tuesday after driving Monday and Tuesday. This was our first opportunity to spend much time with Barkley - their bassett, beagle, lab, and whatever mix. He is pretty energetic and spoiled. He likes lots of attention.

On Thursday night (Xmas eve) we did our traditional evening meal of finger foods. As always, a very fun meal; but, lots of work getting everything ready. Meatballs, shrimp, pigs in a blanket (wrapped wieners), veggie tray.

Julie arrived on Friday. She had kennel duty at school on Thursday and spent the evening with Michael and his parents. Turned out that her area (St Louis) didn't get weather as bad as further north and her drive was uneventful. We had a few minor incidents when Penny (Julie's beagle) and Barkley met for the first time. Things mostly calmed down eventually.

We cooked a prime rib roast for the first time. Turned out very delicious. Didn't realize how easy it is to make really good prime rib. Usual sides - double-baked potatoes, sweet corn (from the summer), asparagus, hot rolls. We usually open presents on Xmas eve; but, waited until Xmas day when Julie got here. Always lots of fun taking turns as we open the presents. I now have a pair of jeans that fits me without being pinched up with a belt.

Now...it's time to just sit back and relax for the next couple days.

Nothing really new

Figure that I better write something so some don't wonder where I am. Still working on getting used to wearing glasses again. 7 or 8 years since I had lazik and have only worn reading glasses since then. A little different wearing glasses most of the time. It sure is nice, however, to see well again. Eyes are still watering and it looks like I am stuck with that - at least, for a while.

Don't really notice much difference since I had tubes put in my ears other than, obviously, I don't feel the contant sensation of fluid in my ears. I can't tell much difference in terms of hearing.

Still having some "stomach" issues. Don't have much appetite; but, I eat because I know I must. About the only meal that doesn't bother me is breakfast - Cheerios every day. Weight has been stable - I think. I've taken Zantac, Tums and ginger - none have helped. This problem came on about the time I started the Alimta. I am hoping maybe it will clear up now that I've have the last chemo. Maybe time will solve this issue.

Huge snow storm on the East Coast this weekend. Some areas may get more than 20". I sure am glad we have only had a little snow so far. Hoping things get cleaned up by the time Brett and Arielle plan to drive to Indy for Xmas. It has been chilly and the cold bothers me much more that in the past. At least I can layer and that mostly works for me. I've lost around 60 lbs - so I can pretty easily wear layers without them fitting tight like they did when I was heavier.

Dad's 80th birthday party

Yesterday, Jill and I went to Bettendorf, IA to attend my dad's 80th birthday party. I think there were maybe 50 people at the party - brothers, sister, an uncle, nieces, and many more - of course, my stepmom who planned and pulled off the entire party. Spent time catching up with a few people that I haven't seen in years. I am very glad we were able to make it.

Glasses

Well...there's good news and funny news about when I picked up my glasses. First, the good news. I can see 20/20. I will admit that I had my doubts. I imagined coming back to Joliet to get the glasses and still not being able to see well. I was wrong. My vision is quite good.

I do need to take off the glasses to read; but, I knew that would be the case. But, I didn't want to pay for bifocals when I might only use the glasses for 6 months.

Now, the funny part - they broke my new frames while trying to fit them to my face. My right ear is much lower than my left and the frames need to be bent to fit my oddity. Well...they broke the frame that holds the lens. Can't be fixed and they ordered a new pair.

In the meantime, they found another set of frames in-stock that fit the lenses. Now, they will send the new glasses to me in Indy - using the broken frames as a guide. And, I can keep the makeshift glasses as a backup. They also gave me a pair of "fitovers" since the temps don't have the magnetic sunglasses of my new frames. The fitovers are a real fashion statement!

But, at least I have glasses to use and I can now see. We drive to Iowa (Quad Cities) tomorrow for my Dad's 80th birthday party - less than 3 hours since we are starting in Joliet. We'll come back to Joliet tomorrow night and head back to Indy Sunday morning - hopefully, early enough to get home to watch the Colts.


Take care and be well. - JimA


Sent via Blackberry. Please excuse short answers and typos.

The Cab Ride

Thanks to Marla Parr for sharing this with me.

“The Cab Ride”
I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'. 'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, Could you drive through downtown?'
'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left, she continued in a soft voice. The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said.
'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.

'Thank you'.

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers on that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware- beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
You won't get any big surprises if you send this to people. But, you might help make the world a little kinder and more compassionate by sending it on, and reminding us that often it is the random acts of kindness that most benefit all of us.
Thank you, my friend...
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Catch up from after Thanksgiving

Looks like to need to  catch up a little on my blogging. Eye exam on Friday after Thanksgiving went well. Learned that my opthalmologist here in Indy screwed up by leaving out a few things. First, Dr Aras Zlioba says my eyes are both developing cataracts. But, they are not bad enough to do surgery - that may be another 6 months or so. This is a side effect of the brain radiation - one that we knew was likely. Examination indicates there is no cause/effect from the brain lesions. Apparently, my cataract development has been just a little faster than normal. It usually takes something like 1 1/2 years to 2 years for the cataracts to develop. However, it turns out that my vision can be corrected to 20/20. It is as simple as getting glasses - imagine that. I won't be able to use them once I get cataract surgery; but, they will correct my vision until then. I got a call today that the glasses are ready; but, I won't be picking them up until Dec 11 when we will be headed to Joliet anyway.

Then, this past Tuesday, I saw an ENT about my ears - Dr Michael Moore. He inserted tubes in both ears the same day. I had lots of fluid in the left ear - along with quite a bit of hearing loss. Right ear was much better; but, he put in the tube as a preventative anyway - something about negative pressure inside the ear that would likely result in fluid buildup. I go back for the ENT to check on progress in mid-February. Right now, I have been putting in ear drops twice a day to prevent infection - last day today. Need to keep water out of my ears and let the tubes do their job of draining fluid.

Then, on Wednesday, I got my last Alimta infusion. So...I'll be done with chemo for a little while - maybe months. The NIH wants to wait for confirmation of whether my lungs are in remission. Dr E seems to think that the Alimta may have been successful. I will get a chest CTs with and without contrast in mid-Feb to confirm. If I am in remission, then the NIH will wait before putting me on the test chemo - and that's a good thing. No reason to take the new drug to get me into remission if I am already in remission. The last time I was in remission, it lasted 18 months before progressing (Aug, 2007 to Feb, 2009). Dr E has told me that successive remissions are usually shorter than previous remissions - but we'll keep our fingers crossed. If he confirms that I am in remission (for the lungs), then I will get CTs every couple months and go on the NIH test chemo once the lung cancer begins to progress again. Hopefully, that will be quite a while.

Nothing new on the brain lesions. I get my next MRI in mid-Feb - it's gonna be a busy mid-Feb. With the eyes and ears both being side effects of the brain radiation, it seems that I am still not experiencing any symptoms from the actual brain lesions yet. All 13 are pretty small and, as I indicated earlier, the 3 largest lesions have actually reduced in size. Again, we monitor and get occasional MRIs and watch for symptoms. Dr H will figure out a course of action whenever the lesions grow, cause symptoms or when new lesions develop. Until then, no news is good news.

So...I think that catches things up through today.

Thanksgiving and glasses

This week we went to Joliet for Thanksgiving. Jill's sister, Joy, and her husband, Mark, hosted a very large group this year. With a group of 20 or more, this was quite an undertaking. But, it was very nice with loads of great food. Brett & Arielle made it in quite late from Philly - their flight was delayed 4 hours and they landed around 12:30AM Thursday morning. Julie had Wednesday classes. She decided to drive up from St Louis and arrived around 10:30PM. Jill was, of course, anxious about the kids as she is whenever they travel. She was very relieved when they both got to Joliet. In the end, it was a grand holiday and we were very glad to see so many from Jill's family.

Then, on Friday, I had an appointment with Dr Aras Zlioba. I got a complete eye and vision exam. Well...it turns out that both eyes are developing cataracts; but, they are not at the point of doing surgery yet. However, it turns out that my vision can be corrected to 20/20 simply with glasses. So, I ordered the glasses and they will be ready Dec 11. I have an appointment to see Dr Z again in May. At that time, he will check the cataracts to determine if surgery is needed yet.

pre-Thanksgiving

I better write a blog before Thanksgiving since I may not get to write while we are in Joliet. My eyes continue to water/tear and I am anxious to see what the opthalmologist says while we are in Joliet. And, my ears are still filled with fluid. I see the ENT on Tuesday, Dec 1. I called today to confirm my appt and learned that, apparently, the Dr plans to insert the tubes that same day. Hopefully, that will help by draining the fluid. Next, on Wednesday, Dec 2, I have my last Alimta infusion.

We leave for Joliet tomorrow and will be there until Saturday. Both Brett/Arielle and Julie will be coming for Thanksgiving. Brett and Arielle are flying in from Philly Wednesday night and going back on Saturday morning. Julie is coming from St Louis on Thursday morning and, I think, driving back on Friday. Joy and Mark's house will be very full for Thanksgiving. It will be good to see most of Jill's family this week. Should be a very nice Thanksgiving.

Pretty good news

Today, I got a head MRI and saw Dr Henderson. Because of my recent issues with my eyes, he wanted the MRI and wanted to see me.

The MRI results were great. Of the 13 brain lesions, all are stable or smaller. No new legions. The three largest lesion are all significantly smaller than the last MRI several months ago. The largest lesion shrunk by 20%!!

Dr H does not think my eye issues are caused by the brain lesions. It is, however, possible that radiation treatments might be involved. He recommended to wait for the feedback from the opthalmologist that I am seeing next week. Dr H thinks I may be developing cataracts - which is one known side-effect of full brain radiation treatments.

He also thinks something else might be involved to cause the weeping/tearing of both eyes. He doesn't seem to think that the vision issues and the tearing are caused by the same thing. But, he doesn't think it has anything to do with the brain lesions. He says he would rather defer to the opthalmologist.

The fluid is still in my ears - quite a bit. Dr H says that, since this hasn't, cleared up by now, I need to get tubes. He will recommend an ENT at IU to put in the tubes.

So...pretty darn good day.


Take care and be well. - JimA


Sent via Blackberry. Please excuse short answers and typos.

More review

I got an email yesterday from my radiation oncologist. With the continuation of my eyes watering and some blurred/double vision, he has decided to do a new MRI and discuss treatment options for the brain metasteses. So...I will get the MRI next Thursday and see Dr Henderson afterward.

I have been a little bit of a pain because I am not willing to just wait for more symptoms related to the brain. I would rather be more aggressive in a treatment approach. We'll see what Dr Henderson says next week.

Ongoing I still have one more Alimta infusion on Dec 2. I see the opthalmologist in Joliet. And I have to get through a pretty busy next few weeks with the holidays, Dad's birthday party and the kids visiting.

Then, they start getting ready to put me on the NIH experimental drug.

Oh boy!


Take care and be well. - JimA


Sent via Blackberry. Please excuse short answers and typos.

Outdoor chores done

Wore myself out a bit yesterday doing outdoor chores - stuff that needed to be done bofore winter. PJ (teenager next door) came over to help with a few things. We moved the snowblower to the garage and tried to get it started - no luck yet. But, we'll get it and PJ will use it to do both our driveway and his own. At least the chores are done and we have time to get it started before snow.  Slept pretty late today and, then, we got milk/groceries before the Colts game.

I have been feeling about the best that I have in quite a while. Pretty decent energy level. Good appetite - I finished Jill's PF Changs meal yesterday. I do still have fluid in my ears and may end up getting tubes to drain the ears.

My eyes are about stable - crustiness is gone but they are still pretty weepy and my vision is blurred and significantly effected. Jill talked to her sister today - Joy has worked for an opthomalogist/eye MD for many years. She is going to try to get me an appointment with the doc when for when we are there for Thanksgiving. Apparently, the ointment I have been using includes steroids and I probably shouldn't still be using it after two weeks - especially if it isn't helping. Dr Henderson had told me that my radiation treatments could cause cataracts - so, I'll have that looked at.

So...we will have a couple weeks before all the holiday stuff starts. We'll head to Joliet for Thanksgiving and the Quad Cities for my Dad's 80th birthday party. Then, the kids will be coming here for Xmas.

Lung Cancer news article

10 percent of lung cancer patients never smoked

By Michael Schug

Posted: November 05, 2009

Becky Augustin developed a cold that lingered through the fall of 2005. She was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer.
“I have never smoked, so I was shocked beyond belief that I had lung cancer,” the Indianapolis resident said. “I had heard that non-smokers could get lung cancer, but I never thought it would happen to me.”
Dr. Nasser Hanna, an associate professor of hematology/oncology at the Indiana University School of Medicine and a physician-researcher with the I.U. Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, said that 10 percent of lung cancer patients are non-smokers. For reasons not totally understood, women who have never smoked are disproportionally affected by lung cancer. Twenty percent of non-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer are women; 7 percent of men with lung cancer are non-smokers.
In the United States, 219,440 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and 159,390 will die from the disease in 2009, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Overall, Hanna said lung cancer will kill more people than colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer – the second-, third-, and fourth-leading cancer killers – combined.
How can a non-smoker develop lung cancer?
Exposure to second-hand smoke and such long-term occupational risks as working in factories and coal mines put non-smokers at increased risk.
Researchers also have learned that a genetic mutation can leave some people vulnerable to lung cancer even if they never smoked. The mutation occurs in the epidermal factor receptor gene, which signals cancerous cells to divide and grow, Dr. Hanna explained. Other gene fusions also have been discovered in people who never smoked.
What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?
Unfortunately, the warning signs don’t usually appear during the early stages of the disease. “A person’s first sign might be a symptom of advanced disease,” Hanna said.
According to Hanna, the following are some symptoms of lung cancer:
• A persistent cough;
• Coughing up blood;
• Shortness of breath, and;
• Hoarse voice.
Symptoms of advanced disease may include:
• A new area of pain;
• Unintended weight loss;
• Fatigue, and;
• Diminished appetite.
How is lung cancer discovered?
Unfortunately, current screenings – a chest X-ray, for example – do not find lung cancer early enough to improve a person’s chance for a cure. Until an effective screening becomes the standard that is widely accepted, people – especially smokers and former smokers – are encouraged to talk with their doctors about their risks and to discuss their screening options.
Lung cancer clinical trials
To learn about lung cancer clinical trials at the IU Simon Cancer Center, visit www.cancer.iu.edu/trials.

Michael Schug is Communications Specialist for Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center.

Hurray

Well...so now a mutation is a good thing. I qualify for the new drug through the NIH trials. IU's internal review board is reviewing my acceptance next.

That means that Dr Einhorn will do a new CT with contrast to have new benchmarks for measurement - probably late Dec or early Jan. Should start the new drug in Jan or Feb. This is a fabulous thing because the drug is so highly targeted to a very small group - only 4% of the male, non-smokers have the blood marker that qualifies for the drug. I will be on the drug - not a test placebo. Only 40 men have used the drug so far - some for a couple years with success. Dr Einhorn says they have had very good success with this type of highly targeted chemo.

So, I finish the Alimta - one more infusion Dec 2. In the middle of an infusion today. My lung Xrays are stable - same as 6 weeks ago. Bloodwork is fine.

I am off oxygen and I am feeling pretty good. Still some irritation from fluid in my ears. Will probably need tubes.

And, my eyes are still weeping. Jill thinks I'm just impatient and expect the ointment to work too fast. We'll see. Dr Einhorn says to give it another couple weeks.

Dr Einhorn now says that he is OK with where my weight seems to have stabilized. As long as my energy level is OK, he thinks my current weight is probably healthy.

5th Alimta chemo

Keep your fingers crossed for good news. Tomorrow i get xrays, blood tests, etc and I meet with Dr E. If all is ok, I get a chemo/Alimta infusion around 1:30.  I will go home to relax after the infusion.  About 4 to 5 hours at the IUSCC (Indiana Univ Simon Cancer Center). 

I expect a little grief for losing about 2 or 3 lbs.  I am not totally happy with the progress of my eyes.  They are better and Jill seems to think I might be a little impatient.  I might get back into the opthamologist soon if possible.  I'd like to see if he think I am ontrack. 

So lots of tests and exams tomorrow. Hope all goes well.