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 brad's Cancer BlogNovember 29, 2008
I’ve been going to a couple of bars with this extra time off. I’m a huge fan of live music; that’s my excuse. Last Friday I went to a local place where surprisingly after a few beers, the band playing that night let my friends and I on stage to play one of our songs. Wednesday, you would have found me singing Journey on karaoke night at a random country bar I was drug along to. Tonight I found myself at a dive with a band playing; a couple of people started getting rowdy and the security guard pepper sprayed the place. I tell you what, it’s always an adventure. Though it has been in moderation, I figure if I’m going to abuse my liver it will be on my own terms once in a while. I’ve been too cooped up. It’s great to get out some this last week and have a good time.
November 25, 2008
To begin, I successfully had my fourth cycle postponed one week. I get to enjoy my first thanksgiving since 2006. On to business. My appointment began with the NP checking on me to see how well I’d been handling the treatments and whatnot. She let me know that the AFP had been dropping well, down to 50 from it’s peak of about 3500 and a “normal” level of under 10. Along with a copy of the lab report from last week, she had left a copy of the radiology report from last week’s CT. She runs off to report back to the Doc, I pick up the papers and start reading. Yeah. I was a little shocked to read that my abdominal growth (lymph node?) had actually increased in size by a small amount! Wow. That was my first question upon the arrival of the doctor. Apparently with the tumor markers going down as much as they have, the incredibly unshrinking tumor is not a huge issue. I was given a couple of possibilities, such as a non-malignant teratoma or scar tissue. There was a third, but I can’t really remember anymore. Also, I’m definitely due for the fourth cycle, since the AFP can still be beaten down lower than where it’s at now. Afterward, towards the middle/end of December, I’ll be headed back for another CT or hopefully actually get the PET scan this time. To cut the post short, those results will determine what happens afterward, whether it’s surgery to remove the lymph nodes or a high dose chemotherapy in combination with the stem cell transplant (after Christmas). It’s great to have an extra week break for thanksgiving. I hope you all have a wonderful week and enjoy your time with friends and family. B Brad, I hope you make up for the Thanksgiving dinner you missed last year! Happy Holidays! I’m glad that you got some directions with your treatment and good news with your tumor marker down. Enjoy your Turkey Day! Happy Thanksgiving! Have a beautiful Thanksgiving and please keep me posted. Love Dear Brad; here you are 2 years later, and still being the warrior that you are, I congratulate you on that. Secondly, I hope you had a wonderful feast on Thanksgiving and that it was extra special this year.
November 23, 2008
I just got off the phone with my cousin who turned 13 today. Huge milestone, I know. Anyhow, when I wished her a happy birthday she responded with “Happy Birthday to you, too.” I guess so. November 23 marks one year for my escape from the coma. After losing a few of my nine (?) lives, I suppose I could count this as another birthday. Anyhow, still no word from my doctor about the CT results. No news is good news I hope. I’ll try to get in touch with him again tomorrow, maybe shoot an email out tonight as insurance. Either way I still plan on seeing him Tuesday morning to have him give me as firm of a plan of action as he can offer, be it surgery or stem cell transplant/high dose chemo. Wish me luck. and happy first birthday to me.
HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TO YOU my friend!
Love, Sonia Hi Brad. I hope you get good news. I know it is so hard staring at your options right now, but you seem to be a very strong guy and I have lots of faith you will be OK. Please let us know when you find out something from your doc. Hey Brad…I am hoping it is the first of MANY more to come! Congrats on the Birthday thing. I hope all goes well on Tues. Hug sherri Hi Brad, Best of luck on Tues…..and have a very Happy Thanksgiving and many many more to come! Brad; We will be waiting with baited breathe re your CT results. I just can’t imagine waiting as you have, without sheer anxiety bubbles. God this waiting is the worst. It looks like you have thought a lot about your options and probably done research on it too, but until you hear it from the Oncologist’s lips, stay positive and think “It’s gone”!
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HamburgerBrad
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Thanks for your support -
Now and then all of us need to live outside of our diagnosis. I am committed to the idea that too often we become cancer rather than remaining ourselves with cancer.
Glad to hear you had a good time. It has been a long time since I was in a bar when pepper spray was needed. What fun!
Be well
Mac
Brad, in the words of T.I. and Rhianna – Live Your Life!
Hi,
I sincerely appreciate and respect the way you have dealt with life, after suffering from a disease which most people get dejected with.
I would like to bring to your attention the work being done by a friend and colleague of mine, Dr.Rajeshwary Kulkarni (an Ophthalmologist from New Delhi,India) who is a survivor of NHL and has been running a foundation called Aadhar to help child cancer victims gather money for their treatment.
It would be nice if you could visit her blog and give your ideas as to how she can improve on her already laudable job.
Her blog is
www.aadharforcancer.blogspot.com
Hi, Brad:
Your nights out sound fun and furious. Isn’t it great just to hang out with friends enjoying your music passion? I’m so glad you got good news from you last reports.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday season!
You need to get out and see how the rest of the world is doing.
I know that we feel that the only thing that is going on is Cancer. There is something out there that is normal! We need to see that once in While.
Love Ya! sherri
That’s awesome. I think it’s good to get out and be yourself. Cancer takes over your life but it doesn’t have to get the best of you. Enjoy life and let your hair down once in a while :-) you deserve it.
Sarah
Let my hair down. Right…
Cheers, I couldn’t agree more with the idea of having a few drinks with friends. It is after all, a way to unwind, sit back and enjoy the view, hairless even. So glad to see you being uplifted. I am curious about that website that one of your supporters gave you. Think I will go and investigate just for the h*ll of it.
Hope your thanksgiving was great.
Weezie
Hiya Brad,
So good to hear that you got out, but remember to wash your hands a lot when you are out. Your immune sysytem is low when you are doing chemo. Party like a rock star (or country star), but keep your hands clean!
They found a tumor in my liver so I can’t drink – God, I would love a beer!
Sonia