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| Chris, Angie, Brooke and Samantha at Lake Ripley, Wisconsin. |
Thurs 7/29/09 - We visited the Bone Marrow Transplant center in Omaha for an evalutation for an Allogeneic bone marrow transplant (the kind that uses a donor). The news wasn't very good. The doctor Chris met with felt that there was only a slim chance that the transplant would be successful and a greater chance of it actually killing him. He was also told that 2 to 5 years was optomistic. However, Chris' blood counts, though still critical are slowly inching up. Chris' oncologist here in Denver feels if that continues and Chris approaches normal ranges again, Chris may be eligible for a transplant at that time.
As you can see by the photo, Chris is looking pretty good. He's gaining weight (almost back to his original weight now) and has a good amount of energy. We continued from Omaha on to Illinois to pick up Sam and then home, via, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wyoming, visiting friends along the way. Chris drove all the way. The transplant doctor in Omaha couldn't believe he drove straight in from Denver. He kept saying how Chris looked worse on paper and that most people with counts that low would have a hard time getting out of bed. Well, we all know Chris better than that.
Wed 8/5/2009 - Chris had some warts removed from his hand a few weeks ago. During the office visit, the Dermatologist took a biopsy of a suspicious patch of skin on Chris' face. Yesterday we were told it was skin cancer -- Superficially Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma, to be exact. This type has the potential to spread. Chris is scheduled to have it completely removed in a few days.
Wed 8/19/2009 - Chris had the skin cancer removed. The Dermatologist believes he got it all. But Chris may have a couple more patches that need looking at. This is a particularly nasty form of skin cancer. Even with a healthy imune system, it is important to get it right away.
We are scheduled to go back to Omaha Sept. 15th for testing. And Chris has an appointment with his oncologist here soon also.
Wed 9/9/09 - Chris is still feeling pretty good and his energy is holding. We are off to Omaha for testing next week. We expect a new PET scan and a bone marrow biopsy (he's not looking forward to that, and neither am I) to be part of the testing there. As usual, we have guarded optimism about any results. We know the blood counts are still extremely low. You just wouldn't know it when you see him. Because he is feeling so well, we plan to live it up in Omaha. Well, as much as is possible in Omaha.
Sun 9/20/09 - We are back from Omaha and actually had a wonderful time. Chris had all the usual test and we met with the doctor there just before we headed back. The news was not good. Although his bone marrow biopsy came out negative, the lymphoma does appear to have spread to into some organs. Again the decision is to wait. This time the doctor did not rule out another bone marrow transplant completely, though he still feels it won't do any good. Since Chris is feeling so good right now, he and the doctor both agreed that a transplant should only happen when Chris starts feeling the effects of the cancer again.
Thurs 9/24/09 - There is an update of the information we received in Omaha. After reading the PET and CT scan reports, Chris' oncologist here in Denver had better news for us. According to him, the cancer has not spread to other organs. It is near another organ, but does not involve it. Further, the large tumor has not grown much more than the last time. We are puzzled that the doctor in Omaha would make a point of telling us it had spread to other organs and may try to get a third opinion on the reports.
Tues 11/17/09 - Yes, it has been a while. And in this case, no news is... well... no news. Chris is still feeling pretty good. He did catch what could have been the swine flu. He never really ran a fever, so it's hard to tell what he had. But he's feeling fine now and thanks to a pneumonia shot in Omaha, it didn't turn more serious.
Tues 12/1/09 - It is hard to imagine that we'd be happy about seeing a tumor on one of Chris' PET scans. Well, not happy exactly, but it was a better report for a change. The scan did show one active and growing tumor in his abdomen. Same tumor that has been the most problem from the beginning. But the scan also showed that the tumors that were radiated early this year are no longer active and are shrinking. Chris' oncologist was excited enough about it that he immediately recommended radiation (hard for a "chemo" doctor to do sometimes). So, Chris starts radiation on Monday. Because of some radiation overlap from previous treatment, he will be getting low dose treatments twice a day.
His doctors can't believe how well he's been doing. And if you saw him a year ago, you wouldn't believe it either. He still has a lot of energy. He's gone back to working on his electric car conversion and has gotten far enough on it that he plans to drive back and forth to the radiologist in it every day. He really is doing well.
A message straight from the man himself
MERRY CHRISTMAS everybody!!!
It’s Christmas and well, since this site is all about me, I’m posting a message here, in person, to all of you. In fact,
Angie does such a great job of keeping you all current that I never tell anyone anything they don’t already know
because they’ve read it here first!
I want to thank you all personally for the good wishes, support and prayers as you’ve followed all of this stuff. I know
a lot of it is monotonous (just try living it), and every now and then it’s really scary (just try living it! ….not!) and
sometimes it’s even upbeat. Like now!
I’ve blown past my “expiration” dates and now I’m dealing with just one massive and aggressive tumor. Not a whole
body full of tumors like before. I’m about half-way through a new round of radiation therapy (twice a day) and we’re
hoping this round takes care of it. I’ve been told that, if it works, there’s even a chance I may eventually die of
something other than Lymphoma. Wow, quite a change from having no chance of making it to Sept, 09! I still have a
long way to go and my blood counts may never recover, but, as my Dad used to say, all of that sure beats the
alternatives.
I’m truly blessed to have you all in my life. All of you have helped me so much in so many ways. My loved ones
and friends and, of course, my Gaiam family who supported me for so long during the worst of it thus far, the really
terrible times…way above and beyond anything I have ever experienced or heard of.
I just want to thank you all and wish you the Happiest of Holidays and a very Wonderful New Year. Every day is
precious, I hope somehow I can help you live that thought.
Love,
Chris
Sat 2/6/2010 - All has been going well with Chris' health. Radiation was a minor inconvenience only. He is still feeling really good and has more energy than he thinks he has these days. A PET scan is scheduled for next month.
Fri 3/19/2010 - Chris had a PET scan on Monday. On Wednesday we got the results and it was the best news we could have hoped for. The PET was clean!!!! The radiologist called the results amazing! For the time being, Chris is in remission. There will be another PET scan in about four months. That will be the nerve wracking one.
Chris' blood counts are still at critical levels and most likely will never recover. Dispite the low blood counts, he's feeling great. It is hard to believe that he wasn't expected to make it this far. For the first time in a couple years, we are actually looking at the future!
The whole report is here, if you'd like to read it. I've also uploaded a larger version of the actual scan.
Fri 6/18/2010 - Chris' platelet count is up to 37! Its been a
long time since it got even close to 30. His next PET scan will take
place in the next couple weeks. His oncologist is retiring after 37
years in practice. He wants Chris to get the scan before he leaves on
July 1.
Wed 6/23/2010 - The PET scan took place this morning. Chris experienced severe pain in his abdomen on Monday night. So, we were quite nervous to hear the results. His oncologist called him this afternoon. THERE IS STILL NO SIGN OF THE LYMPHOMA!!!!!! This is the first time Chris has ever had two clean PET scans in a row! We are stunned.
