First of all I want to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes. God Bless you All.
As some of you know, when I was diagnosed last August my oldest Daughter wanted me to come to her home in Canton Ohio and be treated there. She arranged for a Oncologist friend to take my case. And So I transfered from Dr. Roach here in Chillicothe to a Dr in Canton Ohio.
The Canton oncologist started me on the standard Treatment for my type of lung cancer ... Cisplatin and C16. After 2 doses over 6 weeks he ordered a cat scan. It showed the lung cancer to be slightly smaller and the cancer in my liver to be worse. He changed my CHEMO to TAXOL.
During the 7 week period after moving to Canton my breathing had so deteriorated I could barely speak more than 3 or 4 words at a time. I had to wear oxygen and if I walked more than 10 feet I was totally out of breath. When I tried to climb stairs, I had to take one step at a time and pause for 5 or 6 breaths before taking another step. And was still totally out of breath once I reached the top of the stairs.
Late last week I decided that the drainage from my sinuses was putting so much fluid in my lungs, that it just might be the problem. So I got some Benedrill and started taking 12 tablets every day... the maximum recomended dosage Within hours my breathing had improved a fantastic amount. I am no longer on Oxygen.
One of my friends came to Canton and brought me home to Chillicothe last week. I was so improved that I drove my own car back to Canton. The Dr at Canton lead me to believe that my chances of survival were not good. He said I had developed a resistance to Cisplatin and that could include Taxol as well.
So Last Monday after getting anohter dose Of TAXOL, I packed up all my stuff and drove home. I got home at about 7PM. The next Morning I drove out to the medical building and asked the receptionist, if Dr. Roach would take me back as a patient. She asked and he said certainly. My next Chemo was schedulted for next Monday and I asked if I could get my CHEMO at his office. She said yes,
Then she asked if I could come back the next day at 10:00Am for an appointment with Dr. Roach. She said he would see you today but he wants to have all my records from Canton faxed to him and he will have them by 10 yesterday morning.
I went in at 10 yesterday. He had gotten the latest Cat Scan from Canton, and all my Canton records. He had examined it all. He was very encouraging. He said that my first cat scan was made 5 weeks before I started treatment. He felt the that during that time the spots on my liver and the tumor in my lung had doubled in size. The fact that there were now 3 spots on my liver and the tumor was slightly smaller than it was at my first cat scan was a strong indicator that the chemo had worked very well. He felt that when I started CHEMO the Tumor was much larger than it is now or was in mid August
He said he would not have taken me off the Cisplatin and C16 but since I now had 2 doses of TAXOL that he would keep me on it for at least a two month cycle. He said the TAXOL has worked very well in 1997 and he was quite sure it was working well again. The lymph node pain is gone the pain in my back where the cancer is is gone. That seems to say the Tumor is shrinking. He aaid he thinks the CHEMO is working well. He said he would not nave taken me off Cisplatin and C16.. but he would have given it weekly instead of once every 3 weeks. He said changing CHEMO after just a couple of doses is not good. So he is keeping me on the TAXOL.
I asked if I could have TAXOL for 8 straight weeks instead of 3 weeks on and then skip a week.
His reply blew my mind. He said if your cancer was bad enough, I would do that. But that would really weaken you and cause very bad side effects. He said your cancer is not serious enough to justifly that much treatment. It may take a month more to get it in total remission but keeping your blood counts in good shape and not having bad side effects is worth the extra month.
I asked what is my worst case senerio. Dr Roach replied being on heavy CHEMO for a year. The other Dr had talked about me mot making it through January and Dr Roach was talking about the worst case being CHEMO for a year. It occured to me that they do not give CHEMO to dead people.
I aked him what he thought would happen. He said he expected it to take another 4 pr 5 months to get the cancer into remission. He felt he would have it all under control by this spring. He said I looked a lot better than when I was in the hospital for pneumonia. And that was a good sign.
In any event I am feeling much better. This Tuesday I went to my cousins house for a Gospel Jam session. And this Sunday I will be playing lead Guitar with the Malone Family Band for the Morning and Evening services at Mt Tabor Church. The Family Band plays about 20 mintues or so before the morning service, they usually do at least one song during the service and then play as the congregation is leaving after the service. My cousin Luther and I will be playing twin guitars. Luther Jr. will be playing drums, my cousin Larry will be playing bass and Osie will be playing rhythm guitar. Cousin Margaret will be playing keyboards. I am really looking forward to it.
If I feel well enough I may go to the Paint Valley Jamboree and play this Saturday night.
In any event I am much improved, breathing well enough to sing and can walk around the house at a normal pace with out getting out of breath.
Once again I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I am about in the same place I was last summer. I am no longer coughing up blood and am feeling better.
I want to thank you all. God does indeed answer prayer. I have a ways to go before I am out of the woods.. but I think I am doing quite well... compared to 3 weeks ago.
God Bless You John, and God Bless everyone for their kindness and prayers. Your prayers and affection have been more comfort than you can know. And I will never be able to thank you all enough.
Thank you and God Bless
OH Common Tator! Thanks for this wonderful good news update. Have great fun Sunday. Prayers continue for you.
May God Bless you and yours..
Dave
If I feel well enough I may go to the Paint Valley Jamboree and play this Saturday night.
HUGE BUMP!! Tator, I'm so glad to read this!
Jam on, my Friend. Jam on!