Eight Weeks Later...

Thought I'd better get back to posting. The first class of my Computer Security course is almost done. The semester ends Sunday night. Yay. Looks like we will be going to SoCal for the Christmas weekend. Just a short trip. Mike's PSA is up to 31 again but at least he still feels OK. He's lost quite a bit of weight though.

Philip just got his driver's license today - Hooray! Now he can drive himself to work and back. On the down side, his insurance is nuts. Glad he's old enough to pay it himself.

The best news of all is that Mike is working again and we now have insurance for everyone. Huge relief.

Hope to see everyone in a week or two.

Long time no post

I'll try to do this with a list so it doesn't run too long.

• Mike's new medication is great. He feels good, his PSA is down to 17, he is off pain meds and driving.
• Philip is still waiting for word from MEPS.
• Gregory is doing pretty well in school. He's in 8th grade now.
• I am going back to school. Classes start Monday the 24th. Getting a certificate in Computer Security. Also learning new software to get me back up to speed on Technical Writing in the 21st century. About time.

Mike's New Diet

So, the doctor was plenty surprised by Mike's appearance today. I've been telling him for weeks that he's too thin. Does he listen to me? Oh, HAYELL NO! Well maybe now he will.

The doctor tells Mike that he has to start putting on weight and pronto. He insists that Mike start eating carbs. High calorie carbs. As in, a Krispy Kreme a day. He says, "Wait here a minute." He goes out into the nurses office area and grabs something and comes back in. He says, "I'm going to put you on the diet that all the doctors here use. It's called the M&M diet." He then takes Mike's hand and pours a bunch of peanut M&Ms from this candy jar into it. He tells Mike that he has to eat them all before he can leave the office!

So, you think next time he might listen?

PSA down to 22

Just a quick update: After about two weeks on his new medication, Mike's PSA has dropped to 22. Good news for sure.

Time to sell the RX-8

For a larger image go to
http://catalinacom.com/RX8.jpg

Update

Mike is home and is now keeping down solid food. He even cooked last night with help from Philip. We have a doctor's appointment today and another one tomorrow so we will be getting at least some test results from prior to his hospital stay.

Mike has also started taking Zytiga. This is a very promising new drug and we are excited about it.

A big huge thanks to Dolores for coming out to help both last week and again for the week coming up. I couldn't have done it without you.

Home Tomorrow?

Looks like we may be able to get him home tomorrow (Thursday) if he can keep anything down. They found no ulcers whatsoever during the scope. The pancreatitis is going to be an issue though. He's still in a lot of pain and far from feeling better.

Still in the hospital

Mike took a turn for the worse today. He started throwing up his clear liquids. Gastroenterologist recommended a scope to check out his plumbing for a bleeding ulcer. The numbers on his blood tests are saying he has a bleeder somewhere. I will try to keep updating. Hopefully, if this is a bleeding ulcer, they will find it, cauterize it and he will start to improve.

Pancreatitis

Trip to the ER last night turned into overnight observation. CT scan shows inflamed pancreas and lymph system in abdominal area. I will try to post updates either here or on Facebook.

4th of July Holiday Weekend 2011

The weekend was so wonderful. We were able to see so many members of the family AND wish Mike's dad a happy 80th birthday. Thank you Pam and Alan for once again being the most incredible hosts anyone could ask for.

After having some really rough days, Mike finally found some relief with the right pain management. We are both so grateful for that.

We received the results of Mike's blood tests taken on Friday before we left town. The last PSA reading was not a false spike. He is now at 30.5. His doctor has called the insurance in order to start him on Abiraterone. He also has a scan scheduled for tomorrow.

I will continue to update as I get info.

Pain Management

We are working on getting a pain medication that will not make Mike so sick. I'm thinking that a pain management specialist is our next call. We are on medication #3 in a week. Mike is still not sleeping and not eating. But I think this latest medication is helping in the appetite area.

His PSA is at 27.

Mike's Birthday

Today is Mike's birthday. He has not eaten anything solid in days. I'm worried. We bought him chairs this year. New chairs for sitting at the dinner table, a new recliner with auto controls for his back pain, and a wheelchair.

He may not be happy with me for posting this. He may even be much better by next week. But I don't want to hear that no one was told how things were going. We will be down in California next week for Mike's dad's birthday. We will be staying at my parents' house. Our time will be spent with family.

I am learning to cook. Or maybe learning is the wrong word. I am cooking. I will never be as good as Mike. But the kids are still alive so it is edible (despite what I thought).

I have cancelled my trip to DC for the end of July and we have cancelled our vacation as well. He just isn't up to it. DC was on Mike's bucket list. We may still get to go but I cannot take him from the area and his doctors until I feel he's up to it.

SOLD

Mike's motorcycle sold. I think he was fairly happy with the deal he struck. He continues to look for work but I find I can not encourage him to find any at this point. He is so tired that he "rests" almost all day. (He doesn't take naps you see.) His taste buds have improved since getting away from the chemo though, which is great for him. He's enjoying his own cooking again and it taking every opportunity to make the "weekend" dishes during the week. Which is fine with all of us of course.

Everyone is home all day now. Gregory is out of school for the summer. Philip has heard from MEPS; they want more information. And I am still plugging away in my home office. Mike seems ready to sell his car but I'm not ready to see him sell it. I was able to convince him to hang on to it for a while. I still hold out hope that Philip will actually learn to drive and take the Honda to work. No, he doesn't have a job yet. But PetSmart is very interested and is very close to the house. His best friend, Josh, is working there and they need the summer help.

We will be down in Southern California for Mike's dad's birthday on the July 4th weekend. We'll be staying at my parents' house (thank you Mom and Dad). We decided not to go to the Dana Point condo for the week in July as we usually do. With all the uncertainty of what everyone will be doing work-wise, we felt it was pushing it to take the vacation. Also, I would have had to leave early for another trip to D.C. anyway.

This year I will most certainly try to take in the National Portrait Gallery and take as many pictures as the docents will allow. *smirk* I've been working very hard on the portraiture lately and feel that I may actually be able to make some more money doing both the ad agency and painting. And it makes me feel good.

Motorcycle 4 Sale

Mike was laid off on Friday. Time to put the motorcycle up for sale. 2005 Honda Shadow Aero 750 with modified (super comfy) seat. Only two owners. Asking $4,000.

PSA 12

I finally have something concrete to report. Mike's PSA has dropped to 12 from 17. The doctor (and Mike) believe the chemo is not the reason. After at least 8 rounds of the latest chemo, it has stopped being of any benefit.

We were told that Mike's leg will not go down and the best we can do is make sure it doesn't get infected. The doctor prescribed some anti-biotics to have on hand just in case. He also feels that staying on the Lupron is critical at this point. So that's where we will be for the next few months at least.

Mike's PSA is at 17 as of the last test. He's on every therapy they can throw at him. Insurance runs out on May 31. I'm so tired.

Everything Negative

Which is a good thing.  Mike's blood test came back negative for both Hepatitis and HIV.  Also, we are now sure that the situation was confined to dates AFTER Mike's biopsy.

Dr. Kaplan

So it looks like Mike's urologist has been suspended for re-using needles. We're pretty sure that Mike is clean but his next blood test will most likely include a test for hepatitis. Stuff like this wears you pretty thin.

Oh, and Mike's PSA is at 10.

Today just keeps getting more fun. Mike has some swelling in his leg. Appointment for tests at 1 p.m. I'll try to keep the blog updated.

Good News, Finally!

Mike's newest scan came back looking really good! The cancer is not growing right now and we're in a holding pattern. Doc will just keep him on chemo until he thinks the benefit of that has run out.


On Saturday, February 12, Mike and I met Allison DuBois and Joe. She was very helpful to us. Thank you, Allison. Mike and I had a wonderful time and were able to talk about so many things afterward.

Nevada Governor's Inaugural Ball

Mike and I attended the Governor's Inaugural Ball on Friday night. I have to say that the staff at the Wynn were the best I have ever encountered. They were all helpful, friendly, and engaging. I bought a tux for Mike for the event. He's always rented, but after buying Philip one last year for Gorman's Prom I showed him that buying can cost the same as renting, so he gave in. 

Mike and I had a lovely time and I was lucky enough to be introduced to the First Lady as the Chair of her husband's council on Developmental Disabilities. But the best part of the night was that Mike and I were able to dance a little. It had been too long.

2011

The new year has started off with a slightly lower PSA score.  Last test showed a 5.1.  So that's always a good thing to hear.

On another note, the Infiniti started to wheeze the death rattle. Many many thanks to my Dad for swooping in and helping me out with a new car.  (You too Mom!)  Thanks to them I am now scooting around in a new Chrysler 300 with a 0% loan at nowhere near retail.  It just doesn't get any better than that and I can't say how grateful I am.  Thank you again, Mom and Dad.