Monday, February 22, 2010

My Journey 2/22/10

Wow, where to begin....the PET scan! I finally got
that bastard done last Monday (feb 15th) and there was a moment that I didn't think that it was going to happen. The week before, the scanning machine was broken and I had to reschedule the following week. It turns out that there was a software issue that almost blew it again. That's the thing about cancer is the tests and machines are so complicated that when something goes wrong, it goes horably wrong . Well it turns out that after a two hour wait, and a little software updating, I was able to get the scan done and see for the first time what these treatments are doing!

I grabbed my mom and dad and went into the tech's control room to see the side by side comparison of the two images. One was before I started my chemo treatments and the other was my half way point. It was amazing to see the difference. If I could put a number on it, I would say 70-80% gone. Leaving Advanced Medical Imaging, its safe to say that all three of us broke down! I was so thankful that I was speechless.....

Tuesday the 16th was the day that friends had put together a fundraiser for me. I spent the morning getting gift certificates printed out and ready for the event. i ended up getting to the Clubhouse a little early and helped set up. around 5:30pm, people started showing up. It turns out that people had to park on Tiger Run Rd. The Fire Dept showed up and I thought that we were going to get shut down. They came for support and dinner. The RWB Fire Dept Rules! There were so many people that came, it was standing room only. Jerry Cooney did a great job doing a Live Auction. So every one knows, I was completely shocked and overwhelmed that so many people showed up. A week or so earlier, I was just hoping that people would show up. The amount of love and support was amazing and there are so many people that I want to thank. Kelly Cummings @ Burton Snowboards, Bryan Knox @ Four Square,
Bobby Meeks @ Nike, Ron Buretta @ Solid, Brad and Rian @ Bonfire, AaronDoddsPhotography, John George @ Mountain Wave, Alex Pashley @ Dragon, Matty Swanson @ Oakley, Nikki DeFord and Amy Sabreen @ Vail Resorts, CJ Covarrubias @ Powell Perelta, Mike McGill @ McGill Skateshop. Roe Schardt and Fae Reynolds, Joney Cooney and everyone that helped put the event together. Mark Burke and Jack Riley, you guys rule. All the local businesses and friends that donated there time and services during such crazy economic times. I am forever thankful! Here are a few photos from the party.......

Thursday the 18th was my 7th chemo treatment. Dr Kantor (My Oncologist) reaffirmed what we saw on the scans. You know its cool to see a doctor going around and showing the staff the progress. Needless to say it was a damn good week! Good news has been a little elusive over the past few months. This has been a good wave!



Tuesday, February 9, 2010

My journey 2/9/10

So, I had to reschedule again to Monday the 15th. The scanner is still down and at this point I am completely over it. I guess im going to take this as good news since I have to wait a little longer. I think its a sign that everything is going good!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

My jouney with Hodgkin's Lymphomia

I'm halfway through my treatments and I go into Colorado Imagery for a PET Scan tomorrow. They inject a radioactive sugar solution into me that attaches to the cancer cells. I go through this MRI looking machine and scan scan my body. It reads the radiation comming from the mutated cells. I did one of these before I started my Chemo treatments so we have a base line to compare it to. More than anything right now, my anxiety is on high. Wish I could speed up time so I can get the results NOW! All in all, I feel good about it and optimistic that the results will come back very positive!