February Activity

As usual, I have been relatively busy over the past few weeks. When I last left you, I was taking Temodar the First Wed-Fri, no problem. I finished my first week on Temodar on Tuesday, February 17 and had my first week off 2/18-2/24/09. I did my second round on and off on 2/25-3/3/09 and am in the second off week from 3/4-3/10/09.

On 3/4/09, I had a brain mri in hopes that the brain would be stable and would qualify me for some clinical trials. Unfortunately, it came back with lots more growth, in both number and size. Bummer! When do I catch a break!

Dr. Minor said I should still stay in the Temodor because it has not been in my system long enough yet to determine if it is having a positive effect (apparently it needs a few weeks 'on' to get the full potential benefit). I don't really know if this is true or not, but I don't have much power here. And Dr. Minor has seemed to know what he is doing in the past, so there we are.



I did have relatives visit me, and they have been a big help. First, my sister and mom came out on 2/19, and my sister left on Saturdady, 2/28/09. My mom stayed on and my dad came out on Tuesday, March 3.



They have been very crucial in helping me become more positive again. In short, they are helping me with the following belief system; Yes, it is a long shot that I will beat this mel back into remission, but there are lots of people who learn to live with the disease and hopefully later something will come along that will work for me. The key is to stay alive to be there when it is ready to happen.

Focus on enjoying each day and the people you see, get out as much as possible, and do the things that you like to do (I was having a difficult time placing meaning on the simple things I was doing, like going out to lunch or the movies). Also, keep up your weight! Apparently, cancer likes to make you thin and then go in for the final attack.

So, I try to have a good sized breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And sometimes a snack. I also am on a new pill regiment from Micheal Broffman of the Pine Street Clinic in San Anselmo. I take 12-13 pills at every sitting. Not bad for someone who really dislikes swallowing vitamins!

We are also using chiropracy and a healthier diet (roughly following 'Beating Cancer with Nutution' by Patrick Fillion) to help improve my chances, so that we have lots of change. I can no longer drive myself around, so I sent out an email to ask for rides and for people who want to do something during the week, like going to the movies or lunch. So far, I have a pretty good response, just need to organize and reply to them.

Also, I spoke briefly with a Doctor Hu who is in the US studying/teaching about Chinese cancer methods, and should be meeting him on Tuesday in San Jose. In addition, I spoke to a woman who went through much the same ordeal (although with many less mets/tumors, oftentimes one new one at a time) and has been fighting the cancer for 20 years.

Otherwise, I have gone the MM route, although I would have never thought I would end up there. Anyone who wants to know more, call me. I am not writing about it to not draw attention to it. Please only call, do not write about it. Thanks.

Besidess going to several places to get licenses and getting a brain mri, I have gone for 2 visits with a social worker (one with MLR by phone, one by with her in person) and spoke to a friend about the prime and only real hospice in Marin, called Hospice by the Bay (originally it was Hospice of America). Apparently, there is no hospice that you stay at in Marin, and instead they offer home health services, which sounds nice (as far as these things go, of course!)

I'm sure that there are lots more other things that we did, but the above should give you an idea of all of the interesting journeys we have taken. I am feeling more positive than I did before my parents and sister came over, and I feel that Michelle and Lucy are more in my corner. So, I am not giving up! There are some days when I feel a little down, but the emails and posts also help tremendously, so thank you.

People, including doctors, are starting to give me the 'you have 6 months to live' speech, which is both helpful and a drag. To counter this possibility, I am trying to be more open-minded about all things cancer related. slowly moving into the things above in hopes of winning out.