On Tuesday I had a thoracentesis (http://www.webmd.com/lung/thoracentesis) in the left lung. It did not hurt much. The goal was to remove fluid that was making it difficult for me to breath. In a couple of days I could feel a difference.
I still feel tired and with back pain. We will work on the tiredness next.
Lynnette has been trying new recipes ... and I like it!.
El martes me hicieron una thorecentisis: extraer fluido del pulmon izquierdo para ayudrme a respirar mejor. No dolio mucho y en un par de dias ya note una mejoria ... y prendi mas palabras complicadas :-)
Todavia me canso y me duele la espalda. Trabajaremos en el cansancio.
LYnnette ha pprobado unas recetas nuevas ... y yo no puedo estar mas contento!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
back ... de vuelta
Dear friends,
One score of days ago I wrote my latest update. A few things have happened since:
I had a PET/CT scan and a MRI two weeks ago. The MRI (preliminary report) looks good, like last time, no new growths, no activity ... great. The PET/CT scan looks pretty much like the previous one: stable. The only difference is that the oncologist is more concerned about the pleural effusion, aka liquid in the skin of the lung.We are trying to schedule a thoracentisis (needle into the pleura to extract the fluid) for next week, waiting for insurance authorization. It will not be fun but the gain might be great: better breathing. It is an outpatient procedure (like an oil change ?:-) )
I have been quite tired since I got back from Spain, but it did not stop us from going car camping to Salt Point (two hours north on the coast). We did not do much walking, but we got to have a friendly encounter with a raccoon (it stole our corn chips) and got to see a few sea-lions off the coast. It is a beautiful coast.
These are the down days after the Alimta, but at least I am not on all fours.
Meanwhile I have Lynnette by my side and my love for her increases each day.
Hola familia y amigos,
Ya hace veinte dias que no escribo en el blog. Ponindose al corriente:
Hace dos semanas tuve un PET/CT scan y un MRI. El MRI estuvo muy bien, como los anteriores: no hay actividad ni crecimiento de los tumores. El oncologo esta un poco preocupado por liquido que se ha acumulado en la Pleura, alrededor del pulmon. asi que estamos a la espera de que el seguro aprueve un thoracentesis (una aguja en la pleura para extraer el liquido) para los proximos dias. Se supone que duele algo ("no te muevas por favor") pero me puede ayudar para respirar mejor.
Desde que volvimos the Bilbao/Poza/Arcos he estado un poco mas cansado. Aun asi, fuimos de camping el Sabado pasado a Salt Point (Punta de Sal, casi como Poza!) a unas dos horas al norte de aqui en la costa.. Un raccoon entro en el campamento y se comio las chips the tortilla de maiz ... y volvio a por mas. Tambien vimos sea lions soleandose en las rocas (son bien grandes). Es una costa preciosa.
Estos son los dias "malos' despues de tomar Alimta pero al menos no me tengo que arrastrar por los suelos.
Y mientras tanto Lynnette esta a mi lado y cada dia la quiero mas.
One score of days ago I wrote my latest update. A few things have happened since:
I had a PET/CT scan and a MRI two weeks ago. The MRI (preliminary report) looks good, like last time, no new growths, no activity ... great. The PET/CT scan looks pretty much like the previous one: stable. The only difference is that the oncologist is more concerned about the pleural effusion, aka liquid in the skin of the lung.We are trying to schedule a thoracentisis (needle into the pleura to extract the fluid) for next week, waiting for insurance authorization. It will not be fun but the gain might be great: better breathing. It is an outpatient procedure (like an oil change ?:-) )
I have been quite tired since I got back from Spain, but it did not stop us from going car camping to Salt Point (two hours north on the coast). We did not do much walking, but we got to have a friendly encounter with a raccoon (it stole our corn chips) and got to see a few sea-lions off the coast. It is a beautiful coast.
These are the down days after the Alimta, but at least I am not on all fours.
Meanwhile I have Lynnette by my side and my love for her increases each day.
Hola familia y amigos,
Ya hace veinte dias que no escribo en el blog. Ponindose al corriente:
Hace dos semanas tuve un PET/CT scan y un MRI. El MRI estuvo muy bien, como los anteriores: no hay actividad ni crecimiento de los tumores. El oncologo esta un poco preocupado por liquido que se ha acumulado en la Pleura, alrededor del pulmon. asi que estamos a la espera de que el seguro aprueve un thoracentesis (una aguja en la pleura para extraer el liquido) para los proximos dias. Se supone que duele algo ("no te muevas por favor") pero me puede ayudar para respirar mejor.
Desde que volvimos the Bilbao/Poza/Arcos he estado un poco mas cansado. Aun asi, fuimos de camping el Sabado pasado a Salt Point (Punta de Sal, casi como Poza!) a unas dos horas al norte de aqui en la costa.. Un raccoon entro en el campamento y se comio las chips the tortilla de maiz ... y volvio a por mas. Tambien vimos sea lions soleandose en las rocas (son bien grandes). Es una costa preciosa.
Estos son los dias "malos' despues de tomar Alimta pero al menos no me tengo que arrastrar por los suelos.
Y mientras tanto Lynnette esta a mi lado y cada dia la quiero mas.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Dear all,
it has been a week since returning from Spain and things are going well.Lynnette, Jon and I went to Bilbao, Poza de la Sal and Burgos/Arcos de la Llana. We had a great time. Jon got more quality time with the family (Oh youth, where did you go?) On the way back Continental managed to lose one our bags (no biggie, got it back that night).
I am still fighting the INR. High before leaving Boston, low for two weeks in a row in Spain (must be the relaxed life) and high again at the return to Oakland. Now is down again and I am moving to 2mg pills. Thanks to Kay's (nurse at Epic care) for her dedication!! She is a real angel!
Thursday, Friday and Saturday were really bad days, very tired. Lynnette did a great job helping me keep things in perspective. I might be down one day, but we know that things will change. Today is much better.
I am going to find a place to post the pictures from the trip. I will let you know
Hola familia y amigos,
Ha pasado una semana desde que volvimos de la USA y todo va bien.Lynnette, Jon y yo fuimos a Bilbao, Poza de la sal y Arcos de la Llana. Lo pasamos muy bien con mi hermana, padres y hermanos.Jon pudo pasar mas tiempo con la familia, sobre todo con sus primos. A la vuelta Continental perdio una maleta pero la trajeron a medianoche.
Ando luchando para mantener un nivel normal INR. Estaba alto cuando saliamos de Boston, luego bajo en Bilbao y se mantuvo en Burgos (debe ser la buena vida!). Al llegar a Oakland volvio a subir y ahora esta bajo otra vez. Kay me ha puesto en un tratamiento de 2mg. Kay es un verdadero angel
El Jueves, Viernes y Sabado fueron malos dias, muy cansado. Lynnette ma da una perspectiva de largo plazo. Un dia puede que este mal pero sabemos que pasara. Hoy estoy mucho mejor.
Tengo unas fotos de el viaje. Buscare un buen sitio donde colgarlas. Ya os dire.
it has been a week since returning from Spain and things are going well.Lynnette, Jon and I went to Bilbao, Poza de la Sal and Burgos/Arcos de la Llana. We had a great time. Jon got more quality time with the family (Oh youth, where did you go?) On the way back Continental managed to lose one our bags (no biggie, got it back that night).
I am still fighting the INR. High before leaving Boston, low for two weeks in a row in Spain (must be the relaxed life) and high again at the return to Oakland. Now is down again and I am moving to 2mg pills. Thanks to Kay's (nurse at Epic care) for her dedication!! She is a real angel!
Thursday, Friday and Saturday were really bad days, very tired. Lynnette did a great job helping me keep things in perspective. I might be down one day, but we know that things will change. Today is much better.
I am going to find a place to post the pictures from the trip. I will let you know
Hola familia y amigos,
Ha pasado una semana desde que volvimos de la USA y todo va bien.Lynnette, Jon y yo fuimos a Bilbao, Poza de la sal y Arcos de la Llana. Lo pasamos muy bien con mi hermana, padres y hermanos.Jon pudo pasar mas tiempo con la familia, sobre todo con sus primos. A la vuelta Continental perdio una maleta pero la trajeron a medianoche.
Ando luchando para mantener un nivel normal INR. Estaba alto cuando saliamos de Boston, luego bajo en Bilbao y se mantuvo en Burgos (debe ser la buena vida!). Al llegar a Oakland volvio a subir y ahora esta bajo otra vez. Kay me ha puesto en un tratamiento de 2mg. Kay es un verdadero angel
El Jueves, Viernes y Sabado fueron malos dias, muy cansado. Lynnette ma da una perspectiva de largo plazo. Un dia puede que este mal pero sabemos que pasara. Hoy estoy mucho mejor.
Tengo unas fotos de el viaje. Buscare un buen sitio donde colgarlas. Ya os dire.
Monday, August 22, 2011
update from Spain
Dear friends,
it has been two weeks since I came to Spain. We fly back on Sunday. It has been great to see the whole family and spend time with them. I was very tired when we landed and it took me until a couple of days ago to recover.perhaps the "silliest" problem is that I fall sleep at odd places when I tire: the car, dining table, restaurants, ... no shame. I am still fighting my INR (blood thinning/thickening indicator): off the roof before getting in the plane, down the basement a week later, and today's test gives a similar result. one thing to note, how easy and cheap is to get the lab blood tests.
I am doing fine overall.
BTW I have no internet connections!! Once in a while I find a bar with WI-FI and get to download mail or make an update like this.
it has been two weeks since I came to Spain. We fly back on Sunday. It has been great to see the whole family and spend time with them. I was very tired when we landed and it took me until a couple of days ago to recover.perhaps the "silliest" problem is that I fall sleep at odd places when I tire: the car, dining table, restaurants, ... no shame. I am still fighting my INR (blood thinning/thickening indicator): off the roof before getting in the plane, down the basement a week later, and today's test gives a similar result. one thing to note, how easy and cheap is to get the lab blood tests.
I am doing fine overall.
BTW I have no internet connections!! Once in a while I find a bar with WI-FI and get to download mail or make an update like this.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
mas ... more
Hi,
Tuesday we talked to the Brain Oncologist. Nothing new since last update, he showed us the slides. He was very happy because there were no traces of the tumors. Great. We will see him again in October and have a MRI just before then.
I keep going to work (half day) and it feels easier each day. Yesterday we went to Point Reyes. We explored easy trails and found out that there is a Miwok village at the entrance. There was a festival and we had a good time.
I am still regaining strength, at a very slow rate (exasperating). I guess that progress is almost good, but I wish it would move faster. Tuesday is the next day of treatment. It should go ok.
Hola,
El pasado martes fuimos al oncologo del cerebro. Nada nuevo desde el ultimo blog, nos mostro las resonancias, y el estaba muy contento por no se veia ni trazas de tumores. Le veremos otra vez en Octobre despues de sacar una MRI.
Sigo acudiendo al trabajo, media jornada, cada dia. Se esta haciendo mas facil.
Ayer fuimos a Point Reyes. Caminamos por unos senderos faciles y descubrimos que hay un publecito Miwok en el parque. Muy bonito. Habia un festival. Lo pasamos muy bien.
Poco a poco recupero algo de fuerza pero va muy lento (es exasperante). Progreso es buena cosa pero mejor si fuese mas rapido.
El Martes tengo el siguiente tratamiento de mantenimiento. Ira bien.
Tuesday we talked to the Brain Oncologist. Nothing new since last update, he showed us the slides. He was very happy because there were no traces of the tumors. Great. We will see him again in October and have a MRI just before then.
I keep going to work (half day) and it feels easier each day. Yesterday we went to Point Reyes. We explored easy trails and found out that there is a Miwok village at the entrance. There was a festival and we had a good time.
I am still regaining strength, at a very slow rate (exasperating). I guess that progress is almost good, but I wish it would move faster. Tuesday is the next day of treatment. It should go ok.
Hola,
El pasado martes fuimos al oncologo del cerebro. Nada nuevo desde el ultimo blog, nos mostro las resonancias, y el estaba muy contento por no se veia ni trazas de tumores. Le veremos otra vez en Octobre despues de sacar una MRI.
Sigo acudiendo al trabajo, media jornada, cada dia. Se esta haciendo mas facil.
Ayer fuimos a Point Reyes. Caminamos por unos senderos faciles y descubrimos que hay un publecito Miwok en el parque. Muy bonito. Habia un festival. Lo pasamos muy bien.
Poco a poco recupero algo de fuerza pero va muy lento (es exasperante). Progreso es buena cosa pero mejor si fuese mas rapido.
El Martes tengo el siguiente tratamiento de mantenimiento. Ira bien.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Dear friends,
perhaps the most important news is that I have been back to work half days for the past two weeks and that Wednesday's MRI showed no lesions, growths or activity.I meet the brain rad oncologist on Tuesday and we will discuss more details, but it seems that this MRI was even better than the previous one.
These are transition times. During chemo, the goal was to reduce the tumors, to defeat the cancer, something clear and well defined. Now, wit the maintenance treatment, we focus on keeping the status quo, be stable, and there is no end on sight for the maintenance.
Am I going to be like this for the rest of my life? what is "this"? how long is the "rest"? These are scary thoughts but I need to remain positive: I am doing pretty good overall and each day that we steal away is one more chance that a cure might we found. It is a game of endurance and I am ready for it.
Queridos amigos,
las noticias de mayor importancia son que he ido a trabajar media jornada por las dos semanas pasadas; y que el MRI de el miercoles mostro no lesiones, tumores o actividad. Tengo hora este martes con el oncologo de el cerebro, pero ya me adelanto los resultados. Parece que este MRI es incluso mejor que el anterior.
Estos son tiempos de transicion. Con la quimio, el objetivo era reducir los tumores, derrotar al cancer, un via clara de progreso. Ahora, con el tratamiento de mantenimiento, buscamos en mantener el status quo, estar estable, y sin saber cuando finaliza el tratamiento.
Voy a estar asi por el resto de mi vida? que es "asi"? cuanto tiempo es el "resto"? Estos pensamientos asustan, pero seguire siendo positivo: en general estoy muy bien y cada dia que le robamos al cancer es un dia mas donde una cura se pueda encontrat. Este es un juego de resistencia y yo estoy listo para jugar.
perhaps the most important news is that I have been back to work half days for the past two weeks and that Wednesday's MRI showed no lesions, growths or activity.I meet the brain rad oncologist on Tuesday and we will discuss more details, but it seems that this MRI was even better than the previous one.
These are transition times. During chemo, the goal was to reduce the tumors, to defeat the cancer, something clear and well defined. Now, wit the maintenance treatment, we focus on keeping the status quo, be stable, and there is no end on sight for the maintenance.
Am I going to be like this for the rest of my life? what is "this"? how long is the "rest"? These are scary thoughts but I need to remain positive: I am doing pretty good overall and each day that we steal away is one more chance that a cure might we found. It is a game of endurance and I am ready for it.
Queridos amigos,
las noticias de mayor importancia son que he ido a trabajar media jornada por las dos semanas pasadas; y que el MRI de el miercoles mostro no lesiones, tumores o actividad. Tengo hora este martes con el oncologo de el cerebro, pero ya me adelanto los resultados. Parece que este MRI es incluso mejor que el anterior.
Estos son tiempos de transicion. Con la quimio, el objetivo era reducir los tumores, derrotar al cancer, un via clara de progreso. Ahora, con el tratamiento de mantenimiento, buscamos en mantener el status quo, estar estable, y sin saber cuando finaliza el tratamiento.
Voy a estar asi por el resto de mi vida? que es "asi"? cuanto tiempo es el "resto"? Estos pensamientos asustan, pero seguire siendo positivo: en general estoy muy bien y cada dia que le robamos al cancer es un dia mas donde una cura se pueda encontrat. Este es un juego de resistencia y yo estoy listo para jugar.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Some more news .... algunas noticias mas
Este update deberia haber salido ayer. Un problrma con blogspot y Firefox lo impidio
Perdon por haber tardado tanto en poner un update en el blog.
Los resultados del PET/CT scan dejaron contento al oncologo y no tanto a mi. Los resultados son practicamente identicos al previo scan. Yo estaba esperando una reduccion en los tumores pero no fue asi. El oncologo (y la sabiduria popular) buscan una situacion estable donde lo importante es que no haya un crecimiento de los tumores o de su actividad. De ahi la satisfaccion del oncologo.
Ayer empece el tratamiento de mantenimiento. Salvo la acostumbrada dificultad de necontrar venas para sacar sangre, el tratamiento fue bien. Jon estuvo conmigo y despues vinimos a casa para comer unos bocadillos de Bakesale Betsy ... umh.
He vuelto al trabajo, El Lunes y hoy en la oficina y ayer en casa.
Lo mas importante es que tenemos billetes para ir a casa este verano!!
Gracias a todos por vuestro apoyo and paciencia con el blog :-(
This update should been published yesterday. A probable conflict between the server and Firefox kkept if from happening.
Sorry for the delays updating the blog, no excuse.
I talked to the oncologist and he was happy with the results. They show stability, that is no growth in the size or activity of the tumors, I was hoping for a reduction in the size and activity, but
everybody tells me to be happy with results.
Yesterday we started the maintenance treatment. It went fine (mod the usual hunting for veins to draw blood from), it is short (1 hour) and so far is not taking a big toll. Jon was the Center during the treatment and after we treat ourselves to Bakesale Betsy chicken sandwiches at home ... ummhh.
I am back at work half-day since Monday (yesterday I work from home). We will see how it goes before committing to full days.
... and the most important thing: we have tickets to go home this summer!!
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