Well, first and foremost I would like to apologize for ending the updates last September however the chemo was starting to make me lose my mind and it seemed best to pull the strings until my head was back on straight. After my last treatment, the last thing I wanted to do is revisit the earlier part of the year and to date it is something from which I am trying to distance myself. That does not mean I do not continually think of the love and support from my family and friends as well as try to figure a way to repay everybody's effort. But updating the last year, as good as it has been, is not the reason for today's post. I will do that in the near future.
This morning at about 5:00 am Mom died. She had had a long journey trying and fighting for her health, but after winning may battles...well I am sure the situation is clear without saying any more. Dad is doing his best to keep things going but has a bit of a road ahead.
If you are able to attend, we will be having a viewing on Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Reynolds-Jonkohoff, a service at St. Andrews Presbeterian Church on Saturday at 1:00 pm followed by a brief gathering at the church, and her burial cerimony at Rose Hill Cemetary after the conclusion of the church activities at roughly 4:00 pm.
Thank you for all of your love and support during these difficult times.
Mark
Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home
305 Sixth Street
Traverse City, MI
(231) 947-6347
St. Andrews Presbeterian Church
8190 Lincoln Road
Beulah, MI 49617
(231) 882-4241
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Friday, September 18, 2009
A Welcome Friday
Wow, this week was a long one. I guess it may have been, in part, due to the surgery....but it sure was the closest to an ass-kicking that I have received so far. I flew into Flint via Wings of Mercy where I met my Pal (Suydam) and proceeded to tour his "new" house, stack fire wood, and houl with his neighbor Jerry. We stayed up late and then woke up early to get me delivered to the hospital for the first full day of festivities including IV line placements into my port, blood draws, and, of course the obligatory poking and prodding of my doctor during our periodic pre-chemo check up. My Pal picked me up that evening and we went to a favorite italian resturaunt of his for a very good tasting mung sandwich. Of course the evening would not have been complete without a viewing of Tombstone, which went late into the evening and making Tuesday's awakening somewhat of a challenge. No Mercy Percy joined the tag team and picked me up that afternoon for a trip to his home in Troy. We had a great chance to catch up with each other as well as a mutual friend, Becky, who I had not seen since the late '80s. It was fun to try and remember all of the early nonsense from Welcome Week through about 1984....and the pictures, man time has flown! After chemo that day, we found some very good pasta at a place called Noodles, however, I think my post serving spices hung things up for myself and created a major disturbance in my stomach for the rest of the week. Andy picked me up after chemo on Wednesday and shuttled me to the motel. In true form, we took a side trip to look at some sheet metal for his Ford 8N tractor and found another dreamer hoping to retrieve an unrealistic quantity from his money pit. By the time we were headed back to the motel, I was all but cooked. I think I had a milkshake that day, my stomach was (and is) a mess. Barb and the kids arrived after Andy's departure at about 9:00 pm, with the sound of Allen's fussing and forced crying proceeding them as they navigated the hallway. Regardless, it was nice to have the family close to me, even if I do feel like crap. Yesterday's tally was a blueberry muffin and a milk shake and a very yucky stomach. This round is presenting more of a challenge with regard to eating and stomach issues. I feel like I could easily yak if it were an option, however, that would probably delay things and there is no way in hell I am going to do anything that draws this process out any further.
So I will be set free for two weeks in about three hours, headed west to Kalamazoo for a big anniversery celebration. I have three more cycles to go, two in October and the final one during the third week in November. God willing, that will be the end of this nightmare (except for the associated periodic imaging and waiting for results). Thanks for all of your support, it is working.
So I will be set free for two weeks in about three hours, headed west to Kalamazoo for a big anniversery celebration. I have three more cycles to go, two in October and the final one during the third week in November. God willing, that will be the end of this nightmare (except for the associated periodic imaging and waiting for results). Thanks for all of your support, it is working.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Over The Hump (I Hope)
So, where do I begin.....how about somewhere around the end of July, which is when I last posted something and checked my email. I hope nobody takes my lack of correspondence personally, but things really get to me at times and need to focus in a very narrow view to keep my sanity. I do not understand the workings of all of the drugs and my brain, but living on the edge of the abyss, living life in two week blocks between treatments, wondering if after all of the hard work by the doctors, the hundreds of prayers, and, of course the awesome support of the Brotherhood, family, friends, and complete strangers I make the five year survival marker. There have been many days where I simply want to sit with the wife and kids and do stuff and put the cancer thing on the back burner. Things must be going good, however, as I find myself complaining about relatively petty things, things that were of no consequence when my condition was poor. Of course it is the human spirit, I would guess, that when things go in a good direction, one tends to forget his previous position and simply wants more. In my case the focus is so intensely forward that I forget only six months ago I was laying in the hospital bed thinking I would be incapacitated or dead by now based on the original and erroneous first diagnosis and now I get mad because I still can not get up on a regular basis and go to work. But, that is probably what keeps us all goings strong...give me a little and I want more...a lot more (kind of like my kids at the mall). In this case, it is not being stingy, it is survival. So the frustration of sitting on the sidelines while everybody else works and lives relatively normal lives seems like a good thing to me. I see a lot of very sad faces of people around here that must have gone through a hell of a lot more than me, and they appear so overwhelmed that fussing about not going to work is the last thing on their minds. I am glad and thankful my condition appears as good as it does right now. It has been over six weeks since the last chemo and my hair has started to grow as well as other impaired functions have started to resume so I am ready to blast through the next four cycles and put this whole experience behind me. I just read an email from one of my friends from high school who had a brain tumor discovered last spring. I stopped fussing to myself about the taste of Mesna and missing my family after finishing his email. Anyway, what have I been doing for the last two months? It is funny you ask. (sorry about the clunky writing, I seem to have lost the ability to spew free flowing ideas and thoughts in a clear and organized fashion).
Well, the last round of chemo came and went much easier than the previous round in that I did not experience the confusion or the semi-consious feeling that had followed the earlier round. The only downside was my energy level and motivation tanked for the two weeks leading up to the lung surgery. A lot of it may have been not knowing what the surgeon would find and how extensive the carving of my inerds would be during the process. We met with the surgeon, Dr. Chang, about a week before the operation and after reviewing a current CT scan, he could not determine how far, if at all, the tumor had penetrated my chest wall. He said the surgery could be as simple as three small holes or as extensive as permanently removing two ribs should the tumor have made it through the wall and into the muscle. For those with sharp memories, this is not the Dr. Chang that performed the original operation on the intestines, but a thorasic surgeon who rules the roost of his department (my words, not his).
Keeping the doctors names straight around here can be challenging at times as to date I have had three Dr. Changs, Dr. Chugh, and a Dr. Chan for good measure. So after waiting through two of the longest weeks of my life (I have had a few of those since February), the big day arrived and Barb and I boarded a Wings of Mercy flight and flew south. We stayed with the Landis family Sunday through Tuesday nights during which time I went through the usual pre-surgery fun and games. The worst had to be the PET scan, the one that highlights any cancerous areas, known or unknown. Fortunately for me everything came up clean except for the area to be removed that Wednesday. However, Wednesday morning came and I had not received the results of the PET scan and went wheeling into surgery right on schedule.
As with the previous surgery, I remember everything including the pre-surgery area, getting wheeled into the operating room, having the mask placed on my face, and oops the next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room. The first thing Barb asked me was if anybody had told me the results of the PET scan, to which I replied "No", so it was good to finally hear the good news. My folks and my brother-in-law Phil were also there to join the festivities in the recovery room and oh what a sight for sore eyes as I was just glad to be alive and awake. Shortly thereafter I came to realize that I still had all of my ribs so things seemed to have gone well. Later Dr. Chang explained that the tumor had made it through the inner lining wall, but he was able to get enough of a margin to save my ribs. In all, he removed the upper lobe of my right lung as well as a wedge-shaped portion of the next lobe due to its proximity to the tumor. I would guess that it equates to about 20 percent of my total lung capacity, so I got off easy comparitively speaking.
I was up and moving around within a day, as instructed by the doctors and nurses, even with a half-inch diameter suction hose poking through my back and up into my chest cavity. Everything seemed to be going good, so the hose was pulled on day number four, and then the xray. I was nearly out the door when the results of my chest xray indicated I had a larger than acceptable volume of fluid that was starting to collapse my right lung. Both Barb and I were disappointed to say the least, but we had expected to be there much longer so it was not that bad until, of course, they mentioned a new drain tube would be necessary. Having pulled out the half-inch tube before the xray (seems a bit out of order looking back on things), a new but smaller tube was needed so suction could be provided and excess fluid removed. Unfortunately for me, the new and improved tube had to be placed through my chest wall under my collar bone, through to the back side of my chest cavity, and then down along the wall face, into the void. Oh, but it gets better.....with a local anesthetic, a scalpel, and a whole lot of pushing and tugging. I had not had that much fun since one of my recent trips to the dentist when he replace three fillings at once, and this, by far, topped that little adventure. What the fine doctor did not tell me is once poked through all of that muscle I had built up over the years that I would feel things as she roto-rootered her way to my back and down. Well, after thirty of the most disturbing minutes of my life, her arrogant -ness marched out of the room and sent me off for one of what was to be many xrays. Three hours later, after attaining some level of comfort that the worst was over, my favorite doctor sent in the nurse to inform me that the xray indicated the tube was not in the proper location and that it had to be removed and the whole proceedure repeated a second time. When her Greatness entered the room for the second round she stated "I don't think you like me very much right now" and I immediatey agreed with her. So back down I went, only this time if felt like she added a steel bottle brush or fish hooks to the end. I thought I was going to screem (or behead the doctor) by the time she finally finished. This time there was no relaxing, as she had brushed up against a couple of nerves and from that point until it was removed a few days later it was a constant source of irritation.
OK, so I survived the tube placement and things were looking good. We were given the thumbs up for leaving on Monday, so I called Bando to set up the brotherhood aerial taxi service and fortunately he was able to once again extend the helping hand and bail us out of the area. Tim and Rachel arrived Monday afternoon and flew us at or below 2000 feet per Dr. Chang's instructions which took us on a very scenic route west to Lake Michigan and then north to our neighborhood. Unfortunately our plans to land a Sugar Loaf were spoiled by some very pesky rain clouds which make for another great story in itself, however, I will let Bando tell that one. The waves on Lake Michigan sure are pretty at two hundred feet. As it turned out Tim and Rachel were able to stick around for dinner so we were able to have an awesome dinner and do a little catching up before the had to turn around and fly back. Thank goodness for good friends.
Tuesday started with my appointment with the home nurse who was to change the bandages, however the tiny container provided at the end of my chest drain tube became overwhelmed with excess fluid. After a brief conversation with the U of M doctors, I was sent to the emergency room in Traverse City. So my second day home did not turn out to be what I had envisioned. Barb and I both needed time off from the hospital life, but that was not to be, at least for a while. Tuesday night arrived and I had not produce any fluid for several hours so I was sent home. Wednesday moring arrived complete with a repeat of the previous day....nurse arrives, container overwhelmed, call to U of M...except this time our presence was requested back in Ann Arbor. So after all of the grovel to get home, Barb packed up the mini-van while I called my sister who along with Phil, had endured the kids during my original visit for surgery. Anne and Phil had a contingency had my stay lasted the full ten-day maximum, which at this point was looking very close to reality. So Anne picked took the kids at some point, and we headed south that afternoon. I should note that Anne chose to reduce her work hours during the latter part of the summer to make herself available to help during my surgery. Between the corralling of the kids for days at a time and carrying the load at my folks house (along with Phil) when we would come over for visits, Anne and Phil really pulled things together for us and I am so greatful that they could make my problems their first priority. Nothing like family in a crisis.
Speaking of family, I should mention that Barb's folks came up from Texas and have been living in their motor home in our driveway since the beginning of June and as a result, the have made it possible for us to leave on a moments notice. They have looked after the kids, the animals, and kept my garden afloat all summer and I do not know what we would have done without them either. Her folks have really taken the family first philosophy seriously and provided untold relief during the course of the summer. As with Anne and Phil, Don and Harolyn have been priceless and provided a great deal of security knowing they are there for us. Unfortunately they will be leaving at the end of this week, but the good news is they have an offer on their house in Texas and will be moving back this spring if things go as planned!
We arrived at the hospital around 8:00 pm and went through all of the re-establishing IVs, putting on the gown, setting up the laptops, ect. and of course the beginning of the periodic xrays to establish any progress. Thursday arrived to find no fluid in the collection bin, which was somewhat perplexing for everybody, and late that afternoon they pulled the drain tube. Yes, I was very concerned because of the obvious. I did not want my favorite doctor performing her wonders on my chest again. Late in the day, the xrays indicated the space was shrinking but it was decided best to keep me overnight with the idea I would be released in the morning. You see, I had told everybody about cousin Mike's wedding on Saturday and how I was determined to make the cerimony. As a result, the doctors and nurses had all of the paperwork in order and we hit the road by 10:00 am on Friday! Freedom!
Well, I have babbled on long enough, but it suffices to say we made it to Munising Friday night after a detour through Maple City. I was (and still am) pretty beat up from the surgery but managed to find my way into a bottle of Ol' No.7 during the celebrations on Saturday. The wedding was another great family gathering and great chance to re-connect with those who we do not see very often.
On a final note, I just wanted to mention Barb. This situation has, as you can imagine, been the most difficult thing I have ever encountered. I have been as useful as a lump of coal for most of the last six months and not once has she ever complained or folded under the pressure. She has maintained the house, kept the kids going in their normal activities, and kept on top of all of the medical related issues, appointments, billings, ect. without missing a beat. I am thankful to have her as my wife and love her very much (let us see if she reads this). Until next time, family first.
Well, the last round of chemo came and went much easier than the previous round in that I did not experience the confusion or the semi-consious feeling that had followed the earlier round. The only downside was my energy level and motivation tanked for the two weeks leading up to the lung surgery. A lot of it may have been not knowing what the surgeon would find and how extensive the carving of my inerds would be during the process. We met with the surgeon, Dr. Chang, about a week before the operation and after reviewing a current CT scan, he could not determine how far, if at all, the tumor had penetrated my chest wall. He said the surgery could be as simple as three small holes or as extensive as permanently removing two ribs should the tumor have made it through the wall and into the muscle. For those with sharp memories, this is not the Dr. Chang that performed the original operation on the intestines, but a thorasic surgeon who rules the roost of his department (my words, not his).
Keeping the doctors names straight around here can be challenging at times as to date I have had three Dr. Changs, Dr. Chugh, and a Dr. Chan for good measure. So after waiting through two of the longest weeks of my life (I have had a few of those since February), the big day arrived and Barb and I boarded a Wings of Mercy flight and flew south. We stayed with the Landis family Sunday through Tuesday nights during which time I went through the usual pre-surgery fun and games. The worst had to be the PET scan, the one that highlights any cancerous areas, known or unknown. Fortunately for me everything came up clean except for the area to be removed that Wednesday. However, Wednesday morning came and I had not received the results of the PET scan and went wheeling into surgery right on schedule.
As with the previous surgery, I remember everything including the pre-surgery area, getting wheeled into the operating room, having the mask placed on my face, and oops the next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room. The first thing Barb asked me was if anybody had told me the results of the PET scan, to which I replied "No", so it was good to finally hear the good news. My folks and my brother-in-law Phil were also there to join the festivities in the recovery room and oh what a sight for sore eyes as I was just glad to be alive and awake. Shortly thereafter I came to realize that I still had all of my ribs so things seemed to have gone well. Later Dr. Chang explained that the tumor had made it through the inner lining wall, but he was able to get enough of a margin to save my ribs. In all, he removed the upper lobe of my right lung as well as a wedge-shaped portion of the next lobe due to its proximity to the tumor. I would guess that it equates to about 20 percent of my total lung capacity, so I got off easy comparitively speaking.
I was up and moving around within a day, as instructed by the doctors and nurses, even with a half-inch diameter suction hose poking through my back and up into my chest cavity. Everything seemed to be going good, so the hose was pulled on day number four, and then the xray. I was nearly out the door when the results of my chest xray indicated I had a larger than acceptable volume of fluid that was starting to collapse my right lung. Both Barb and I were disappointed to say the least, but we had expected to be there much longer so it was not that bad until, of course, they mentioned a new drain tube would be necessary. Having pulled out the half-inch tube before the xray (seems a bit out of order looking back on things), a new but smaller tube was needed so suction could be provided and excess fluid removed. Unfortunately for me, the new and improved tube had to be placed through my chest wall under my collar bone, through to the back side of my chest cavity, and then down along the wall face, into the void. Oh, but it gets better.....with a local anesthetic, a scalpel, and a whole lot of pushing and tugging. I had not had that much fun since one of my recent trips to the dentist when he replace three fillings at once, and this, by far, topped that little adventure. What the fine doctor did not tell me is once poked through all of that muscle I had built up over the years that I would feel things as she roto-rootered her way to my back and down. Well, after thirty of the most disturbing minutes of my life, her arrogant -ness marched out of the room and sent me off for one of what was to be many xrays. Three hours later, after attaining some level of comfort that the worst was over, my favorite doctor sent in the nurse to inform me that the xray indicated the tube was not in the proper location and that it had to be removed and the whole proceedure repeated a second time. When her Greatness entered the room for the second round she stated "I don't think you like me very much right now" and I immediatey agreed with her. So back down I went, only this time if felt like she added a steel bottle brush or fish hooks to the end. I thought I was going to screem (or behead the doctor) by the time she finally finished. This time there was no relaxing, as she had brushed up against a couple of nerves and from that point until it was removed a few days later it was a constant source of irritation.
OK, so I survived the tube placement and things were looking good. We were given the thumbs up for leaving on Monday, so I called Bando to set up the brotherhood aerial taxi service and fortunately he was able to once again extend the helping hand and bail us out of the area. Tim and Rachel arrived Monday afternoon and flew us at or below 2000 feet per Dr. Chang's instructions which took us on a very scenic route west to Lake Michigan and then north to our neighborhood. Unfortunately our plans to land a Sugar Loaf were spoiled by some very pesky rain clouds which make for another great story in itself, however, I will let Bando tell that one. The waves on Lake Michigan sure are pretty at two hundred feet. As it turned out Tim and Rachel were able to stick around for dinner so we were able to have an awesome dinner and do a little catching up before the had to turn around and fly back. Thank goodness for good friends.
Tuesday started with my appointment with the home nurse who was to change the bandages, however the tiny container provided at the end of my chest drain tube became overwhelmed with excess fluid. After a brief conversation with the U of M doctors, I was sent to the emergency room in Traverse City. So my second day home did not turn out to be what I had envisioned. Barb and I both needed time off from the hospital life, but that was not to be, at least for a while. Tuesday night arrived and I had not produce any fluid for several hours so I was sent home. Wednesday moring arrived complete with a repeat of the previous day....nurse arrives, container overwhelmed, call to U of M...except this time our presence was requested back in Ann Arbor. So after all of the grovel to get home, Barb packed up the mini-van while I called my sister who along with Phil, had endured the kids during my original visit for surgery. Anne and Phil had a contingency had my stay lasted the full ten-day maximum, which at this point was looking very close to reality. So Anne picked took the kids at some point, and we headed south that afternoon. I should note that Anne chose to reduce her work hours during the latter part of the summer to make herself available to help during my surgery. Between the corralling of the kids for days at a time and carrying the load at my folks house (along with Phil) when we would come over for visits, Anne and Phil really pulled things together for us and I am so greatful that they could make my problems their first priority. Nothing like family in a crisis.
Speaking of family, I should mention that Barb's folks came up from Texas and have been living in their motor home in our driveway since the beginning of June and as a result, the have made it possible for us to leave on a moments notice. They have looked after the kids, the animals, and kept my garden afloat all summer and I do not know what we would have done without them either. Her folks have really taken the family first philosophy seriously and provided untold relief during the course of the summer. As with Anne and Phil, Don and Harolyn have been priceless and provided a great deal of security knowing they are there for us. Unfortunately they will be leaving at the end of this week, but the good news is they have an offer on their house in Texas and will be moving back this spring if things go as planned!
We arrived at the hospital around 8:00 pm and went through all of the re-establishing IVs, putting on the gown, setting up the laptops, ect. and of course the beginning of the periodic xrays to establish any progress. Thursday arrived to find no fluid in the collection bin, which was somewhat perplexing for everybody, and late that afternoon they pulled the drain tube. Yes, I was very concerned because of the obvious. I did not want my favorite doctor performing her wonders on my chest again. Late in the day, the xrays indicated the space was shrinking but it was decided best to keep me overnight with the idea I would be released in the morning. You see, I had told everybody about cousin Mike's wedding on Saturday and how I was determined to make the cerimony. As a result, the doctors and nurses had all of the paperwork in order and we hit the road by 10:00 am on Friday! Freedom!
Well, I have babbled on long enough, but it suffices to say we made it to Munising Friday night after a detour through Maple City. I was (and still am) pretty beat up from the surgery but managed to find my way into a bottle of Ol' No.7 during the celebrations on Saturday. The wedding was another great family gathering and great chance to re-connect with those who we do not see very often.
On a final note, I just wanted to mention Barb. This situation has, as you can imagine, been the most difficult thing I have ever encountered. I have been as useful as a lump of coal for most of the last six months and not once has she ever complained or folded under the pressure. She has maintained the house, kept the kids going in their normal activities, and kept on top of all of the medical related issues, appointments, billings, ect. without missing a beat. I am thankful to have her as my wife and love her very much (let us see if she reads this). Until next time, family first.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Heading to the 50 yard line
I guess it has been a long time since writing last, but fortunately for me there are plenty who lend their time to fill the gap. I am in the last hour of the fifth day and last day of my fourth session, which has been much better than the third session. If there is one thing to be learned, it is not necessary to take everything they offer you as the manditory stuff will do plenty to screw up your head. During week three, I forewent the pain killers however continued all of the other goodies and found myself in a fog for nearly a week after finishing the last day. My head was so screwy that I had maximum difficulties with memory and trying to communicate as spewing out a simple sentece was a real challenge. This week I decide to dump all of the "optional" medications and found things going pretty good until Thursday, when it became apparent that my food intake was going to be reduced or haulted by a lingering and creeping case of nausia. Nothing like a little Marinol to induce a nice mid-morning coma. That said, my fourth week has been uneventful and appears to be the calm before the storm considering the activities planned in a couple of weeks.
The good part is that I have until August 10th before imaging will attain the current status of the tumor. Of course something less than the last measurement of a 3.9 cm diameter will be welcome, but the real scary thing is waiting for the full body scans to see if anything else has grown within my body since my first scan which occurred before starting chemo. If nothing new appears, I will be invited to join the surgeons first thing on the morning of Wednesday, August 12th. Unfortunately there is no clear course for my lung surgery since imaging does not clearly show the extent of the tumor's attachement to my lung or the downward extent of a necessary portion of the margins. The first could require permanent removal of two ribs should the tumor have grown through the inner lining while the second could require partial removal of a second lobe if it enters the vicinity of a major blood vessel located in the neighborhood. Timewise this translates to a 3 to 10 day stay in the hospital. Nothing like a variable schedule projection.
The family and brotherhood presence has been phenominal as throughout my haze of the third week, into my time off, and into this fouth session. You do not know how much everybody's continued visits, calls, and emails enhance the "good" side of this experience. I would continue, but therapy is over and...I AM GETTING THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!
The good part is that I have until August 10th before imaging will attain the current status of the tumor. Of course something less than the last measurement of a 3.9 cm diameter will be welcome, but the real scary thing is waiting for the full body scans to see if anything else has grown within my body since my first scan which occurred before starting chemo. If nothing new appears, I will be invited to join the surgeons first thing on the morning of Wednesday, August 12th. Unfortunately there is no clear course for my lung surgery since imaging does not clearly show the extent of the tumor's attachement to my lung or the downward extent of a necessary portion of the margins. The first could require permanent removal of two ribs should the tumor have grown through the inner lining while the second could require partial removal of a second lobe if it enters the vicinity of a major blood vessel located in the neighborhood. Timewise this translates to a 3 to 10 day stay in the hospital. Nothing like a variable schedule projection.
The family and brotherhood presence has been phenominal as throughout my haze of the third week, into my time off, and into this fouth session. You do not know how much everybody's continued visits, calls, and emails enhance the "good" side of this experience. I would continue, but therapy is over and...I AM GETTING THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!
Monday, June 29, 2009
IT'S WORKING!!!
Brothers!
Bando here. I had a treatful conversation with his Birdness this evening. He called a few minutes before the last bag of poison finished emptying into his veins to tell me that that the tumor on his lung shrunk from 5.9 cm in diameter to 3.9 cm in diameter.
Now, Bird asked me if I remembered the formula for the volume of a sphere. I reminded him that I tried to learn calculus by the osmosis method in the Delphic Room; he and Yoda would get me to talk in my sleep while I used my calculus book as a pillow, hoping the learning would somehow make its way into my brain. As a result, I had to readily admit that I had no earthly idea what the formula for the volume of a sphere was.
Of course, I do have Google, so I now know the formula to be volume=4/3¶r3. Essentially, Bird did a quick calc in his head and thought that this 2cm in diameter reduction equates to approximately 50% in volume loss. Needless to say, he is VERY keyed about this news! This means that our prayers and good vibes, and the poisons those wolverine doctors have been dumping into him, have been working. This is very positive. If it continues to respond, they can excise the mass come August and not have to take so much of his lung in the process.
I had the good fortune to have dinner with Bird, Barb and their kids last week in Fenton, along with Chris Suydam and his family. After dinner, we walked down the street and toured Chris' new home. Well, to call it new wouldn't be quite right; it was built in 1902. Bird's three kids, my three kids, Chris' two kids, and the four kids from next door (that happen to be friends and classmates of my kids) all had a very rambunctious game of hide and seek in the massive home, followed by a rousing game of duck, duck, goose on the front porch until the mosquitoes chased us all away. Bird continues to be amazed at how the brothers have come together to help in his grovel, and how much we have poured into his support with prayer, friendship, and our cold, hard cash. All of these actions give him great strength, and remove a huge weight from his shoulders. Today's positive news helps even more.
His spirit improves with each piece of good news, whether its from his doctors, or from the brothers. Part of the good news the brothers have provided is regular infusions of cash that help make ends meet while the medical bills continue to roll in. Many brothers, myself included, have set up regular repeating monthly payments through their bank or credit union to pump much needed capital into the Big Bird Support Fund. If you can, please take a few minutes this week to do the same. Your support, along with the work of Bird's doctors, will help him achieve victory over this menace.
Fraternally,
Bando
Bando here. I had a treatful conversation with his Birdness this evening. He called a few minutes before the last bag of poison finished emptying into his veins to tell me that that the tumor on his lung shrunk from 5.9 cm in diameter to 3.9 cm in diameter.
Now, Bird asked me if I remembered the formula for the volume of a sphere. I reminded him that I tried to learn calculus by the osmosis method in the Delphic Room; he and Yoda would get me to talk in my sleep while I used my calculus book as a pillow, hoping the learning would somehow make its way into my brain. As a result, I had to readily admit that I had no earthly idea what the formula for the volume of a sphere was.
Of course, I do have Google, so I now know the formula to be volume=4/3¶r3. Essentially, Bird did a quick calc in his head and thought that this 2cm in diameter reduction equates to approximately 50% in volume loss. Needless to say, he is VERY keyed about this news! This means that our prayers and good vibes, and the poisons those wolverine doctors have been dumping into him, have been working. This is very positive. If it continues to respond, they can excise the mass come August and not have to take so much of his lung in the process.
I had the good fortune to have dinner with Bird, Barb and their kids last week in Fenton, along with Chris Suydam and his family. After dinner, we walked down the street and toured Chris' new home. Well, to call it new wouldn't be quite right; it was built in 1902. Bird's three kids, my three kids, Chris' two kids, and the four kids from next door (that happen to be friends and classmates of my kids) all had a very rambunctious game of hide and seek in the massive home, followed by a rousing game of duck, duck, goose on the front porch until the mosquitoes chased us all away. Bird continues to be amazed at how the brothers have come together to help in his grovel, and how much we have poured into his support with prayer, friendship, and our cold, hard cash. All of these actions give him great strength, and remove a huge weight from his shoulders. Today's positive news helps even more.
His spirit improves with each piece of good news, whether its from his doctors, or from the brothers. Part of the good news the brothers have provided is regular infusions of cash that help make ends meet while the medical bills continue to roll in. Many brothers, myself included, have set up regular repeating monthly payments through their bank or credit union to pump much needed capital into the Big Bird Support Fund. If you can, please take a few minutes this week to do the same. Your support, along with the work of Bird's doctors, will help him achieve victory over this menace.
Fraternally,
Bando
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Yuk
Today brings no appetite and feet a dragging. I have felt worse, but, well, I can not remember what I was going to say thanks to the latest batch of pills and IV additives. They gave me marinol this morning (on top of all of the other stuff) to try and get me to rest. Nobody inquired anything regarding tolerance, so it will probably be ineffective. Well that is about it, just thought I would throw out some mindless babble for whomever's consumption.
By the way, if anybody knows how I can remove that God awful picture of me with the nose tube in the hospital, please holler. That was not meant to be a permanent fixture on the blog as it is quite repuslive. I have a lot more repulsive photos that could be posted, but are a lot more fun!
Yay! Today's bag of poison is empty and back to the bags of flushing liquids and bladder protection medicine, which means time to drink lots of water to flush out that wonderful ifosfomide aftertaste. Wow, this apple tastes good...nice surprise. Talk to you all later.
By the way, if anybody knows how I can remove that God awful picture of me with the nose tube in the hospital, please holler. That was not meant to be a permanent fixture on the blog as it is quite repuslive. I have a lot more repulsive photos that could be posted, but are a lot more fun!
Yay! Today's bag of poison is empty and back to the bags of flushing liquids and bladder protection medicine, which means time to drink lots of water to flush out that wonderful ifosfomide aftertaste. Wow, this apple tastes good...nice surprise. Talk to you all later.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Back in the Saddle.
So, after Week One of chemo and the hospitality of the Jensen and Landis families as well as a northward boost from Air Bando, my two weeks off started in the middle of a Lund family weekend get-together. I was feeling pretty beat up, but managed to take my son for his first canoe ride down to the new bridge construction and back on Saturday along with some minor activities around my folks place. The highlight of the afternoon was getting the "Neulasta" shot for bone marrow stimulation which similar to being stung by a wasp (Dad enjoyed his position as administator as I think there is still some pay back due from earlier decades). Sunday brought more lake fun which was accompanied by a temperature drop to about 50 degrees to enhance the traditional jump into the lake at Wickum's Point. The day ended early as about 7:00 pm the bone aches typical after a Nuelasta injection began to take hold. However, I did receive a call from Sleeper and Marcie indicating they would be able to visit briefly before their flight home from Traverse City to the Pacific Northwest. To my surprise, the Nuelasta shot had me and my sole energized Monday morning. Instead of waking up just before noon as always, I woke up wide awake and raring to go at 5:00 am and, after a two hour kitchen cleanup/breakfast/kitchen clean up, I proceeded raking the garden until the arrival of the Allen family at about 11:00 am. After a brief house and yard tour, and some major catching up, we went to my folks house and continued the same right up until the last possible moment for their departure to the air port.
It was a treatfull weekend, with the following week following the same tack with regard to my energy level and enthusiasm. I hit only one bump about Wednesday when my hips and lower back put me back on the hydrocodone for a few days, but the end all was a very enjoyable and productive week. The second week left me with a somewhat lesser energy level, probably due to overdoing it a bit the week before. On Wednesday our good brother Jeff Lobdell sent a handfull (heaping) of cupons for meals at any of his resturaunts, so we went to Boones that evening and fattened me up by a few pounds...I recommend the 24 oz Porterhouse (Thanks). We will definintely be returing soon.
By Friday, things went in the toilet, and I kind of dragged my feet trying to continue my victorious push started during the earlier portion of the two-week period. Fortunately Barb's parrents arrived to take over activities and assist us with family life for the upcoming months until we can determine my long term path.
During the previous two-week period I did manage to get a few fruit trees, 20 or so bean plants, 20 rasberry/blackberry plants, and 300 strawberry plants in the ground during this period; not to mention fixing three drawers, wheel burrow wheel replacement, squeegie handle repaired, miscellaneous sorting of a nut and bold collection, fighting and winning the battle Messiah started with the little green Tazmanian Devil rottotiller, as well as plenty of other nonsense. This past Saturday was reduced to a drizzly bonfire day as I worked on burning one of my last brush piles and consuming the last of the leftover light beer collection that has been decorating the fridge for several weeks.....and Sunday, it was back for another week of fun.
Air Bando was not available for this trip, so he recommended applying for Wings of Mercy, a program where pilots volunteer their time and the wear and tear on their planes in order to fly patients over long distances. Fortunately, the organization pays for the fuel, however I am guessing this is a smaller percentage of the overall cost. The long and the short of it was that we were approved for the program and were picked up at Cherry Capitol Airport by pilots Jim and Chuck, who originated from Battle Creek...two very generous and caring men. They buzzed us around two sets of thunderstorms as we flew southward and delivered Barb and I without incident 90 minutes later. During the same time period, Skinny was pulling fire through Jack Debor's (spelling?) back channels at the Candlewood Suites based on an earlier conversation Skinny had initiated. After settling in and deciding to negotiate things after the fact due to our early arrival, we received a call from the front desk indicating that we had been comp'd for our entire stay and offered an upgrade to a full sized suite for this period. Again, an unbelievable, but greatly appreciated brotherhood (and associated friend) hook. We can not thank everybody who have been providing the all of the support, above mentioned included, enough. I can not imaging having gone up against this alone. As I mentioned to some during the good part of the last two weeks, I have not felt this good or happy in recent memory...Thank you Everybody!!
This is week three of five chemo sessions it has begun to kick my ass. I know, however, sitting or laying on the couch just maintains the misery, so Barb and I walked to the Briarwood Mall and kicked around for a while, bought the kids some souvenirs, and drank some terrible green tea lemonade (grass clipping flavored) at Starbucks using a gift card..thankyou whomever, I am sure it was very good for me in spite of the flavor. I did an extremely limited try on the weight machine, just enough to pump my arms and test my incision area, which resulted in a pathetic attempt a flex or two in the mirror just to remind myself I had, infact lost significant muscle mass when I dropped those 30 pounds. Only two more days....I am already looking forward to being home for the next recovery period. Tomorrow will be fun as we have been invited to the Landis residence for dinner and may run into Yoda and JWI along the way.
That is it for now and thanks again for all of the love and support. Our house and my parent's house is open for my mom and my birthdays this weekend if any of you are traveling. Just call for space.
Big Bird
It was a treatfull weekend, with the following week following the same tack with regard to my energy level and enthusiasm. I hit only one bump about Wednesday when my hips and lower back put me back on the hydrocodone for a few days, but the end all was a very enjoyable and productive week. The second week left me with a somewhat lesser energy level, probably due to overdoing it a bit the week before. On Wednesday our good brother Jeff Lobdell sent a handfull (heaping) of cupons for meals at any of his resturaunts, so we went to Boones that evening and fattened me up by a few pounds...I recommend the 24 oz Porterhouse (Thanks). We will definintely be returing soon.
By Friday, things went in the toilet, and I kind of dragged my feet trying to continue my victorious push started during the earlier portion of the two-week period. Fortunately Barb's parrents arrived to take over activities and assist us with family life for the upcoming months until we can determine my long term path.
During the previous two-week period I did manage to get a few fruit trees, 20 or so bean plants, 20 rasberry/blackberry plants, and 300 strawberry plants in the ground during this period; not to mention fixing three drawers, wheel burrow wheel replacement, squeegie handle repaired, miscellaneous sorting of a nut and bold collection, fighting and winning the battle Messiah started with the little green Tazmanian Devil rottotiller, as well as plenty of other nonsense. This past Saturday was reduced to a drizzly bonfire day as I worked on burning one of my last brush piles and consuming the last of the leftover light beer collection that has been decorating the fridge for several weeks.....and Sunday, it was back for another week of fun.
Air Bando was not available for this trip, so he recommended applying for Wings of Mercy, a program where pilots volunteer their time and the wear and tear on their planes in order to fly patients over long distances. Fortunately, the organization pays for the fuel, however I am guessing this is a smaller percentage of the overall cost. The long and the short of it was that we were approved for the program and were picked up at Cherry Capitol Airport by pilots Jim and Chuck, who originated from Battle Creek...two very generous and caring men. They buzzed us around two sets of thunderstorms as we flew southward and delivered Barb and I without incident 90 minutes later. During the same time period, Skinny was pulling fire through Jack Debor's (spelling?) back channels at the Candlewood Suites based on an earlier conversation Skinny had initiated. After settling in and deciding to negotiate things after the fact due to our early arrival, we received a call from the front desk indicating that we had been comp'd for our entire stay and offered an upgrade to a full sized suite for this period. Again, an unbelievable, but greatly appreciated brotherhood (and associated friend) hook. We can not thank everybody who have been providing the all of the support, above mentioned included, enough. I can not imaging having gone up against this alone. As I mentioned to some during the good part of the last two weeks, I have not felt this good or happy in recent memory...Thank you Everybody!!
This is week three of five chemo sessions it has begun to kick my ass. I know, however, sitting or laying on the couch just maintains the misery, so Barb and I walked to the Briarwood Mall and kicked around for a while, bought the kids some souvenirs, and drank some terrible green tea lemonade (grass clipping flavored) at Starbucks using a gift card..thankyou whomever, I am sure it was very good for me in spite of the flavor. I did an extremely limited try on the weight machine, just enough to pump my arms and test my incision area, which resulted in a pathetic attempt a flex or two in the mirror just to remind myself I had, infact lost significant muscle mass when I dropped those 30 pounds. Only two more days....I am already looking forward to being home for the next recovery period. Tomorrow will be fun as we have been invited to the Landis residence for dinner and may run into Yoda and JWI along the way.
That is it for now and thanks again for all of the love and support. Our house and my parent's house is open for my mom and my birthdays this weekend if any of you are traveling. Just call for space.
Big Bird
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Bird Returns to his Nest for Memorial Day
Brothers, friends, and Lund family:
Bird is back in his nest for the Memorial Day holiday. It was another case of the helping hand with Mike "Chips" Wilson and Ty Damon helping with the handoff of his bigness to Barb on Friday evening.
He made it through the first week of aggressive chemo relatively unharmed; by relatively, Bird said that "I've felt better, but I've felt worse, too." According to Bird, he owes his understanding of just how bad he can feel due to frequent indulgence in Jack Daniels (although some of you have heard that I recently gained an appreciation for this feeling, too).
There hasn't been too much nausea due to the strong anti-nausea drugs that he is taking, but the appetite hasn't been really strong, either. I talked with Bird just about every day this week and that in itself was a challenge since he had so many visitors and so many calls. It was tough to find a time where he wasn't busy.
There were many brothers this week that provided significant in-kind contributions to the Bird and his family, but now more than ever, Mark's family needs your help monetarily, too. If you've been helping them in any way you can, that is the helping hand in action. But, if you can't help out with temporary housing and transportation in the Ann Arbor area during the week of chemo, or join in a work outing at the Bird's Nest (and even if you have), then please consider using the information and links at the right of this post to send in your hard earned cash to help.
Mark's disability payments from the state of California have been irregular at best, and the very significant medical bills are starting to roll in. Bird's chemo grovel will continue for the next SIX MONTHS. Therefore, we need the brotherhood to keep The New Century Century Club going MONTHLY for the next 6-9 months. If you haven't contributed yet, please do so NOW using the links to the right. If you have already contributed, please make a note to send ANOTHER contribution in June.
Last week, brother Jim Curran told Bird and Barb that he was sending $2,000 from the Big Bird Support Fund to them right away with another $2,000 within a week. No Mercy Percy, Messiah, and I were sitting at the table when Stick told them this great news. Big Bird was immediately and completely overwhelmed. His direct comment was "thank you to everyone for taking this weight off of my shoulders."
You can help Bird focus on getting well if you will help us take care of the mounting medical bills so that he doesn't have to.
Finally, Tom Budnick sent this out via email last week. I think it will help us all put into perspective why and how much we should help with Bird's grovel:
=========================
I’m one of the guys that’s been slacking so my check is going out today.
I know some of you guys spend more than you should at the following and none of those expenditures are going to have as satisfying of an impact. This is money well spent, especially if you aren’t able to donate time to assist.
* Strip Clubs…. Bird may not be better looking than the hot double D stripper with the sweet two finger patch and the low back tat, but he sure as hell was funnier looking when he’d streak down Abbott!
* Church…not saying God and your local parish isn’t important, but how many of us donate on Sunday and never actually see the person our money helps…..here’s a chance to know where it’s going!
* Taxes…Obama is forcing us to support all the fricking losers out there who refuse to help themselves (sorry couldn’t resist the shot)….take a stand and support someone who is a winner, but in a tough spot…..if all my tax money went to help people in the kind of spot Bird finds himself in I’d gladly support Mr. O!
* Taxes 2…..I know some of you embellish your charitable expenses…here’s a chance to alleviate some of your GUILT…you lying pricks!
* The Bar…..Most of you spend way too much there….. divert some to the fund….your liver could use the break!
* All you Potheads….cutting back to a joint or two a day instead of a dime bag would do your lungs a favor and Bird could use the money to get that nasty little bastard off his lung!
* Gasoline…..shit at today’s prices $100 is like 2-4 fill ups…unless you’re a fag and drive a Prius…..again couldn’t resist J….I saw the pictures from Bird’s bash and most of you are fat and out of shape so take “ride your bike to work week” literally this year and donate your savings to the cause!
Anyway…seriously…hope you’re all well and this helps motivate you to get out your check book. Like someone said…nothing is too small!
===============
Well said, Bud!
Fraternally,
Bando
Bird is back in his nest for the Memorial Day holiday. It was another case of the helping hand with Mike "Chips" Wilson and Ty Damon helping with the handoff of his bigness to Barb on Friday evening.
He made it through the first week of aggressive chemo relatively unharmed; by relatively, Bird said that "I've felt better, but I've felt worse, too." According to Bird, he owes his understanding of just how bad he can feel due to frequent indulgence in Jack Daniels (although some of you have heard that I recently gained an appreciation for this feeling, too).
There hasn't been too much nausea due to the strong anti-nausea drugs that he is taking, but the appetite hasn't been really strong, either. I talked with Bird just about every day this week and that in itself was a challenge since he had so many visitors and so many calls. It was tough to find a time where he wasn't busy.
There were many brothers this week that provided significant in-kind contributions to the Bird and his family, but now more than ever, Mark's family needs your help monetarily, too. If you've been helping them in any way you can, that is the helping hand in action. But, if you can't help out with temporary housing and transportation in the Ann Arbor area during the week of chemo, or join in a work outing at the Bird's Nest (and even if you have), then please consider using the information and links at the right of this post to send in your hard earned cash to help.
Mark's disability payments from the state of California have been irregular at best, and the very significant medical bills are starting to roll in. Bird's chemo grovel will continue for the next SIX MONTHS. Therefore, we need the brotherhood to keep The New Century Century Club going MONTHLY for the next 6-9 months. If you haven't contributed yet, please do so NOW using the links to the right. If you have already contributed, please make a note to send ANOTHER contribution in June.
Last week, brother Jim Curran told Bird and Barb that he was sending $2,000 from the Big Bird Support Fund to them right away with another $2,000 within a week. No Mercy Percy, Messiah, and I were sitting at the table when Stick told them this great news. Big Bird was immediately and completely overwhelmed. His direct comment was "thank you to everyone for taking this weight off of my shoulders."
You can help Bird focus on getting well if you will help us take care of the mounting medical bills so that he doesn't have to.
Finally, Tom Budnick sent this out via email last week. I think it will help us all put into perspective why and how much we should help with Bird's grovel:
=========================
I’m one of the guys that’s been slacking so my check is going out today.
I know some of you guys spend more than you should at the following and none of those expenditures are going to have as satisfying of an impact. This is money well spent, especially if you aren’t able to donate time to assist.
* Strip Clubs…. Bird may not be better looking than the hot double D stripper with the sweet two finger patch and the low back tat, but he sure as hell was funnier looking when he’d streak down Abbott!
* Church…not saying God and your local parish isn’t important, but how many of us donate on Sunday and never actually see the person our money helps…..here’s a chance to know where it’s going!
* Taxes…Obama is forcing us to support all the fricking losers out there who refuse to help themselves (sorry couldn’t resist the shot)….take a stand and support someone who is a winner, but in a tough spot…..if all my tax money went to help people in the kind of spot Bird finds himself in I’d gladly support Mr. O!
* Taxes 2…..I know some of you embellish your charitable expenses…here’s a chance to alleviate some of your GUILT…you lying pricks!
* The Bar…..Most of you spend way too much there….. divert some to the fund….your liver could use the break!
* All you Potheads….cutting back to a joint or two a day instead of a dime bag would do your lungs a favor and Bird could use the money to get that nasty little bastard off his lung!
* Gasoline…..shit at today’s prices $100 is like 2-4 fill ups…unless you’re a fag and drive a Prius…..again couldn’t resist J….I saw the pictures from Bird’s bash and most of you are fat and out of shape so take “ride your bike to work week” literally this year and donate your savings to the cause!
Anyway…seriously…hope you’re all well and this helps motivate you to get out your check book. Like someone said…nothing is too small!
===============
Well said, Bud!
Fraternally,
Bando
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Game Is On...
This is a recap of Bird's posting to Facebook. He forgot his blog password at home, so I've copied and pasted his ramblings here.
===============
The game is on...I am hooked up and the poison has started the cell slaughter. So far, I feel fine. I left my info book at Kai's house, so I will have to wait until tomorrow to update the blog. There are, however, four weeks worth of emails for me to open, so I do not have to worry about being bored during the next five days.
There are many contenders for brother of the week for the last seven days. Willy came up a week ago Friday and joined the Lund family circus. We worked on a lot of projects, but more importantly had a lot of fun. It is a full time job finding activities to keep my mind away from dwelling on my condition. Willy set up his work station in my office and did the part time thing during the morning hours.
My day typically begins at 11:00 am, so after my breakfast time, we would head out and work on miscellaneous projects. On Tuesday the Big Guy Club (Bullwinkle and Kai)+Wally T Grovel arrived to take on some of my larger projects such as a storm drain pipe with no outlet, the 4'x4'x75' ditch and associated piping (including stubbing water and electric into the cabin), and placing and energizing the radio dog fence.
All projects were finished and the four of us left Wednesday night. I stayed with Bullwinkle and his family Thursday and Friday while going to U of M Cancer Center for treatment preparation. Talk about a skate, my own room, shuttle service to and from, and the sausage and pepper pasta dinner. On Friday, No Mercy Percy snatched me from the hospital and after a brief visit to his office, started north toward Maple City, and along the way we plucked Messiah from the side of the road to join the caravan. Of course company was a-plenty considering the fourth passenger, No.7 AKA Dr. Jack Daniels. After a very fun ride, we arrived at our destination where we spent the next two days working on the garden area and doing what we still do best. In fact, Air Bando arrived Saturday afternoon to join the Garden Fest and showed us how to do things best, in his own special way. Allen's waste basket will never be the same.
So Sunday came way too quickly, but we all loaded up to install the folks dock at the lake as well as experience (for those who dared) Dad's fiery chili burgers. However, there was no time for desert as a critical and much anticipated event was nearly to transpire (see Highlights-mobile uploads on Facebook). Now during the previous night, Messiah had been painstakingly working on me to shave the head, but this plan of attack was temporarily put to rest as Barb informed him the kids wanted to be present. However, after dinner on Sunday there was no more time and no more excuses.
Cameras rolling and clicking, children a giggling, and razor a buzzing, my four plus years of hair growth started to become forever detached. My oldest daughter Christine first braided it into a long rope with bands at either end to keep it intact, then, while I held the braid straight up into the air, the Lawnmower man, sporting a 1960s vintage razor/trimmer began to cut the tethers connecting the braid.As you can see in the picture the rest is history.
Anyway, Air Bando skated me to a landing strip less than one mile from Kai's house and the Jensen family has now adopted me for the first few days of this treatment. The flight was awesome, unlike the holy caravan of No Mercy and Messiah, the latter of whose newly acquired vehicle decide to take a dump out of the transmission tail shaft, leading to a prompt return to home base via the same flat bed that plucked it from the side of the road two years ago with another problem.
In a nutshell, the last week or so has once again shown me the power of the brotherhood and its abilities to make a terrible situation much less painful and scary. I think it was Bando I was talking to when I mentioned "when I get better, I am going to have a lot of cars to wash and shoes to shine". I am still trying to find the right words to express my thanks and appreciation for everybody's support.
In a nutshell, Thank you.
===============
The game is on...I am hooked up and the poison has started the cell slaughter. So far, I feel fine. I left my info book at Kai's house, so I will have to wait until tomorrow to update the blog. There are, however, four weeks worth of emails for me to open, so I do not have to worry about being bored during the next five days.
There are many contenders for brother of the week for the last seven days. Willy came up a week ago Friday and joined the Lund family circus. We worked on a lot of projects, but more importantly had a lot of fun. It is a full time job finding activities to keep my mind away from dwelling on my condition. Willy set up his work station in my office and did the part time thing during the morning hours.
My day typically begins at 11:00 am, so after my breakfast time, we would head out and work on miscellaneous projects. On Tuesday the Big Guy Club (Bullwinkle and Kai)+Wally T Grovel arrived to take on some of my larger projects such as a storm drain pipe with no outlet, the 4'x4'x75' ditch and associated piping (including stubbing water and electric into the cabin), and placing and energizing the radio dog fence.
All projects were finished and the four of us left Wednesday night. I stayed with Bullwinkle and his family Thursday and Friday while going to U of M Cancer Center for treatment preparation. Talk about a skate, my own room, shuttle service to and from, and the sausage and pepper pasta dinner. On Friday, No Mercy Percy snatched me from the hospital and after a brief visit to his office, started north toward Maple City, and along the way we plucked Messiah from the side of the road to join the caravan. Of course company was a-plenty considering the fourth passenger, No.7 AKA Dr. Jack Daniels. After a very fun ride, we arrived at our destination where we spent the next two days working on the garden area and doing what we still do best. In fact, Air Bando arrived Saturday afternoon to join the Garden Fest and showed us how to do things best, in his own special way. Allen's waste basket will never be the same.
So Sunday came way too quickly, but we all loaded up to install the folks dock at the lake as well as experience (for those who dared) Dad's fiery chili burgers. However, there was no time for desert as a critical and much anticipated event was nearly to transpire (see Highlights-mobile uploads on Facebook). Now during the previous night, Messiah had been painstakingly working on me to shave the head, but this plan of attack was temporarily put to rest as Barb informed him the kids wanted to be present. However, after dinner on Sunday there was no more time and no more excuses.
Cameras rolling and clicking, children a giggling, and razor a buzzing, my four plus years of hair growth started to become forever detached. My oldest daughter Christine first braided it into a long rope with bands at either end to keep it intact, then, while I held the braid straight up into the air, the Lawnmower man, sporting a 1960s vintage razor/trimmer began to cut the tethers connecting the braid.As you can see in the picture the rest is history.
Anyway, Air Bando skated me to a landing strip less than one mile from Kai's house and the Jensen family has now adopted me for the first few days of this treatment. The flight was awesome, unlike the holy caravan of No Mercy and Messiah, the latter of whose newly acquired vehicle decide to take a dump out of the transmission tail shaft, leading to a prompt return to home base via the same flat bed that plucked it from the side of the road two years ago with another problem.
In a nutshell, the last week or so has once again shown me the power of the brotherhood and its abilities to make a terrible situation much less painful and scary. I think it was Bando I was talking to when I mentioned "when I get better, I am going to have a lot of cars to wash and shoes to shine". I am still trying to find the right words to express my thanks and appreciation for everybody's support.
In a nutshell, Thank you.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Update - 5/7/2009: The Good and the (mostly) Bad
Brothers:
I just received the following in an email from Bird's sister, Anne. the news is not very good, but hope springs eternal.
Please remember to help out with the New Century Century Club. Big Bird needs our help now more than ever.
Also, my wife had a wonderful idea. Since Bird has to stay in a hotel in the Ann Arbor area, are there any well-traveled brothers that might be able to share some hotel points with Bird to defray this cost?
Regards,
Bando
===========
Hi Tim;
I just spoke with Mark and Barb - they are on their way back home after Mark's appointments today. I'm afraid the news is not good. Mark's sarcoma is very rare and aggressive. He has been enrolled in a nation-wide trial wherein he gets double one of the chemotherapy drugs that has been used for sarcoma in the past - because his cancer is so rare, there are only 12 patients enrolled nation-wide. Unfortunately, he has to do chemo in Ann Arbor, his therapy will begin in about 10 days. He will do 5 days of chemo, then get 2 weeks off, then have another 5 days of chemo. MPNST does not respond well to chemo - we all need to pray very hard that this buys him some time.
They will not be addressing his lung mass until after they see how he responds to the chemotherapy - it may shrink making the surgery much less invasive. He feels very well, but his spirits, hearing such heavy news, are somewhat depressed.
Phil and I have offered to put him up in a hotel room near the hospital, as he will not be admitted for treatment. There are plenty of brothers (and family) nearby, but I think the rigors of the treatment will be too much for him to commute back and forth to the hospital on his own. There are 5 or 6 hotels in the area that offer complementary transport to and from the hospital - I am hoping to find him something with a small kitchen, so he doesn't have to worry about going out to eat. We'll let you know what his decision is so you all know where to find him.
We are absolutely heartbroken, but we thank you so much for all of your support,
Love,
Anne
I just received the following in an email from Bird's sister, Anne. the news is not very good, but hope springs eternal.
Please remember to help out with the New Century Century Club. Big Bird needs our help now more than ever.
Also, my wife had a wonderful idea. Since Bird has to stay in a hotel in the Ann Arbor area, are there any well-traveled brothers that might be able to share some hotel points with Bird to defray this cost?
Regards,
Bando
===========
Hi Tim;
I just spoke with Mark and Barb - they are on their way back home after Mark's appointments today. I'm afraid the news is not good. Mark's sarcoma is very rare and aggressive. He has been enrolled in a nation-wide trial wherein he gets double one of the chemotherapy drugs that has been used for sarcoma in the past - because his cancer is so rare, there are only 12 patients enrolled nation-wide. Unfortunately, he has to do chemo in Ann Arbor, his therapy will begin in about 10 days. He will do 5 days of chemo, then get 2 weeks off, then have another 5 days of chemo. MPNST does not respond well to chemo - we all need to pray very hard that this buys him some time.
They will not be addressing his lung mass until after they see how he responds to the chemotherapy - it may shrink making the surgery much less invasive. He feels very well, but his spirits, hearing such heavy news, are somewhat depressed.
Phil and I have offered to put him up in a hotel room near the hospital, as he will not be admitted for treatment. There are plenty of brothers (and family) nearby, but I think the rigors of the treatment will be too much for him to commute back and forth to the hospital on his own. There are 5 or 6 hotels in the area that offer complementary transport to and from the hospital - I am hoping to find him something with a small kitchen, so he doesn't have to worry about going out to eat. We'll let you know what his decision is so you all know where to find him.
We are absolutely heartbroken, but we thank you so much for all of your support,
Love,
Anne
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Bird has Returned to the Nest
Mark got home last night (Monday) at 10:30pm. Andy Percy was nice enough to drive him all the way here, then drive home. He has 8+ inches of neat Frankenstein-esk staples right next to his belly button! (T'will be a manly scar!) He is a little slow moving around and still working out the gas pains, but that's normal. He otherwise looks great and is glad to be home. Me & the kids too! Future treatment plans should be known this Thursday.
Thanks for everything,
Barb
Thanks for everything,
Barb
Oompa Succumbs to the Power of The Bird
Posted by JJaz (via email):
I think I can speak for Oompa so here it is in a nut shell.
Had a nice lunch with Oompa that included some Whitefish, Barley, hops and a backyard bingo before arriving at Big Birds temporary nest. 15 minutes into our visit Big Bird was showing us and giving us a detailed description of his grovel and the anatomical gore that ensued. Oompa was so enthralled and shall we say “into” Birds story that he literally forgot to breathe. I look over and I can see Oompa fading to black.
Bird is in a chair and Oompa is sitting on Birds empty bed. Once I realize that Oompa is visiting Dorothy and the Tin Man, I lay him down for an unexpected nap and ran to the nurse’s station. I tell her we have a man out cold and it’s not the patient. She says “the visitor?” Yep……….
She announces a CODE BLUE over the loud speaker and within 30 seconds there is an entire huge swat team in the room. Oompa finally comes to and has to answer questions like “where are you?” “Who is the president?” “Is he black?” Shirt off and paddles out, he manages to land his twirling house on the big bad witch. He did fine with the quiz but they still rushed him down to the emergency room.
So there I was having to decide to either stay with Big Bird or follow the gurney. I apologized to Bird and I followed the gurney and about a half hour later they released Oompa on his own free will even though they had a million reasons to run a million tests. Serious Dr. peer pressure.
Oompa is fine, he just had a bit of an anxiety attack. As serious as it seemed at the time, looking back it’s all pretty damn humorous if you ask me. The look on Big Birds face when they were working on Oompa was unforgettable.
Beware of Big Birds Powers! He is a mighty Bird and he can bring you down without even laying a hand on you.
Jjaz
I think I can speak for Oompa so here it is in a nut shell.
Had a nice lunch with Oompa that included some Whitefish, Barley, hops and a backyard bingo before arriving at Big Birds temporary nest. 15 minutes into our visit Big Bird was showing us and giving us a detailed description of his grovel and the anatomical gore that ensued. Oompa was so enthralled and shall we say “into” Birds story that he literally forgot to breathe. I look over and I can see Oompa fading to black.
Bird is in a chair and Oompa is sitting on Birds empty bed. Once I realize that Oompa is visiting Dorothy and the Tin Man, I lay him down for an unexpected nap and ran to the nurse’s station. I tell her we have a man out cold and it’s not the patient. She says “the visitor?” Yep……….
She announces a CODE BLUE over the loud speaker and within 30 seconds there is an entire huge swat team in the room. Oompa finally comes to and has to answer questions like “where are you?” “Who is the president?” “Is he black?” Shirt off and paddles out, he manages to land his twirling house on the big bad witch. He did fine with the quiz but they still rushed him down to the emergency room.
So there I was having to decide to either stay with Big Bird or follow the gurney. I apologized to Bird and I followed the gurney and about a half hour later they released Oompa on his own free will even though they had a million reasons to run a million tests. Serious Dr. peer pressure.
Oompa is fine, he just had a bit of an anxiety attack. As serious as it seemed at the time, looking back it’s all pretty damn humorous if you ask me. The look on Big Birds face when they were working on Oompa was unforgettable.
Beware of Big Birds Powers! He is a mighty Bird and he can bring you down without even laying a hand on you.
Jjaz
FREE BIRD!
From Messiah on Monday:
Just got off the horn with Mark and he’s been sprung from UM Hospital!
He did great with the “gutting” and now can crib at home to recover and get ready for the lung grovel.
Fraternity honors to Percy who showed mercy and is driving him home tonight (actually to Clare to meet up with Dr. Lund). Good grovel.
For those who stopped by the hospital last week, thanks. You/we have no idea how much it means to Bird and his family. I was there last Saturday with Chips, Percy and Bullwinkle. We had all the nurses in and out of the room as there was so much laughter. Most couldn’t believe that we were not related and even more floored that we were fraternity brothers. Basically, after all these years still tightly connected.
Oh and of course there was plenty of great drama. Jazz can fill in what happened to Oompa on an unsuspecting Friday. And I’ll leave it to Bullwinkle to fill in on Bird’s liquid lung hork soundtrack neighbor that we had fun with.
Just got off the horn with Mark and he’s been sprung from UM Hospital!
He did great with the “gutting” and now can crib at home to recover and get ready for the lung grovel.
Fraternity honors to Percy who showed mercy and is driving him home tonight (actually to Clare to meet up with Dr. Lund). Good grovel.
For those who stopped by the hospital last week, thanks. You/we have no idea how much it means to Bird and his family. I was there last Saturday with Chips, Percy and Bullwinkle. We had all the nurses in and out of the room as there was so much laughter. Most couldn’t believe that we were not related and even more floored that we were fraternity brothers. Basically, after all these years still tightly connected.
Oh and of course there was plenty of great drama. Jazz can fill in what happened to Oompa on an unsuspecting Friday. And I’ll leave it to Bullwinkle to fill in on Bird’s liquid lung hork soundtrack neighbor that we had fun with.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Well, that was fun
So, I took my place in line and actually was called to the counter to begin the cattle call in a waiting room filled with tens of people holding pagers. It seemed the exceptional punctuality streak exhibited by the UofM machine to date might be ending, however, after arriving at noon, we were unpacking my belongings into my new home (main hospital, Section B eighth floor, room 133-2) by a little after 1:00 pm. Over the course of the next number of hours I met doctors, student doctors, nurses, technicians and received lots of needle pokes as well as a nice gown. I met with Dr. Chang later in the afternoon at which time he reiterated the proceedure and the itinerary for Tuesday's festivities, including a start time of "early to mid afternoon".
Monday night was one of the longer nights of my life. Barb left for the Jensen residence, her temporary home for this week, at about eight o'clock. I spent the next eight hours on the computer and watching movies. Finally, after watching all but the last few minutes of "Rudy", I went to sleep, only to wake up a few hours later for the beginnings of lots of poking and prodding. A shower seemed to be the order of the day at about 11:00 am, at which time the nurse informed me I was on call for 12:30 pm. In the spirit of the UofM punctuality experienced to date, the nurse returned as I was toweling, noting I needed to be ready to leave for the pre-op in about 15 minutes. About that time my sister Anne and brother-in-law Phil arrived for the grand send off, and after all was said and done, I arrived in pre-op a few minutes after high noon. The nurse proceeded to place the world's largest IV in my left wrist. We then met with the anesthesiologist, who explained all of my options. I decided to try the epideral since its recently adopted use for this type of surgery reduces the amount of regular anesthesia by knocking out feeling to the area in question. The placement of the port and the initial test went pretty good, considering the student doctor was sticking a needle through my skin and muscles and into the special spot. After a brief break and a good luck kiss from Barb, they wheeled me off to the operating room. I would have to say it was the most frightened I have been in recent memory. I do remember transferring to the table, some preliminary "happy juice" injections into my IV, and making the "count backwards" contest to about 90 (I cheated and went fast).
Surgery lasted about an hour longer than the three estimated earlier in the day, however I obviously could not tell the difference in my sleep and would not care as long as Dr. Chang removed all of the bad stuff. He later explaind the "bad stuff" included a grapefruit sized tumor and about one foot of small intestines, all of which was located just below my stomach in the very upper segment. In addition, he followed my entire small intestine (I have heard they are around 30 feet in length), feeling for any additional growths, but he found nothing on this scale.
Recovery was quite the party. Somewhere during the course of moving me from the operating table to the recovery room, my epideral port became disfunctional. I woke up around 7:30 pm to the sensation of the breathing tube being pulled from my throat and my chest involintarily reacting to the presence of a newly placed stomach tube that extends from my stomach, along the back of my throat, and out of my right nostril. At this point it became very clear that there was little or no anesthetic was circulating in my system and my coughing and gagging needed to stop immediately since it was enhancing the pain to what I would guess would be equal to a shot gun blast to the belly. It took what seemed like a long time to get the nurse to address the pain, and then became a long time since staff determined my epidural port was not functioning and I needed to sit up, assume the position (new incision, stitches, and all), and hold still while they placed a new port. After what seemed an eternity, the new port and medicine started working and for a while, there was no pain beyond a slight ache. After that little fiasco, the nurse let Barb and my parents in for a quick visit, after which I was wheeled back up to the eighth floor.
Today Dr. Chang stopped by and noted that the tumor is a spindal cell type, which means it is probably the primary tumor from which my lung tumor originated. However, although initially identified as a rare type of sarcoma, the diagnosis will only be finalize after biopsys of both tumors are compared to the slides of my two insitu melenomas. This is necessary since sarcoma and melenoma both include spindal cells, look similar under the microscope, and the pathologist wants to make all possible comparisons since treatment varies substantially between the two.
Beyond that, it has been a boring day of sitting around pushing the pain button every 20 minutes, deep breathing to keep my lungs clear, and trying to avoid the stomach tube induced choking and kacking. Oh yes, my unfortunate room mate had to receive some sort of spinal tap this afternoon, the poor guy suffered tremendously and they never succedded.
Well, the parents just arrived, so I will catch up with you all later.
Monday night was one of the longer nights of my life. Barb left for the Jensen residence, her temporary home for this week, at about eight o'clock. I spent the next eight hours on the computer and watching movies. Finally, after watching all but the last few minutes of "Rudy", I went to sleep, only to wake up a few hours later for the beginnings of lots of poking and prodding. A shower seemed to be the order of the day at about 11:00 am, at which time the nurse informed me I was on call for 12:30 pm. In the spirit of the UofM punctuality experienced to date, the nurse returned as I was toweling, noting I needed to be ready to leave for the pre-op in about 15 minutes. About that time my sister Anne and brother-in-law Phil arrived for the grand send off, and after all was said and done, I arrived in pre-op a few minutes after high noon. The nurse proceeded to place the world's largest IV in my left wrist. We then met with the anesthesiologist, who explained all of my options. I decided to try the epideral since its recently adopted use for this type of surgery reduces the amount of regular anesthesia by knocking out feeling to the area in question. The placement of the port and the initial test went pretty good, considering the student doctor was sticking a needle through my skin and muscles and into the special spot. After a brief break and a good luck kiss from Barb, they wheeled me off to the operating room. I would have to say it was the most frightened I have been in recent memory. I do remember transferring to the table, some preliminary "happy juice" injections into my IV, and making the "count backwards" contest to about 90 (I cheated and went fast).
Surgery lasted about an hour longer than the three estimated earlier in the day, however I obviously could not tell the difference in my sleep and would not care as long as Dr. Chang removed all of the bad stuff. He later explaind the "bad stuff" included a grapefruit sized tumor and about one foot of small intestines, all of which was located just below my stomach in the very upper segment. In addition, he followed my entire small intestine (I have heard they are around 30 feet in length), feeling for any additional growths, but he found nothing on this scale.
Recovery was quite the party. Somewhere during the course of moving me from the operating table to the recovery room, my epideral port became disfunctional. I woke up around 7:30 pm to the sensation of the breathing tube being pulled from my throat and my chest involintarily reacting to the presence of a newly placed stomach tube that extends from my stomach, along the back of my throat, and out of my right nostril. At this point it became very clear that there was little or no anesthetic was circulating in my system and my coughing and gagging needed to stop immediately since it was enhancing the pain to what I would guess would be equal to a shot gun blast to the belly. It took what seemed like a long time to get the nurse to address the pain, and then became a long time since staff determined my epidural port was not functioning and I needed to sit up, assume the position (new incision, stitches, and all), and hold still while they placed a new port. After what seemed an eternity, the new port and medicine started working and for a while, there was no pain beyond a slight ache. After that little fiasco, the nurse let Barb and my parents in for a quick visit, after which I was wheeled back up to the eighth floor.
Today Dr. Chang stopped by and noted that the tumor is a spindal cell type, which means it is probably the primary tumor from which my lung tumor originated. However, although initially identified as a rare type of sarcoma, the diagnosis will only be finalize after biopsys of both tumors are compared to the slides of my two insitu melenomas. This is necessary since sarcoma and melenoma both include spindal cells, look similar under the microscope, and the pathologist wants to make all possible comparisons since treatment varies substantially between the two.
Beyond that, it has been a boring day of sitting around pushing the pain button every 20 minutes, deep breathing to keep my lungs clear, and trying to avoid the stomach tube induced choking and kacking. Oh yes, my unfortunate room mate had to receive some sort of spinal tap this afternoon, the poor guy suffered tremendously and they never succedded.
Well, the parents just arrived, so I will catch up with you all later.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Bird Post-Op Update
I just received the following in an email from Kai Jensen:
Bird is out of surgery and they are quite sure it was isolated! Good news for now! Pathology report in one week.
The last word I heard was that he would be there most of this week. If you are in the Ann Arbor area, try and carve out a time to stop in and say hello.
Bird is out of surgery and they are quite sure it was isolated! Good news for now! Pathology report in one week.
The last word I heard was that he would be there most of this week. If you are in the Ann Arbor area, try and carve out a time to stop in and say hello.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Here we go
After about eight weeks of fiddle-farting around, I am quickly approaching my first step in treatment. Let us back up.
I was referred to U of M by my oncologist in Traverse City, after a preliminary diagnosis from slides created from the lung tumor biopsy revealed sarcoma instead of melanoma. Of course we had to burn a few precious day waiting for the final results from the Mayo Clinic so my oncologist would not be embarassed by sending me immediately to the sarcoma clinic at U of M and possibly having a change in diagnosis, but I digress. After hand delivering all of my records a week earlier, we had a meeting with my new oncologist, Dr. Baker here at the U of M cancer center. He repeated that I am in serious condition (I have been told the same since February, but nobody wanted to act until a formal diagnosis), and ordered a CAT scan the same day. The scan uncovered an "orange to grapefruit" sized tumor wrapped around at least one length of my small intesines. I am still wondering why the gastro-intestinal doctor who oversaw the camera pill through this portion of my guts did not see fit to do this some time ago after discovering a significant number of lesions on the inside, but again, I digress.
Dr. Baker called with the results of the CAT scan on Thursday of this past week and also to say that Dr. Chang, Chief of Surgical Oncology, would be calling to discuss surgery for Tuesday, April 14th (tomorrow) and all of the related fun stuff such as stomach tubes, catheders, epiderals, ect., which takes things to the present. I am sitting here at midnight, waiting for my night, night IV and will hopefully be getting a little sleep before this all commences tomorrow, early to mid afternoon. Dr. Chang will be opening up with a cut from my ribcage to my waist line, pulling out all of my small intestines, including the tumor, and removing any and all bad stuff he finds.
Wish me luck, it sounds like a quite a show for the students. Well, I have to go as the night nurse has arrived and it is time to take a squirt and get my IV in place.
Bye for now.
I was referred to U of M by my oncologist in Traverse City, after a preliminary diagnosis from slides created from the lung tumor biopsy revealed sarcoma instead of melanoma. Of course we had to burn a few precious day waiting for the final results from the Mayo Clinic so my oncologist would not be embarassed by sending me immediately to the sarcoma clinic at U of M and possibly having a change in diagnosis, but I digress. After hand delivering all of my records a week earlier, we had a meeting with my new oncologist, Dr. Baker here at the U of M cancer center. He repeated that I am in serious condition (I have been told the same since February, but nobody wanted to act until a formal diagnosis), and ordered a CAT scan the same day. The scan uncovered an "orange to grapefruit" sized tumor wrapped around at least one length of my small intesines. I am still wondering why the gastro-intestinal doctor who oversaw the camera pill through this portion of my guts did not see fit to do this some time ago after discovering a significant number of lesions on the inside, but again, I digress.
Dr. Baker called with the results of the CAT scan on Thursday of this past week and also to say that Dr. Chang, Chief of Surgical Oncology, would be calling to discuss surgery for Tuesday, April 14th (tomorrow) and all of the related fun stuff such as stomach tubes, catheders, epiderals, ect., which takes things to the present. I am sitting here at midnight, waiting for my night, night IV and will hopefully be getting a little sleep before this all commences tomorrow, early to mid afternoon. Dr. Chang will be opening up with a cut from my ribcage to my waist line, pulling out all of my small intestines, including the tumor, and removing any and all bad stuff he finds.
Wish me luck, it sounds like a quite a show for the students. Well, I have to go as the night nurse has arrived and it is time to take a squirt and get my IV in place.
Bye for now.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
New Test Post
Bando's f**cking up my computer (and don't tell Bird, but I'm stealing his bank account blind, too). See if this works...
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