August 23, 2017

I had my visit to Emory today for the start of Cycle 14, but as expected my time on the clinical trial has come to an end. The doctor explained that the appearance of 6 spots indicates the brain is "bad soil" and that without making a change the spots will start to appear with more regularity. I'm being put on the stage 2 drug for ALK mutations, but it'll be about 10 days to 2 weeks before insurance approves the change and I can start taking the drug. I'll have to finish out my paperwork and scans for end of trial information, but once that is completed I'll just be taking a drug a couple of times a day and I'll go in for regular blood work and scans (with blood work more frequent in the early days of the new drug being introduced to my system).

Looking back on my time on the trial - I was extremely pleased that the drug was initially very effective and that the side effects were minimal. However, I was hoping and praying the trial would last longer than it did.

Sorry to hear about this bad turn of events. Keep on fighting, Breeze. We're all rooting for you!

August 28, 2017

Gamma Knife surgery tomorrow at 5:30 A.M. Praying that no new spots appeared in the 2 weeks between initial diagnosis of the 6 spots scheduled to be treated and the actual treatment taking place.

We're all pulling for you, Breeze. Sending good thoughts your way.

September 5, 2017

I'm back at work for the first time since the Gamma Knife treatment. I did work from home for a few days at the end of the week, but I didn't really get out of the house until Sunday.

The treatment was exactly the same as last time. The MRI prior to the surgery uncovered 4 more small spots that had to be addressed, bringing the total lesions to 10. This was a concerning sign. I was hoping there wouldn't be anything new.

Currently, I'm ok, the screw holes are still a bit sensitive, and my scalp is still numb in places, which is annoying, but otherwise I'm doing pretty good.

I also started my new meds on Sunday. I'm now on Alectinib, which so far has been even easier to tolerate than the xalkori/crizotinib. In fact, the only thing I've noticed so far is it really drys me out. Like taking extremely strong decongestants. My sinuses are really dry and I'm not producing much saliva. During the day, this isn't an issue because I drink so much water, but at night it makes it really difficult to sleep...I'll be trying some dry mouth treatments tonight. Hopefully, they work because I need a good night sleep.

I hope the treatment proves successful. Sorry to hear about the sleep problem on top of everything else. Just about any problem is easier to face after a decent night's sleep.

Sending positive vibes and hoping this treatment is successful. All the best buddy!

Thanks chesapeake, it's annoying, but it could be SO MUCH worse, I'm not complaining. I'll figure something out. Funny thing is, this dry mouth issue isn't listed as a known side effect.

In my prayers. Keep fighting and kicking it's ass.

September 19, 2017

Just a quick update. The side effects of the new meds are minimal so far. Now just praying that they are effective, and effective for a very long time.

Praying for the same for you.

Just dropping by to wish you the best of luck in the process, Breeze.

October 23, 2017

I know things have been pretty quiet here for a while. Thankfully, there has been very little to report. My new meds have minimal side effects, and unlike the trial, I don't interact with the doctors as much. However, I am coming up on some really important scans. The first one is tomorrow. I'll have my first CT since I changed meds. The Xalkori was working extremely well on the lung portion of my cancer, so I'm hopeful this second stage drug will do as much or more. I will have my follow up with the doctor the following week. I'll have my MRI on the 10th which will be my first following the second Gamma Knife surgery. This will show if the treatment was effective and if any new spots have appeared in the intervening time.

Scans are a stressful time because a bad report means a change in treatment and there are only so many treatments available. These scans are even more stressful because they are following the change over from the trial to the new meds. Saying my prayers the scans look good and the meds continue to work for a long time.

Thanks for the update. You've been in my thoughts for sure since you hadn't updated for a while. New scans and tests are always stressful. Hang in there and try not to think too much about it beforehand.

Best of luck for good results on your scans. Sending good thoughts your way.

Good luck with the tests/results over the next few weeks.

November 1, 2017

The CT Scan results ended up being great. No indication of any cancer in the abdomen or pelvis, and the lungs continue to show no change. So no new growth and no increase in size of the existing tumor.

Next up the MRI...which I'll have in about 10 days...

Great to hear!

November 5, 2017

My MRI has been moved from Friday to tomorrow...

Also, as I believe I've mentioned previously, my new meds have cause me to deal with dry mouth. Unfortunately, this has caused a previous issue I had with my gums to get worse. Now I need to have a gum graph done and a support bracket placed behind my front teeth.

The good news is that if the doctor states it is medically necessary then health insurance will cover it, and with my max out of pocket met then I should be fine.

Problem is, there are no periodontists in network within 30+ miles, so I'll have a 20% out of pocket fee, and every periodontist I talk with wants me to pay up front and then let insurance reimburse me, and I don't have $3000 to $5000 available to pay for the procedure.

You might be able to fight with the insurance that there were no service providers within a reasonable distance and get them to cover it as in network. It won't be easy it fat though.

November 9, 2017

My radiology oncologist just called me. The MRI showed that 8 of the 10 spots treated are completely gone. The two remaining are significantly dimmer (so probably are dying) and no new spots showed up. He described the scan as fantastic. So I'm free until my next scan in February.

Thanks again all for thoughts and prayers.

This is great news. And it looks like you get a little break to enjoy this holiday season as well!

Keep up the fight, we'll continue our prayers. And together we will beat this thing.

Woot.

That is awesome news. So happy you have that going into the holidays! Just awesome!

Very glad to see this great update.

Awesome!

Late to this but great news!

Hurray! Great news! Have a great Holiday season with the fam!

Great news!

Fantastic news, very happy for you and the family.

Awesome news, a great early Christmas present!!

Congrats, great to hear.

January 22, 2018

CT Scan time again. Saying my prayers for a good result.

Fingers crossed...

January 24, 2018

The CT follow up was yesterday and the scan showed no change in the spot on the lung. The radiologist did report seeing an anomaly on the liver but he was unable to determine what it was. He stated it was unclear if it was a fatty deposit, potentially precancerous legion or something else entirely. The doctor said he didn't see it when he looked at the scans. Not that he didn't think it was potentially cancerous, but that he literally didn't see what the radiologist was referring to. He also stated that he doesn't think that there is anything to be concerned about because he'd be surprised if cancer popped up in a new location right now. He stated he would expect to see the medications become ineffective with the areas that are already a problem before a new spot would appear.

So I'm good on this end for another 3 months and will have my next scan in late April. Now focused on getting a good report on the MRI in a few weeks.

Keep it up!

That is fantastic news!

Excellent news.

Glad to see the good report.

Great news!

Great news indeed!

February 7, 2018

I was supposed to get my MRI on Saturday, but I can't afford it, so it's being pushed back. Being sick sucks...

Edit: Ok borrowed a credit card from the in-laws to put the down payment on the scan, so I will have my scan this Saturday...

Praying for GREAT NEWS!

February 19, 2018

I get the MRI results today...

Wishing all the best my friend, positive vibes your way!

Prayers for a good report!

Praying for good news!

Pulling for a great report!

February 20, 2018

The results were good. The scan continues to show just the 2 small spots that are fading after the Gamma Knife treatment. Basically the same as my previous scan 3 months ago. The doctor was please, so I'm pleased. I'll do it again in 3 months. Thanks again for all the support.

This makes me smile today. Very good news

So happy for you my friend, definitely brought a smile to my face.

Smiling here as well, great to hear!

Great news!

Great news!

Congrats, excellent news.

April 19, 2018

Scan time again. I have a CT Scan tomorrow morning and will get results on April 24th...

April 25th, 2018

The results of the scan were good. The "spot" the radiologist noted from the previous scan in the liver (the one the doctor couldn't find) was completely gone, and the spot in the lung showed no change. The doctor I spoke with (the main doctor's assistant), mentioned that it may have calcified. She stated that it happens often when no change is noted over a significant period of time, and that she can't tell from the scan, but it's a distinct possibility. Labs were also good, as all numbers fell within the normal range. My next CT will be the end of July.

My MRI will be coming up in a few weeks.

Good news!!!

Woot woot

Great news!

Very nice!

Awesome news!

Glad to see this!

:)

Awesome!

Love good news and this is GREAT. So happy to hear it.

Great stuff.

May 15, 2018

Results from the MRI last week were good. The doctor reported no changes and he scheduled my follow up for 4 months...so I get an extra month to relax this time around.

Fantastic stuff, Breeze!

Great to see the continued positive results!

June 25, 2018

So I've just found out about this wonderful situation I find myself in...

Every year, due to my treatments I max out my insurance deductible around mid year and everything after that is covered 100%. However, last fall, there was a problem. The hospital where I have my MRI forgot to get pre-authorization for the scan, and when they submitted the bill to the insurance company the payment was denied. So the hospital decided to resubmit the paperwork with a back-dated pre-authorization which was also denied. So what does the hospital due...they now bill me about $6000.

To make matters worse, when I call to find out why this is my problem when they were the ones that screwed up, they say, "We've been very patient waiting on our money and if you don't pay we are going to turn it over to a collections agency."

I've reached out the carrier about this and they still refuse to pay, but they are looking into changing the denial and stating the hospital is responsible for the cost and for them not to come back against me. Saying my prayers this happens...If not, looks like I might be having to go to court over this...

Ugh. As if fighting cancer by itself was tough enough. Sorry to hear this, Breeze.

Yeah, absolutely. This seems like something that someone needs to fix.

July 23, 2018

Scan time again. I have my CT scan at 3 today. It was supposed to be Friday morning but was rescheduled by the scan center. It actually works out well, because Friday Bear will be swimming at the State Swim Meet in Athens. The only problem with the reschedule was taking my steroid 12 hours before the scan to prevent the allergic reaction to the dye. Getting up at 3 A.M. just to take a pill was a bit much.

Unfortunately, because of the reschedule I won't get my scan results until next week.

July 30, 2018

I find out what my scan looked like tomorrow...saying my prayers...

Good luck! I hope it looks great.

Praying for you!

Hang in there man. We're all thinking about you.

Good luck, Breeze. We're all pulling for a good result.

August 1, 2018

The scans showed no changes in the cancer. There is a small thickening in the wall of the lung that separates the upper and lower regions, but they aren't really concerned about that...so all is good. The blood work also came back with everything inside normal limits except platelets, which has been low since I started treatment so that was no surprise, and in fact it was up a good bit from 3 months ago.

Great news!

Great!

That's great news. I had been thinking about this all day yesterday hoping for a good report!

Great indeed!

Solid :)

Congrats on the good news!

:)

Thanks guys...really appreciate your support.

Was thinking about you the other day - glad to see everything's going ok!

August 28, 2018

Had my latest MRI yesterday, and it was the first time I was a unnerved a bit by the tube.

A little background is in order to help with the explanation. I have broken my nose 6 times...which obviously makes it difficult to breathe at times, especially when I'm congested, which I've been for a while now, and I was yesterday. The tube I was in yesterday is an older one which is much smaller than the one I usually get scanned in. When I get scanned they put a brace over my head to keep it still and the front of it is about a inch from the end of my nose, in this tube the top above my face was only a few inches above the brace. Also, inside the tube the fan to keep air circulating was working, but it was broken and it couldn't be adjusted. The fan is normally nice, but unfortunately this time it was blowing right across my left eye and onto my nose, which only made it even more difficult to relax and catch my breath.

Laying inside the tube, knowing I was having a hard time breathing already and I was going to be inside the tube for an hour, I decided I needed out!

After a few minutes to relax, I had a cloth placed over my eyes, which also blocked the stream of air hitting my face, and I was able to relax a get the scan finished.

I won't know the results of the scan for a few weeks, which is hard, but hoping and praying for continued good results.

Ugh, I feel for you. I'm getting claustrophobic just hearing you talk about it. I had to close my eyes and really concentrate the one time I had do to one. Best wishes this one turns out well.

September 13, 2018

The results from my MRI a couple of weeks ago were great. Everything looked good, no indication of any problems so I'm good to go for another 4 months. This will actually get me through the holidays without having to get another MRI, which is nice. I will have a CT and follow up at the end of October, but that should be it for 2018.

Glad to read about the good results.

Great to hear!

Keep the good reports coming!

Great news!
(In best Belichick voice) on to 2019.

I'm a little late, but ... woot !

So glad to see good reports!

As always, thanks guys. Your support means more than you know.

5 days late to the game, but great to hear about another good update. Enjoy the holidays!!