Posts

Last Post

Hi Everyone! Due to the demands of life, I will no longer be updating the blog with Dan's progress.  If you wish to see how he is doing, Dan invites you to call or text him personally at 585-789-7904. Dan had chemo this week but had more side effects and pain than anticipated.  He will get with the heart doctor this week to see if they need to update his meds. Pain in jaw, nosebleeds, headaches, other pain are the effects he is experiencing and more frequently and longer durations. He is doing okay but wishes he had more energy.  Treatments make him weak and tired all the time and understandably, he is sick of it.  But we are forging ahead and anticipating the CT scan this Thursday to see if the cancer has shrunk.  At least we were able to enjoy the great weather at camp this weekend and see our awesome camp friends, other friends and family. Thank you so much for the support, well wishes and cards that keep coming. To the Johnson's: Dan got a kick out of the "g...
2 comments
Read more

Doing Great!

Image
So sorry I haven't updated this in awhile.  Been very busy.  But feel free to reach out to Dan anytime for an update. Dan had his long chemo last week and was give the strong chemo in a "ball" to bring home for a 2-day drip.  This time he did not need to go into the hospital for his treatment.  Because of all the meds he had to take before and during treatments, he did not experience any pain nor heart issues.  We are so relieved!  The strong chemo was given at 50% strength.  We do not know if the doctor will eventually up the dosage gradually as ideally, he should receive 100% strength. Dan was feeling stronger up until his chemo day.  Now that his chemo is every two weeks, he should be able to enjoy more good days in-between chemo treatments.  Dan is excited that we opened up camp and we are going to try to go this week, depending on how he feels. Dan get s a CT scan on 5/18 to see if the tumor shrank. He will be receiving one more treatmen...
4 comments
Read more

Home From Hospital

 It's been a long week, especially for Dan. He had his "long" chemo on Wednesday and then was admitted into the hospital for his 5FU chemo...the one he usually has heart issues with.  They wanted to monitor him in case he had a reaction and they would also be able to give him the liquid version of isosorbide which acts fast in getting over heart episodes. Dan was in the hospital Wednesday afternoon until this morning (Sunday).  He had a nice private room as big if not bigger than a hotel room with a big walk-in shower, couch and table with a big picture window and a recliner and hospital bed and huge flat screen tv.  There was also a closet with a safe.  I said all he needed now was a mini-bar. 😜 It reminded me of a hotel room.  He was happy he would be comfortable.  I was so glad too. They were providing Dan with good meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  He would periodically send me pics of what he was being served.  He was eating bette...
3 comments
Read more

In-Patient Chemo

 Dan had his "short week" chemo yesterday.  Dr. Khan wanted Dan to take home the 5FU ball and Dan said NO.  Dan needs to see his cardiologist FIRST to make sure she adjusts any medication to help ensure that he will not get those same heart episodes he received last time which ended up him in the hospital. Dr. Khan should have realized that Dan needed to see the cardiologist before he received that chemo. 😡  Thank God Dan speaks up for himself. As it so happens, Dan had an appointment this morning with the cardiologist.  She was only able to adjust his meds slightly.  Any more adjustments would result in his blood pressure getting too low.  And she told Dan that it's not 100% that it will avoid getting those heart episodes.  Every time it affects his heart, it damages it.  That is not good. When I got home today, I asked Dan and wondered why Dr. Khan didn't call to find out why Dan refused the 5FU.  Well, he called tonight as it so happ...
2 comments
Read more

CT Scan

Image
Dan received his CT scan on Monday.  Per discussion with doctor, was inconclusive as to whether the cancer is shrinking or growing.  He will need to get another scan May 18th. All of his blood work has been looking real good.  The doctor suggested he start the chemo of F5U again but this time at 50% dosage.  Dan is hesitant as this is the chemo that caused him great pain with his heart.  But it may be are only option in shrinking the cancer. He experienced pain again about 30 hours after his long (4hour) chemo.  He seems to get the pain during these weeks but not the short (1.5hr) chemo days.  On days he has pain, he doesn't eat and just sleeps due to to the pain meds he needs to take. He is maintaining his weight so that is good and his appetite is still good too. Like any cancer patient, Dan has good and bad days. Nothing else to report.  Sorry it took so long to write.  Been so busy. Meanwhile, he has his buddy, Cody, keeping him company. ...
1 comment
Read more

Such Support!

Image
 Dan continues to receive chemo every week and is doing really well.   We are eager for the CT scan on Monday and find out the results on Tuesday. Dan has been approved for Social Security Disability and Medicaid.  ALL HIS MEDICAL WILL BE FREE WITH NO PREMIUMS and renew every year! This was weighing heavily on us as we were trying to determine how we were going to continue to pay for our monthly bills and his treatments after his insurance ended at work.  Now we can just solely concentrate on his health. We had a surprise visit the other day from one of Dan's coworkers/friend.  He wanted to see how Dan was doing and to drop this off for him.  It's from everyone in his department and the kids he used to drive around.  And that is his bus, #3.  Dan loved this gift! We thank you so much.  Really made our day. 😀 Then in the mail today we received a beautiful card from the Johnson's and a picture of one of their boys (Marcus) getting on Dan'...
3 comments
Read more

Steady As We Go

Dan's chemo went well this week and the doctor's visit went very well.  The PA believes that the cancer has shrunk which we thought it did too given the fact that Dan is getting stronger and in less pain.  He did experience pain the other day though and in a different spot where he had to take pain meds so that is concerning.  We can't wait to get the CT scan at the end of this month to see where we are at. Dan got approved for Social Security Disability so that is a major feat and one stress to put behind us.  Now we just need to focus on Medicare.  We are waiting for the package to come in the mail so we know what the next steps need to be in regards to that and the details. I will now have to get my own health insurance through work.  It was nice being on Dan's as I have to say, his was much better and more affordable. 😒 Dan continues to gain weight which is good.  He fears getting heavy again but I told him that most likely, it is muscle he is gai...
5 comments
Read more