Sunday, June 29, 2008

Pictures . . .

I am not sure what happened to the pictures I included on that last post. Somehow they overlapped. I did discover that if you click on the picture, you can see the entire thing. Sorry about that. I guess I didn't put enough space between them. I've now got some missionary pictures as well. Enjoy!

This is Richard and I with our mission president, Vaughn J. Featherstone in 1977. Wow!



















And look at this, a full head of hair. This is me in 1976 as a missionary. Wow.




















Have a wonderful day everyone! I will.

Jim

Ten days to go

Good morning to everyone. Once again, I feel such wonderful appreciation to everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers. Ten days from now, on July 9th, I will return to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital for surgery.

As I mentioned in my last posting on this blog, the plan is to remove the tumor that started this whole mess. Everything will be done to get as much of the tumor as possible without destroying nerves and blood supply. Any remaining or suspected residual tumor will be treated with lasers - kind of like burning a wart I guess. The only other option was to remove my entire right arm. The surgeon didn't feel that such a drastic measure was necessary and that it would be much harder to recover from as well as put my life at much greater risk. With the radiation treatments and planned surgery, he feels confident in a good outcome. Of course, it all depends on what he finds when he gets in there.

Surgery will be followed by more chemotherapy in an attempt to treat the cancer that has spread to my lungs. When that will start or how often, etc. is yet to be determined. A time for surgery hasn't been set, only the date. The hospital will call us sometime on the 8th and tell us when to report to the hospital on the 9th. Until then, we won't know any more than we do now.

In my last posting, I mentioned that Patti and I were headed to San Antonio, Texas for a week. We had a wonderful time. Our friends, the Elkins were so wonderful to us. They generously provided the plane tickets, a place to stay, transportation, wonderful food and excellent company. It was great to relax and be away from all the concerns here at home. We were able to do some sight seeing and since this was Patti's first time to Texas, we had a great time seeing things like the Alamo, the San Antonio River Walk, Tower of the Americas, museums and Patti's favorite, the King Ranch.

Here are some pictures:


The picture above is of San Antonio, Texas from the Tower of the America's.


The tower was built in 1964 as part of the World's Fair.




Also, here is a picture of Richard and Casey Elkins, our dear fiends. Can you believe that Richard and I were missionary companions 31 years ago? Yeah, I know it is hard to imagine us in white shirts and ties on bikes roaming around Texas. We actually served together in Harlingen, Texas, way South of San Antonio, but we were in the Texas San Antonio Mission. Our mission president was Vaughn J. Featherstone. Imagine!!



What I need to do now is find a picture of us when we were companions. Now that will be interesting and I think I know right where to find one. I'll post it later today, so check back!

All our love, Jim & Patti.

Oh yeah, can you see? My hair has started to grow back. Yippee!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Surgery Scheduled

Greetings to everyone. Once again, I am so thankful and appreciative for your kind thoughts, prayers and encouragement. Not a day goes by that I don't feel the kindness of everyone around me. I thank you.

Today, Patti and I met with Dr. Randall, the head of the Sarcoma Team here at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital. Prior to our visit, I had another MRI of the primary tumor area and then a CT scan of the chest. The lesion in my back appears to be stable - that is, no change from the previous scans.

Unfortunately, the lungs do not appear to have done as well. A total of 13 new metastatic lesions were identified and the lesions that were present previously have all increased in size.

As was explained to us today, this means that although the radiation has most likely killed or at least significantly damaged the cancer in the axilla and spine, the cancer continues to reek havoc in the lungs.

Surgery to remove the primary tumor has been scheduled for the 9th of July and is expected to be significant and complicated. We discussed loss of the arm versus getting everything possible and then treating any questionable areas with argon lasers and such. For now, that is the plan. There may be additional radiation treatments as well if needed. For sure, after recovering from surgery, there will be more chemotherapy.

I have included some images from the CT scan showing some of the new lesions in the lungs. Also, the last picture here shows a lesion that is now 13 millimeters in size. On the previous scan in April, it measured only 5 millimeters in size.

So, we are ready for a break. A dear friend and former missionary companion of mine and his wife have invited Patti and I to come and spend a week with them in San Antonio, Texas. We are thrilled for a little down time and look forward to a change of pace for a week. Since they are so sweet and generous and have provided the plane tickets, a place to sleep and a car for transportation, how can we refuse? We leave next Monday, the 16th. Our kids in the mean time get to care for the pets and watch the house. We hope we have a house to return to in a week.

May God bless you all. Thank you for remembering us in your prayers. Thanks for putting our names on the temple prayer rolls. Thanks for being kind and loving friends and family.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Graduation Day

Finally, I am finished with my radiation treatments. Five weeks of traveling to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, every week day. I find no noticeable change in the tumor except that it is tenter to the touch. My skin is redish looking, like a sunburn on the front and back and that is mildly irritating. My spinal lesion was irradiated as well and I have noticed that on some days, it is quite uncomfortable, but it does respond well to ibuprofen.

When I completed treatment today, they presented me with a "graduation certificate" and a wonderful quilt made and donated by volunteers at the hospital. It was a little humbling! What a wonderful gesture and to have everyone on the staff there wish me well. Amazing. Pictures are below.

On Monday, the 9th, I am scheduled for CT and MRI studies. After those are completed, we meet with Dr. Randall the surgeon to discuss surgery. That is the next step in this slow process.

Overall, I am feeling pretty good. No major complaints. Anxious to get on with it.

Once again, thanks to you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. They are so much appreciated.

Jim