Funkyjimmer's Blog

Thursday, March 30, 2006

NOW WE KNOW

Karon and I saw the Oncologist today and the results of her tests last week do not show anything significant in the ovary area. They will continue to watch that with the CAT scan every two to three months.

The MRI did show that the liver has now been affected by the cancer. It is probably not a new type of cancer but the breast cancer that has spread to the bones and now has spread to the liver. The treatment plan would be the same as before, same type of Chemo.

They will continue with the shot of Fosladex one more month to see if we get any good results. The doctor said it usually takes 2 or the shots (a shot once a month) to see if it is going to have any positive affect on bringing down the tumor marker. The tumor marker had gone up from 53 to 85 this month so we need to do something.

So now we know what God has always known. The Bible says, "Our times are in His hands." We are glad of that.

Got to head for work. I'm traveling again today--quite a distance this time but back tonight.

Jim

posted by jim 7:27 AM 0 comments

Friday, March 24, 2006

15 YEARS

This week Karon celebrated 15 years at our company. She started the same month I did, just two years later. The Company gave her a jewel box with a 15 year medal on the top of the box and her choice of one of several gifts.

Several folks had anniversaries at our work this month. One was 8 years, one 14 years. A lot of people have been at our company for a long time. It is a good place to work.

Speaking of work, I'd better finish getting ready and head that direction. It is a busy, busy time at work. I've been bringing work home each night.

Tomorrow is our Leadership Conference at church. Everything is ready. About 40 people have registered. I'm praying it is a good day.

Jim

posted by jim 10:22 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

17 YEARS AND COUNTING

Things change. People don't like change but it would be bad if nothing ever changed. Some things improve and some deteriorate. But nothing remains static. We who love God and Christ seek to grow more Christ-like. Sometimes it seems we are achieving that--sometimes we seem far from that ideal.

This month has had its share of "ups and downs". There have been things that have brought me closer to Christ and the holiness I desire. Then I allow activities or certain things to take place in my life that definitely do not indicate greater holiness and Christ-likeness.

Tomorrow Karon has her ultra sound and MRI. We won't know the results until next week. That is the time we will learn what God already knows. And we know He loves us and cares for us--no matter what. We're praying that the "shadows" on the ovary and the liver are only shadows and not indicative of something more sinister.

This month I celebrated the completion of my 17th year at my "day job". I am glad to be able to say I have worked for one place for that long. I had always had as a goal to complete 10 years at one job. I am thankful to have been able to exceed that benchmark--and still counting. They have been good years. I hope to continue working there for the forseeable future.

Jim

posted by jim 11:13 PM 1 comments

Saturday, March 11, 2006

DRY RUN

Karon and I both thought she had an appointment with her OB/GYN doctor this afternoon at 4 p. m. We both had it on our calendars. So I got off work early to take her. When we got to the doctor's office the door was locked. Knocking brought no reponse. I went across the hall to another office and inquired. The lady tried calling the doctor's office--no answer. She looked out the window and said it looked like the doctor's van was in the parking lot.

So we got back in the car, loaded the wheelchair in the trunk and left. Drove a bit and then went to MCL for an early dinner. At least we beat the crowd!

When we got home and checked the appointment card it is for April 10th, not March! I guess that happens when one has so many different doctors to keep straight. Currently Karon sees 7 different doctors in the course of time.

Oh well, we had a nice early dinner and a long evening at home! She had a long sleep when we got home and I even had a little nap later in the evening. We'll see what this weekend brings. Lots of basketball, that's for sure. And we are looking forward to going to some friends' house tomorrow night (Saturday) for dinner and a nice visit.

Jim

posted by jim 12:13 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 09, 2006

GOOD NEWS FROM THE DOCTOR

Karon and I went to the orthopaedic surgeon today. He told her she could begin to do more things, like cross her legs, sit in her reclining chair, get in and out of bed on her own.

He also told her she could get in on either side of the car and begin driving. That was good news to her--scary news for me! :) He also told her she could go back to work part time, 4 hours a day, beginning next Monday. She is glad about that. She's been very bored here at home these past several weeks.

The doctor also said she could have the MRI that the oncologist has ordered. So that will happen the afternoon of March 22nd. We'll spend the afternoon having ultlra sound and an MRI. It will probably be the next Wednesday, March 29th, before we learn the results of those tests. They are trying to find out if the cancer has spread to the ovary and liver. The CAT scan showed some abnormality on these organs but it could be nothing at all. We'll have to wait and see.

Jim

posted by jim 7:31 PM 1 comments

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

LOWER HALF, THEN UPPER HALF OF THE BODY

I am referring to areas of my body that have been afflicted with various illnesses recently. These are hopefully somewhat short term but nonetheless miserable. I have already journaled about my trips to the hospital precipitated by severe abdominal pain 2 weeks ago. There is no diagnosis or explanation for my misery during that time. Hopefully it won't return.

Last Friday I began to evidence symptoms of the upper chest and head cold that so many have had--really sore throat, loss of voice, cough, stuffy head and sinus--you know the feeling! It was a miserable weekend and I didn't feel much like spending any time in front of a computer. Sunday was horrible--for me and the church. I felt miserable and sounded as bad. The poor people had to suffer through an unpleasant-sounding presentation of God's Word. Everyone was very gracious. It is hard to get any rest day or night with all the coughing. My left ear canal has been seriously affected with this miserable stuff. I'm hoping to feel better soon. I do hope next Sunday isn't as miserable for everyone as last week.

Other than my miserable-sounding voice, we had a great day at church. People are so receptive to God's Word. And the new Sunday school format was well received and well attended. Never have we had so many stay on a Sunday morning for the study of His Word. And the class was excellent. God showed up in a big way.

Tomorrow Karon and I go back to her orthopedic surgeon to see what is the next step. She's hoping to be allowed to do more. One big question for him will be can she have the MRI the Oncologist has order for later this month. They want to do an ultra sound and an MRI to determine what is going on with the abnormalities showing up on the right ovary and the liver. We're praying it is just a "false positive" and not the spread of the cancer. But God knows and is in control of it all. Your prayers are appreciated and valued highly.

Jim

posted by jim 1:56 PM 0 comments

Friday, March 03, 2006

THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS

It's Friday already. A lot of my work teammates have begun their weekend already. Most of them have already left the office. I wonder what each of them has planned for the weekend?

I hope my weekend isn't so hectic. We begin a new format for our Sunday school this Sunday. A lot of work has gone into making it happen successfully and smoothly. Of course there will always be those details that get snarled. I had a wise man one time tell me, "The details will hang you every time!" It seems like we can cover the "biggies" but those little details, if unattended, can derail the best of plans. I hope things go smoothly Sunday morning.

The Oncologist found the results of Karon's CAT scan. He called yesterday and said she needs more tests! There are a couple of internal organs that don't look right. The suspicion is that the cancer has spread to these internal organs. But we won't know until we get the results from more tests. We're sure keeping the medical profession in business! Our prayers are that the additional tests will show no cause for alarm. But it's better to find out sooner than later if something is amiss.

We made our first-ever purchase over the QVC shopping network last week: a camera and card. We already have a good camera but, much like our DVD/VCR player, it seems too complicated for easy use. This new camera may be as complicated as the old one, but with one difference. Instead of having to sit down with thick book which is written so only an engineer could understand it to figure out how to use the camera, a really good friend sat beside me last night and taught me the uses of the camera. That has made all the difference in the world. Now I can read the book (maybe) and it will make sense. In the meantime, I can take pictures, put them on my PC and email them to whomever I wish whenever I wish. Look out all you people--you could be getting a myriad of pictures from me via email! And we know someone to whom we can give our other camera who will be able to use and enjoy it.

There are few things in life more valuable than our friends. By this standard, Karon and I are much wealthier than Bill Gates! One of those really special people, a good friend, came to our house last night and brought us a meal for which we had been longing--Pizza Hut Pizza! Was it ever good! We had a great time of fellowship and sharing. He's the one who gave me my camera lesson. Thank you, _____. You blessed us so much last night. Today has been better because of last night's blessing. The most valuable thing anyone can give another person is the gift of some of their time.

I'm hoping for some rest this weekend. But that probably won't happen.

Jim

posted by jim 2:04 PM 0 comments

Thursday, March 02, 2006

NOT MUCH NEW

I went with Karon to the Oncologist today. Not a whole lot new to report. The bone scan done last week does not show any new problems. The tumor marker count did go up to 51 so that is up about 20 from the last time we were there. He did not get the results back from the CAT scan which shows if cancer has moved to any new places in the body. So we continue to wait on more detailed direction before moving on. Karon did not start back on the chemo again so she is still getting that vacation. He did start her on a new cancer treatment--an injection of Faslodex, which is a monthly shot of hormone for this type of metastatic breast cancer. It takes about three months of these injections to know if it is going to have any positive effect in controlling the cancer. If this works to bring the tumor count back down that will delay also having to start back on chemo. The tumor count is an "early indicator" of what the cancer might be doing in the body. It tells the doctor quicker than the bone or CAT scans what might be going on in the body with the cancer. The fact that the count continues to increase means the cancer is no longer in remission but active again. A tumor count of 51 is above the "normal" or "remission" range of 0 to 38.

Beside the injection, Karon got the bone-strengtening medicine Zometa by infusion into the vein and also a steroid drug. All these drugs have side affects which sometimes seem worse than the disease they are supposed to cure or control.

There are several possible side affects of the injection she received today. And the steroid usually causes a reddness of the face and inability to sleep. She hasn't gotten the facial reddness yet but she said a bit ago that she could already tell she wasn't going to be able to sleep. I thought she was having trouble sleeping before!

I had to go to a meeting at church tonight. Because the doctor's appointment and her treatment ran late, I was late getting there. But it was an overall good meeting. These are good men!

It is about 12:30 a. m. Thursday. I need to head for bed. Even if Karon can't sleep, I need to try to get some.

Jim

posted by jim 12:20 AM 0 comments