Tom received a phone call from the nurse at U of M with his latest test results. As he suspected, they are adjusting his Thyroid medicine again (I heard this can go on for 6 months and up to a year). Hopefully this will help his energy level as he starts back to work this week. We were not thrilled with the results of the Calcitonin levels. We had hoped that after radiation his levels would return to normal (normal being around 10). A higher calcitonin level is an indicator that there is still cancer. Before Tom's surgery his was at 11,000. One week after the surgery his level had dropped to 187. His latest level was 129. His Dr. said that we are not going to worry about it now because it is still dropping and not going up. The real question will be answered in March when he goes for the scan.
For now Tom is jumping back into work and physical therapy trying to keep his mind off odds, percentages, and the March scan. The kids don't know that dad has to go back for more procedures yet. I'm just relying a lot on prayers to help us all through.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Back to Ann Arbor
More tests? Aren't we done yet?
We had a horrible ride to U of M today. We were stuck in traffic in Kzoo for over 1/2 hour with traffic backed up as far as the eye can see. Tom was a great driver and we were only 10 minutes late for the appointment. They must have been waiting for us because Tom got right in to see Dr. Teknos, which was a first! Tom was poked & prodded and then we got to the consult.
Tom's neck continues to swell in the evening and Dr. says this is normal. He warned that his swelling and firmness may stay with him for up to a year. The edema (fluid) in Tom's neck it's turning to scar tissue. Tom will need to start Physical Therapy. He still does not have full movement of his neck and Dr. doesn't want scar tissue to hamper the movement of his head and neck. Dr. also explained that three weeks after the last radiation treatment would be the worst point in recovery before Tom would begin feeling better. Tom is on the other side of it now and should start improving a little each day.
Tom's taste buds should come back within 3-4 months after his last treatment. Dr. said that "Things will start tasting better again and not so much like cardboard." His energy is within the same range. He said that each week he should notice a difference.
Tom got poked again today while at the U of M. They are checking his Calcitonin levels, Thyroid, and calcuim levels. These results will be in within the week. Tom will not have to see another Dr. again until March. He will go back to U of M for a three day procedure. This is called for a scan called the Octreotide scan. This is better than a PET scan because it focuses on Neuro Tumors. This is in the nuclear medicine department at the University of Michigan with the same functions as the PET scan. Then we go back again to get the results on April 1st -no fooling!
Thanks for all the prayers that were said today and before in anticipation of Tom's consultation. Tom is thankful that he has been released to go back to work next week. He is still not sleeping all night but within time this should be improving along with everything else. Even though we are not out of the "woods" yet, we are getting more answers and having less questions. Is Tom cancer free? The Dr. have not confirmed that, yet but I believe we can pray for that.
We had a horrible ride to U of M today. We were stuck in traffic in Kzoo for over 1/2 hour with traffic backed up as far as the eye can see. Tom was a great driver and we were only 10 minutes late for the appointment. They must have been waiting for us because Tom got right in to see Dr. Teknos, which was a first! Tom was poked & prodded and then we got to the consult.
Tom's neck continues to swell in the evening and Dr. says this is normal. He warned that his swelling and firmness may stay with him for up to a year. The edema (fluid) in Tom's neck it's turning to scar tissue. Tom will need to start Physical Therapy. He still does not have full movement of his neck and Dr. doesn't want scar tissue to hamper the movement of his head and neck. Dr. also explained that three weeks after the last radiation treatment would be the worst point in recovery before Tom would begin feeling better. Tom is on the other side of it now and should start improving a little each day.
Tom's taste buds should come back within 3-4 months after his last treatment. Dr. said that "Things will start tasting better again and not so much like cardboard." His energy is within the same range. He said that each week he should notice a difference.
Tom got poked again today while at the U of M. They are checking his Calcitonin levels, Thyroid, and calcuim levels. These results will be in within the week. Tom will not have to see another Dr. again until March. He will go back to U of M for a three day procedure. This is called for a scan called the Octreotide scan. This is better than a PET scan because it focuses on Neuro Tumors. This is in the nuclear medicine department at the University of Michigan with the same functions as the PET scan. Then we go back again to get the results on April 1st -no fooling!
Thanks for all the prayers that were said today and before in anticipation of Tom's consultation. Tom is thankful that he has been released to go back to work next week. He is still not sleeping all night but within time this should be improving along with everything else. Even though we are not out of the "woods" yet, we are getting more answers and having less questions. Is Tom cancer free? The Dr. have not confirmed that, yet but I believe we can pray for that.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Happy New Year
Tom, along with our calenders has turned another year older! He was looking forward to turning the page and doesn't mind saying so. It also lifted his spirits with the Michigan victory on January 1st. What a tribute to the retiring Lloyd Carr. I'm sure our Ohio friends could hear our house cheering!? Now it's back to school, work, and the long winter days. Just like the slightly longer amount of daylight, Tom is getting a little stronger each day, but he still tires easily as he works on small house projects. I can tell that his strength is not what it was a few months ago. It's amazing to me that 3 months ago he was so sick and tired of being sick before his surgery. I remembered thinking "if we could just get through the surgery" but that was only a small piece of his recovery process. I know that he is not the last to fight this type of disease, but I sure wish that nobody else would have to go through this difficult recovery. However, we both have a new respect for others that suffer with many type of illnesses. It is so reassuring when talking with other couples that have been/are going through a similar types of situation that what we feel, think, and focus on are normal for our life at this point and time. Thanks to all of you once again for your support. I don't think that I can say it enough times to truly say how much you have touched our hearts. I think doing this blog has helped many of you see a part of our family as much as it has been cheep therapy for myself personally.
As we look forward to what 2008 has to bring, I hope that it brings health and happiness to all. We are looking ahead to small things such as when we will get the boat out, what improvements to work on, and what family movie we will watch next. Tom is looking forward to the next PET scan that shows no cancer. The kids will say they are looking forward to the next break from school. I hope that we can go back to life as normal. OK not the old normal but a new and appreciated normal. I hope that 2008 brings you all that you've wished for.
As we look forward to what 2008 has to bring, I hope that it brings health and happiness to all. We are looking ahead to small things such as when we will get the boat out, what improvements to work on, and what family movie we will watch next. Tom is looking forward to the next PET scan that shows no cancer. The kids will say they are looking forward to the next break from school. I hope that we can go back to life as normal. OK not the old normal but a new and appreciated normal. I hope that 2008 brings you all that you've wished for.
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