Hi,
As Denny's condition seemed to get worse, I became increasingly worried and called his doctor yesterday afternoon. There are so many doctors treating him but I decided that his radiology oncologist, Dr. Steve Howard, would be the best choice. I am so happy I made that call.
This morning we went to Dr. Howard's office at 8:00, and within the hour Den was having a CT scan to see what is going on in his brain. They found considerable swelling as well as a "bleed". It seems that Denny should never have been taken off the steroids prescribed for him at the end of his chemo and radiation. We learned today that when a person takes steroids, the body's adrenal gland stops manufacturing cortisone. As a person is gradually weaned off steroids, the gland starts making cortisone again. In Denny's case, that doesn't appear to have happened. No wonder he was so lethargic, confused, and unable to concentrate! Dr. Howard seemed surprised that Den is as functional as he is.
So, to jump start things they gave Den 10mg of steroids intravenously. He already feels better. He will continue taking rather high doses of the steroids in an effort to get the swelling in the brain to subside. And that, we hope, will make that brain bleed correct/heal itself. Often shunts are put in to alleviate that pressure, but the danger of doing that for Den would be that if there are still active cancer cells
currently trapped in his brain, a shunt would be their transportation into the rest of his body. So, I've just given you something new to pray for! Drs. Howard and Yazbak have conversed and will wait until Thursday to see if that procedure is necessary. Please pray that it is NOT!!
Dr. Howard, God bless him, has also ordered Denny not to work until he gives him the official okay to go back. He implied that Den should stay home for about two weeks and "veg" (I believe that was his medical term for it!). This time I don't think Den will fight this directive, because it will be a long time before he forgets how miserable he has felt these past two weeks. I will stay home with him this week so he will get the right meds at the right times and I can watch for any other unusual symptoms.
All of this may or may not delay our trip to Madison. Dr. Howard will assess that as he sees Denny's progress. It's possible he'll have another scan in a couple of weeks. There would be no point in having an MRI to assess the condition of the tumor if the tissue around it is still swollen.
We want to thank Barb Craghan and Beth Rippl, who will be taking over our jobs at school. What wonderful friends and colleagues they are. And to all of you who will find time to pray that this obstacle will be managed as we hope, we send our grateful thanks.
Love,
Carla and Denny
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
September 28
Hi,
We have had an unusual week, so as Denny sleeps, I will fill you in.
To make a long story short, it seems like Den is now experiencing many of the side effects from the radiation and chemotherapy that we were cautioned about at the time of his treatments. It's been a month since those treatments ceased, but about two weeks ago he began to experience incredible fatigue, unclear thinking, and some balance problems.
Those symptoms started after he stopped taking the steroids, so we went to the doctor on Wednesday, who thinks that edema from the radiation is causing everything. So, once again, he is taking a low dose steroid. So far we haven't noticed any improvement but since the dosage is low we're hoping there will be some change within a few days. We also have to find out how that medicine will affect what he is taking for the clots in his legs. We stopped at the hospital for a blood test on our way to church this morning and are waiting to hear from the doctor sometime soon.
Understandably, Den is feeling pretty bummed about his current condition. He is giving in to three to four hour naps but worries when he's awake about things he thinks he should be doing. We all tell him that the only thing that's really important is that he stays strong physically and emotionally so he can take on whatever the next step will be in this treatment process. So, with the naps and going to bed earlier, he's trying, but we all know how hard it is for him not to be able to do the things he really enjoys.
Please keep him in your prayers. October 14th is coming up soon, and we are all trying to stay very positive about that prognosis. We appreciate your calls and notes
of love and concern. Thank you, all, for being such a great support system for our entire family.
Love,
Carla
We have had an unusual week, so as Denny sleeps, I will fill you in.
To make a long story short, it seems like Den is now experiencing many of the side effects from the radiation and chemotherapy that we were cautioned about at the time of his treatments. It's been a month since those treatments ceased, but about two weeks ago he began to experience incredible fatigue, unclear thinking, and some balance problems.
Those symptoms started after he stopped taking the steroids, so we went to the doctor on Wednesday, who thinks that edema from the radiation is causing everything. So, once again, he is taking a low dose steroid. So far we haven't noticed any improvement but since the dosage is low we're hoping there will be some change within a few days. We also have to find out how that medicine will affect what he is taking for the clots in his legs. We stopped at the hospital for a blood test on our way to church this morning and are waiting to hear from the doctor sometime soon.
Understandably, Den is feeling pretty bummed about his current condition. He is giving in to three to four hour naps but worries when he's awake about things he thinks he should be doing. We all tell him that the only thing that's really important is that he stays strong physically and emotionally so he can take on whatever the next step will be in this treatment process. So, with the naps and going to bed earlier, he's trying, but we all know how hard it is for him not to be able to do the things he really enjoys.
Please keep him in your prayers. October 14th is coming up soon, and we are all trying to stay very positive about that prognosis. We appreciate your calls and notes
of love and concern. Thank you, all, for being such a great support system for our entire family.
Love,
Carla
Sunday, September 21, 2008
September 21
Hi, Friends--
As I write--with one eye on the Packer game--I'm hoping all of you had a great weekend.
Friday night our family gathered at Chip and Jenn's for a belated birthday party for Great Grandpa, my dad. As usual, the kids had lots of fun playing together and the meal was delicious. Grant is walking now, so we were all entertained by his new skills. Keira was doing a lot of "talking" and laughing. At just over three months she has quite a personality already. It was so nice being together, along with Jenn's good friend, Sarah, and her fiance, Darren.
Yesterday we traveled to Milwaukee with Pat and Patti to attend a wedding. Our connection to the bride is that she is one of Shannon's best friends and Carla has known her parents since high school. Voss' connection is that the bride's father was Pat's college roommate at St. Thomas. I'm always amazed at how small the world is sometimes. We had a wonderful time visiting with several of Shannon's friends from high school and their parents. I am equally amazed at how quickly time passes! It seems like yesterday that these girls were playing middle school basketball, and suddenly they are 32 years old!
While we were there, I was aware of an increasing discomfort in my right calf, so this morning we called the doctor and then headed for the hospital. Blood tests and ultrasounds revealed blood clots in both legs. Those in the right leg are smaller and not quite as serious as the one in the right leg, which is deep in the vein. So, just when I was so happy to be off almost all my medications, I'm being treated for the blood clots. I have to give myself shots in the stomach and take an oral blood thinner. My blood will be checked regularly until the proper dosage is determined, but it sounds like I'll be on this blood thinner for at least six months. When I resume the chemo, I will most likely go back on the shots and not take the warafin/cumadin.
For a person who rarely took medicine, all of this is hard to comprehend. It's a good thing someone invented those little daily pill containers, and it's even better that Carla keeps them filled and reminds me what to take and when to take it.
I know that this is just an inconvenience, and we'll just roll with it. There really isn't any choice, I know, and I am grateful that this condition was all found so early. But I must admit, I'd sure like to just be "normal" again.
Have a good week!
Denny
As I write--with one eye on the Packer game--I'm hoping all of you had a great weekend.
Friday night our family gathered at Chip and Jenn's for a belated birthday party for Great Grandpa, my dad. As usual, the kids had lots of fun playing together and the meal was delicious. Grant is walking now, so we were all entertained by his new skills. Keira was doing a lot of "talking" and laughing. At just over three months she has quite a personality already. It was so nice being together, along with Jenn's good friend, Sarah, and her fiance, Darren.
Yesterday we traveled to Milwaukee with Pat and Patti to attend a wedding. Our connection to the bride is that she is one of Shannon's best friends and Carla has known her parents since high school. Voss' connection is that the bride's father was Pat's college roommate at St. Thomas. I'm always amazed at how small the world is sometimes. We had a wonderful time visiting with several of Shannon's friends from high school and their parents. I am equally amazed at how quickly time passes! It seems like yesterday that these girls were playing middle school basketball, and suddenly they are 32 years old!
While we were there, I was aware of an increasing discomfort in my right calf, so this morning we called the doctor and then headed for the hospital. Blood tests and ultrasounds revealed blood clots in both legs. Those in the right leg are smaller and not quite as serious as the one in the right leg, which is deep in the vein. So, just when I was so happy to be off almost all my medications, I'm being treated for the blood clots. I have to give myself shots in the stomach and take an oral blood thinner. My blood will be checked regularly until the proper dosage is determined, but it sounds like I'll be on this blood thinner for at least six months. When I resume the chemo, I will most likely go back on the shots and not take the warafin/cumadin.
For a person who rarely took medicine, all of this is hard to comprehend. It's a good thing someone invented those little daily pill containers, and it's even better that Carla keeps them filled and reminds me what to take and when to take it.
I know that this is just an inconvenience, and we'll just roll with it. There really isn't any choice, I know, and I am grateful that this condition was all found so early. But I must admit, I'd sure like to just be "normal" again.
Have a good week!
Denny
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
September 16
Hi Everyone,
We are currently enjoying a short reprieve back to the way life used to be. Denny is at school, teaching a full load during the day and correcting papers at night. I am back to job-sharing my position at Xavier, which allows me to have two days each week when I can just do what I want to do! We know we only have a few more weeks of this right now, so we are enjoying these days.
Currently the only medicine Den is taking is an antibiotic because his immunity system is still compromised from the chemo he took for those six weeks during his radiation therapy. He's still a little tired but he tries to rest after lunch and he sometimes naps before supper. He's eating well and feels good.
Yesterday we met Denny's new radiation oncologist, Dr. Steve Howard. His specialty is brain cancer radiation. He comes from the UW Hospital where he works with Dr. Mehta, the specialist we will be seeing again on October 14. Dr. Howard goes to Madison every Friday, so he will be part of the team that will treat Denny there, should there be stereotactic radio surgery (gamma knife) in the future.
We found Dr. Howard to be very caring, patient, and perceptive. He was patient and thorough with our questions and seemed to be quite optimistic about Denny's chances to have the gamma knife procedure. He estimated that at 50/50 right now, but indicated those numbers could change if more chemotherapy is the course of treatment first. He also told us that there are some experimental treatments being done that are having very positive results. He said that we would want to consider those since Denny is in such good general health.
Dr. Howard also explained the gamma knife procedure in more detail. He has done over 200 of these and Dr. Mehta, who is considered the nation's expert, was actually the doctor who perfected this treatment. Dr. Mehta has done well over one thousand of these procedures. On October 14, Den will have his first MRI since the biopsy and we will meet with Dr. Mehta the same day to find out the results and learn what the course of action will be.
We continue to feel very blessed for the outpouring of love, concern, prayers and support we have received. As we thank God for that each day, we pray for continued
health and happiness for you and your families.
Hugs to all,
Carla
We are currently enjoying a short reprieve back to the way life used to be. Denny is at school, teaching a full load during the day and correcting papers at night. I am back to job-sharing my position at Xavier, which allows me to have two days each week when I can just do what I want to do! We know we only have a few more weeks of this right now, so we are enjoying these days.
Currently the only medicine Den is taking is an antibiotic because his immunity system is still compromised from the chemo he took for those six weeks during his radiation therapy. He's still a little tired but he tries to rest after lunch and he sometimes naps before supper. He's eating well and feels good.
Yesterday we met Denny's new radiation oncologist, Dr. Steve Howard. His specialty is brain cancer radiation. He comes from the UW Hospital where he works with Dr. Mehta, the specialist we will be seeing again on October 14. Dr. Howard goes to Madison every Friday, so he will be part of the team that will treat Denny there, should there be stereotactic radio surgery (gamma knife) in the future.
We found Dr. Howard to be very caring, patient, and perceptive. He was patient and thorough with our questions and seemed to be quite optimistic about Denny's chances to have the gamma knife procedure. He estimated that at 50/50 right now, but indicated those numbers could change if more chemotherapy is the course of treatment first. He also told us that there are some experimental treatments being done that are having very positive results. He said that we would want to consider those since Denny is in such good general health.
Dr. Howard also explained the gamma knife procedure in more detail. He has done over 200 of these and Dr. Mehta, who is considered the nation's expert, was actually the doctor who perfected this treatment. Dr. Mehta has done well over one thousand of these procedures. On October 14, Den will have his first MRI since the biopsy and we will meet with Dr. Mehta the same day to find out the results and learn what the course of action will be.
We continue to feel very blessed for the outpouring of love, concern, prayers and support we have received. As we thank God for that each day, we pray for continued
health and happiness for you and your families.
Hugs to all,
Carla
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
September 9
Hi!
I hope this finds all of you enjoying the beautiful autumn weather. Wouldn't it be great if this could last for another couple of months? (The older I get, the less I look forward to snow.)
Today we had an appointment with my oncologist, Kevin Mortara. I had some blood tests, and then we had a visit with the doctor. He seemed pleased with my overall condition, i.e. weight, strength, cognitive abilities, etc., but, of course, he has no idea of how successful the radiation and / or the chemotherapy has been. At some point the chemo will resume, but until we see Dr. Mehta in Madison next month, I am off all medicines except an antibiotic.
Generally, I feel almost back to normal. I'm enjoying my time and work in the classroom during the day and reading student papers at night. My appetite is back, the metallic taste is gone, and I've started biking again. Like before, I am just taking one day at a time.
Next week I will meet my new radiology oncologist, Dr. Howard, who comes to Appleton via Harvard, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and most recently, the UW Hospital where he worked closely with Dr Mehta, who is regarded as one of the nation's best. Needless to say, I feel I am in good hands and am grateful for the peace of mind his expertise and reputation give my family and me.
In October, then, we will learn just how well the treatments have worked thus far and what the next step(s) will be. Keep your fingers crossed that the results will be good and that I can beat whatever the odds are. Your calls, cards, letters, notes, and prayers have been a constant source of support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
God bless you all.
Denny
I hope this finds all of you enjoying the beautiful autumn weather. Wouldn't it be great if this could last for another couple of months? (The older I get, the less I look forward to snow.)
Today we had an appointment with my oncologist, Kevin Mortara. I had some blood tests, and then we had a visit with the doctor. He seemed pleased with my overall condition, i.e. weight, strength, cognitive abilities, etc., but, of course, he has no idea of how successful the radiation and / or the chemotherapy has been. At some point the chemo will resume, but until we see Dr. Mehta in Madison next month, I am off all medicines except an antibiotic.
Generally, I feel almost back to normal. I'm enjoying my time and work in the classroom during the day and reading student papers at night. My appetite is back, the metallic taste is gone, and I've started biking again. Like before, I am just taking one day at a time.
Next week I will meet my new radiology oncologist, Dr. Howard, who comes to Appleton via Harvard, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and most recently, the UW Hospital where he worked closely with Dr Mehta, who is regarded as one of the nation's best. Needless to say, I feel I am in good hands and am grateful for the peace of mind his expertise and reputation give my family and me.
In October, then, we will learn just how well the treatments have worked thus far and what the next step(s) will be. Keep your fingers crossed that the results will be good and that I can beat whatever the odds are. Your calls, cards, letters, notes, and prayers have been a constant source of support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
God bless you all.
Denny
Monday, September 1, 2008
September 1
Hi, everybody!
Well. the first week of school has come and gone, and I made it through all of my classes. The combination of finishing with the treatments and being with the students seems to have energized me. Each day I feel my strength returning a little more.
Friday morning the all-school liturgy, celebrated with St. Mary's pastor Fr. Mike O'Rourke, included the sacrament of healing. After the homily (which gave perspective on why things like cancer happen to people) Father gathered Carla, our son Chip, daughter Shannon, son-in-law Doug, granddaughter Keira, and me near the altar on the stage. (Our son Dave, daughter-in-law Jenn, and grandsons Connor and Grant were unable to attend but were with us in spirit.) Those moments, it seems to me, were holy and meaningful. I am grateful to Sarah Simon, the Xavier campus minister, who planned the mass. I appreciate the students' acceptance of this special service and their active participation. And I thank Fr. Mike for putting his heart into the liturgy, homily, and sacrament of healing. I have faith that all our prayers will be answered.
Meanwhile, I'm wondering what my feelings (physical and mental) will be like when I resume the chemotherapy, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, I'm getting a little more done each day. I am looking forward to biking for longer distances and maybe even jogging again.
I hope each of you had a relaxing Labor Day weekend. Late last week Carla and I decided to go to Chicago with Jim Romenesko. We drove down Saturday afternoon and saw "Jersey Boys" that night. It's a play Carla has wanted to see since it opened on Broadway, and it was everything we hoped it would be.
We thoroughly enjoyed the music, the story, and the set design. After the show a friend of Jim's (the head electrician at the theater) gave us a backstage tour that certainly gave us a much different perspective of the enormity of a production like that. It was awesome.
We stayed at a boutique-type hotel right above the theater, so we were able to enjoy downtown Chicago on Sunday before we left for home. It was good to get away, if only for a day or two.
Tonight we had dinner with Pat and Patti Voss to celebrate Patti's birthday. I hope this blog is an appropriate time and place to publicly thank these two wonderful people for their special friendship. We've enjoyed a close relationship with them for many years, but when our world turned upside down this summer, they were alongside us each and every day. We know that they fielded phone calls and inquiries about my health situation,and they were instrumental in the letter sent to many alumni. The list of their selfless acts goes on because their generosity knows no bounds. We are and will forever be grateful to have have them in our lives. We hope all of you have friends like Pat and Patti.
My next medical appointment is September 9 with my oncologist. Blood work then will determine the strength of the chemotherapy.
A lengthy blog this time--so much to say, so little time and space. I'll write again next week.
Have a great week!
Denny
Well. the first week of school has come and gone, and I made it through all of my classes. The combination of finishing with the treatments and being with the students seems to have energized me. Each day I feel my strength returning a little more.
Friday morning the all-school liturgy, celebrated with St. Mary's pastor Fr. Mike O'Rourke, included the sacrament of healing. After the homily (which gave perspective on why things like cancer happen to people) Father gathered Carla, our son Chip, daughter Shannon, son-in-law Doug, granddaughter Keira, and me near the altar on the stage. (Our son Dave, daughter-in-law Jenn, and grandsons Connor and Grant were unable to attend but were with us in spirit.) Those moments, it seems to me, were holy and meaningful. I am grateful to Sarah Simon, the Xavier campus minister, who planned the mass. I appreciate the students' acceptance of this special service and their active participation. And I thank Fr. Mike for putting his heart into the liturgy, homily, and sacrament of healing. I have faith that all our prayers will be answered.
Meanwhile, I'm wondering what my feelings (physical and mental) will be like when I resume the chemotherapy, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, I'm getting a little more done each day. I am looking forward to biking for longer distances and maybe even jogging again.
I hope each of you had a relaxing Labor Day weekend. Late last week Carla and I decided to go to Chicago with Jim Romenesko. We drove down Saturday afternoon and saw "Jersey Boys" that night. It's a play Carla has wanted to see since it opened on Broadway, and it was everything we hoped it would be.
We thoroughly enjoyed the music, the story, and the set design. After the show a friend of Jim's (the head electrician at the theater) gave us a backstage tour that certainly gave us a much different perspective of the enormity of a production like that. It was awesome.
We stayed at a boutique-type hotel right above the theater, so we were able to enjoy downtown Chicago on Sunday before we left for home. It was good to get away, if only for a day or two.
Tonight we had dinner with Pat and Patti Voss to celebrate Patti's birthday. I hope this blog is an appropriate time and place to publicly thank these two wonderful people for their special friendship. We've enjoyed a close relationship with them for many years, but when our world turned upside down this summer, they were alongside us each and every day. We know that they fielded phone calls and inquiries about my health situation,and they were instrumental in the letter sent to many alumni. The list of their selfless acts goes on because their generosity knows no bounds. We are and will forever be grateful to have have them in our lives. We hope all of you have friends like Pat and Patti.
My next medical appointment is September 9 with my oncologist. Blood work then will determine the strength of the chemotherapy.
A lengthy blog this time--so much to say, so little time and space. I'll write again next week.
Have a great week!
Denny
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