GOOD NEWS TODAY!!

Back to work today! Started out at 8:30 this morning with radiation, then to the lab for blood testing and then a session with the Oncologist. I can really notice the difference after having the weekend off. I am wiped out today but still have to force myself to get on the tread mill later on.

The good news is a lab report. I don't know what these numbers mean except that lower is better than higher. On May 8th the reading for cancer cells was 359. On June 25th it was 149.6. The radiation and chemotherapy plus my good behavior (if you can buy that) have reduced this number by more than half.

The downside of this good news is my white blood cell count has gone down from 9.4 to 6.1. That is to be expected, but not good. The chemo and radiation are killing cancer cells but killing white blood cells too. Because of the good results I am having and because of the lower white blood cell count, they are going to make me rest for a while after my last series of chemo/radiation at the end of this week.

It looks like they will probably send me home for the last series of chemotherapy and it will be a two month process. According to the doctor this morning, this is the series that might make me sick for several days after each therapy and might cause me to lose my golden locks. Even if I come home for a rest, I will have to come back to Houston again late in August to be tested again by the heart doctor and have another cat-scan. Then two months of chemotherapy in Albuquerque and back to Houston in early October for surgery. This process has stretched out a lot longer than I anticipated, but I am sure that these folks know what they are doing and I do have absolute confidence in them. I will go along with whatever they say or want.

MY SUPPORT GROUP

I have mentioned several times the strangers who have come to my aide and offered and provided much support and encouragement and their prayers. I appreciate this so much and it has given me whole new outlook on life and the people of our country. However, I don't want to overlook the wonderful friends, neighbors, co-workers whom I have known for many years and my own family. This group includes all the fantastic people who have worked with me in the insurance industry for many years, people I have met and worked with in Pre-Paid Legal, from all over the country in New Mexico, Oregon, California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Oklahoma, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Hawaii, and many other places I can't remember off the top of my head - but thanks to them just the same.

I am also very grateful to my second family - all of my friends at CarMax and especially my office mate, Stephanie. I love all you guys! I have had the love and support of many members of our family from all over the nation. First my wife, who has been such a great support and so helpful during this period of time, my three sons; JL in Dallas, who is with me now, Scott in Albuquerque who has just taken charge and gotten things done when they needed to be done, and Andrew in Florida who is coming in next week. And the families of my three sons have all made sacrifices so my sons could direct their attention to me.

Family members from Florida, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Texas, New Mexico, California, Colorado, Washington, Illinois, have all added their support and love. Old friends and old classmates (they are not old in age - they are young just like me. They are just "Old" friends) have added additional support and prayers.

And I add to the list all of my friends in Albuquerque and other places I have met through other activities. This includes many people in the medical profession who have helped me discover I have this condition and have helped me get the treatment I need. I have learned that I have so many great friends in so many places that are worth more than all the gold on earth. A special thanks to my Dietician, Ann Sockaci at the Presbyterian Healthplex, who has made me the slim trim handsome hunk that I am. Thanks to all of you.

I am in the process of licking this thing and I will beat it!! It is taken a little longer than I expected but it is going in the right direction and I will win this battle - count on it!

My love to all of you great people. Thanks for your help and encouragement. You are the best medicine I have had through all this so far and I will count on you for the rest of the journey. God Bless you all!