June 13th - spent all day at MD Anderson getting prepared for chemotherapy and radiation. Examinations, interviews, reviews, and more instructions than I will ever be able to remember. One instruction that kind of puzzled me is that I am not to lose any more weight - in fact they won't be unhappy if I gain a little. I have lost about 40 pounds in the last year and 10 of that since I started coming down here for treatment. I am still about 30 pounds more than I want to be - but they say "NO".
Radiation will start on Monday 18th simultaneously with chemotherapy daily for a two week period. Radiation will stop at end of two weeks as will this first phase of chemotherapy. I will still have to stay in Houston as a second phase of chemotherapy will begin where I will get chemo intravenously for a four hour period every two weeks. I will be monitored at MD Anderson on a regular basis and eventually sent home for the continuation of this second phase for another several sessions. They are going to give me a period of a couple of weeks in Albuquerque to catch my breath and then back for the big Finale.
Their approach is to kill all the cancer cells they can prior to surgery and have my body in a healthy enough condition to handle the surgery. I have been down-playing the surgery itself and trying not to think too much about it, but a couple of the doctors I visited today made me understand it is a very serious and complicated surgery. I would have been just as happy if they had not gone into the detail they did, but it is what it is and I can't do much about it.
Thanks to all of you for you love, prayers and support. It really means a lot to me and I will never forget any of you.
AL
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3 comments:
Hi Al, I will keep checking for updates on you. PLease know that you are not alone in this, there are so many who love you and pray you overcome this. You keep those nurses in line okay, your wit, humor and baby blue eyes should do the trick. Take care my friend,
Cindy Lou
HI Al,
As Cindy Says, we are with you. A tough old buzzard like you will teach them what tough is. To echo Cindy, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve
Al, you have a great attitude so you have half the battle won already. My prayers are with you.
Be good, Be well.
Jerry
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