Back from latest trip to MD Anderson

[again posted for my father while he works out the Windows Vista interface... -- Scott]

I will get this blog problem I am having solved soon, in the meantime a brief update.

It is kind of funny in one way, but I have spent the first part of this week in Houston and I really haven't done that much physically, but I am worn out. I think just the trip, sitting around the various offices and clinics and waiting - waiting and waiting takes it toll. The exams were not that difficult or painful, but still the whole process is not fun. Also, I think there is an element of worry and anticipation as you wait to find out what the results of all the tests are.

In any event, I have some very good news. I have had a number of people in the medical profession tell me that the mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is about 75%. Obviously, the mortality rate for all of us is 100% - we are all going to go some time, but when people in the medical profession learn that I have had pancreatic cancer their eyes get big and they saying like; "No kidding - and you are still here - wow." or something to that affect. Those comments have had a bothersome affect on me for sure, but there isn't too much I can do but keep on going.

I learned this week for the first time that two years is a magic number. If you make it for two years your chances of it coming back drop significantly. My two years is up!! The tests show no new tumors and everything is looking good.
I do have an aortic aneurysm and it has increased in size from 3.5 cm six months ago to 3.9 cm. A reading of 5 cm is considered dangerous so I am still okay, but I guess I will start visiting my cardiologist now to see if I can reverse this number.

I recall when I first went down to MD Anderson I asked if smoking caused pancreatic cancer and was told that smoking does cause cancer but it had nothing to do with the cancer I had. Now they are telling me that smoking is one of the major causes of pancreatic cancer. I don't smoke any more but I did for years and I know I was offended or put off when people told me I shouldn't smoke. My attitude today is that if you know someone who smokes or someone you love smokes, do whatever you can to get them to quit. I know from experience when you start preaching to someone about something the tendency is for them to resist even more. I don't know how you can get someone to listen because I never listened - but do what you can to help them quit. It can be done - I know, but better if done earlier than later.

We were a little nervous as Hurricane Rick was supposed to be creating a problem in Houston Wednesday night, but it was downgraded to a tropical storm and never really did anything bad. In the meantime, I guess Albuquerque had heavy rain for two days straight while we were gone.

Anyway - all is good! Now that I have quit smoking and have reached the two year mark I guess that all I have to do is start drinking purified water, sucking purified air and not eat anything and I will be okay. I'm off the smokes for good but will have to work hard to develop the kind of diet I am supposed to follow. But I will try hard and won't be as stubborn as I was about smoking for sure.

God Bless and thanks for your friendship and prayers!!

AL