update as of Monday, November 15th

I was supposed to have posted this Monday, but I got sidetracked. Sorry

I met with my lead doctor at Duke, Dr. Desjardins, on Monday. Great news! She said the MRI looked great, and that the indention in my brain left from the tumor has started to fill in and the "sliver of growth" that was present in the last MRI is practically gone, with only a very small, pea-sized amount left.

I start back on the chemo Temodar, and another drug, Topetekan, within the next month. In addition, I will also be on the trial drug, Avastin, for the next year, with MRI's and Duke visits, every 3 months.

I am so glad my wife and my sister were there to witness the good news.

God is truly awesome, and prayer is very powerful.

Matthew 19:26

"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Update for November 8th, 2010

Update.......November 8th, 2010

I am very sorry that I haven't done an update in a while. I have been busy trying to keep myself busy. (I am so ready to get back to work and feel productive again)

As of Friday, October 28th, I was offically done with radiation and chemo. All 34 treatments are complete!!

This will be a busy week for me.On Wednesday, I meet with my neurosurgeon, Dr. Morrison, who performed my surgery. I am anxious to see what he has to say. He has final word on when I can return to work.

Thursday, I have an MRI scheduled. They will scan my tumor, which will give us a peek at how well the radiation and chemo did. They did caution me that the radiation can cause some swelling of the tumor, and give us a false picture, and that a more accurate scan can be done in a couple of months. Duke ordered this scan, so therefore I'm doing it.

Once the scan is complete they will give me a copy on a CD, which I will take with me when I drive up on Sunday for my Monday appointment at Duke. They are going to do bloodwork, and a kidney check through urinalysis.

Saturday will be spent at a good friend's house, attending a chili cook-off he is hosting for his church. This will be a fun day!

My sister is coming in town and will go with me to the appointment, which I am super excited about!!She lives in Tallahassee, and hasn't been able to be part of this process like she would have wanted.

I will post another update when I get back after seeing what Duke has to say. I do know now that I will be starting back on my pill form Chemo drug in December, in addition to another drug that Duke University will be prescribing. I dread this, but my medical oncologist assured me that it won't cause the fatigue that the radiation caused. I hope he is right!.

Our awesome God continues to bless me everyday, because he loves me and because of the kind thoughts and prayers of all of my friends and loved ones. Well, that's it for now. More to follow when I get back from Duke......

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God"

Roman 8:31

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Update. Monday October 11th, 2010

Update ....Monday, October 11th, 2010

Friday, October 1st, was my second dose of the trial drug Avastin from Duke. This is administered by IV in a hospital's Chemo clinic in Cumming, Ga. Today was my 20th radiation treatment of 34 total. I'm definitely ready to get these over with. The radiation and chemo are finally starting to take a toll on me. God is keeping me strong and staying right by my side. Power naps are the key to being able to function later in the evenings.

I am starting to lose hair now, so I went ahead and "buzzed" the rest off.

During the administering of Avastin on Friday, Oct 1st, I felt fine, but a couple of days later. I came down with a small cold. My radiation oncologist listened to my lungs, and said they sounded clear (The doctors at Duke are worried about blood clots in my lungs because of the Avastin and Temodar (chemo). As an added precaution they put me on an anti-biotic to be taken twice a day. My chemo oncologist told me he wasn’t worried about blood clots because of the physical activity I’ve been doing. Blood Clots only happen to individuals who are sedentary, which I definitely am not.

I did experience a significant nose bleed Monday and Tuesday morning, but was able to stop it fairly easy. I was warned that this is would happen and is a side effect of the Avastin, so I am keeping lubricated with a Saline nose spray. Up until I picked up the small cold, I was walking 1.5 miles every morning, I took a week off from walking, to rest, eat healthier (lots of fruits and veggies) and get better. I communicated my condition to my local medical oncologist, Dr. Reddy, He told me as long as I’m not running a temperature, that he is not worried about anything, but he did stress to me to monitor closely. I continue to feel strong and am doing pretty good at keeping a positive attitude. It’s hard to sometimes, but a little prayer goes a long way. Well, that’s all I have for now……Thanks to everyone for their kind words

Update ......as of Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

I have finished 12 of 34 radiation treatments, today is number 13. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

Had a big day yesterday. Dr. Morrison, my neurosurgeon, cleared me to drive locally around the neighborhood. He also pulled up my pre-op and post-op MRI scans and took the time to explain to Kandi and I what we were looking at. He used a tool on the computer screen to measure the tumor, and it measured 6 cm by 8 cm, which he said is similar to the size of a lemon.

I go back to Duke on Nov 8th, right after my last radiation treatment, so they can re-evaluate me and see how every looks. Please keep me in your prayers.

Tuesday, my radiation oncologist cut out my night time dose of steroids, which plays havoc on my sleep cycle, and I was waking every couple hours, with my mind racing. I am feeling the fatigue now from the radiation and the chemo. It shows up in the afternoons, usually requiring a 30 min power nap to offset.

Wednesday night was my first night of uninterrupted sleep. Felt good to sleep all night!

I continue to "power walk" every morning. God blesses me with the energy, and I don't want to waste it! I am up to 1.65 miles in 30 minutes. I haven't tried running yet, which I have been warned to avoid until after the radiation is done.

Kandi and I had a great time attending our class at the church last night. It is hosted by our pastor and his wife, and they are teaching us the secrets to a sucessful marriage. We did a personality profile, which outlines our strengths and weaknesses, and once we understands our spouses' strengths, they want us to concentrate on appreciating each others strengths, and thanking God for giving our spouse those particular strengths. It is a great tool, and had an immediate effect on our communication, now that we understand how each other operates. Focus on the strengths, and understand but don't criticize the weaknesses. Some people can't change the way the are, they are "hard-wired" that way, and once you understand it, and work around it,you can build a long lasting lifetime relationship.

Tomorrow is Friday, October 1st, and I will go back to my Chemo Oncologist, for the Duke trial drug, Avastin treatment number 2. While there, they will collect another urine and blood sample, to make sure that my body is holding up and as soon as I know the results, I will do another update.

In closing, I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, and all I can ask is to continue praying. The "big man upstairs" is listening, and continues to surprise me every day with unrequested blessings. Remember, life is short. Make sure your loved ones know you love them. Put petty disagreements and arguements aside, and enjoy each other. And most of all, remember to thank God for what you have.

Update for Friday,September 17th

Update .... For Friday, September 17th....(sorry, I'm just getting around to posting this).

Friday was my first Duke trial drug Avastin dose administering, which had to be done intravenously at a chemo clinic with others suffering from Cancer. I'll admit, I was very nervous, but once I got there, they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. I was already tired from my radiation treatment (4 of 34) which was only I hour prior to this.

Once I got to the clinic, they did the general examination, checking vitals, blood and urine samples (they have to start monitoring my protein levels in my urine to make sure my kidneys stay healthy..(Avastin can play havoc on certain internal organs). The IV bag had been refrigerated, and once it began circulating in my blood stream, I got cold and was provided a blanket. They had set me up in a recliner, so it was nothing to get cozy and comfortable and I even nodded off for a much needed power nap. After that, I drank a hot tea (caffeinated), which woke me right up and had me ready to take on the world. I finished the IV in about 1 and 1/2 hours, and was headed home. Next time, it will be shortened 30 minutes, and each time after that. Since there will only be approximately 4-5 doses, it will be over before I know it, I will finish it about the same time I finish radiation. This is when I start taking elevated doses of Chemo. Whoopee!

My rock, and soulmate Kandi sat beside me the entire time that I was hooked up to the IV. She is truly the greatest wife in the world. I believe that I draw my strength from her and God. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. She has really shown me what true, deep, unbiased love is all about. Some couples are so shallow, that when faced with a crisis of this magnitude, would have turned tail and ran for the hills. She is so committed to me that I can't help but shed a tear just thinking about it.

I continue to "self monitor" how I'm feeling, trying to pay attention to any weird symptoms from the Avastin, but so far, nothing seems different. I guess this is where we have to watch the blood tests, which is being done weekly. As long as I get plenty of sleep, my energy levels tend to improve every day, which I am taking advantage of by doing lots of walking.

I know that when I get down to # 20 or so radiation treatment of 34, that I will probably start feeling run down. As it stands right now, I have to take an anti-anxiety pill, which also helps with nausea against the Chemo drug, Temodar. Now that makes me drowsy, but a 15-20 power nap takes care of that.

Because this process is going as smooth as it is, I feel as though that I am comfortably cradled in God's arms, and I truly feel His Love for me everyday. I don't fail to pray and thank him multiple times in a day. Anyone troubled can experience this same love if you just open your heart to Him and allow it to happen.

Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

"Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness"

Update for Tuesday , September 14th (part two)

Just finished radiation treatment number 1 of 34. My chemo drug Temodar showed up this morning, so I was able to take it in time before the treatment. I'll admit, I was very nervous and anxious before hand, but a small prayer to God asking for strength, followed by the statement that my life is in His hands to do with to do with me as he sees fit, and he decides everything outlined for me, and I will commit to not fighting him on what ever he decides for me, all I can ask just let me know what he wants me to do. I will do it to the best of my ability.

The treatment was fast and painless, though I do have some slight stomach cramping, but I blame this on nerves. And I am tired but I was up at 3:30 typing the first half of this update..Nothing a power nap won't cure. I treated my wife to lunch at her favorite,- Pop-eye's. While driving back home I got increasingly sleepy. Walking from the car to the house was a minor chore. I feel it know. It feels like all my muscles are suddenly heavier. This is good. It tells me the base line I'll be starting at. My determination will pull me through. I can handle this. I just be moving slower. But the fatigue will probably assist me in sleeping through the night. Which I haven't done since the surgery. Since coming home almost 5 weeks ago, I have been taking a steroid that keeps the swelling down in my head, assisting in protecting me from seizures. My appetite has been out of control. I am actually not hungry for a change. Thank goodness. The steroid has me up every two hours, as it is.

My house is being invaded tonight by ladies from the church, for which Kandi has been cooking all day, in preparations for.

So I am escaping and going to hang out with a buddy of mine at Chili's for some male bonding. My energy level feels similar to level I had about a week after the surgery. I just don't have the intense lower back pain that I suffered from after the surgery. I am thankful for this. That kept me off my feet for longer than I wanted.

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea;I will uphold thee with the right hand of my rightteousness. "

Update for Monday, September 14th (part one)

Update......September 14th, 2010 (part 1)

I am typing this at 3:25 in the morning, because I can't sleep. My first radiation treatment is later today at 12:30. Yes, I am a little nervous and anxious at the same time. I did a "dry run" yesterday, Monday, which was basically a thorough scan of my head, and allows them to line up the machines correctly, so the radiation can treat exactly where intended. The scan will then be overlaid in the system on top of every other scan they have done and "synced" together, which keeps everything in perfect alignment. This "dry run" was actually quite nerve calming, because the treatment itself won't be much different. I did find that while lying on the table wearing the plastic face mask, with my eyes and mouth sealed shut and unable to move my head, I start to feel a little anxious, and that the best solution is to start praying. This allows a comforting calm to wash through my head and really makes me feel at ease. God is awesome! It's nice knowing He is there when no one else is

The ideal situation is for me is to take a dose of the chemo drug Temodar 1 hour before going, but we are still waiting on it to get delivered to my house. We originally planned on pushing the first treatment out to Wednesday, to wait on the medication, but Duke University stated that they did not want me to wait, and that I don't have to have a dose in me before starting, that I can take it after.

In my previous update, I mentioned that Duke was adding two drugs to my treatment. I failed to name the second drug. This drug, I think it is spelled Topetekan, and will not be given to me until the radiation is finished. Once the radiation is finished, I will continue with the chemo medication Temodar, but at a much higher dosage, and Topetekan will be added to this at that time. My medical (chemo) oncologist seemed impressed that Duke wants to go this route. He stated it was very aggressive, and should greatly improve our chances of defeating, or stopping additional re-growth of the tumor. The trial drug, Avastin, the expensive one being tested on me for the trial, will be delivered directly to my chemo oncologist, and they will call me and schedule me to come in and get hooked up to an IV, for administering. The first time is expected to take about 2 hours. It will eventually be shortened to 30 mins. This will be done once every 2 weeks. It is expected to be delivered before the end of this week, so I will probably have my first round near Friday. This is probably where I am going to experience the worst nausea and fatigue of the entire process. Thank God I have my wife and mom here. I don't know what I would do without them both. They have been true Saints throughout this ordeal, putting up with me, and my increased needs. Please include them in your prayers.

I got to see my MRI yesterday for the first time. It showed the before and after pics of the tumor. It was actually scary to see how big the tumor originally was. The "after" pic did show that my Neurosurgeon did a great job on the removal, which the doctors at Duke also commented on. I now understand why the scar on my head is so big.

I don't think I had much time left, the last few days before the surgery, and I have very little memory of those days. I had to have Kandi tell me what happened, so I could write it down in my journal to keep the facts straight. Crazy! Talk about catching it just in time! I will do another update after today's treatment. In the meantime, I want to thank everyone for their continued support and prayers. I can't express the love and appreciation in my heart for everything that everyone has done. I will be posting this on my blog later this morning and linking to it from Face book. If anyone wants to share it with others you have my full permission.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

"And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it. "