Thank you for following, praying, and helping through various means.
A special appreciation is given to those that have provided food cards, gas cards, gifts for my children, and financial gifts. Seeking the best care is very expensive. While I've never asked for donations of any kind (other than prayers and positive energy), I must recognize the "above and beyond" assistance demonstrating your great compassion for the fellow-human-being. Thank you.
4th chemotherapy dose was Tues Feb 13th. I'm doing well suffering only cold sensitivity from one of the three chemo drugs. Fatigue is cumulating but I've still got all the energy I need to help our wonderful patients. If I were home just "focusing on me,".... I would be going nuts. So thank you for the loyalty you've shown all these recent months and prior years/decades.
We completed 4 out of 12 chemo treatments, so we're 33% through it !
I feel like the medication is working as my cancer's symptoms have lessened SIGNIFICANTLY, and my oncologist sees this as a very encouraging sign. I also look well (not sickly appearing), and my weight remains stable. These are very good signs in the world of chemotherapy.
Restaging scans are next week at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota Feb 20-21. I'll be gone from the office Feb 19-22 for travel and doctor visits. We see patients Tues Feb 20 (Dr Karmes covering) and Thurs Feb 22 (Dr Comstock covering) . I'm seeing patients Friday Feb 23rd and Sat 24th to catch up from the missed office hours.
The plan remains for radiation therapy and then surgery in the late-spring / early-summer. The Whipple-procedure is a major big-deal operation removing pancreas, gall bladder, portion of small intestine, portion of stomach, and many area lymph nodes. It takes weeks for the cuts to heal, and months for the intestines to properly regulate themselves. I mention this to be honest and human: It's scary. I've been reading about the best ways to be prepare oneself for the surgery, and how to recover as quickly as possible. It's not a fun ride on the medical rollercoaster. But I'm prepared for it. They say it makes open heart surgery / sternotomy look like a cake-walk...and for those who've had open-chest surgery will attest it was miserable.
Dr. Aaron Karmes is covering the office in-person every chemotherapy treatment (every other Tues: Feb 20 (for Mayo Clinic trip), Feb 27, March 12, 26, Apr 9, 23, May 7, 21, and finally Jun 4).
Dr. Comstock is covering the office in-person Thurs of chemo weeks: Feb 15 and Feb 22.
More dates to follow as we get her up to speed and accommodated.
Thank you for following, for your support, your prayers and your positive energy.
Sincerest regards,
Adam L.