news

I have scans scheduled for March 17. Don't have an appointment to go over the scans scheduled yet. The only difficulty I am experiencing is fatigue and that has gotten to the point where I am getting quite frustrated by it. Chemo begins again tonight. five days on 23 days off and that will go on for a year.

Gary

MSKCC update

The oncolgists in New York looked at the scans, then had a staff meeting and looked again and the consensus is that they are inconclusive. They have suggested that the cyberknife procedure should be cancelled, to continue the chemotherapy in three weeks and have another scan in a month. So, inconclusive is better then the alternative and Gary is still ahead of the curve.

Susan

Feb 7 scans

The results were not we hoped for. Tumor appeared but at this point the MDs cannot tell if it is new growth or remaining tumor from the surgery in Nov. Scan disk was sent to MSKCC and they will speak with Dr Hodge on Mon to determine the next course. Right now cyberknife is scheduled for Weds. It is an outpatient treatment. But that may change depending on what conclusions are reached on Mon
Susan

Keeping my head warm

With the loss of hair and the typical central NY January weather my friend Cynthia was concerned about my maintaining my body temperatrure and loaned me her favorite hat. The price was posting a picture of me wearing it.

Back in the saddle

First day back teaching

Baseball hat is to keep from blinding students with the reflection from the major bald spot (or as Michael calls it, the skin farm) on the left side

Completed 30 day Radiation cycle

Early morning rides for the radiation treatments are over. Sitting in the waiting room with patients who were there by themselves I realized how fortunate I am to have my family. Particularly when I wasn't allowed to drive. Rhonda certainly was there all the time but when she had schedule problems, Alex and Danielle were there to take over without any complaints. Susan also helped out when she was visiting.

I did get a graduation gift, the mask that was used to hold my head in place while the radiation was administered

Sunday, 1/27/08

I won't have access to a computer for the next week and won't be able to document Gary's last radiation session tomorrow. It's been a long haul. The doctors are still fine tuning the rate of withdrawal from the steroids. The original cut back was too much too soon.
Gary's classes start on Weds and he will be back to his normal schedule. No more daily hospital visits.
Six weeks went by slowly and at the same time sped. The hard part is ahead - waiting; waiting to take the scans and then waiting for the results. I am optimistic. Gary is strong and I have confidence he will persevere.

Susan