Scott's Update

Hi all - things are improving each day for Scott. His stomach issues are still there, but improving each day. The change in meds has been smooth, his pain medicine was reduced by a third, and he has not needed to take any additional medication.

The snow piles have all melted here, and the sun is shining again today. Scott has been getting out a little more each day...yesterday he even drove to the grocery store by himself and picked up a few things. He is a little nervous about being out and about on his own, but building more confidence each day. The treatments sure knocked him for a loop, physically and emotionally, but he's coming bacccccccccccccck, more and more each day.

We are looking forward to the next phase of tests and thinking positively that things are in our favor.

Everyone have a great weekend, it looks like it will be a nice one here, highs in the 50's and sun shine.

Our family cannot express how much we appreciate all the kindness we have been shown though these past few months in so many ways, by so many...

Roxane

Hi everybody-

Scott continues to feel better each day. His stomach issues are still a problem though. His RN, Judy told him that patience is a virtue, and he will need a lot of patience with his stomach. Judy did reduce his pain meds again, by another third. Scott's pain has been at "0" for a long time with the meds. It is thrilling for us that his pain remains at zero, especially since the drugs have been reduced, now by two-thirds.

I know you all have been watching American Idol each week. My favorite remains "Anwar" - yes, I know he needs to continue to step-up his weekly performances, it was a close call last week.

Scott's re-check appointments are getting closer each day...continue the good vibes you are all sending our way.

Love To All Near & Far

Roxane & Scott

Hi all - Scott continues to show improvement each day. We have "cut" his pain med again in half, so from 120mg of oxycontin, to only 20mg per day. The pancreas pain has not reoccurred, but Scott said the old aches are back..foot, knee, lower back...the typical 50+ guy stuff.

We had a a busy weekend. We wore Scott out on Saturday at his Mom's old house with the cleaning out and getting ready for the home sale. He caught up with his rest by Monday a.m., and is back on track again.

We test on Friday, but do not think we will see results that day, Monday will be the big day, we see Dr. Greeno & Dr. Lee late that day. I will blog results Monday evening.

Keep the good thoughts heading our way. :-)

Roxane & Scott

Hi all - we are back home already from our endoscopic ultra sound (EUS) appointment, Scott is lying down for a nap, it was a early trip over, up @ 5a.m. - of coarse we were in the hospital before the clinic even opened ;-)

Dr. Mallery was our doctor again today, he did the original "scope" in December that confirmed the tumor and cancer. He was glad to see Scott, and happy that he went forward with this treatment. He let us know before the test that he did not think he would be able to tell the condition of the tumor (shrinkage/growth etc.) due the the scar tissue that would have formed due to the chemo/radiation treatment. What he would be looking for is the spreading of the cancer to distant organs (liver, etc.)

The procedure was less than one hour. Dr. Mallery spoke to us with his findings... HE SEES NO SPREADING OF THE CANCER....he was correct about not being able to tell the condition of the tumor, it looked much the same to him, but to keep in mind that could be due to scar tissue build-up. He also said that in his report to Dr. Greeno, and Dr. Sielaff , he will state that he did not find a reason to rule out the surgery, with us keeping in mind that the surgery is their call not his. He will note that he did biopsy two lymph nodes, but at first look they appear normal. He thinks due to the treatment they had a different appearance, so a biopsy was called for on those two, any other lymph nodes appeared normal that he could see.

So it has been a good day!!! We will enjoy the weekend even more now...the first test results are the best we could have hoped for!!

Keep'em coming :-)

Roxane & Scott

Hi all - we just got home from our CT Scan and visit with Dr. Greeno.

The CT scan looked clear also. So the cancer has not spread to distant organs. The tumor site though, looks much the same as the original tests. So that is a "good thing" - in that the tumor has not gotten larger - but a "bad thing" in that it has not shrunk enough for Dr. Sielaff to make the removal successful.

The next coarse of treatment would be to do another 6 week coarse of chemo 24/7 of the drug 5FU (only). After a two week rest they will evaluate again with the same two tests. So...Dr. Greeno said we should get started in the next two weeks with that...Scott said can we start today...Dr. Greeno said "Sure"!!

Yes - we are dissapointed not to go forward with the surgery immediately, but as Dr. Greeno said, we get "one shot" so let's make it our best. This second phase of chemo will give the tumor area a chance to heal more from the first phase and a extra kick of drugs to help with continued shrinkage and maintience of the tumor. This is a lighter treatment of the drugs, we are hopeful that side effects will be almost unnoticiable.

Scott has really come around in the last four weeks, so we are still sure that this treatment is working. He can enjoy the next few weeks and get even stronger each day.

We are doing fine, we just have to reset our sites.

Roxane & Scott

Hi all - Well we are feeling better about yesterday, though it does take a lot of leaning on each other, and pep talks. We were very happy to get a phone call today from Judy,RN - she was unable to attend our meeting yesterday, so she was just checking in. She knew we would be disappointed not getting the "go ahead" for the surgery.

Judy answered a lot of questions we had and offered some advice and ideas about what to expect with this next round of chemo. She wanted us to remember that we did not get bad news, just a delay in the surgery date. We know that the staff at Masonic are on call for us at all times and later this afternoon we found that out for sure!!

We ran a few errands after we spoke with Judy, and ate lunch at Quizzno's today. Scott tried to rest for a few minutes, but couldn't fall asleep, so he got up and was putting on his sweatshirt shirt when I heard him say %*@#!! - then I heard a ripping noise (of tape, not skin) and sure enough...he accidental pulled his needle out of his chest that is attached to the chemo ball!!A quick call to the clinic, some instructions, and we were our way up to the U (this was about 3:15) we are back home now, all repaired. Scott wasn't in any pain so that was good too, he just felt foolish, he was assured that he was not the first patient to do this. Traffic was not even that bad up or back.

I am heading back to work tomorrow, I'm going to try to work more, excepting for our Monday afternoon appointments, hopefully no more quick trips ;-)

Thanks for all the thoughts and good wishes that everyone keeps sending our way!!!

Roxane & Scott
Ben, Jen & Claire

Hi all - That's right...Scott ate a calzone tonight....not too much spicy sauce or pepperoni's - but some...he ate it...ALL...with no problems either!! :-)

Scott is getting adjusted to being on the chemo again, so far he is doing ok, we will head up to the U of MN on Monday to get the second weeks dose. Scott had a busy day today, he got some work done in our garage, and went over to help my sister Linda with a couple chores she had also. He mowed the front yard on Thursday, but now realizes that he has to take things a little slower, but he keeps pushing along. He is also enjoying reading again, and has made several visits to our local library.

Scott's re-check tests have been moved up about a week...June 10th for the EUS, with Dr. Mallery, he should tell us his findings. June 14th, the CT scan, we will see Dr. Greeno and see what the next phase will be. Dr. Sielaff's (surgeon) office called and wants to see us this coming Tuesday, we are guessing he wants to discuss the prior round of treatment with us.

We are planning on hanging around the homested tomorrow, and traveling to Jordan to see Ben & Jen on Sunday...Claire is visiting Kyle this weekend, he is healing up well from his surgery.

Take care and have a great weekend everyone!!

I'll keep you all posted...
Roxane

Hi everyone - up to the clinic and back today. Blood tests looked fine, so Kris, RN just the changed needle, attached a new ball, and out the door for us! Round trip with treatment about three hours.

Looking around the infusion room, Scott can see how far he has come along on his treatment, we are at a "easy" part right now. Scott spoke with Marie, Dr. Sielaff's RN today. They are canceling our visit tomorrow, they did not see Scott's results before they made the call last Friday. Dr. Sielaff agrees with another round of chemo and they will wait for the results in Mid-June.

So all is well, hopefully the needle stays in place...this week ;-)

Roxane

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to thank everyone for their postings, e-mails, cards and phone calls. Starting the third week of phase two on Monday, feeling good so far and I am able to eat almost anyting I want, Diet Coke still tastes funny though. Well were off to Wal-Mart, need some oil for my car, will write again soon.

Scott