I just looked at dad’s schedule for MD Anderson. They move his GI Endoscopy and CT Scans up to February 25-27th. Though, we are still trying to fight MD Anderson / the health insurance to get the CT Scans changed to a PET scan.
According to MD Anderson, it’s the health insurance not allowing the PET scan and vice versa.
Dad’s last day of chemo was on October 10th and his last radiation treatment was on October 17th. He was given the all clear, CANCER FREE, on December 9, 2013.
Ever since December, dad’s health has steadily decrease. He is extremely fatigue, he is having a hard time swallowing solid foods, meaning he’s not eating much. Therefore, he’s losing weight (which I think is about 30 pounds since December) and he’s still continuously coughing. His singles virus that he was diagnose with on February 6, 2014 is starting crust over. Meaning, its starting the heeling stage… so that’s good thing. I would venture to say within several weeks, it’s should be basically gone.
Now, to a new item that just happen recently. Yesterday, February 14, 2014. Dad was eating his supper when all of sudden he got sick because the food got stuck in his throat. It didn’t go down the wrong pipe and he wasn’t chocking, it just wouldn’t go down. Unfortunately, the end result was him getting sick. Even after getting sick, Dad literally was gagging for at least 10 more minutes. The frustrating part is just sitting there watching him in agony.
Mom, Jennifer, and I have told Dad he does not look healthy. Dad actually looked more health while taking his chemo/radiation treatments then what he does now. Even the guys that dad works with have told him the same thing. There is something wrong, but yet Dad’s chemo doctor at MD Anderson won’t do anything about it. The blood work dad got couple weeks ago came back OK, so the chemo doctor can’t explain dad’s post treatment symptoms.
Thursday, February 6th, Dad went to the Urgent Care Center in Pearland and was diagnose with shingles.
For those that don’t know… shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash due to the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. He has it on his stomach and back, both in the middle. He have been on meds since Thursday to treat the shingles virus.
Therefore, he is dealing with extreme fatigue, hes not eating much (so he’s losing weight), he’s still continuously coughing, and now he has shingles.
Dad was suppose to get his test results on Monday, January 27. However, since Jennifer is going down to MD Anderson on Thursday for her 6 month Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) checkup, we reschedule dad’s test results for Thursday also… do it all in one trip.
I will write an update once we know something about the test results for dad and Jennifer. Please continue to pray for both of them.
Hey Everyone,
Sorry I haven’t written in the blog lately… there been couple developments with dad.
Towards the end Dad’s treatment, he could still swallow, but was having a harder time eating. The docs said if he still have the issue in January to let them know. Well, he is still having issues swallowing. In fact, I personally think its gotten worse than better. I would guess it’s probably from the scar tissue from the radiation. There is a possibly dad might have to have some surgery where they may have to widen the esophagus.
In addition, he has this constant cough. At first, we thought it may be from him getting a cold. However, the cold meds aren’t doing anything and we are really worry about it. Finally, Dad is still extremely tired. It’s been almost 2 months now since his last treatment. He should have his energy back by now. As yall know, dad works nights. So, when he gets up in the afternoon, he been going out to the living room and tends to take cat naps on the lounge chair until supper and then he gets ready for work.
Long story short, we brought this up to the MD Anderson doctors. So, they have dad going down to MD Anderson on Friday to get some test done. Please keep my dad in your prayers.
Dad is a BIG “Charlie Brown” fan and with Christmas right around the corner… I thought I would post this.
As many of yall know, I am the proud owner of Texas Webmaster. I design and development web sites for individuals, businesses and non profit organizations. My mission is to custom tailor a web site that best fits each individual client’s needs.
However, I am also an IT person at NASA Johnson Space Center. If your unfamiliar what the Sonny Carter Training Facility is… it is a facility where the astronauts trains in the BIG pool to simulate “Zero G” gravity. No one without a NASA badge is allowed on site unless you have a visitors escort badge. I had to go through some red tape, but I was able to get these escort badges for Dad, Mom, and Jennifer.
Below is a family photo of us being near the poolside of Sonny Carter on November 25, 2013:
Hey everyone:
Well, the family and I had a nice Thanksgiving Day. We spent some time together and watch some TV shows and then we all went over to a very close friend of the family and enjoy each other’s company. Overall, I enjoyed my Thanksgiving Day.
There has been some developments with dad’s upcoming test next week. At the current time, I honestly don’t know what MD Anderson is doing. They actually have cancel Dad’s PetScan and placed 2 types of CT Scans: CT chest with contrast and CT ADB with contrast. As of right now, he is still schedule for an GI Endoscopy.
Mom has to call Dad’s one doctor and find out whats going on Monday morning. I am hoping by Monday early afternoon, I can write in and give you little bit more clearer details on whats happening with Dad’s upcoming test.
“Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; The ones who accept you for what you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile; And who love you no matter what.”
― Unknown
I know this blog is mainly for dad, but I wanted to post this article…
As many of yall know, Bat Kid has been all over the news today. This story is close to home in my heart because of my sister, Jennifer Cunningham, who also has leukemia… to be more precise, she has Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). I am thankful she is able to take a pill which helps control her cells from mutating. Without this miracle pill, Jennifer would not be a live today.
Here is the story that I wanted to share with everyone: 5-year-old California boy a smash hit as ‘Batkid’
In honor of my Dad and to all those who have served in the US Military, past, present & future, I personally want to thank you all of our nation’s armed forces, as well as their families who have endured to support them. It has allowed many people in this great country to pursue their dreams and passions. It has allowed us to live on the land of the free and the home of the brave.
A friend of mine wrote this on his own Facebook wall about Veterans Day:
Today is the day we honor the veterans of the United States of America military, living & dead. These men & women, mostly at the tender age of 18 signed a blank check for up to their life. They have sacrificed more than you could ever imagine, things we here in the real world take for granted. They have sacrificed their mind, body, soul & all their own freedoms to fight for ours. THAT’S selflessness.
Do you know a veteran? If you see one, any day of the week, 365 days a year — tell them THANK YOU, shake their hand, buy em a drink. God speed to all my brothers & sisters out there. God bless the U.S.A. !
Couple things:
Dad’s one tooth is currently hurting. Unfortunately, it’s the same area where he had his radiation. Dad is schedule to see Dr. Mark Chamber, an M.D. Anderson Dentist on Monday, November 11th. I will let yall know what the dentist says on Monday.
In regards to dad’s upcoming test to find out how the radiation and chemo did… Dad is schedule for a PET Scan on December 4th and a GI Endoscopy on December 5th. We will find out the results from both test on December 5th. Please say a prayer all test results come back negative.
“There are people in your life whom you unknowingly inspire simply by being you.”
― Unknown
Today is Dad’s 58th birthday. I kid around with him that he only has 2 more years to get that “Senior Citizen” discount at Golden Corral. LOL!!! If yall get a chance, write in on the guestbook and wish him a happy birthday: https://www.dac24.com/guestbook
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!
Chemo: Dad had intravenous chemo given to him once a week for 5 weeks straight. Out of those 5 weeks, 3 of the weeks he also took chemo pills on the days he had radiation. He had his last chemo treatment on October 10th.
Radiation: Dad started his Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) treatments on September 10, 2013. Today, October 17th, was dad’s last day of radiation treatment. In total, he had 28 IMRT treatments.
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Now what? Well, it’s a waiting game now. Dad will go back in 6 weeks, roughly the first or second week of December from now and get a PET Scan and an GI Endoscopy done. These tests will tell us how well the chemo and radiation treatment did and go from there. In the meantime, Dad’s body has to heal from all the radiation. Within a couple weeks, he should get his voice back and his energy level should increase too.
I have compile a 2 minute and 11 second video of dad’s final day of radiation on October 17, 2013 at 6:15am. It’s not as dramatic as the proton radiation dad had back in March – April 2013, but still a big day for Dad. I hope yall enjoy it.
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- Dr. Hassan, MDA – Clear Lake Chemo Specialist, Hematology and Oncology
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- Dr. Ajani, MDA – Downtown Chemo Specialist, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
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- Dr. Skinner, MDA – Downtown Radiation Specialist, Department of Radiation Oncology
Can you believe this… Dad only has 2 more intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments. His last treatment is schedule for October 17, 2013 at 6:15am.
Below is a countdown to October 17, 2013 at 6:15am:
[ujicountdown id=”Last Day of Radiation Treatment” expire=”2013/10/17 06:15″]