Update on dad: He is done with the endoscope test. Everything looks good except that they found a bulge in this one spot. the doctor looked at it and don’t think it is anything to worry about but they did a biopsy on it. We won’t know the results 2-3 working days on the biopsy. He had two c-scans yesterday. He is currently in for his third c-scan right now. We see his radiation doctor at 1pm and then his main doctor at 2:30pm. They should have the results of everything except the biopsy
ok folks… need some help. After today issues with the insurance… my dad and mom needs some pick me ups. My mom started to cry because she is so worried about dad. so folks… we need some comments on dad’s blog. please take a moment… go to the comment section and write encouragement words. With this being dad’s second round with cancer, we are really to knock it out on Thursday. www.dac24.com
so after hours on the phone and fighting with the dr/health insurance office, my mom was unsuccessful. The insurance denied a PET scan for my dad even though it has been scheduled for months. So now, dad is having 3 C-SCANS (which they approved) (which equals about the same cost as one PET scan)… GRRRRRR C-SCANS are not as good as a PET scan. I am so worried that since the C-SCANS will not cover dad’s entire body, we will end of missing something. Please pray for good news on Thursday — that is the big day — the day we find out that dad is again cancer free. I have put it in God’s hands and have asked for healing. Will keep you posted
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’
Today we went to see Dr. Chambers to see what to do with the pain that Dennis is having in his lower tooth that he had his crown put on. He had pain a week or so after the crown was put in but then not to much during the whole radiation time.
Dr. Chambers said that Dennis has a very bad infection around the tooth that he had the crown put on. So he is on an antibiotic. He has to go see a Endodontic and they will determine if he needs a root canal or not, but most likely he will have one. The Dr. said that with Dennis having radiation, and him being on a blood thinner might have caused Dennis’s problem. They also said that some teeth go through a crown and the tooth cannot take the stress of all of it. He said the Dentist that put it on could of got to close to the root stem and then putting the crown on top of it is making it to be irritated.
So no matter if it was the dentist, radiation, or blood thinner meds. or a little of all of it. The Dr. said Dennis has a perfect storm brewing big time. He wants him to see this Endodontic and stay on the antibiotic, and gargle every day.
Most likely he will do a root canal on his tooth and also remove the crown. Because he believes the crown is to high and is putting stress on the nerve and area. The Dr. does NOT want Dennis to have this tooth pulled. Since he had radiation if he had to have a tooth pulled it would not heal very fast and would probably have a lot of problems with it. They might have to break down the tooth so it appears that the tooth has been pulled but not really pull so the tooth roots would still be there. They have a special name for that and I am not sure what is called. He just does not want Dennis to get bone rot. So the next step is to see this specialist and between the specialist and Dr. Chambers hopefully things will work out ok. We will give an update on the tooth as time goes by.
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. !
Happy 238th Birthday Marine Corps. So very proud of Dad serving his country as a Marine. Happy Veterans day (on Monday, Nov. 11th). May all of you how deeply thankful and proud I am of you. God bless the United States of America. God bless the Marines. God bless all who served in all the branches. May you know that I salute you for the love you have given to your country. As a citizen of this great nation, my humble thank you is honor of you. Semper Fi.
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″]
Fighting cancer every day. Stronger than cancer. We will not give up. Cancer will be destroyed. Here is a little part of our celebration over kicking cancer butt for one year. We went to Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen to celebrate. Go team Cunningham 10/11/2013
Today was my daddy one year victory over cancer. we are fighting the fight every day. more details of how we celebrated will come over the weekend. Words can not even express how much I am so thankful to God, to my family and to all of our friends. I just wanted to say I am so thankful that my dad is kicking cancer butt a day at a time. His last radiation treatment is this coming Thursday. Faith in God tells me that in Dec, when we have his PET scan, he will be cancer free.