Update On John (Member Class of 2011)
Ericalynn
Member Posts: 200
I know that is has been a while since I posted, (I do try to read others post most days). John has bounced back from all the EC issues and then my Mom kind of fell apart (sound familiar Loretta/William) and I started a new position (promotion, thank you very much) at work. Life has not calmed down but enough about my crazy schedule. I thought I would give an update on John. He saw the surgeon last week and Dr. Meredith told John that he was his “poster child” patient. He even took pictures of John’s incision (very small) scares. John has gained 16lbs since last visit on October 5, 2011. He is 2 lbs above the weight he was at diagnosis of EC.
Dr. Meredith ordered a CT-Chest, Abdomen, & Pelvis in 3 months and we will meet with him for results. John is back working out at gym everyday. He is pretty much back to pre EC self. He still does not have the energy level that he did but it is such a great improvement from what it was and his energy level goes up everyday. Dr. Meredith explained that he is still not healed 100%. He told John that he is 3 -6 months ahead of most of his patients and the fatigue will continue to improve. John is still battling cigarette smoking. My friends and boss keep telling me to “tell” him to quit. I cannot do that it HAS to be him that does it and me nagging him will just make it worse. He told our neighbors (they just returned from six months in England) that he knows he has to quit. So I pray that he will kick the cigarettes.
I just wanted to encourage all of you that are preparing for surgery that it does get better.
Oh and John is back cooking dinner again-tonight Grilled Salmon with yogurt dill sauce, Brown Rice and Broccoli.
Thinking of all of you often!
Erica-Wife of John
Diagnosis-T-3, N-1, M-0 on 5-17-11
Started Chemo with concurrent 28 Radiation treatments on 6-1-11
-Chemo= Cisplatin on Day one and Day 16, 5-FU M-F for 5 weeks (via pump worn 24 hrsx5 days)
MIE surgery on 9-9-11 performed by Dr. K. Meredith at Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Fl.
Tumor and 29 lymph nodes-cancer free
Dr. Meredith ordered a CT-Chest, Abdomen, & Pelvis in 3 months and we will meet with him for results. John is back working out at gym everyday. He is pretty much back to pre EC self. He still does not have the energy level that he did but it is such a great improvement from what it was and his energy level goes up everyday. Dr. Meredith explained that he is still not healed 100%. He told John that he is 3 -6 months ahead of most of his patients and the fatigue will continue to improve. John is still battling cigarette smoking. My friends and boss keep telling me to “tell” him to quit. I cannot do that it HAS to be him that does it and me nagging him will just make it worse. He told our neighbors (they just returned from six months in England) that he knows he has to quit. So I pray that he will kick the cigarettes.
I just wanted to encourage all of you that are preparing for surgery that it does get better.
Oh and John is back cooking dinner again-tonight Grilled Salmon with yogurt dill sauce, Brown Rice and Broccoli.
Thinking of all of you often!
Erica-Wife of John
Diagnosis-T-3, N-1, M-0 on 5-17-11
Started Chemo with concurrent 28 Radiation treatments on 6-1-11
-Chemo= Cisplatin on Day one and Day 16, 5-FU M-F for 5 weeks (via pump worn 24 hrsx5 days)
MIE surgery on 9-9-11 performed by Dr. K. Meredith at Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Fl.
Tumor and 29 lymph nodes-cancer free
0
Comments
-
Fabulous news!
Erica,
I have been wondering how John is doing. Glad to hear the class has another "poster child"! Nick's surgeon feels the same about him. Makes me glad
John's progress sounds so similar - both with EC and cigarette smoking. Both tough roads...
You sound good! Glad of that too Here's to a positive future for our entire class!
Love & Hugs to you both!
Terry0 -
Thank's TerryTerryV said:Fabulous news!
Erica,
I have been wondering how John is doing. Glad to hear the class has another "poster child"! Nick's surgeon feels the same about him. Makes me glad
John's progress sounds so similar - both with EC and cigarette smoking. Both tough roads...
You sound good! Glad of that too Here's to a positive future for our entire class!
Love & Hugs to you both!
Terry
I have been trying to read post everyday -Glad to hear Nick is a "poster child" too!
The cigarette issue is such a big struggle ( as you know)
Go Class -I hope we all continue to heal!
I will try to post more often
Love to you and Nick
Stay warm or you could come visit me in Florida
Erica0 -
So good to hear your update
Hi Erica
It is so good to hear from you, I am a little like you read daily and post not often enough, love to hear success stories, keep in touch and know that we are all thinking of you.
Ann0 -
Hi EricaEricalynn said:Thanks Freida
Thank you so much for the support!
How is Chemo going for Bill?
I have been reading your story ( watching from afar).
Hope he is doing OK!
Keep us posted
Thanks Again
Erica
Chemo is going well
Hi Erica
Chemo is going well for Bill. The only problems he has had so far is some problems with cramps and drinking gatorade seems to be helping with that. He thinks he is losing a little hair - he only has a little to lose anyway. One more chemo next week, then two weeks after that he has another CT scan to see what is happening and we meet with the oncologist to find out where we go from there (the plan being radiation and more chemo - hopefully the induction chemo will have had some effect on the cancer).
Seems like things are going well for you guys. All this makes you really appreciate it doesn't it. Enjoy. Keep us posted when you can.
Freida0 -
So happy to hear it Erica!
What a relief to see some success going on around here! I pray that you both gain some strength and stamina ahead. Good job poster boy!
Hugs!
Michelle0 -
Wonderful news - heres to
Wonderful news - here is to continued healing.
Hugs,
Cindy0 -
Great to hear!! Keep
Great to hear!! Keep kicking some cancer hiney:)0 -
I disagree.......
Erica and John,
what a GREAT report to read. You won't like MY advice, but I would let him enjoy the crap out out of his smoking for the rest of his natural life. I am SO SO happy that he is doing SO very well and it makes me smile to read, but for me, for God's sake, he has just lived through something MOST people do not live through, and I would like him have his smokes!!! That's juts MY opinion. Sorry if it seems wrong. That's how I feel.
God bless you both and continued success!!
Love,
Eric0 -
Glad to hear
Erica
I am so very glad to hear John is doing so well. I am guessing that I am in the 2011 class also. I was diagnosed in April and Surgery in August.
My thoughts and prayers for his continued progress .
Richard (Rick) Watson
Neoga, Illinois
DX – 0411
EC – T2N2M0
Chemo – Cisplatin, four treatments
5FU, four treatments, five days times 24 hours each time
MIE – 083111
Barnes Hospital, St Louis
Dr Brian Meyer
NED0 -
Just a comment, Ericchemosmoker said:I disagree.......
Erica and John,
what a GREAT report to read. You won't like MY advice, but I would let him enjoy the crap out out of his smoking for the rest of his natural life. I am SO SO happy that he is doing SO very well and it makes me smile to read, but for me, for God's sake, he has just lived through something MOST people do not live through, and I would like him have his smokes!!! That's juts MY opinion. Sorry if it seems wrong. That's how I feel.
God bless you both and continued success!!
Love,
Eric
I do understand your comment. You see, both Nick and I smoke too. But we have decided that our time together is too precious to give it willingly to the tobacco companies. Every minute of every day is precious - you know that. Each cigarette steals 3 minutes from us - more if we are unlucky. So, I'm doing Chantix and Nick is working with patches. I'm hoping that acupuncture will give me the boost I need with Chantix.
Nick didn't enjoy rads and chemo and has no desire to go through them as a lung cancer victim. After watching him, I know that's not the future I want for me either.
IF....
We didn't have hope (blind? maybe) of a future together, then maybe it would be okay to continue paying $51.00/carton for the joy of cutting our days short. But we are hopeful for a good future, a long future together.
With much love & hugs,
Terry0
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