JohnSFO Update

We haven't been posting much on the board lately and so I thought it time to give an update and explanation. Unfortunately, 2010 isn't really off to a good start for us either. By tomorrow, Friday, 1/22, John will have had 15 appointments or procedures so far this month, including one trip to the ER while we were traveling. The tumor is growing and the pain increases every day. We've already tripled his pain meds and they're still not enough. Today he's meeting with the Stanford Pain Clinic and we're hoping that they'll have some viable suggestions for pain management. He has a very high threshold for pain, and is already taking Fentanyl (time-release patches) MS Contin and Dilaudid, and is still in more pain than he can handle.

On Monday 1/25 he'll start his third round of chemo (Irintecan + 5FU) and we'll see how it goes. He did the Irinotecan back in September and it made him awfully sick - he was laid flat for 10 days after the first infusion - so we're a bit apprehensive about trying that again, but they're going to administer it in a different way and at a much lower dose this time, so hopefully that will make it more tolerable.

I've been going with him to most of these appointments. Being self-employed, I can, but I also don't get paid when I don't work, so when we're not doing that, I'm trying to make up for lost time at work and we just haven't had much time to spend on here lately. I'll try to do better at balancing - it's good to feel connected with all of you and share in the collective joys and sorrows.

And, just to end on a bright note, I had my first colonoscopy (age 45 - family history) in early January, and it came back with great results - a very healthy colon - not even a single polyp! So that was a relief.

Thanks to each of you for being here - whether you respond or just scan the postings - it all contributes to the overall good feeling on this board.

lots of love,
Adrian