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Fri - January 2, 2009Cancer update: May 13 2008I was asked about the progress in treatment of my
tumor. The dimensions (height, width, length) haven't changed much, but
the shape of the tumor has has: it's definitely shrinking; it now looks more
like a football than a squashed grapefruit. However, because there is a
lot of necrotic, i.e., dead tissue (no blood flow = no chemotherapy to that
area), it's a possibility that we won't see the whole thing go away.
Posted at 02:30 AM Read More | | News from Auburn: Fri July 18 2008: 6 months with cancer.In this
issue:
New Readers Cancer update The news for this week Phone prayers More TV meditations Reader feedback Parting thoughts [Facebook readers: click on "View original post" below.] Posted at 02:29 AM Read More | | News from Auburn: Fri August 1 2008: HELP!The subject line "HELP!" isn't a cry of panic,
but a reference to the Beatles movie of that name. Ringo's sacrifical ring
needed to be removed before some odd eastern cult decided to include him in
their next service. He consulted several experts to help remove the ring,
who are chided with phrases
like,
"Scientist, you're not doing very well, are you scientist?" "Jeweler, you've failed!" Well, that's my story with chemotherapy. Posted at 02:29 AM Read More | | News from Auburn: Fri Sept 19, 2008Health update: How do you like the new
title for this section of the newsletter?
Posted at 02:29 AM Read More | | News from Auburn Friday November 28 2008In this
issue:
Health update: last week it wasn't (just) the Salsa! Steroids ... the countdown continues It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Voices of my childhood Smoking Hair, curls, and such Posted at 02:28 AM Read More | | News from Auburn Fri Dec 26, 2008In this
issue:
Health update Other news Quotables Posted at 02:27 AM Read More | | Wed - December 31, 2008News from Auburn Wednesday December 31, 2008In this
issue:
1) Health update 2) Family visitors 3) A song from my nephew Gabriel 4) A poem from Kayla - a daddy-daughter moment. Posted at 10:28 PM Read More | | Fri - December 26, 2008For those who are just tuning inApparently a number of my friends have not yet
heard of our situation. Things have moved so fast that we haven't been able to
let everyone know that we'd like
to.
Updated Dec 26 2008 Posted at 05:19 PM Read More | | Cancer update:Tues Dec 23, 2008I emailed family, but I've found out others are
hearing the news through the rumor mill. Here's the scoop:
Posted at 04:05 PM Read More | | Sat - December 20, 2008News from Auburn Saturday December 20, 2008In this
issue:
Health update (including nine action packed prognosis options!) Weather Christmas news and family photo. Posted at 06:52 AM Read More | | Tue - December 9, 2008Cancer update: Tuesday December 9, 2008In this issue:
Results of today's visit Treatment details Answers to frequently asked questions. Posted at 09:21 PM Read More | | Fri - December 5, 2008News from Auburn Friday December 5 2005In this
issue:
- a few anecdotes and fun stories from the week - a short health update. The big news of the week came out in my cancer update on Dec 1. Posted at 09:28 PM Read More | | Tue - December 2, 2008Cancer update: Dec 1 2008 (disappointing news)The results from last week's biopsy are in.
As is typical, my prediction of what was coming next was wrong. Two
ulcers were biopsied, and both show the lymphoma to be present.
Posted at 02:36 PM Read More | | Fri - November 21, 2008News from Auburn: Friday Nov 21, 2008In this
issue:
A tale of two pizzas And the result Sometimes celebration = stupidity "Where is my hairbrush?" Author! Author! The kids Posted at 01:26 PM Read More | | Thu - November 13, 2008News from Auburn Thu Nov 13, 2008In this
issue:
Advice when in a medical environment Health update Supersize me - why God gave me cancer? And now for some fun conversations of the week Posted at 05:48 PM Read More | | Sun - November 9, 2008News from Auburn: Update Nov 9 2008I like to limit my newsletter to only once per
week, but I thought a short note was appropriate under the
circumstances.
DONATE BLOOD! Posted at 08:22 PM Read More | | Thu - November 6, 2008News from EAMC (!) Thursday Nov 6 2008In this
issue:
Health update (another near death experience ... I gotta stop doing this!) In other news Profound wisdom from a voice of my childhood Posted at 10:02 PM Read More | | Sat - November 1, 2008News from Auburn: Friday Oct 31, 2008The election is this Tuesday! I'd love to
make an endorsement of some kind, but I think most of my relatives would shoot
me if I spoke my mind. Oops, I just did. Well, anyway, don't forget
to vote! Especially you Victor - Ohio is an important state this
year!
In this issue: Health update, News, Feedback from last week. Posted at 07:13 PM Read More | | Thu - October 23, 2008News from Auburn: Thurs October 23, 2008In the last newsletter I wrote that I had an
uneventful week. Oops ...
Posted at 04:52 PM Read More | | Sat - October 18, 2008News from Auburn: Sat Oct 18 2008This week has been very uneventful. The
kids have independently gone to the beach for the weekend (different groups).
They continue to get better grades than I did in college. My friend
of 40 years - since 1st grade - is coming to visit this weekend!
Yay!
Posted at 09:11 PM Read More | | Fri - October 10, 2008News from Auburn: Fri Oct 10, 2008In this
issue:
Health update The news Posted at 09:18 PM Read More | | Fri - October 3, 2008News from Auburn Fri Oct 3, 2008In this
issue:
Health update To C or not to C ... And the rest of the news Impatient patients Family news Posted at 11:10 AM Read More | | Fri - September 26, 2008News from Auburn/EAMC Fri Sept 26, 2008This has been an exciting week for
us!
Posted at 08:22 PM Read More | | Fri - September 12, 2008News from Auburn: Friday Sept 12, 2008For a change, I've had a boring week. Mmm.
Good.
Lessons learned this week: Posted at 10:03 PM Read More | | Mon - September 8, 2008"I'm not dead yet! .... I think I'm getting better!"Good news on the cancer front, at
last!
Posted at 08:48 PM Read More | | Sat - September 6, 2008News from Auburn Sat Sept 5 2008I've completed my first week back at home, and
it's been good to live a "normal" life for a bit. Some highlights of the
week:
Posted at 12:40 PM Read More | | Fri - August 29, 2008News from Auburn Friday Aug 29 2008I'm home! My last radiation treatment was
Wednesday morning. I was given the mask to take home with
me:
 My sister Kathy, who has taken care of me for the last 10 days but says it feels like two weeks, thinks we should use it for a Chia Pet. (Or make it a scary Halloween display with blood spurting out of the neck.) So, for those who want to know how we're doing, here's a short summary: Posted at 08:17 PM Read More | | Fri - August 22, 2008News from Auburn Fri Aug 22 2008For new
readers
I've added a few new readers. For the "backstory" of this year you can read "For those who are just tuning in" on my blog. http://homepage.mac.com/hodelas/tar/C1106845964/E20080316210252/index.html I apologize, but this week's newsletter is boring again. In fact, I've gotten so used to the radiation treatment/mask that I told the radiation techs that one of these days they'll take off the mask and I'll be asleep on the table. With that level of excitement going on it's tough to maintain my standards of writing. I hope you enjoy this issue. Posted at 06:51 PM Read More | | Sun - August 17, 2008Sat - August 9, 2008News from Auburn Sat Aug 9 2008This week Kayla stayed with me in Birmingham to
help get me from place to place for radiation treatment. I have a follow-up CT
scan on Tuesday that should tell us if the tumor is shrinking. For those who
are curious, the radiation treatment requires me to be precisely located and
immobile, so I am put in a restraining mask as shown below.
Posted at 10:16 AM Read More | | Fri - July 25, 2008News from Auburn: July 25 2008At the request of one of my sisters, today's
newsletter will be cancer-free as a symbol of things to
come!
[Facebook readers: click below on "View original post."] Posted at 12:21 PM Read More | | Thu - July 24, 2008Cancer update: July 22 2008My R-ICE infusion for this week has been
postponed for a week to give me additional time to recover from the last
treatment. Two doctors agreed that my experience with R-ICE is somewhat
worse than the norm, and they are going to take steps to reduce my
discomfort.
Posted at 08:24 AM Read More | | Fri - July 11, 2008News from Auburn: Fri July 11 2008I apologize for the dark tone of this week's
news; it's been a rough week. On the other hand, it's good for the other
members of the cancer club to know that it's ok to have a rough week from time
to time. Really, it's ok.
In this issue: Cancer update News On dealing with cancer/long term illness Concluding thoughts [Facebook readers: click on "View original post" to go to my blog.] Posted at 12:15 AM Read More | | Thu - July 3, 2008News from Auburn: July 3 2008 (Tenth Anniversary edition)Happy
Anniversary!
It's hard to believe that I've been writing this newsletter now for 10 years! It was originally "News from MSFC" since I wrote it to keep in touch with friends while I was on sabbatical leave at Marshall Space Flight Center. I've lost the first few editions, but I think I have most back issues going back to Nov 1998. In this issue: Cancer update The news Feedback from readers Read on ... Posted at 05:21 PM Read More | | Fri - June 27, 2008News from Auburn Fri Jun 27 2008In this
issue:
Cancer update Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday a Note, a bit more cancer detail, and feedback from a reader. ... Posted at 06:40 PM Read More | | Fri - June 20, 2008News from Auburn June 20, 2008Cancer
update
Dr. Forero called from UAB on Thursday (noonish) to let me know that the biopsy results were in. "Already?" I said. That was fast! The short story is: there's still a lot of necrotic tissue, but there are still a lot of active tumor cells, too. Conclusion: I have an R-CHOP resistant tumor. The treatment plan right now is: (1) Get cancer into remission. Use R-ICE treatment regimen. I will likely participate in a clinical trial that adds another monoclonal antibody into the mix. More on that in the news section below. (2) Get an autologous bone marrow transplant (BMT). (That is, they'll use my own bone marrow.) I have no clue how any of this works. My college roommates will recall that I begged to pass my 2nd chemistry lab. For the time being, it's enough to know that this treatment regimen is fairly effective for patients in my situation (lymphoma that is non-responsive to R-CHOP). Posted at 10:24 AM Read More | | Wed - June 18, 2008Cancer update: June 9, 2008Last week I went to UAB hospital to see Dr.
Andres Forero-Torres, a
highly regarded oncologist in lymphomas. He scheduled me for a PET scan Friday morning. He called me this morning, and the results are: Posted at 01:13 PM Read More | | Cancer update; June 18The biopsy went well. Here are some notes I
jotted down:
Posted at 01:12 PM Read More | | News from Auburn June 14, 2008Cancer
update
I go to UAB (Univ. Alabama Birmingham) Monday morning for a biopsy (thoracotomy). This is a surgery that involves general anesthesia. Pathology results will probably take a week, give or take a few days. Until then, my standard answer to "how are you" is "Except for cancer, I'm doing great!" Posted at 09:06 AM Read More | | Sat - June 7, 2008Tue - June 3, 2008Cancer update: June 3 2008Last week I told a new member of the cancer club
to "be ready for change." I said that in part because I was expecting such
in my own treatment, and that's what's happening now.
Posted at 04:02 PM Read More | | Fri - May 30, 2008News from Auburn, Fri May 30 2008It's been a good week. Tues and Wed I had
the strength to walk a full half-mile lap of our street. Thurs I was kind
of sore, so I took the day off. Today I'm pretty tired, so I'm resting.
...
Posted at 06:18 PM Read More | | Fri - May 23, 2008News from Auburn: Memorial day weekend, 2008Since my last newsletter I've received many notes
of encouragement, either saying that I wasn't whining or that I should take full
advantage of every whining opportunity. One colleague, on a business trip
to New York, sent me this note:
Posted at 08:10 PM Read More | | Mon - May 19, 2008News from Auburn, May 19 2008Cancer
report:
The novelty has worn off. Viva and I are both ready to be finished with this process. Unfortunately, that's not quite in our control. After dealing with this for 4-5 months, I suppose I should expect to have a "down day" or two in terms of attitude. Vi and I are both going through them now. This is wearing us down. I hope that turns around again when I get to the "good days" of this infusion cycle. Posted at 11:26 AM Read More | | Tue - May 13, 2008For those who are just tuning in - update.There's still people "just tuning in" so click here to see the complete list of cancer related
entries in my blog.
Posted at 08:41 PM Read More | | Fri - May 9, 2008News from Auburn Friday May 9, 2008"Don't over do it." People have told me
this for years. For YEARS. And I never listen. Casts,
crutches, torn muscles, bruised cartilage, canes, back spasms, etc., and I still
... well I TRY to listen, but things keep happening.
Posted at 05:17 PM Read More | | Sun - May 4, 2008News from Auburn: April 30, 2008I've had a few requests that I send an update on
things. As a shut-in, I find it hard to maintain my entertainment
standards in this newsletter: there's not a whole lot "interesting" that
goes on, but I'll give it a try.
Posted at 11:27 AM Read More | | News from Auburn: April 19, 2008Update: corrected date in the
title
What a difference a week makes! Posted at 11:26 AM Read More | | Thu - April 10, 2008News from Auburn: April 10 2008In this
issue:
Cancer update General newsletter stuff: 1) Car seat technology is not trivial 2) My sense of humor is annoying 3) It's easy to get into trouble when you're sick and married to a nurse. 4) C-SPAN and the news channels 5) How to tell your Dad "I love you." Posted at 04:26 PM Read More | | Fri - April 4, 2008Tue - April 1, 2008News from Auburn April 1 2008This is NOT an April Fool's letter. I don't
yet have the energy to write a good April Fool's joke. Chemo is tomorrow,
so I'm sending this early.
Posted at 08:02 PM Read More | | Fri - March 28, 2008News from Auburn March 28, 2008Topics this
week:
Health update The return of Iron man Well-wishing and other risky behaviors Reader feedback on suffering and such Posted at 10:56 PM Read More | | Wed - March 26, 2008News from EAMC, Easter 2008Before I give my entertainment, I need to warn my
Auburn readers that my white cell count is down by nearly half; that is, my
immune system is, as expected, very compromised. Therefore, due to fatigue
and due to risk of disease, please do not visit me unless three conditions
hold:
(1) You called first to make sure I'm up to it. (2) You are not sick and have not recently been sick. (3) You have not been around people who are sick or who have recently been sick. So, with that somber introduction: Posted at 05:13 AM Read More | | Fri - March 14, 2008Thu - March 13, 2008News from Auburn: March 13, 2008This week has been an emotional roller coaster.
The initial part of the week was difficult. However, things turned out
much better. I'm sending this on Thursday because ... well, read the
letter and you'll understand why.
Short story, for those who don't want to read my ramblings: I had my first chemotherapy treatment today. The relief oncologist, Dr. Farmer, said I should start feeling better in two weeks, but the next day or so I may be nauseated, etc. (lots of possible side effects, the best if which is that Leroy is going down!) When I wrote my brief email about this the other day, several people expressed sorrow and sympathy to me: "I'm sorry about your diagnosis." As odd as it seems, Viva and I were overjoyed with every aspect of the day. - we went from not knowing if or when there would be diagnosis/treatment, to knowing both! - we went from desperately hoping I would not cross the point of no return to knowing that I would begin treatment in less than 48 hours, and that I should begin feeling better about 2 weeks after the start of treatment. One of my friends, a nursing professor at Auburn, put it best: "I screamed and cried [when I got the news]. I have never been so happy to hear a cancer diagnosis!" I agree. Note The regular "cancer updates" are probably done now. I will go back to writing a weekly newsletter. If you wish to be taken off the mailing list, please let me know. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now for the long story: (Long, but with a few laughs in there) Posted at 06:24 PM Read More | | Tue - March 11, 2008Cancer update: March 11, 2008"This has been an emotional roller
coaster!"
--- Oscar As awful as was yesterday, was today good. ... Posted at 09:09 PM Read More | | Fri - March 7, 2008News from Auburn: March 7 2008The short notes earlier this week give you the
essential facts. The Friday edition is intended for laughs - mostly.
So, here goes: ...
Posted at 08:10 PM Read More | | Thu - February 28, 2008Sat - February 23, 2008Fri - February 22, 2008News from East Alabama Medical Center Feb 19 2008Sometimes you get news that changes
everything.
Posted at 12:47 AM Read More | | Sun - January 13, 2008Fri - January 4, 2008News from Auburn: Jan 4 2008I'll try to keep the news coming a bit more
regularly this year.
Posted at 07:54 PM Read More | | Fri - August 24, 2007News from Auburn Aug 24 2007This week:
(1) My dog. (2) A smorgasbord of Kroger computer comments ... (it's long, but it was very fun to read them all) Posted at 09:52 PM Read More | | Mon - March 26, 2007News from VirginiaAuburn takes 2nd place at SoutheastCon 2007
student hardware competition.
Posted at 08:55 PM Read More | | Mon - March 19, 2007News from Auburn Jan 27, 2007I'm behind getting these up on the
blog.
Posted at 09:59 PM Read More | | Mon - January 22, 2007Sun - December 31, 2006Sat - November 4, 2006Wed - November 1, 2006News from Auburn Sept 10, 2006I've fallen behind copying these to the blog.
Posted at 09:09 PM Read More | | Mon - July 3, 2006Sat - June 10, 2006Mon - May 15, 2006Wed - April 12, 2006Sportsmanship in "Christian" soccerOk, I've behaved in the picture posts, but I
have some complaints.
Posted at 10:53 PM Read More | | Sat - March 4, 2006Mon - February 20, 2006Tue - February 14, 2006Mon - February 13, 2006Sat - January 21, 2006Sat - January 14, 2006Sat - January 7, 2006Fri - December 30, 2005Mon - December 26, 2005Sat - December 17, 2005Fri - December 2, 2005Fri - October 14, 2005Fri - October 7, 2005Sun - September 18, 2005Sat - September 17, 2005Tue - September 13, 2005Mon - August 29, 2005Fri - August 12, 2005Mon - August 8, 2005Tue - July 12, 2005Sat - June 18, 2005Fri - April 8, 2005Sun - March 27, 2005Thu - March 17, 2005Wed - March 9, 2005News from my recliner chairTopics:
viruses Adam's mission trip Kayla's recital TV commercials Kayla-ism of the week Posted at 11:03 AM Read More | | Mon - February 21, 2005 |
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