JUNE 18 2006 BLOG ENDS HERE

Well time has come to make a decision to end my blog. The purpose was never to create a life long diary but to inform my friends of family of my progress through one of the most challenging times in my life. The cancer is gone and the plan is for it to stay that way. I hope this blog remains closed. Thanks so much for your support and prayers. THE END

WHAT A RIDE APRIL 27 2006

LIVE LIFE LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW. SOMETHING WE ALL SAY, SOMETHING WE ALL HEAR, SOMETHING WE NEVER DO.

TEST RESULTS IN KINDA APRIL 26 2006

Finally heard back from my nerve conduction test. Nothing acute, more less inconclusive, but something is going on. We need to get you back in to see the neurologist. Thats what I got. So they called back later and gave my an appt for July. From what I get from others who have had similar things going on and from researching they will probably test me for every muscle and nerve disease and other possibilties and then narrow it down one by one until all that is left is damage from radiation. Damage to spinal cord during radiation is a possible risk although usually rare. Symptoms are Lhermittes Syndrome 4-6 month after radiation and then other motor skill loss in hands, feet, legs, arms after 6 months. Sounds familar. Its fancy name is transient radiation myelopathy. Can be minor in some cases to severe in progressive types. We can just sit back hope it gets better before I go back and not worse, and see if Im right. It has actually improved a little today.

Still No News April 20 2006

Been calling trying to get results from my nerve conduction test. Nobody seems to know whats going on. They said they would be back in a day or two its been 9 days. In the meantime my left ring finger and pinky remain numb feeling almost like it is asleep. At times I am unable to bend my pinky finger. My right hand has improved but still not normal. I assume they are ruling things out. Hopefully its just a temporary nerve problem.

MRI NEGATIVE APRIL 10 2006

MRI came back negative everything looked good. So why is my hand numb? Who knows. I have to go in Wednesday for nerve conduction testing. Whatever that is. They now say it must be damage from chemo or radiation. The V medication in the chemo ABVD is known to cause nerve damage in some.

UPDATE APRIL 3RD 2006

Went to doctor today to get scan results. The scans came back clean. I was scheduled for another set of scans in four months. While there I mentioned the electrical shock feeling that I had been having in my lower back when I lower my chin. The Doctor said, "Thats Lhermittes Syndrome. A few people going through radiation get that. He said it was harmless and that you just live with it. I then told him that my pinky fingers on both hands have been feeling numb. Now Im scheduled for MRI Thursday. Basically I was told they are making sure I dont have MS. The neck thing by itself is ok but along with numbness elsewhere is a red flag. Not to concerned just being cautious is what I get out of it.

SCANS MARCH 27th, 2006

Had my second four month scan today. I will get the results next Monday. The CT Scan went okay the same old barium drink and the iodine in the IV. It made me a little sickly feeling but to be honest I just get sick walking into the cancer center. Its just the thought of Chemo that turns my stomach. Im still not sure how I did it. I got stuck today for an IV and it hurt like hell. I use to do that every week. I guess you just do it, and there was no other choice anyway. Pray for good scans. I will let you know the results Monday..