20 days in one post

Sorry for being absent for so long.  I've mentioned before how I have to drag myself to write.  I wish I enjoyed doing it more.  I read so many blogs that I can tell, these people enjoy writing.  Never been me.  Not something I can "learn" to do, but I'm trying.

Connie's treatment on the 9th went, according to people who know, very well.  With this radiation surgery, as we found out with the brain radiation in March/April, takes a while to 'see' progress.  The radiation works for literally months as it melts the tumors.  Connie will get more CAT scans, etc. at the end of September.

We took off for a little personal time to visit our friends from Bellevue, OH for her birthday.  Took a day trip to Sandusky on the 13th, then loaded the rig on the Miller Ferry for a trip to probably our favorite place in Ohio:  Put-In-Bay.  It was celebration, but it was also recon to see if next year, we can spend a week out there.

Great times, saw Calabash at the Roundhouse, had a couple of beers on the Boardwalk overlooking 'the balls' where we used to park the boat, and Mustang Sally at the Beer Barrel.

Also, had a wonderful surprise that our good friend from Columbus, Craig, and Dennis and Karen's daughter Ashley, made the trip up.  Such good times with our friends.  We don't do it enough.

Friday, the 16th, we stayed over to Sandusky to watch Wally and the Beavs, another of our favorite 'bands of summer'.  Watching Wally and the Beavs, for me, is like looking into a what could have been mirror had I have decided to play and gig instead of not.  Guys look like they're having a blast, they play well, they play the tunes I would be playing and gigging with had I have chosen that route.

Came back to Ashtabula and met with our friends, Ed & Loretta, from Sea Breeze RV park in Texas.  They're trekking cross country from their home in New Jersey to Seattle to take their great grand son back to school.  Fun showing off our town, just shooting the breeze with friends.

The Wine and Walleye Fest was held last weekend (the 23rd - 25th) and it was so good to see our town alive and Bridge Street, in particular, welcoming so many guests for a weekend.  Said hello to people we hadn't seen in years.  The lighted boat parade was fun to see.  With the advancement of generators, makes that really a neat option.

Started last night hopping back up on a podium and running a rehearsal for an Alumni Band performance at the high school where I taught.  Felt like I never left.

Connie having a treatment this morning, and we both hope it doesn't knock her flat, but to quote Yogi Berra, "we never know until we know."  Always clear the schedule from Wednesday through Sunday.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

We've Been Having Some Fun!

Again, it has been a while since we have updated everyone.  Sorry about that, but we have actually been out and about having some fun.  All, of course, mixed in with more appointments.

The MRI and mapping simulation for the Novalis Radiosurgery was done on July 31st.  The actual procedure will be done on Friday, Aug. 9.  This will treat the tumor on the spine and hopefully reduce the back pain.

Bubba Watson on leaving #16

David Feherty posing for Bob

Thanks to our friend, Rich, we were able to enjoy the Bridgestone Invitational Golf Tournament in person.  I was feeling good and able to get around fairly easy.  It helped that the tournament offered shuttles from the parking lot to whatever hole I desired.  I went Thursday and Friday and really enjoyed it.  Bob took Saturday off and went back on Sunday with our friend, Don.

Another cool happening was that I was reconnected with a high school friend, Joni.  Could not believe it when I saw her facebook post that mentioned she was at Ashtabula Yacht Club!  That's right next door.  Was able to hook up on Monday for a visit.  Hoping for several more this season.

Like I said, we've been busy having fun.  Looking forward to our Put-in-Bay trip next week!

More Doctors Join the Team & More Planning

Again, hard to believe it has been over a week since we posted.  Would love to say we have been busy running around, but just not the case.  Bob has been busy with our travel agency (that's a good thing).

I had lab work done on Tuesday in preparation for the recurring 3 week Wednesday treatment.  All went well.  Even felt good on the days after this time.

Friday had us off to Cleveland again to visit yet another doctor (Spine specialist - Dr. Krishnany).  He was concerned with the pain I have been experiencing and ordered a standing x-ray to gather more information.

The weekend came and went with nothing exciting to report.

A new week brought about new appointments (and even more doctors).   Started the day with another brain MRI.  Since we met with the brain doctor in the afternoon, we received the results same day. Word is that it looks good as there was no new growth.  So, time to move on to the spine.  All indications are that I will be a good candidate for radiation to the spine.

The procedure for the spine sounds very similar to the CyberKnife that was used for the brain.  But, with new procedures, comes new doctors.  This radiation (Stereotactic Spine Radiosurgery) requires not one, but TWO doctors.  Welcome to the team Drs. Angelov and Chao.

Both doctors "worked us in" on Monday so we would not have to return another day.  Even if it made the day extremely long (11 AM to 5:30PM), it was nice that they did that for us.

Each doctor had to explain the radiosurgery procedure at great length.  Next step is to have the mold made (again, similar to the mask that was needed for the brain).  That is currently scheduled for July 31. Once that is done, they will work on the "mapping" to pinpoint the radiation.  Probably will not get rolling for another week or so.


That's the latest.  The really good part of Monday was getting to go see Bethany's new office.  Then later heading back to the Davis house for the evening.  The dogs sure enjoyed playing together and we enjoyed visiting.

Three Days, Three Doctors....

We'll back up to Wednesday which was a scheduled (our only) appointment with our Oncologist.  Everything looked good with the blood work, but couldn't figure out what was causing Connie's problems with her ears.  Seemed to be clogged a lot.

Scheduled an appointment with the Radiation Oncologist, who said that even though radiation treatments have stopped, the radiation is still working.  One of the things they "tickled" was the main tube (that I can pronounce but not spell) and that's probably the culprit.  We scheduled a visit to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist.

Sitting here now, hoping its not going to be anything other than needing a good cleaning.  Connie did have some damage to her inner ear caused by the radiation, which prevent things to properly drain.  Better now, follow up in another couple of weeks.

Seems the longer we stay in Texas the more Doctors we see.....

Time is Flying By

Hard to believe it has been over a week since our last update.  Good news it that there has not been a lot to report since then.

The weather here in Rockport has been warm, but overcast.  So, not much sitting out in the sun.  However, that is good too since I am now supposed to limit my time in the sun.  :-(  Those that know me well, know that is going to be a challenge.  We saw evidence why it is necessary when we were working outside (on an overcast day) and in no time at all, I was getting sunburned on the back of my neck.  Sounds like the sensitivity will continue even after the radiation affects are over.

One side effect that no one seems to be able to address is my ears.  They said the tops would be sensitive and peeling like a sunburn, but they can't explain why I am having issues with the inner ear.  Very annoying!

Today was a visit to the medical oncologist.  Sounds like the lab numbers were ok and we can proceed with the next dose of Herceptin in a week.

Since all that has fallen in to place, we have more firm plans for our return to Ohio.  Looks like we will be leaving Texas on or around May 4.  It will take us at least a week to get all the way back to Ashtabula as we drive only short distances and will spend some time in Wilmington to visit the folks.

Well, that's all I have to report at this time.  Thanks for all the love and prayers!

Long, Busy Day!

Today started bright and early with our wake up alarm going off at 5:30 AM.  Had to be at Christus Spohn Shoreline  by 6:30 for the registration to get new hardware installed at 8:30.  I now come with a Bard Power Port included.  Should make the injections much easier since they won't need to use me as a pin cushion anymore.

Once released from the Same Day Procedure unit, it was time to head on to the Herceptin injection appointment.  Nothing like getting new hardware and trying it out right away!  Just as advertised, it was  quick and easy.

We did see the medical oncologist today too.  Just reviewed the treatment plans and finally got the mammogram results from the hospital.  Go figure, they were negative.

After the injection, it was time to get some much needed lunch (at 1:00 PM).  Since we had another appointment in the area, we decided to go back to the Sirloin Stockade.  Perfect.

Knowing that it was going to be a long day, we had taken the dogs to Brunos again for daycare.  A quick lunch allowed us to pick them up and make our way to the last appointment.

Time for round 2 of the whole brain radiation.  Quick in and out and we were on the way back home.

Whew.  All of us are exhausted.  Time to get rested up for our company (Bethany & James).  Can't wait to see them tomorrow!

Oh, and I forgot to mention, this morning was the first evidence of the hair starting to go.

Time for rest.

You need to take your wife to the Emergency Room...

Today, Connie was scheduled to be in Corpus Christi at 8:30a for a brain MRI, a mammogram and a CT chest scan.  We have a follow up visit with Dr. Aponte, the oncologist, on Monday (the 25th).  The whole process was supposed to take about an hour and a half.

Nothing I could do, so I started driving around Corpus Christi playing Munzee, which is basically a 21st century scavenger hunt with a smart phone.  I thought it beat sitting in a waiting area for a couple of hours.  Connie had forwarded her cell phone to me, so all the business calls would come my way while she was being tested.

At about 9:45a, I got a call from Dr. Aponte wanting to tell me to take Connie to the Emergency Room at Christus Spohn Shoreline. I was pretty confused.  I was only about 10 minutes away from the imaging place.  Connie was inside waiting on them to make disks up to give to her and bring with her to the ER.  She said something on the brain MRI was troubling to the technician.

We went to the ER.  (Funny story, while we're waiting they called for "Guadalupe Something" four different times for four different Guadalupe's.)  Connie finally gets taken back, and we agreed that it was time to get the dogs taken care of since the admitting process would take a while.

I came back to Rockport and made arrangements for Carmen and Sloopy to be boarded at the Salty Dog here in Rockport.  They weren't quite used to having loose ends, but we got it worked out.  Whole process took about 2 hours.

By the time I got back, Connie was in a hallway and about to be transferred to a transitional area.  She had met with Dr. Aponte who said there was a mass on her brain that needed immediate treatment.  Connie was put on steroids (to shrink the swelling of the brain) and anti seizure meds right away.

We met that night with Dr. Gleason, who was a neurologist.  He showed us the pictures that had caused alarm and was going to recommend that Connie undergo Cyber Knife treatment for the large mass, and whole brain radiation for the additional small spots that were apparent.

I went home, and Connie was moved to a permanent room.