Happy Holidays

Hi Everyone -

Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  I'm into my six session and so far things have been going relatively well.  There is some discomfort, so I've been watching the Legally Blonde series in the hopes that emotional trauma will replace the slight physical discomfort.  It's worked pretty well, with the side effect that chihuahuas now make me nervous...

Christmas was wonderful overall.  I was given the go-ahead to head back to St. Louis, so I got to see both the laws and the in-laws.  The only issue was right before Christmas half of Sam's family came down with the flu, so we unfortunately had to avoid those folks (her mom, dad and brother-in-law) on Christmas and Christmas Eve, but luckily we did get to see everyone before they came down with it. I went ahead and spent most of my time with Sean and my family, just to ensure I did not contract anything.

After this treatment wraps up this week I'll spend the next few weeks having some tests done to prepare for surgery on my shoulder and having the surgery done.  Hopefully that goes well, we shall see.

Until my next post, take care and have a wonderful new year.
Alex

Cells - Apparently you need them

Hi Everyone -

I had an unexpected hospital stay yesterday due to my cell counts being very low, especially my red cells and my platelets.  They gave me a transfusion of both during my stay, so hopefully that resolves the issue.  We'll find out tomorrow as I'm scheduled to have labs done to determine if the transfusion provided enough of a boost.

One issue with having treatment at a children's hospital is the bed I was using for the transfusion was designed for a child.  Not a major issue as for the most part I was sitting or standing, but it did make me feel taller than normal. 

Until next time,
Alex

Update (Finally)

Hi Everyone -

I just completed my fifth session of chemo, which went well.  I will admit the recovery is a little tougher every time, but so far no major health issues have come from the treatments (knocking on wood for my superstitious friends).  Mostly it's a lot of being tired and quarantined to the house because of "low counts."

When I'm feeling up to it I practice guitar (I'm currently terrible) and play around of SPSS programming (I'm passable).  I figured since I'm married I needed a hobby that repels women to counteract the one that attracts them.  I'll leave you to decide which repels and which attracts.

As always, thanks to everyone who has provided support while my family and I deal with this health issue.  Hopefully you all know how much it is appreciated.

Take Care,
Alex

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  I returned from my most recent hospital stay (session #4) yesterday and am still a little out of it.  Those sessions seem to hit a little harder each time, but progress is still good and overall complications have been minimal. 

Instead of complaining however, it seems much more appropriate that I say a little bit of thanks for all the good things in my life.  My wonderful wife who has helped take care of me, my sons, who are a constant source of pride, and my family and friends, who have been amazingly supportive.  In addition, I am thankful for an incredible group of coworkers (and friends).  People who have gone above and beyond to offer meals, financial and emotional support, their time and a never-ending stream of wonderful cards. 

I can't wait to get past this little hiccup in my life and back to work.  My next session is supposed to be December 6-8.  However, the last two times have been pushed back a day or two due to my counts being low.  I would not be surprised if that happens again and going forward.  They do promise I will not be in the hospital on Christmas.  One more thing for which I'm thankful. 

Take care everyone, take to you soon.

Alex

Update 11/20

Hi Everyone -

It's been a while since I've posted.  At this moment, I should be in the hospital.  However, due to my cell counts being low they postponed my fourth treatment from today to Friday.  Unfortunately, this means I will still be in the hospital on Thanksgiving, which is something we were trying to avoid.  While it stinks that we won't be able to visit family, hospital food is delicious, so I'll have a better Thanksgiving meal than you...............or...not. 

In all seriousness, it was a little tough on Sam has we've gone back to St. Louis to visit family every Thanksgiving since we moved to Cincinnati.  However, my 15-year old Domonick is going to go back to visit.  My brother Michael has offered to come to Cincinnati to help out for a few days and he'll drive Dom to St. Louis when he heads back the day before Thanksgiving.  Sam has to pick him up and bring him back to Cincy, so she will get to see everyone for a day or two, even if it's not for Thanksgiving.

Since my next treatment is a 6-day treatment, I felt I needed something beyond TV and books to keep me occupied.  As such, I bought a guitar and plan to practice as much as possible while I'm confined.  I enjoy playing, and hopefully with enough practice people will enjoy listening as well:). 

That's it for now.  Talk to you all soon!

Take Care,
Alex

Back from Chemo

I got back from my third session of Chemo on Sunday morning.  The treatment went well, although it wasn't the most pleasant experience.  For some reason the two day treatment is much more intense than the six day treatment and also leaves me feeling a little more drained when I get out.  I'm hoping that with a little R&R today I can get back to a more normal routine. 

That being said, I can't complain too much.  Overall the therapy so far has been going very well, and compared to the side effects the doctor's warned us about when we started therapy, I have avoided the worst ones.

With it being November, I figured it would make sense to just share a few things I'm thankful for before Thanksgiving roles around.  I'm thankful to my wonderful wife Sam for taking care of me and managing things on the home front while I deal with this therapy.  I'm thankful for my co-workers at Burke, who have been amazingly support but with their thoughts, prayers and time.  I'm also thankful to the doctors and nurses at the hospital, Cincinnati Children's certainly hasn't earned their sterling reputation for no reason.  Most of all, thanks to God for taking care of me during this time and setting me up with such a wonderful support group. 

Take care everyone, I'll be in touch soon.

Alex

Third Chemo Treatment

My third treatment was delayed a day due to my cell counts being a little too low.  Luckily it only delayed things by one day.  My fourth treatment runs through November 26th on the current schedule and if this treatment had been delayed any further I would have been in the hospital on Thanksgiving.  While it's no guarantee that I will be able to travel to St. Louis and see the family for Thanksgiving, obviously my chances would have been much worse if I had been in the hospital.  They frown on runaways...

I should be able to leave either the hospital late this Saturday or first thing Sunday, so I'm looking forward to that.  Plan to watch the Oregon vs. Stanford game on ESPN.  College football provides a little consolation to not being with my family.   

Take care everyone,
Alex

House Arrest

No, it's not as bad as it sounds.  I had my final labs done before my 3rd treatment and my counts were a tiny bit low.  As a result, they want me to stay in the house unless there is an absolute need for me to leave just to make sure my cell counts don't take a hit right before Wednesday and delay my treatment. 

Overall, I've been feeling pretty good.  My three year-old Sean loves the bald head; he rubs it constantly, and Sam seems okay with it as well.  I've lost a little weight since the start of the treatments, 15 pounds to be exact.  While I obviously don't want to lost too much weight, a little bit isn't the worst thing in the world. 

Sam continues to do a great job managing things.  While I help out around the house, she obviously still does most of the work :).  My wonderful co-workers at Burke have been providing us meals a couple times a week, which have been delicious.  In addition, people are providing us gift cards for food as well, so we certainly haven't been wanting for food.

Over the past week health-wise, I get tired easily, which as been a common refrain of mine since this whole thing started.  However, I've been able to keep food down and haven't had any unexpected hospital visits, so things have been great.

I hope everyone is doing well and I will provide another update later this week once my third session is under way.  Until then...

Take Care,
Alex

Treatment 2 Update

Hi Everyone -

On my fourth day of treatment, only a couple of days left in the hospital.  The treatment has been going well, no issues with nausea or pain.  In addition, the tumor appears to be responding very well to the treatment so far.  It is smaller than it was when I was first diagnosed.  Before, it was a very noticeable bump on my shoulder, now you can hardly notice it.  Unfortunately, the positive response to the treatment does not shorten the amount of treatments I will need.  I have to receive 14 sessions (9-10 months) regardless to ensure the "non-visible" impact of the cancer is gone.  Still, it's great that things are going well and I look forward to finishing up session number 2. 

I hope everyone has a great day!

Alex

Second Round of Chemo Starting

Starting my next round of Chemo today; ready to get this underway.  Assuming all goes well I should be out and free in time for trick or treating with my three-year old Sean.  This will be the first year in which he really understands and is into the whole experience, so I definitely want to be be around for that.   

Unexpected Hospital Visit

Well, it's great to be back from the hospital.  I felt awful Monday and slept a majority of the day.  On Tuesday I felt similarly bad and found myself with a nasty fever later in the afternoon.  Once the fever appeared, Sam took me to the hospital so they could make sure I didn't get an infection.  They found my white blood counts at 40 (not sure the scale, but 700-1000 is the healthier end).  I was admitted until my fever broke and my counts hit 200.  The good news is not only did my counts hit 200, they were up to 560! Honestly, the toughest part of the stay was emotional.  Neither Sam or myself were ready for me to go back so quickly.

It was for the best, as I feel a lot better and ready to take on my second round of chemo next week.  I'll post updates as can.  Take care everyone.

First Cancer Update

Hi Everyone -

My first official cancer blog post. So just to give a little background.  On September 9th I was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer that accounts for only 2,500 cases a year.  The discovery of this tumor was odd.  I was stretching a couple of weeks prior and heard a loud pop in my shoulder.  At first we thought it might be torn muscles or a popped tendon.  After a couple of initial visits they thought it might be something more and scheduled me for a few tests.

These tests confirm the presence of a malignant tumor.  It's been a whirlwind the past couple of months, but we have been managing well thanks to amazing support from our family and friends.  I will look to post on his as frequently as possibly, so if you have interest, please feel free to check back every once and a while for updates.

God Bless,
Alex