PET/CT results

I had a PET/CT on Monday the 14th and got the results yesterday.  All is well and the tumor is shrinking as planned.  My body is reacting well to the chemo and I will continue with several more treatments.  Another trip to MD Anderson will be scheduled in the coming weeks where I will meet with a medial oncologist and my surgical oncologist.  While at MD Anderson I will undergo a series of imaging scans for them to review and advise.

Thank you to all for your emails, letters/cards, thoughts & prayers as they are much appreciated.

Once again in the words of Jimmy V.

"don't give up, don't ever give up"

Chemotherapy

I have chemotherapy tomorrow and will continue it every other week for the next two months.  After that I will travel to M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX for further evaluation and a potentially revised treatment path depending on how my body reacts to the chemotherapy.

Regarding the Janus Charity Challenge

We are at $32,600, just $2,400 short of our goal.  Please forward the below link to anyone you know that may wish to assist us in attaining our goal.  I do appreciate the donations you have all made on my behalf.  The LIVESTRONG cause is a good one and I fully believe in what they are doing.

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=118656&supid=137183853

"don't give up, don't ever give up" - Jimmy V.

cheers,

jupe

results

Today I have received the best news since I was first diagnosed with cancer.  The biopsy results came back today and are NEGATIVE for cancer in the liver.  This "spot" is from my motorcycle wreck in 1988 was referred to as ancient calcification

I will speak with the Dr. tomorrow and will get a better idea of how we are moving forward from here.

More postings to follow…..

 

liver biopsy

I have been told to expect the biopsy results Monday or Tuesday.  The results will be posted ASAP.

The biopsy procedure was very simple and somewhat painless.  I was under IV sedation but could still feel them fishing around inside my liver.  There was a very small incision where they entered my chest for the tissue samples and is appx. 1/4" in size.

Liver biopsy

I head out to MD Anderson again on 7-11-06 and have a liver biopsy scheduled for Wednesday the 12th..  This is needed to determine whether or not I actually have cancer in my liver.  I am somewhat hopeful that the biopsy comes back negative for cancer but am not banking on it.  It's nice to get some potentially good news and am OK either way.  More to follow when the pathology results are back.

2nd opinion & fundraiser

7-6-06

I have been in Houston, TX for the past two days getting a 2nd opinion at MD Anderson, one of the premier cancer treatments facilities in the US.  My first day was very enlightening as my new surgical oncologist, Barry, said that he and his colleague could neither confirm nor deny that the cancer has actually spread to my liver. Barry is having a biopsy of the suspect liver spot scheduled and I am still waiting for that call.  He said this is the only true way to know for sure.  Barry does not like the PET/CT scan and called it unreliable at best.  He also said that he and his colleague reviewed my films/scans and said that if the spot in the liver is cancer that is would be one of the strangest looking metassis on film that was actually cancer.  This is somewhat good news but can only be confirmed by doing a biopsy.   I have undergone several tests/procedures that will create a baseline established here under their guidelines/specs.  I have one more test tomorrow and expect to return home Friday evening.  As of now it appears that I will have to return for the liver biopsy. 
There will be more to follow as I learn more from my visit.

 

 

On another note be sure to check out the below link.  This is a letter from Tray Vedock, one of the owners where I work.  He is doing an Iron Man competition at the end of this month and we are using it as a catalyst to raise money on my behalf for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  Please take a moment to follow the below link if you haven’t already had a chance to read the letter.

 

www.skccom.com/darinjupe

 

Thank you to those of you who have already made a donation.

 

I appreciate all of the thoughts, prayers, and support.

 

Cheers,

darin

sorry for the break between updates

6-15-06

Visit with Oncologist at Research Medical Center went great – was told the cancer was contained to the colon and had not spread

 

6-16-06

My primary Oncologist called and wanted me to come in later that afternoon for an appointment.  During this visit he told me the previous Oncologist read the scan incorrectly and the cancer had indeed spread.  A small spot was detected on my liver and was confirmed by the staff over at KU Medical Center the following week.

 

6-20-06

I underwent surgery to install a PORT.  The port is a small, bulb-like device surgically attached beneath the collarbone. The port is used to give medications or to draw blood.

 

6-28-06

Went to Kansas City Cancer Center – South for my first chemotherapy treatment.  I was there for 7hours and left with a body pack that will infuse me for 46 hours with 5FU.  I feel fine, just a bit tired today (the day after my first treatment)

http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Treatments/Chemotherapy/Individualdrugs/Fluorouracil

 

I leave July 4th to head to Houston, TX where I will have a 2nd surgical opinion at MD Anderson.  My schedule is pretty busy there from the 5th -7th with appointments and procedures.  They are repeating several tests that have already been performed but want to establish their own baseline.

 

My hopes are to more frequently update my BLOG but needless to say my life is a bit hectic right now.

 

In the words of Jimmy V  - “Don’t give up, don’t every give up”

 

Peace out,

Darin