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Notes about this site
Al's Cancer Update
I sometimes wonder why I am doing these updates. After all, it is rather personal information.
The first reason, this is an easy way to keep the extended family, near and far, up to date.
Second.....there are people who we know, but don't always keep in close touch with. I do not want anyone of them to be afraid to say "Hi" because they don't know if Albert is still alive. With these pages, they can always check first.
Third....I have had a hard time finding out just what to expect. Maybe this page will help someone else know just what lies ahead with Colon Cancer.
And last, this gives me a history for myself and any lawyers or medical and insurance people. If my computer crashes, I can still go to the net and retrieve it.
First let me say, I could not do this without the help of some wonderful people.
Our son and daughter, Jeff and Crissy, also the support of our, far away daughter, Karen. We were also able to call on the support of the older granddaughters. Our dear friends, Mike, Charlie and Tom and the Hospice team. And I don't want to forget Frances, who listens to my troubles.
You will find me saying "we" at times. Cancer is not an isolated disease. It affects the whole family.
Some time around 1988
Al told his doctor that he has blood in his stool. She had him do a smear and when the results came back, she said it must be hemorrhoids.
Sometime in 1996
Al told his new doctor that he had blood in his stool. He had him do a smear and when the results came back, he said it must be hemorrhoids.
Don't let "bright red" blood fool the doctors.
1998:
May:
Albert was having chest pains and when a stress test didn't show anything, his Primary Care Doctor ordered an endoscopy. When the endoscopy didn't show anything, everyone agreed that it must be acid reflux. However, this time, Dr Volentine, the surgeon (Gastroenterologist) asked Al if he had any other problems. Al said, I have blood in my stool.
The Dr. said, "Lets go take a look", and ordered a colonoscopy.
After the colonoscopy, Dr Volentine said, "I'm sorry, there is a growth, in your colon, and it is an old one. Let's get it out right away." I said to him, "Are you saying this is colon cancer?" He reluctantly said, "Yes"
June:
Surgery was scheduled for 3 days later. An appointment was set up with Dr Redland, General Surgeon.
After surgery, Dr Redland, told us she was sure she had gotten it all and it should not come back. I asked her if she meant the cancer or just the colon cancer. She said, "Cancer in his colon." However, because of the involvement of 3 lymph nodes, which she also removed, she referred us to the Oncology Department.
August:
Oncology started Al on 6 months of chemo.
He agreed to be in a study. He was getting a new combination of drugs that he could not have otherwise had. The drugs they used were 5FU and Leucovrin. They were given in an IV. After awhile, his veins seem to know he was on his way to the hosptial and they would just collapse.
Toward the end of the Chemo, radiation of the lower abdomen, was added. They measured him, using scans as guidelines and put Xs, where they wanted to shoot.
He would leave the house in the morning, stop at the hosptial, get his Chemo and then go on to work. At times he would fall asleep at his desk. We thank God for giving him a boss that was straight from heaven. When someone was looking for Al, Garold would say, "Let's talk to him later, he is asleep." (He had used up all his sick leave and vacation with the colon surgery.)
1999:
February:
Chemo is done. Al went for his check up and was given clean bill of health. There were no markers for cancer in his blood. We are now entering the 5 year watch.
March:
Al has decided to retire. He said, "Nancy and I need some time for us." So on March 30th a limousine picked him up and took 18 of us to dinner at his favorite restaurant. We were joined there by some of his co-workers.
We had a fun spring and summer, going on little impromptu vacations. Al taking long Sunday drives on his Harley. Of course, the regular keeping the yard up and fixing the car and truck. There were the Monday night HAM radio "net" broadcasts and field day in the park. We attended Storm Chaser classes and then became spotters for the local HAM club. Sometimes Al was in the Communications Center and I was out on the road. We actually saw a real tornado. At one point we got a little too close. It was scary.
At 9AM sharp, on week days, he was at McDonald's to visit with the other men who came in. I started calling it the "Ol' Geezers Club". This session usually lasted till 11. Then it was home (or out) for lunch. Afternoons saw him doing his daily VIP, very important puzzle. (Crossword) A short nap and then either mowing the grass or playing in the garage. Thursdays he went to Omaha and had lunch with friends from his work. He liked to keep in touch. Occasionally we would go shopping together.
The reason I am adding "non-cancer" information is so you will be able to see how deceptive colon cancer can be.
The only problem he had was when he tried to do something that required some exertion, the chest pain came back. Our daughter, Crissy, told him, "Dad, that is not acid reflux. It is angina." But who do you believe, your kid or the doctor?
August
His next check up consisted of blood work and scans, again the blood work was good but the scan is showed "something" in his liver.....2 centimeters in size. They said they would keep an eye on it. Then they said, "See you next year!"
Why didn't they do something then. These Drs. knew that colon cancer goes to liver.
Take My Hand
I cannot ease your aching heart,
Nor take your pain away.
But let me stay and take your hand
And walk with you today
I'm here and to stand beside you,
Each hill you have to climb.
So take my hand, we'll face the world,
Just one day at a time.
Author Unknown
