Good news!  Sam’s latest PET scan  showed that the three cancers outside the lung were gone.  After giving us the results, Dr. Just recommended the remaining spot in the lung be removed by surgery.  While we were there he called Dr. Reichmann, the surgeon, and set up an appointment for Sam.  Dr. Reichmann scheduled surgery for August 22 at 2:00 at Palomar Hospital.  Sam will be in ICU for 1-3 days and in the hospital for about 1 week.   Dr. Reichmann was very encouraging  that the surgery would be successful with no problems.

We will keep you updated as things happen.  Your prayers and good thoughts are comforting to us.

Keep them coming our way.

At Sam’s appointment with Dr. Volpp on July 18 he was told that radiation is finished and that he (Dr. Volpp) would not order a PET or CTscan until 8-12 weeks after radiation was completed in order for all the radiation to be out of his body, but that Dr. Just could order one earlier if he wanted. Sam is scheduled for another appointment in 3 months. Continue reading →

Sam had 2 weeks off from any treatment which gave his chest and back time to heal. But more and more of his hair started to come out. Still some problems swallowing, but appetite was pretty good while we were on “vacation” and eating out every day. He went in for another dose of chemo on July 8th, the same two medicines but a heavier dose, and will go in every third week instead of once a week, to be followed the next day with a shot to build up his blood. He goes back to the radiologist on Friday (18th). Then next week on Monday he goes back to chemo for blood work only and a consultation. Continue reading →

Sam is finished with radiation at this time. He went into chemo on Monday at his regular time just for blood work. So a week of rest for him. Actually it will be two weeks for him to recuperate from the radiation. His chest and back areas are like a bad sun burn, but he has medicine to apply to the areas. He will start chemo again on July 8 and he will go in every 3 weeks for a treatment. Hopefully his chest and back will heal and his problem swallowing will lessen in the two weeks “vacation” from treatment. His energy level is getting lower and his hair is still falling out (but he still has enough). Continue reading →

Sorry about being late on week 4′s update. The week was a pretty good week for Sam. Energy was still good, spirits still high. But toward the end of the week he started to lose a little hair each day, and voice stayed hoarse longer than the couple of hours after treatments–lasting into the next day on Saturday. His chest and back look like a bad sunburn, but he has a cream to rub on every day after radiation. Swallowing is getting a little more difficult. Continue reading →