Potentially Good News

My blood test yesterday showed the tumor marker (a substance, released into the circulation by tumor tissue, the detection of which in the serum indicates the presence of tumor) has decreased a good bit. What this means is that, although the ct scan did not show it, there is a good chance that my tumor has decreased in size. This does not mean that it has just that it could have. That being said, this is potentially good news and I'll take it.

Love,
Jeff

Here is a picture of my daughter Lauren donating the dog food she collected at her birthday party to our local Humane Society. I am so proud of her for doing this. If you can't tell, she is dressed like a veterinarian which is what she wanted to be at the time of her birthday but she told me yesterday she wanted to be a teacher like her mother. She has such a good heart that I'm sure whatever she chooses will involve helping people or animals in some way or another.

I got the results of my ct scan on Monday. The cancer has not decreased but the good news is that it has not spread at all. The plan now is to continue on the same regimen for now, six more treatments and another ct scan. Thank you.

Love,
Jeff

Once again, I am sorry for taking so long between updates. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I now have had 6 treatments and I go in Wednesday Dec. 10th for my first CT scan since I started treatments. Please pray for good news. Except for being weak and the occasional pain, I have been doing pretty good. My blood counts have stayed high enough for me to continue to receive full doses of my chemo drugs and I've gained 3 lbs. back of the weight I've lost. I will get the results of my scan on Monday so I will post again Tuesday or Wednesday. As always thank you for the prayers, emails, calls and cards.

Love,
Jeff

I am sorry for taking so long to update this blog. I will try to do a better job in the future. I am 3 weeks into my treatment and seem to be doing well. After my first treatment I got pretty sick and it took almost a week to recover but they started giving me a steroid before my last 2 treatments and it helps a great deal. The protocol calls for 3 weeks of treatment followed by an off week so I won't have to go to Atlanta on Monday which will be nice.

I've got a big day I'm looking forward to tomorrow. My oldest daughter turned 6 Nov. 1st but her party isn't until tomorrow. The theme she chose for her party is "Rescue Vets". Everyone is supposed to dress up like vets and bring a stuffed animal. They are going to take turns treating and operating on these animals. In lieu of gifts, everyone is supposed to bring a small bag of dog food which she is going to donate to the Humane Society.

I'm also looking forward to Saturday night. Some very dear friends are holding a benefit for me in Milledgeville at the Velvet Elvis. I can't wait to go and spend some time with good friends. If your interested here is the website they started for the event:
http://mooselodge.weebly.com/index.html

Thank you all for the prayers, cards, calls, emails and donations. I can't tell you how much they mean to me.
Love,
Jeff

New Game Plan

We are in our third day here in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and boy are we exhausted. They have put me through the ringer. I have seen several doctors, education specialists, liaisons, schedulers, a nutritionist and Nicole's personal favorite, a naturapathic specialist, Markiam Babij (Nicole refers to him as McDreamy). We have received a lot of interesting and useful information here, but we feel more comfortable with Dr. Henderson in Atlanta. Therefore, we have decided to continue treatment with him in Atlanta. We will hopefully begin treatment in Atlanta on Monday morning (10-20-08). We hope to be flying home today to get home to our babies whom we have missed so very much. I will try to update more after my treatment on Monday. Please keep the prayers, calls, and emails coming. I look forward to them even though I may not be able to return them right away. I want to thank everyone for what they've done and are doing to help me and my family. I look forward to seeing you soon.

love,
Jeff

Stumbling Block

I found out this past Wednesday that I was no longer a candidate for the experimental drug I was supposed to start on Monday because my blood sugar was to high ( I am also diabetic if you didn't already know) I went back to Dr. Henderson today to see what else was available. He has another trial he is doing but not as good as our original plan of action. I am meeting with Dr. Kauh (pronounced Coe) from Emory on Monday to see what he has to offer then I'm flying out to a clinic in Oklahoma on Tuesday to check them out as well. Hopefully we will have a new game plan by the end of next week.

Thank you again for all your prayers, phone calls and cards. If you have called me and I have not gotten back with you, I will be soon I promise.

God Bless,

Jeff

Game Plan

After a lot of praying and soul searching I have decided to start treatment with Dr. Charles Henderson of Peachtree Hematology-Oncology in Atlanta. I am very comfortable with this doctor and the treatment he has planned for me. Dr. Henderson has battled cancer himself so he knows personally what I'm going through and his passion for what he does is very evident. After I consulted with him a second time and had a one-on-one heart-to-heart talk with him I know I have made the right decision. I would like to thank Paul Findlay, a fraternity brother, for all of his help in this process. He works in the medical field and has been a wealth of information for me. He has done so much research for me that he has become an expert in cancer treatment.

I have to go in Monday Oct. 6th for some tests and I will start treatment on Monday Oct. 13th. I will post more later about the details of the treatment.

Thank you for all the notes, cards, emails and phone calls. They mean a lot to me and are very uplifting.

Jeff

Shock

On September 27th, 2008 I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to my liver. The doctors have given me 4 to 6 months to live without treatment and 8 to 9 months with treatment. I do not accept this. Those that know me, know I like a good fight and this is no different, I will fight this tooth and nail. I know the Lord is on my side and I know with Him anything is possible. I also need you on my side so please continue to pray for me and my family.

I started this blog because I thought it would be the best was to keep friends and family informed so please check back periodically for updates. I have an appointment Wednesday Oct. 1 at Piedmont so I will try to update you on Thursday.