Latest CT scan showed no growth in most tumors, some minor shrinkage
in others and possible small growth in one other (but was too minor to
be of importance).
Soooo, my onc took me off chemo for now. In 10 weeks he wants me to
have another ctscan and if things are still looking good, another 10
weeks without chemo. He wants my body to recover from the mess over
115 treatments have caused.
I've had my first nausea / diarrhea free week in years. The ugly rash
on my face/scalp is starting to clear up. Maybe my hair will even grow
back.
He did caution my though, that this was a respite not a cure. I knew
that of course, but I'll take it anyway. I finally filled out my
medical advance directive.
Maybe I should get some photo portraits done when I look better.
alex - 15 Sep 2006 02:45 GMT
Wonderful news, enjoy your chemo free time, retirement is agreeing with
you.
Alex
Frank (aka) "Stew" - 15 Sep 2006 03:49 GMT
>Latest CT scan showed no growth in most tumors, some minor shrinkage
>in others and possible small growth in one other (but was too minor to
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
>Maybe I should get some photo portraits done when I look better.
That is such great news I know you must be gleaming, no Chemo for 10
weeks whoo haaa, that my friend is good news.
Well Joe like you posted your body can begin to recover from the
horror and pain. I am so happy to hear the good news. Keep fighting
the good fight and as always Frank (aka) "Stew" [CCKMA] Cancer Can
Kiss My a.s!!
J - 15 Sep 2006 11:20 GMT
> Latest CT scan showed no growth in most tumors, some minor shrinkage
> in others and possible small growth in one other (but was too minor to
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Maybe I should get some photo portraits done when I look better.
Cheers, Joe !
Here's to many beautiful autumn hiking days, for you and yours.
J
irishfolker - 15 Sep 2006 15:13 GMT
Take a deep breath and enjoy!
Jeff
> Latest CT scan showed no growth in most tumors, some minor shrinkage
> in others and possible small growth in one other (but was too minor to
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Maybe I should get some photo portraits done when I look better.
Bobert - 15 Sep 2006 20:50 GMT
> Soooo, my onc took me off chemo for now. In 10 weeks he wants me to
> have another ctscan and if things are still looking good, another 10
> weeks without chemo. He wants my body to recover from the mess over
> 115 treatments have caused.
That is one of the best feelings in the world. No more chemo!!!!!
Hope your 10 week scan is good. That chemo can be as bad as the disease.
Well not really, but it was hard for me to decide which was #1.

Signature
Mia culpa, mia culpa, mia maxima culpa
Jimmy Buffet
Bob
in Carmel, CA
J - 13 Oct 2006 17:45 GMT
> Latest CT scan showed no growth in most tumors, some minor shrinkage
> in others and possible small growth in one other (but was too minor to
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Maybe I should get some photo portraits done when I look better.
How's Joe?
Anywhere near getting those photo portraits?
J - thinking of you
46erjoe - 20 Oct 2006 01:55 GMT
Hey, thanks J for the kind interest. My strength is comin' back bein'
off chemo now for almost a month.
Columbus Day weekend me and the wife spent 4 days-3-nights in the
Adirondacks where we backpacked to my "secret" creek-side campsite. I
was able to carry a 48 lb backpack for 4 miles. Saw nobody except a
bluejay.
Then, this past weekend my brother invited me on a 3-day 2 niter in
the wilds of mid-PA. You can see me in some of the pix at:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/554871678hYWtRO
Carried a 38 lb backpack 12 miles on that trip.
Feels like I don't have cancer anymore !!
Still, I wonder what them toomers are a-doin'. Maybe they're enjoyin'
a break from chemo too !
--Joe
>> Latest CT scan showed no growth in most tumors, some minor shrinkage
>> in others and possible small growth in one other (but was too minor to
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>Anywhere near getting those photo portraits?
>J - thinking of you
DLU - 20 Oct 2006 02:34 GMT
> Hey, thanks J for the kind interest. My strength is comin' back bein'
> off chemo now for almost a month.
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>>Anywhere near getting those photo portraits?
>>J - thinking of you
As a fellow mountaineer I have been following your posts.
If you get to California I will take you up a couple of Sierra peaks.

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46erjoe - 23 Oct 2006 02:39 GMT
>> Hey, thanks J for the kind interest. My strength is comin' back bein'
>> off chemo now for almost a month.
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
>As a fellow mountaineer I have been following your posts.
>If you get to California I will take you up a couple of Sierra peaks.
Kewl. I've always wanted to do Mt. Ranier. I love winter climbing in
the East and some of the peaks here are quite "Alpine" (eg Mt.
Washington) in Jan/Feb.
DLU - 25 Oct 2006 02:52 GMT
>>As a fellow mountaineer I have been following your posts.
>>If you get to California I will take you up a couple of Sierra peaks.
>
> Kewl. I've always wanted to do Mt. Ranier. I love winter climbing in
> the East and some of the peaks here are quite "Alpine" (eg Mt.
> Washington) in Jan/Feb.
I just can't imagine doing Mt. Washington in one of those wind storms.
Rainier is another story. It is a true mountaineers peak. It has
glaciers, crevasses and walls, all on one climb. It really should be
done with a three man team who are familiar with crevasse rescue
techniques such as z-pully and have practiced arresting a leader fall.
it is possible to get caught on the mountain and to take two or three
days to descend.
On friend of mine and his partner had to spend three nights in snow
caves before they were able to find their base camp. At the time they
did not have a GPS receiver and were using snow stakes to mark their route.
The snow buried the stakes and they could only see a few yards at a
time. In one case they glissaded out of control over a crevasse.
It is a dangerous mountain, but one of the great climbs.

Signature
******************************************
* This is the Spammish Inquisition *
* Not Lumber Cartel Unit 75 [TINLC] *
* http://bobcathoh.50megs.com/tinLC/ *
* david l kayp at earthlink dot net *
******************************************
J - 20 Oct 2006 10:05 GMT
> Hey, thanks J for the kind interest. My strength is comin' back bein'
> off chemo now for almost a month.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Feels like I don't have cancer anymore !!
Wonderful to hear from you, Joe and oh those photos, the scenery's beautiful.
The guys "ain't" too bad looking either <smile>
You know those postcards that say "I wish you were here" ?
well, I'd send you one saying "I wish I was there". <g>
Autumn is beautiful here as well, but nothing compared to what you're living
out there.
> Still, I wonder what them toomers are a-doin'. Maybe they're enjoyin'
> a break from chemo too !
>
> --Joe
Well, if you're wonderin' but not feeling them, that's the best for now.
And I'm still hoping you'll be able to benefit from the chemo again, at some
point.
Keep on doing what you're doing; but don't be a stranger.
Always good to hear you, Joe.
J
Emily - 20 Oct 2006 20:12 GMT
46erjoe said...
> Then, this past weekend my brother invited me on a 3-day 2 niter in
> the wilds of mid-PA. You can see me in some of the pix at:
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Feels like I don't have cancer anymore !!
Fantastic, Joe. Long may you continue to feel like that :-)

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Em
alex - 20 Oct 2006 23:34 GMT
Glad to hear how well you are doing thanks for sharing.
Alex
46erjoe - 23 Oct 2006 02:44 GMT
>Glad to hear how well you are doing thanks for sharing.
>
>Alex
My heart goes out to those who are not faring so well. I refuse to
forget them and continue to read their posts and pray that a WMD
against cancer will soon be created.