HI Everyone,
It's been a while since I've posted, this is because it's been a while since we've had to go to the doctor! My dad had some great accomplishments in the mean time though, he graduated from radiation on February 7th. In total, he did 14 treatments of radiation. This radiation helped big time in stopping the bleeding that he was having, I am happy to be able to say that he hasn't had any bleeding since! While on radiation, he could only be on one chemo drug which was a pill form. Usually chemo comes in a combination of two drugs. He was done with the pill chemo since the 8th so he has had almost two solid weeks off of chemo completely.
In those two weeks my dad's apparently been very busy. We all knew he went to Vegas with my mom, aunt Karen, and uncle Dave. What we didn't know is how much his body was working to re-coop from the radiation and chemo. Yesterday when he went in for his labs, we found out that his white blood count was 4000, which is in the normal range. That is something we haven't seen in I don't even know how long, I would have to look back at the previous posts, but a long time. Also, his hemoglobin was at 11.8 which we also haven't seen in SUCH a long time. This is the number that was so low when he was in the hospital and needing transfusions. Also, this is very close to normal, the normal range is 12-15. This is a great sign, tells us that his body has been healthy enough to make both red and white blood cells. AWESOME NEWS. His weight was pretty stable as well.
The thing that is most impressive is that his CEA which is the cancer cell count that I am always talking about, dropped almost 20 points! It went from 71 to 51.7. This is just amazing. This means that the cancer in his body is dying. We didn't necessarily expect that number to go up or stay the same but it seems like that's what would happen when you were off chemo for a few weeks and only on one drug of it for a few weeks before that. We were so shocked and happy with this number, and all of these numbers.
As I write, my dad and brother are at home getting ready to go in today to get the new chemo drug that we will be trying. I read a little about it online and I just have this feeling it is going to be great. My dad will stay on that pill chemo as well for the other drug. I also think this is a good thing because from the results yesterday with labs, it seems that that pill is doing it's job.
I just want to take a minute to shower my dad with some praise. Everyone should do this for their loved ones in any hard time in their lives, especially if they are a fighter as my dad is.
Dad, your decisions, good outlook on life, and amazing personality have been amazing through this whole battle so far. I'm so glad you have decided to keep fighting so hard and taking care of yourself so perfectly. I am so honored to call you dad, even through some bad news, you have kept pushing forward and fighting soo hard. You could have just given up, but that's not you, you have always taught Ben and I to never give up; you are showing us just how much you meant and believe in that all of them years. Just like you have told us in so many things, racing, jobs, dance, college, "You can do it." "I'll be proud of you no matter what." Well, we are saying that to you dad. YOU CAN DO IT. In this war we are on that front line with you, mom, Ben, and I. We are so proud of you. I know you can do UNBELIEVABLE things because you are an unbelievable person. Your faith along with your will to fight and willingness to take care of yourself goes farther than the average person. With your attitude and Dr. Guenther I think that you have everything it takes to seriously kick this cancer out completely. This cancer doesn't know what it's getting itself into when it's fighting Jim Peterson and Dr. Guenther together.
Keep up the good work dad. I am so proud of you and so thankful for the news this week. I've been praying and praying that this new chemo is just amazing, and for some reason I just have a solid feeling that it is going to be just that.
I love you so much. You are my King and if I could, I would buy you a huge Throne:)
He's heroic in his quiet strength,
and in his caring ways.
My Dad: My Hero
Love always,
Jill
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Quote of the day!
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
-Winston Churchill
Optimists like my dad beat cancer.
Love you daddy
-Winston Churchill
Optimists like my dad beat cancer.
Love you daddy
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2010
Hi Everyone,
My dad had his last radiation treatment this morning. He is doing good. He got a certificate for completing the radiation so that is really cool! He hasn't had to get any transfusions since he has come home from the hospital so that is just awesome news.
We will find out our new chemotherapy regimen next Monday when we meet with the doctor. Please pray for a good reaction to the next chemo with no side effects. We pray that my dad can tolerate it as well as the first chemo.
Please remember to donate blood, I understand that some people are medically unable which is completely understandable, then your job is to inspire your friends, family, and relatives who are capable how important it is. There is no "rule" that we MUST replace all of the blood my dad has gotten, We just feel like giving back in respect of all the people who need blood or have loved ones who need blood. We want there to always be blood for people to receive.
With that being said, if your excuse for not giving is "your to scared, you don't have time, or it might hurt" for one minute put yourself in someone's shoes who has cancer or who has a disease in which they are getting poked, chemicals pumped into their bodies, loss of hair, appetite, fatigue, death staring them in the face, every week, sometimes every day and hour. Yet, these people never complain; they laugh and tell jokes and are so happy with everything they are given. Think about them, and what would happen if everyone on this earth was that inconsiderate and didn't donate their blood; our loved ones would die.
For this reason, I am more than thankful for lifetime donors. For people like my mom and dad who have taught me from little on that giving blood was the kind thing to do. I remember sharing cookies at the blood drive with my brother waiting for my mom or dad to get done donating. Even before my dad was diagnosed with cancer I began giving blood because I was taught this from little on. Thanks mom and dad for teaching me all of these great life lessons, I never understood the power of donating just always knew it was the right thing to do, now I understand the true power and importance. Thank you to all of the lifetime donors and people who follow through with giving, believe me you really, really do make a difference.
All that being said, maybe I should look into campaigning for the blood center?
Ha-Ha. Have a good day and remember:
Give Blood: Save lives :)
This is Packer Country, Where's your green card?
Super Bowl Champs XLV
Love always,
Jill
"Effort only fully releases it's reward after a person refuses to quit."
-Dad
My Hero <3
My dad had his last radiation treatment this morning. He is doing good. He got a certificate for completing the radiation so that is really cool! He hasn't had to get any transfusions since he has come home from the hospital so that is just awesome news.
We will find out our new chemotherapy regimen next Monday when we meet with the doctor. Please pray for a good reaction to the next chemo with no side effects. We pray that my dad can tolerate it as well as the first chemo.
Please remember to donate blood, I understand that some people are medically unable which is completely understandable, then your job is to inspire your friends, family, and relatives who are capable how important it is. There is no "rule" that we MUST replace all of the blood my dad has gotten, We just feel like giving back in respect of all the people who need blood or have loved ones who need blood. We want there to always be blood for people to receive.
With that being said, if your excuse for not giving is "your to scared, you don't have time, or it might hurt" for one minute put yourself in someone's shoes who has cancer or who has a disease in which they are getting poked, chemicals pumped into their bodies, loss of hair, appetite, fatigue, death staring them in the face, every week, sometimes every day and hour. Yet, these people never complain; they laugh and tell jokes and are so happy with everything they are given. Think about them, and what would happen if everyone on this earth was that inconsiderate and didn't donate their blood; our loved ones would die.
For this reason, I am more than thankful for lifetime donors. For people like my mom and dad who have taught me from little on that giving blood was the kind thing to do. I remember sharing cookies at the blood drive with my brother waiting for my mom or dad to get done donating. Even before my dad was diagnosed with cancer I began giving blood because I was taught this from little on. Thanks mom and dad for teaching me all of these great life lessons, I never understood the power of donating just always knew it was the right thing to do, now I understand the true power and importance. Thank you to all of the lifetime donors and people who follow through with giving, believe me you really, really do make a difference.
All that being said, maybe I should look into campaigning for the blood center?
Ha-Ha. Have a good day and remember:
Give Blood: Save lives :)
This is Packer Country, Where's your green card?
Super Bowl Champs XLV
Love always,
Jill
"Effort only fully releases it's reward after a person refuses to quit."
-Dad
My Hero <3
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