Last day of 2009....

I went with Paul to see his cardiologist for routine check of heart, EKG and pacemaker. NP told him he is doing fine - blood pressure good, weight ok, and heart sounds good. Another year starts tomorrow - hoping for the best one ever!

(Even Penny is cold today)

A lot to be thankful for...

Just wanted to add this note for Thanksgiving! A lot to be thankful for here. Paul's lung cancer - Stage 4 - has been in remission for over 2 years and will be 3 years in Spring. He is doing well - living as good as possible from one ct scan to another. Breathing is not as good but due to COPD a little worse. His back pain is still his biggest problem to live with.

I am doing better with my UC and looking forward to the holidays!

Happy Holidays to everyone who reads this.

Elaine

September 29, 2009

Fall is here but my begonias still pretty!

Today was routine trip to oncologist which turned out to be a trip to ER. Paul was coughing, wheezing, etc. - doctor said "Paul, you look terrible!" So he went to ER. Good news is nothing new with cancer or no pneumonia, etc.

Just an exacerbation of his COPD. He will be on steroids a short time and antibiotics to stop any infection. He should feel much better in a few days.

Chest xray showed lung cancer the same!

That is good!

Update....September 6, 2009

(our new car)

Two years ago Paul started radiation treatments. He has been "stable" since. We are so happy with the outcome so far. He had a recent ct scan and no phone calls about the results so assuming all is same. Enjoying this time as much as we can with his arthritis, back pain, etc. and my UC plus arthritis - bad knees and lack of energy.

Elaine

More good news...July 21, 2009

Smiling as he should be - on Amtrak from Syracuse to Albany. Nice trip!
Today Paul saw oncologist and cardiologist and all remains about same. Only comment was he could breathe a little better if he lost maybe 20 lbs. He is trying! Every day is "gravy" as I call it. Life is good right now!

June 30, 2009

Trip to clinic was the best news ever! All scans, bone and CT and xrays negative for cancer. It has been two years since diagnosis this week and still in remission. We are very happy.

First day with new car and loving that also!

Hope it is a LONG summer.

Have a fun one!

June 8, 2009

This is our resident (sometimes) deer. She is injured and limps so we enjoy watching her and see that she is ok! She likes the grass and weeds in our backyard!

Paul had his routine ct scan and saw the oncologist last week. Results remain about same. No action to be taken right now. He did order a bone scan to be sure everything in the bones is ok. Lung cancer often spreads to bones in time.

Doctor noted that Paul had gained weight and we both are trying to do better in that department and maybe lose a few. Next appointment in 3 months.

Enjoy the summer.

April 8, 2009

Trips this week to pulmonary doctor, ortho for finger and ortho for shoulder went well. Paul got cortisone for the finger and shoulder.

Pulmonary doctor did the breathing tests and all numbers about same which is good. A walking tests showed that his oxygen levels stay high enough without supplemental oxygen with normal walking.

Time for Spring to come and some work outside - I hope!

March 27, 2009

Paul went to oncologist by himself because just got word my Dad passed away.


Oncologist said he looked good, still "stable" and to continue what he has been doing.


His major problems still remain his shoulder and back - not cancer related. He will be doing physical therapy starting April 13 and seeing an ortho doc about his shoulder and trigger finger. All is good right now.

Still looking for Spring!!

March 18, 2009

Paul will be starting physical therapy for his back March 30 - a work injury of many years back. Maybe it will also help his breathing - strengthening his muscles, etc. He is feeling pretty good - trying to take off a few pounds which he put on this winter.

We still have snow but it is thawing and hopefully we won't have too much NEW snow before Spring.

WE still spend our days going to doctors, grocery store, pharmacy and occasional dinner out.

Paul walks our dog, Penny, who is now completely blind due to glaucoma. She runs into everything but is slow so no injuries yet.

I am still fighting ulcerative colitis and determined to win. On prednisone and 6MP right now and probably for months. I still want to have my knee replacement but has to be one thing at a time.

Elaine

UPDATE.....February 25, 2009

Well, today was Paul's visit to the primary care doctor. He had never gotten any call about the ct scan so knew it was ok but no details.

His PA, Alex, went over all his concerns with medication, etc. He called the NP from oncology while there and clarified that all is still STABLE! The tiny new nodule found in April in left lung is still same size - no change - wonderful news. Still could be cancer but not growing or spreading. No signs of mets to any other organs!

We all agreed that Spring will help with some of our concerns about being tired, etc. A little more exercise, better eating, etc. would be good. His blood work was perfect (and better than mine).

Waiting now for Spring and getting outside!

Elaine

Winter in central NY....

Since the ct scan was postponed due to weather - thought some of you might like to see what our weather is like. It is pretty but we are getting tired of it.

All is well....January 19, 2009

Paul Christmas......

Paul saw both cardiologist and oncologist past week. They both remarked how well he looks.

Blood work was fine, pacemaker doing fine and no new symptoms from cancer. Oncologist is scheduling a ct scan - soon and appointment end of March.

We are pleased with his progress and lack of progress of the lung cancer.

Ready for Spring but otherwise doing ok!