After many weeks of waiting I received a second medical opinion on how best to treat the cancer in my prostrate. This opinion from MD Anderson Cancer Center basically agrees with the opinion of my doctor here in Kansas, so I will now proceed with the chemotherapy that I started about 6 weeks ago.
My last Blog update was just after my first chemo treatment on May 6. I postponed my second treatment after I decided to get a second opinion regarding staying with chemo vs surgery to remove the prostrate. During that delay I learned that I have another issue which will require urgent attention according to my new heart doctor. A recent cat scan of my heart showed that I have an aneurysm in my ascending aorta also called “the arch”. This large blood vessel is now about 2” in diameter instead of 1”. This has caused a thinning of the artery wall and danger of a rupture, which would be deadly. You may recall my twin brother had 5 aneurysms.
The opinion of the doctor is that I need open heart surgery as soon as I finish my cancer treatment to replace the aortic valve, valve root and the artery connected to that valve. I suspect the earliest that this could occur would be in October. He thinks this enlargement has been growing for about 2 yrs and will continue due to having a bicuspid valve like my mother. Without the examinations required for my cancer it seems unlikely that this would have been detected before a major rupture occurred. So the cancer seems to be a blessing in this case.
The other major family news is the birth of my niece Natalie's first child 4 weeks ago. She was a little small at 4lbs 13 oz. but Sloan is now doing fine and is in normal size clothes. I've seen her regularly the last two week-ends when her parents come to visit and relax in my back yard. She's a doll. Natalie's sister is expecting her first child in December so it's very nice to be home for these big events.
My brother-in-law Phillip and I drove to Houston for my birthday (66th) on May 20th and spent the week with my son Kyle and his mother Pam. It was also his birthday (24th), so we had a very nice visit and got to see a few friends in the area. Phillip was kept very busy doing repair projects for Pam which had been delayed and he was very helpful for me in doing most of the driving (13 hrs one way). It was a wonderful week and we had some great food at home and in restaurants.
Just as we were departing Kansas my hair started departing my scalp. After we returned to Kansas I decided to cut it all off for my summer look. It's much cooler so I'm sure glad this was not something that occurred in the winter months. A week later my brother and other brother-in-law decided to get their summer haircuts so we all look pretty similar. Now I'm working on my summer tan, especially of the scalp.
Kyle's girlfriend Chrystal also arrived from Atlanta the same week Phillip and I came to Houston. She has decided to live in Houston. She was busy looking for a job as a hairdresser the whole time we were there. Kyle also decided to change from his part-time job doing sailboat repairs to full time for the father of his best friend. Last week they both started their new full time jobs and hope to be moving out of Pam's house in another 6 weeks. I think Kyle will be driving to Kansas City in a few weeks to get his furniture and belongings out of my basement. I'm hoping to fly his brother Adam from Baltimore (and his daughter Audrey) here the same week-end so we can spend some family time together.
I'll keep you all posted as things develop. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. Tom 6-15-10
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Dear Tom,
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping us up to date on your condition & your family. You're on the prayer list at Mary Queen, with many people thinking of you. A belated Happy Birthday!
Before a major re-piping and plumbing job last winter, I had been cherishing the fantasy that we could write Christmas cards. Life keeps happening to all of us, if we’re lucky.
Bob is almost back to normal after surgery for a carotid artery blockage. We’re very thankful that they were able to prevent a stroke. We’ve had to send regrets to family & friends for important occasions which we had hoped to attend.
Mom will be starting her third year of independent living at Village on the Park. She now has a team of four caregivers to check in on her round the clock and assist her as needed. This relieves much stress and frees me to try to keep track of her paperwork. Mom still enjoys Chair Tai Chi and Bingo and appreciates the Ministers of Care from Mary Queen who bring her weekly Communion.
Love,
Bob & Mary Ellen Ried
Tom: I wish you only the best with your health issues. We're lucky that modern medicine can do so much more than even a few years ago. So far, (knock on wood) my health has been good-just the expected hypertension & cholesterol, both kept well under control with meds. I'll keep you in my prayers & thoughts.
ReplyDeleteCliff Sperry-Pittsburg, KS