tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766Sun, 01 Sep 2024 14:04:44 +0000The latest...http://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-5575155657107110605Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:56:00 +00002009-01-30T19:23:55.430-05:00It was January 29th, 2008, when I noticed the lump in my neck that was eventually diagnosed as cancer. Yesterday, exactly one year later, I received the results of my pathology report from the neck dissection: "No Tumor Seen." So, the story of the last (horrible) year has a happy ending. :>The MDs are all saying "congratulations," to which I reply "thanks!" and then remind them that they are http://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html#5575155657107110605noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-7999437153440820660Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:08:00 +00002009-01-25T21:00:46.844-05:00In early Jan, I had my scheduled CT scan (see post below) and we found that the original problem lymph node, although not showing any overt signs of cancer, was not continuing to shrink down as much as they’d like. So we decided to take it out, along with other tissue in the vicinity.This last Wednesday (21st) they knocked me out and performed a "selective neck dissection." As I sit here, I've http://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html#7999437153440820660noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-8891295954423328986Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:19:00 +00002008-12-05T17:09:14.051-05:00Here are six words that every cancer patient wants to see: "no evidence of local tumor recurrence." That's what the report I received today says, so it appears that the treatment worked and I am cancer-free. I have to admit that it feels pretty good to write that.Great medicine + power of prayer + positive attitude + support of family and friends + luck of the Irish = success.MANY THANKS AGAINhttp://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html#8891295954423328986noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-726411225087450857Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:31:00 +00002008-11-07T10:53:49.365-05:00Based on advice from my doctors yesterday, we pushed back my scan to 5 December. This is to reduce the odds of a false positive reading. "Positive," in this case, means "still see some cancer" so we want to avoid that...They really don't expect to find anything in the tonsil area. Based on the initial size of the lump in my neck (lymph node), they expect to see "something" there. Based on http://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html#726411225087450857noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-6970433613854374850Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:30:00 +00002008-11-05T18:57:15.080-05:00I realize that it has been quite a while since my last update. The simple truth is, my recovery from treatment has not been much fun, and is taking a bit longer than we were hoping. This is why I haven't written - I just can't bring myself to believe that anyone wants to hear about the details, and if I gave them to you it would come across as a list of complaints. And just as O'Reilly has hishttp://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html#6970433613854374850noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-1029375884280747793Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:47:00 +00002008-09-28T17:17:23.212-04:00Boot Camp. Your Ph. D. thesis. A marathon. Near the end of all these things, a grim determination sets in with the individual involved. There may be hints of sarcastic or gallows humor, but the more common symptoms are a clenched jaw, very few words, and a stare that says "do not get between me and this thing I'm trying to finish."That's sort of where I am with cancer treatment. I put on a good http://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html#1029375884280747793noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-2254026655068565202Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:17:00 +00002008-08-18T18:45:15.212-04:00I’ve finished Phase I of my treatment, which was nine weeks of industrial strength chemotherapy. I just started Phase II, which consists of seven weeks of M-F radiation + once per week “light” chemo. The chemo this time is designed specifically to help the radiation work better – it makes the cancer cells more responsive to the radiation.The radiation is just like getting an X-ray – each daily http://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html#2254026655068565202noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-4467327069037711524Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:30:00 +00002008-07-20T10:11:03.212-04:00The most common thing friends say when they find out I have cancer is "just let me know what I can do - really. Anything you need." And people mean it, too. I've had offers for child care from friends as far away as CA. This "what can I do" sentiment is extremely generous, and much appreciated.Of course you don't have to do anything - your thoughts and prayers are what count. But I did thinkhttp://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html#4467327069037711524noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-8065442283237192931Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:00:00 +00002008-07-19T15:28:11.357-04:00Just had a progress check yesterday (7/18) with my doctors. They compared a CT scan from before I started treatment to a new CT I did on Thursday (7/17). Both the tonsil and lymph node tumors have shrunk by 50% or more, which is what they want to see at this stage. What does this mean? It means we stay on the current plan (as described in my previous post). So this Tuesday I will have my http://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html#8065442283237192931noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905685943756877766.post-4214724012522737549Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:57:00 +00002008-07-10T14:11:48.998-04:00"You've got cancer." Heard those on May 21st, 2008. Nice belated birthday present (from the day before, May 20). Here's what's up since then:The cancer is in my left tonsil and lymph node on left side of neck. No idea what caused it, and it is pretty rare.There are four things you hope for if you get cancer. 1. you find it early. 2. you get the kind that doesn't tend to spread. 3. you get the http://hayesupdate.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html#4214724012522737549noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)