tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229Fri, 13 Sep 2024 03:58:38 +0000chemotherapychemo sessionsdr apptsfun stuffa few picsfeeling goodstoriesresultsfollowupfamilyfriendsouchespre surgeryfeelingssurgerycentral linecolorado mammothnice peoplenoticing the good stuffprayersRelay for Lifebananaphonedecisionssexy garbtaylorclinical trialfreaking outmondowhat thePICC Linedarrenfootprintsrecoveryuh oh leaky eyesDiana Price-Fishnot about cancerrecipesFor those of you who want to know what's going on with me, and how I am doing - I thought I would write a blog. I have a lot of time to write, and I thought at some point, I might like to have a record of what has happened. This is probably too much info for a lot of you, but if it is, then you don't have to read it. You can look at the pictures :o) PS - I love to read comments and I just added a guestbook... so if you have a minute - please drop me a line.http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Tommy)Blogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-7563726103505370782Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +00002013-03-25T07:25:49.566-06:00 It's funny how a certain day out of the year can have special meaning to you, but just be another Monday... or Tuesday... or whatever, to anyone else. There are a handful of dates that I often find myself measuring time by. They are anniversaries of events in my life that were impactful enough, that nothing could ever be the same after them. Some happy.  Some sad. Some tragic.  http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2013/03/happy-anniversary-to-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-4435593364845449067Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:51:00 +00002012-01-14T15:57:43.546-07:00familyfollowupresultsstoriesHoly cow! I can't believe it's been over a year since I've blogged. Here at least... I'm still around, in case you were wondering. I've received some comments and emails asking if I was and thought it was awful nice of you to care enough to ask, so the least I could do is respond.Early last year, January 1st to be exact, stuff happened. My mom suffered a really bad stroke that left her http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2012/01/different-kind-of-grief.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-7125268946836992940Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:31:00 +00002010-11-29T17:42:49.324-07:00dr apptsfollowupAfter I got my CT in March - 7 1/2 months ago, I never went in for a follow-up. I guess I figured they would call me if anything was wrong. I told a friend that and they gave me a lecture saying "Not so!". Okay. Okay! When I scheduled this CT, I asked for March's results just in case there was a surprise in store for me and they gave them to me (they were good btw). Today, I called in and http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2010/11/good-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-4052565660508004069Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:00:00 +00002010-11-25T10:34:14.436-07:00So today I went in for my six month (albeit a month and a half late) check up via CT Scan. The flavor of my barrium "smoothie" was banana. Such a lie. It is soooo not a smoothie. It's like drinking liquid chalk. Banana flavored liquid chalk. Yumm. Sorry, I'm getting off on a tangent.I'm not sure when I'll get the results back, but I am praying they are unremarkable. I'll let you know.I http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2010/11/halfway-there-ct-scan-and-happy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-6891323887606058928Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:12:00 +00002010-07-29T12:06:43.725-06:00Relay for LifeMy Relay for Life event is just over a week away! I'd be so happy if you would consider supporting me. It means a great deal to me as this is very dear to my ♥heart♥ (and colon ;) Donations can be made online at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/prayfortayThere is also a place where you can mail in a check if that works out better for you.Thanks so much!My Reason to RelayI am relaying in honor and http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2010/07/relay-for-lifeing-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-1503393810529728857Tue, 04 May 2010 18:32:00 +00002010-05-04T21:43:37.966-06:00Last week was sad, exhausting, painful, emotional - at times joyful, but completely full of love.Yesterday, I attended a funeral for a young girl whose life ended much too soon.I was honored to be asked by my cousin Tommy and his wife Tammy to give the Eulogy at Taylor's funeral. I was also very nervous - public speaking is not what I do best. I had written a letter to Taylor on the night that http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2010/05/remembering-tay.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-7975534310175353310Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:45:00 +00002010-05-04T12:00:40.161-06:00taylorTaylor Morgan Rivera, 14, was called home to glory on Monday, April 26, 2010. She fought a courageous three-year battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 21, 1995, to the union of Thomas and Tammy (Montelongo) Rivera. She was an eigth-grade student at Roncolli Middle School. She enjoyed softball, music, movies, games, was an avid Colorado Rockies fan, but most of all enjoyed spending time with her http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2010/04/one-more-angel-watching-over-us-tonight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-3474001979662711957Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:24:00 +00002010-03-26T11:11:29.714-06:00 Here I am again. One more round since you know when. At least, I know when - always will.I celebrated my 38th birthday in February. Today I will celebrate my 2 year anniversary of remission. I sorta feel like it's my 2nd birthday.I know - any excuse to celebrate Tommy...And you know what? YES. Any excuse to celebrate life. And even more than that - quality of life. I know I'm lucky for where http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2010/03/any-excuse-to-celebrate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-3187436952255829722Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:03:00 +00002010-03-01T22:25:01.332-07:00March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.And since this happens to be the exact type of cancer I have, I am plugging it here.The American Cancer Society encourages all Americans at average risk to begin screening starting at age 50.Despite progress, colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States."Colon cancer is one of only a fewhttp://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2010/03/national-colorectal-cancer-awareness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-2953256473364802559Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +00002009-11-18T00:21:28.511-07:00followupresultsHad my check-up today and met with Julie and Dr. C. Geez those people are sure nice at the RMCC - all of them. Hmm, so..... I had my CT scan at the end of September, so that was about 1 1/2 years from my surgery. Lookin' good. That's the word anyway. Doc says there is no evidence of the cancer having spread. *whew* Not that I thought it had, but still - good to hear. Good. To. Hear.Next http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/11/and-whadaya-know-world-just-keeps.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-3460853763295084702Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:24:00 +00002009-10-04T17:36:13.349-06:00darrendr apptsfollowupprayerstaylorUgh.... My laptop died. It was about five years old, so I guess it was time. Anyhow, I thought I would try to make up for some updates that I would have made if it wouldn't have...Let's see. Where do I start?New DoctorAt the end of July I met my new Oncologist. Dr. Cohn with the RMCC. So far, so good. I didn't think the receptionist was especially remarkable - but the nurse that took me back for http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/10/ugh.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-1656778006843828711Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:14:00 +00002009-07-20T22:42:18.208-06:00chemotherapydr apptsfeelingsIt's kind of funny, I started a new job last week and have come across a lot of people asking me "How are you doing?" I answer - you know, the way you answer that question. "I'm doing great. How have you been?" To which they respond, "So everything is going okay?"Ohhhhhh.... You mean, how am I dooooooing. I guess I'm doing so well I forget that you might be referring to my C-stats. Or http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/07/ohhhhhh-you-mean-how-am-i-dooooooing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-5886979031445521328Wed, 06 May 2009 20:57:00 +00002009-05-07T10:16:05.736-06:00fun stuffprayersRelay for Lifetaylor I'm Relay'n people! Friday, June 5th to Saturday, June 6thMy Reason to RelayI Relay because I want to see an end to cancer during my lifetime. I Relay in memory of those who did not live to see that. For my Godmother. My uncle Ronnie. My Grandpa. My Uncle Sonny. For Coleman... I Relay in honor of amazing Survivors who inspired me and gave me great hope in my own battle. For Matthew. For http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/05/pray-for-tay.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-7343881376375557163Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:34:00 +00002009-04-26T01:02:11.296-06:00feelingsfriendsprayersLast week I found out a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer.She's a co-worker of mine, but we're in totally different departments now, so I don't see her much. We occasionally jot notes to each other on Facebook. I do consider her a friend though in the fact that I enjoy spending time with her when I do, wish it was more often and would keep in touch with her even if we didn't work at the http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/04/what-can-i-do.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-7367792919503899819Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:21:00 +00002009-04-04T00:22:28.703-06:00dr apptsI had my 6 month (from end of chemo) check-up today. While I was waiting, I saw the head nurse Julie head over to the elevators. I had wondered if she was there because I wanted to stop in and say 'hi' to her, so I went over and asked her if she remembered me. She had to take a look, but then said "Oh yeah! Your hair is longer and you have glasses! You look great, how are you..." and gave me http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/04/12th-floor-oncology-did-ya-miss-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-4607786920302253820Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:41:00 +00002009-03-25T17:49:27.730-06:00I had my surgery one year ago today.So if it's true that the cancer was effectively removed in that surgery and that it hasn't spread, then I am one year on my way to being considered cured.One down, four to go.20%.I know, it might seem out of control - all these "anniversaries" - but the truth is, they're on my mind. I replay in what was going on at this time last year in my head over and over http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-down-or-one-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-2573454041598849795Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:13:00 +00002009-03-09T19:18:16.592-06:00followupCT Scan today. Prep wasn't great, but not as bad as the others. I had to drink a bottle and a half of this thick solution that kind of tasted like Pina Colada mix. Before the scan, I went up to Oncology to see my clinical trial nurse. She gave me a card that waived my copay - score $200. They didn't say anything about the results, but I have my 6 month check (or one year depending on how youhttp://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-follow-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-333014827481554305Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:39:00 +00002009-03-01T22:39:28.718-07:00So, I guess today would be my one year anniversary...If 2009 were a leap year, today would be February 29th. On this day last year, I made a trip to the doctor's office that put things into motion in a way I would have never dreamed of.I've went back and read my blog from beginning to end. And I know, it's a book! But I am so glad I documented this journey. I know that I will look back on it in http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/03/year-later.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-1080918189811075909Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:24:00 +00002009-02-10T10:27:31.614-07:00followupresultsI got the pathology results back and it's good news. The mass found was as the doctor had thought - a buildup of tissue from the original surgery. *Benign * Benign * Benign * Benign * (see post 01/23/09).He says I'm supposed to come back in three years. Dr Azar might say sooner. Man, I hope not...http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/02/benign-benign-benign-benign.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-3921491907238040066Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:57:00 +00002009-02-05T18:43:32.900-07:00dr apptsresultsSo guess what I did today? I had my first colonoscopy...I can honestly say what they say is true - "the prep is worse than the procedure". And it will probably surprise you to know, what I mean by that - is drinking almost a gallon of a salty-lemonade tasting drink was the worst!I went in at 8am and was getting ready with the assistance of my nurse, Anne. She talked to me about her young http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/02/prep-is-worse-than-procedure.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-860495052768945376Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:26:00 +00002009-01-26T15:30:57.838-07:00resultsPathology results are in. The mole that was removed at my 1/15 appointment was found to be benign.... which is good in case anyone is wondering.Benign Be*nign", a. OE. benigne, bening, OF. benigne, F. b'enin, fem. b'enigne, fr. L. benignus, contr. from benigenus; bonus good + root of genus kind. See Bounty, and Genus. 1. Of a kind or gentle disposition; gracious; generous; http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/01/good-in-case-anyone-is-wondering.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-1380990069565605215Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:26:00 +00002009-01-15T16:42:07.572-07:00dr apptsfollowupLet's see... where to start? It's actually not that interesting.I do have to correct myself - it was a "mole" I went and had checked out (4 of them), not a birthmark... but birthmark sounds better to me. Like it's not my fault, I was born that way. Even though, I wasn't born that way, the moles just came on their own accord, I guess it's still not my fault... what?My appointment was easy http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-now-rright-now-im-not-even-laying.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-6774861346548087754Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:07:00 +00002009-01-14T08:21:40.362-07:00dr apptsfollowupfun stuffTomorrow I have my first follow-up appointment since I've completed my chemotherapy...I received a call from Kaiser about a referral. She asked me if I wanted to schedule the appointment. "Sure. What's it for?" I had forgot I was supposed to go in for a blood draw shortly after my chemo ended. My magnesium or something was low. I never went in. But this call wasn't for that, it just http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/01/first-follow-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-2815209072710947818Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:27:00 +00002009-01-01T16:55:48.272-07:00Wow! What a year. And I made it through... all the way to the end just in case you were wondering :)You may have noticed my postings have slowed down. Life seems pretty much back to normal and I am enjoying that. I've been back to work full-time over a month and things are going well there. I am very happy to still be employed, although very aware that Sun will be cutting a lot of their http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2009/01/good-bye-2008.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802216928636947229.post-2955429963302401864Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:29:00 +00002008-12-11T14:32:23.274-07:00Sometimes, life knocks you down. And sometimes, life knocks you out... for a bit.Looking back, I feel like I got knocked down back in March. But I was able to get back up, and all in all, felt like I only had a few scratches at the end.Last weekend, I got knocked out. So, you might ask me how I'm doing - and the honest answer is - physically, I am doing GREAT! It's been two months since my http://tomasitarivera.blogspot.com/2008/12/sometimes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tommy)1