Sunday June 26

I am very disheartened this week since my pain in the epi-gastric area has returned and is getting worse daily.  The pain seems to be about 7-8 on 10 scale.  I am currently taking 800 mg Ibuprofen every 6 hours to try to get by until I see the doctor.  I had been feeling so good before. 

I may have to go see Dr. Marquinez this week to see if we need to check into this new pain prior to my PET scan.  It makes it very hard to eat food.  Nothing seems to make it better, eating and drinking make it worse. 

Heidi and I did go away a few days this week and got some much needed sunshine.  We had a relaxing time away. 

We are still trying to sell our house ourselves.  So if you know anyone looking for a nice home in a nice neighborhood please have them call me to come see it.  Thanks!

Please pray for a very dear friend of mine diagnosed with liver cancer this past week.  Please pray for Patti that she will be lead by the best physicians in making her best decisions.  I already know that Patti knows the Lord and we don't need to worry about that!  I love you Patti!

Tuesday June 21

Still having issues with what I believe to be arthritic pain in hips, lower legs and feet.  My feet also have the sensation that they are swollen and prickly feeling.  I will have to see a doctor soon about this or even the chiropractor.  It could be that I am out of alignment.

I am also having some epigastric discomfort again in that same area as when I first was diagnosed. It  feels like a bad hunger pain.  I have to eat small dinners, seem to be very full quickly.

Otherwise, energy level good and feel pretty good.  I do vomit about once per week, not sure why.
Still waiting for July 6 Pet scan. 
 

Monday June 13

I am eating very well now.  Still eat slow but eating plenty of food.  I now weight 178 lbs so I did gain back about 7 lbs.  I started chemo at 196 lbs on January 7.  I am still getting a fair amount of exercise in with walking and biking.  Unfortunately, right now I am having a "flare up" of arthritic pain in my hips and legs.  I have had this pain now for about 5 days.  I have had this kind of pain for past 2-3 years but not nearly this bad.  I am currently using Ibuprofen in large amounts to keep the pain reduced enough that I can walk.  If not, the pain is great enough that I don't even want to walk.  I hope to get this back to the normal level in next few days.  I believe years of jumping out of ambulances and fire trucks onto concrete probably lead to this.

My Pet scan is still scheduled for July 6.

I attended a fundraiser for Sara a Kent State Dispatcher with her third bout with breast cancer.  She is having a very rough time.  Please prayer for Sara and her continued cancer treatment.  She has a little boy whom is 6 years old.  Thanks!

Heidi and I are attempting to sell our house.  I have it for sale by owner at this time.  We truly need to downsize and get a more affordable payment with our proposed pension pay.  Please pray for the sale of our home.  We would probably move into a condo to reduce the outdoors work load.  There are literaly thousands of condos for sale.  I don't think it would be hard to find one if we sale our house. 

I did paint the laundry room, a bathroom and stained our deck to get house ready to sell.  It looks good now.  Plan on doing some mulching tomorrow.  Trimmed all the bushes up this morning!

I had a surprise visitor this week whom lives in North Carolina.  He is a retired Ravenna City Firefighter whom relocated to North Carolina.  It was nice to see him again!  Greg Fisher. 

Our church home has been doing some wonderful series the past few months.  I would like to thank Pastor Bales and Pastor Tawney for their teaching and leadership!!  Wonderful stuff!

Wednesday June 8

Heidi and I went to see Dr. Marquinez on Monday June 6.  He is my Oncologist.  All my blood work was perfect.  I got my mediport flushed.  Dr. Marquinez agreed that we need to wait until July 6 PET Scan to see what active disease is remaining.  I do have some numbness and tingling in finger tips and feet.  He explained this is from the Chemotherapy.  He said it will probably pass in time.  He also checked my ears since I have been having trouble hearing and he said the eardrums look good and nothing blocked.

My energy level is 85-90% of normal.  I have been exercising daily usually with bike riding or hiking.  I have been eating pretty good as long as I eat slow.

In my blog back couple of weeks, I announced a thank you to the Reverse Raffle Committee.  I believe I may have omitted Becky Schneider.  Thank you Becky!  I love you!

I do have our house for sale by owner.  If you know anyone shopping for a new home, please have them call me 330-351-1020.  It is a great home!

On the job front, I have submitted all of my documentation to the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Board appealing their decision on my disability.  It appears that this will take another 60-90 days before it is heard by Board and a decision rendered.  This is a very important decision to us as it could add monthly income of approximately $1600.  I will keep you posted.  

Wednesday June 1

We had safe travels to North Carolina for my Aunt's funeral late last week and over the weekend.  We also stopped off in West Virginia to visit family.  I did very well traveling.  Not much problem eating and no real sickness to speak of. 

I currently weigh 175 lbs.  Not gaining much weight but not losing either.  I have been biking since we have been back home on Monday and Tuesday.  I plan to bike again today.  Yesterday I was able to trim the bushes in the yard and today hope to stain the deck.  Picking one project a day to work on. 

Heidi and I both have some allergies bothering us right now.  That time of the year.

Still waiting on my June 6 appt. with Dr. Marquinez and July 6 for PET scan.