updates good

So I continue to visit MSK in New York every month. They call it aggressive monitoring (kind of a pain, but if anything shows up they will know right away).

I am getting multiple blood tests and X-Rays every month; every third month I'll also get a CT Scan (love them, UGH)!

The good news is the tumor markers are down, and in normal ranges. All the tests, X-Rays etc say there are no new tumors (Great news). Still have a few side effects from things, but not life threatening and vs the possibility of more surgery or Chemo it's no big deal.

Forward to a Friend Donate LIVESTRONG.ORG LIVESTRONGBlog.ORG

I'm coming to you

Dear Peter:




Read Lance's op-ed piece


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Every good fight needs a good team, and the fight to make cancer a national priority is no exception. That's why I will join more than 500 organizers and the entire LAF staff to make our voices heard on LIVESTRONG Day – May 13, 2008.
As part of the team, I will travel from coast to coast to attend four LIVESTRONG Day events in New York, Ohio, Nevada and a yet-to-be-determined location, the winner of the LIVESTRONG at School contest. As I cross the country, I look forward to uniting with you to spread the critical message that the leading killer of Americans under 85 deserves some attention.
Through 500+ community events on LIVESTRONG Day, we will demonstrate that we are united to fight cancer.
If we work together, there's nothing we can't accomplish. Join me on LIVESTRONG Day. Do your part and register an event today. Large or small, every LIVESTRONG Day event can help make a difference.
LIVESTRONG,Lance
P.S. – Please pass this message along to others who might be interested.

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

More good news, I guess you know you are doing well when the main(top) doctor does not even come in to talk to you during your monthly monitoring appointments. Keep them coming!!

the following is from the Livestrong blog on Livestrong.org

Ms. Angelo’s 4th Grade Class
February 18th, 2008 by Brooke McMillan (LAF Staff)
I have the distinct pleasure of talking to cancer survivors and Lance Armstrong Foundation supporters on a daily basis, but I got a really special call from a woman named Deb that I wanted to share. She was asked to speak to Ms. Angelo’s 4th grade class about her fight with cancer. Ms. Angelo was teaching a special unit on cancer survivors! Way to go Ms. Angelo! Each student was asked to bring in a picture of a cancer survivor before, during and after treatment and then interview him/her about what it was like. Deb had never shared her story in this manner before, but was up to the task. The LAF sent underwritten youth-sized wristbands to hand out to the class and I sent a letter thanking Ms Angelo for teaching her kids about survivorship. So, I just wanted to thank Ms. Angelo again publically for teaching this special unit, her kids for participating and Deb for sharing her experiences with others. Way to go!
If you have a kid K-12 in your life and would like to have him/her learn about cancer, cancer prevention and survivorship, take a look at our new school curriculum for teachers called LIVESTRONG at School. Go to www.livestrong.org/school for lesson plans, downloadable worksheets and conversation starters. This would be a great way for schools to participate in LIVESTRONG Day!
Ms. Angelo’s 4th Grade Spring Hope Elementary School in Spring Hope, N.C.

So you are feeling better

I was all excited to start working out again, and even (maybe) staying with it for a while. However, guess what?

Hint: It's February Vacation week

Answer: Kids off of school, so WE all must get sick!!!

The lovely flu......

Someone please tell me why kids always get sick on vacation!!!

More Good News

Another good appt at MSK on Thursday. The X-rays of the chest are clear and tumor markers are all in normal ranges...All good news.

I asked about chemo and they said that the operation would be the first plan of action if we were to do anything (with the one lyph node enlarged). They want to stay on "aggressive monitering". So hopefully some normalcy back in our lives.

In three weeks back for more x-rays and blood tests and then another CT Scan in April to see if the lymph nodes have changed at all.

To Chemo or not to Chemo

So now everyone (well a lot of people) are jumping up and down while asking why I have not at least had Chemo yet?!

I was feeling like the "just wait" plan was the best way to go. Well, now people from Boston to New York are all saying I should be pushing to have chemo...like I want to push to get sick and lose hair...


WHAT TO DO??????