Back in the Mountains

We returned from Denver last night, hauling Vic with us up the mountain.  Thanks to Lauren Ciarallo (that's Kip's better half for those who don't know her last name, like me) for hooking Vic up with a room at the Cascade. Not too shabby.

Vic is going to help Tony work on his finances and on a living will this week before he leaves.  I know it seems morbid but it needs to get done...

Tony's Bucket List

Tony seems to be very bravely accepting his mortality. I'm sure there will be days ahead when he is very pissed-off at the hand he has been dealt... But today he was giving serious thought to his personal Bucket List.

For anyone who hasn't seen the movie The Bucket List, a bittersweet drama/comedy, here's the scenario:
When corporate mogul Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and mechanic Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) wind up in the same hospital room, the two terminally ill men bust out of the cancer ward with a plan to experience life to the fullest before they kick the bucket.

So far, the Top 2 items on Tony's bucket list are (1) following the Tour de France 2011, and I mean in France in a Motorhome, not on the Versus Channel, and (2) playing golf at Pebble Beach.

Followed by:

• Spending quality time with our families (extended families included) and close friends
• Golfing in Maui with Brian and Dennis.. and generally just playing as much golf as possible
• Fishing in Mexico with Phil and Michelle Bennett (and hopefully Jamie and Gareth Insull)
• Visiting the Umbria region of Italy with the Manueles following the Tour, maybe followed by a trip to Croatia
• Climbing Kiliminjaro
• Visiting his homeland of Australia and seeing his Mum and stepbrothers

What's in your Bucket List?

Merry Christmas!

Unexpected Visitors for Christmas

Wow, what a great Christmas gift for Tony - Brian and Dennis decided to make a roadtrip from Vail on Christmas morning!  Thanks guys for making his day and sharing the Christmas Spirit.

Heartbreaking Christmas

There is no easy way to say this...

On Wednesday night we drove down to Denver for a PET scan first thing Thursday morning, in preparation for surgery Thursday night.  We stayed at Amy and Matt's house (thank you!) and exchanged presents, knowing that Christmas Day might be a little hectic at the hospital, and went to bed early.

The PET scan went according to plan. We had some lunch with Sean Fraser and beautiful little Elsa and shot over to Sprint to check out their corporate deal on new cell phones.

En route we got a call from Dr. Imola with some very bad news.  In addition to the tumor due for removal in his neck, The PET scan showed at a minimum 28 tumors in Tony's lungs.

There was no beating around the bush. Tumors in the lungs are inoperable, and mostly uncurable.  Dr. Imola gave us the heartbreaking news, that in his opinion, Tony probably has 6-12 months to live.
We were dumbfounded and sat by the road and cried a little bit.

Further chemo is an optional treatment plan, but will likely just make Tony sick again and not do much good.

Tony did go through surgery, although not the full neck dissection that was originally planned. The new plan was less traumatic and surgery went off without a hitch on Thursday night.  Tonight he is resting comfortably at Swedish Hospital in Denver.

We are adjusting to his likely "expiration date" (Tony's words, not mine).

Friday (today) we are trying to deal with the inevitable. Tony's spirits were good today, but i'm sure there are going to be lots of highs and lows in the coming days.

My dad arrived in town last night and is helping us through this with his matter-of-fact perspective. 

Kip and Lauren came for a visit today.  Amy was an angel and brought us a Christmas tree and lights to brighten up Tony's room. It is the little things right now that will make all the difference.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. We wish you and your family a happy holiday.
Cheers...

MRI & Big Night Out

Tony had an MRI today at the VVMC in preparation for the surgery on Thursday.  Wendy and Brian Lews, two very good friends are moving to Maui, so we got together tonight to say good-bye. 

Below are Brian Lew, Tony and Dennis O'Halloran.

Black Friday and I'm not talking about shopping discounts

Today we met with Dr. Mario Imola the Surgeon in Denver who did the initial surgery back in June 2010.   There is no messing around this time-- this 2nd tumor was totally resistant to chemo and radiation (after the most intense chemo and radiation schedule you can imagine) and it continues to grow since the last Cat-Scan on 11/29. General consensus from the docs is that it's the same cancer that came through the throat/neck down into the other side - squamous cell carcinoma.  Everyone is perplexed at the rate with which it moved and grew (and shrunk briefly) and grew again...

Surgery scheduled for 5:00 pm next Thursday, Christmas Eve-Eve.   We'll be at Swedish Hospital for the holidays if anyone is in the neighborhood.  Ho Ho Ho....  Merry Fucking Xmas (SORRY DAD!)

The surgical team will need to chisel away at Tony's jaw to get the tumor away from his jaw -- it's in there good.  Not sure yet what that will mean for future reconstructive work, but that is the least of our worries.  :)   We'll take that as it comes.

The tumor is also right up against the skin, so skin grafts from the chest are likely.  I hope his chest hairs are the same color as his facial hair... haha... sorry, lame attempt at a joke.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  We hope that your holidays are brilliant!

Cheers and good night.

Sandie and Tony.

Chemo and Radiation Didn't Work: Next Steps

On Tuesday we met with Dr Hardenberg, the Radiation Oncologist. She is not recommending further radiation, rather recommends Tony return for surgery as soon as he is healthy enough.  Healthy means recovering from the radiation damage to his neck, and also getting protein, weight, energy back so he can endure surgical trauma.

As a last ditch effort and wing-on-a-prayer, we met today with Dr. Strahan who is the ENT locally. He did several needle biopsies which resulted in ZERO fluids, meaning that the mass is not fluid in any form, no infection or an abscess. Who would have thought we'd be praying for a stinky, pussy, infectious fluid to come out. Gross, but NO!   It is diagnosed now to be just a mass of cancer.  Boooo.....

Tomorrow Tony is scheduled for a CT-Scan at the Shaw Cancer Center, which will again measure the size of the mass.  Everyone is recommending we start planning for surgery again as it will take weeks to get on a surgeons schedule, and plus Tony needs reovery time.

So Friday we drive back to Denver to Dr. Imola who did Tony's first surgery, for a consultation.

We are expecting that Tony will undergo surgery again, sometime in early-mid January 2011.

Happy Crappy New Years...

Treatment Extended

On Tuesday, Tony had another session of chemo that was not part of the original treatment plan. You can tell the doctors are perplexed... wondering why this heavy chemo and radiation is not killing this tumor. It's very frustrating and scary for us too.

We've discussed two alternatives. One is more radiation which will probably result in deterioration of the jawbone, requiring reconstructive surgery of the jaw. The tumor is locked right under the jaw bone, and there is no way around traumatizing it with further radiation.

The second alternative is to wait a few weeks to see results and heal from the radiation, and then surgically remove what they can.  Given Tony's first experience with sugery, you can imagine he isn't super excited about that option any more than the first. 

We want to thank Leeza, Tony's chemo nurse, who finally suggested a drip tube for fluids and nutrition.  Tony has barely been able to hold anything down once it was "forced" into the feeding tube with a syringe and a push. The slower drip feeding/drinking is working much better which is really helping him stay hydrated and somewhat "eating". He can sit there for an hour and not even be bothered with it... it's much less invasive and traumatic.

We've been watching alot of the Food Channel this week, particularly a show called "Man vs. Food".  Last night they featured Reading Terminal Market with cheesesteaks, pork sandwiches, hoagies. Tony is building up a huge appetite for when the time comes.  Yesterday he had a bit of a grilled cheese sandwhich and some soup, but it tasted yucky and he wants to stay on liquids for a little longer. It sucks to eat something that smells so good, and have it taste like metal.  Booooo.....

Good night.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  Today we drove down to our storage unit in Eagle to gather our winter and ski gear.  I bought us both Epic Passes which motivated Tony to need his gear ASAP.  For the non-local, the Epic Pass allows you unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breck, Keystone, A-Basin as well as 3 California mountains (maybe next year Pammer!).  What could be more motivating for Tony than a first-class ski pass? I hope he gets to use it! One way or the other, it's money well spent.

We spent Thanksgiving with Wendy and Brian who cooked the perfect traditional dinner. I'm so sorry to my friends that I had hoped to visit with -- sorry Tracey, sorry Sondra, sorry Jamie. Thanks for the invites and i'm sorry we couldn't make the rounds like I'd hoped.

Thanksgiving GRACE:
I'm thankful for my friends and family and their unwielding support.
I'm thankful that Tony didn't have treatment this week and is getting time to recover.
I'm thankful for the beauty of the snow and the mountains of Vail that give me hope every day.

Good night.

Two Big Days on the Town

The last two days have probably been the most socially eventful for Tony that he's had in 10 weeks.  For the most part, he's been stuck with me and the hospital staff for entertainment, and those awesome people who have made time to visit even when it's uncomfortable to do so. But he's been mostly lonely and bored silly. So thanks to the regular visitors, you know who you are.

Yesterday, Wendy Lew took Tony to pick out bathroom tile and groceries, and then they had tea at Starbucks.  Who would have ever thought that something so simple would be an awesome day out?  Well it was. Thanks Wendy!

Today, Rolly and Brandt took him to Loaded Joe's the local coffee shop, where Tony caught up with friends and shared his war wounds. Again, big day out!

These are the kind of days that most of us take for granted, but for Tony they were probably momentous.

Tomorrow we are onto Costco to load up on Gatorade, bottled water, protein drinks, paper towels and toilet paper, our most utilized home products these days. We are also going to visit our storage unit to see if we can dig out our ski stuff.  The snow is hurling down and in case he's ever well enough, we need to be ready to go. Now that is a big day out!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Continued Treatment Postponed for 1 week

This morning (Monday) we met with both Rad Onc and Med Onc.  They both suggest that Tony take this week to rest and for the effects of the last 6 weeks of treatment to kick in.  So Tony will get this week off and hopefully regain some strength.

He'll be home all day every day -- please visit!

Next Monday we have a Cat Scan scheduled for Monday. Chemo scheduled for Tuesday morning. Additional radiation sessions are likely and Dr. Hardenberg is working on his new plan.  Hopefully it will be short!

Ups and Downs Weekend

Friday was Tony's last day of radiation (from the original treatment plan) and we were both exhausted. By the time i got home from work all i wanted to do was cry and sleep. So I did. And as always, things were better in the morning.

Tony rested on Saturday while I did some work at the office and Saturday night we just chilled, just like every other Saturday night in the past 10 weeks :). A quick visit from Dana and Joel and friend Sara wrapped up the big evening.

Sunday brought lots of snow and a ray or two of hope. Tony was light on his feet, had his game face on, his sense of humor intact and beat me over and over at Wii Tennis and Bowling.

Sean Fraser came over for a visit to watch football which allowed me to get out for a little while and take care of business - a massage! Blessed Sean!

Additional Radiation and Chemo may be required

Blogs are getting harder to write, because the days keep getting more difficult and it's hard to talk/write about. As i've expressed to close friends, i'm starting to lose my composure and positive attitude, and I'm sure Tony can sense this weakness in me.

Friday (today) was supposed to mark the end of 6 weeks of intensive treatment chemo and radiation, with the weeks and months ahead dedicated to rehabilitation and recovery.

Earlier this week the doctors gave us the disappointing news that they didn't think Tony's tumor had shrunk as much as they thought it should have given the very aggressive chemo and radiation plan. On Monday, we'll know if more treatment will be required but we're preparing for the additional treatment plan...

Another chemo treatment on November 30th is planned.  Another 5 days of radiation is likely planned. The outcome is that likely Tony will require reconstructive surgery on his jaw within a couple of years, because the tumor is in such a place that they can't avoid the jaw while delivering the radiation and it will decompose.

As you can imagine this was devastating to Tony who thought Friday was the milestone day. Thus, a new level of depression, frustration and anger has set in.

For me, a deep level of guilt has overcome me as I try to work full-time and can't dedicate enough time to him during the day.  Continued thanks to everyone who have taken and picked Tony up from radiation sessions-- this week Wendy, Dennis and Rolly.

I must express incredible gratitude to the Shaw Cancer Center staff who has provided us with so much support only a daily basis-- in particular Vanessa, Susan, Katie, Marisella, Leeza, Krista, Natalie, Chris, Mary, Claudia, Pharmacists August, Susie, Sue and of course Drs. Hardenberg and Urquhart. Apologies to radiation staff with which i have less interaction and can't name by name. Everyone has been amazing.

Well TGIF and tomorrow is another day.

Oops i've forgotten to blog!

Followers of CANCER SUCKS, I'm so sorry!  Work has cranked up in anticipation of the ski season and between treatments and work, I've been negligent in my responsibilities to you all!

Short version... Chemo on Tuesday lasted all day long. Rough on Tony. It snowed that day so we watched it come down from the Chemo Room. Thanks to Ed O'Brien for the brief visit that lasted 1.5 hours.

Thursday was the double radiation day. Tough one but Tony was willing and able. Thanks to Rolly for the ride in the afternoon and thanks to Dennis for a few early morning rides this week.

Friday marked the end of Week 5.  According to the "PLAN" Chemo is complete and Tony only has 1 week of radiation left... 6 sessions.  Per the plan, this should zap the cancer... but there is a little waiting game for a few weeks while the full effects of the treatment take effect.

Nausea following chemo seems to be better managed this time with anti-nausea meds.  Phlegm is super bad this weekend, makes your gag reflex kick in to hear it :)  Neck is sore and raw and a bit dry from the radiaton so we're wrapping it up in Petroleum wraps which take the bite out a little bit. 

On a positive note, he wants to eat so badly (with his mouth instead of his tube) that he asked for pancakes on Friday night.  Didn't get much down but at least he tried. Request for Banana Pudding on Saturday, another brave attempt. Still hating the tube feeding and hard to get him to comply with the nutritionists requests of 6 cans a day. If anyone visits and/or talks to him please encourage him to get the calories and protein needed to get through the next couple of weeks. It's still going to get harder before the healing begins.

Good night and THINK SNOW!

Sandie

Chemo Session Tuesday

Tony has his second chemotherapy session tomorrow. Last time it lasted almost 5 hours, so we're anticipating a long day at the hospital beginning with radiation at 9:30 am.  We're supposed to have a major winter storm tomorrow... we'll be watching it from the Shaw Cancer Center with a view of the mountains... Yes, there are still some good things in life :)

His skin is starting to look very burnt on the outside, like a third degree burn.... boooooo.... They've given us a special cream to cover his neck and face and today there were some blisters after the radiation therapy.  I can't imagine what it must feel like from the inside. He's finally succumbed to the pain killers...

Which brings us to the constant struggle to eat and drink and now... trouble swallowing.  All food and fluids continue to be consumed through the feeding tube.  He's not getting enough calories according to the nurses... of the 6 cans he should have daily, he's only getting about 3 down.  You can lead the horse to water....  yeah, you got it. Tony is the horse.

If you are reading, please send good vibes to Tony all day tomorrow, he is going to need them.  Visitors are welcome at the Shaw Cancer Center -- it's actually a nice place to visit if you are in the neighborhood anytime tomorrow. He gets a private room with his own tv and the actual treatment doesn't hurt or make him sick. The days following.... well, they will be rough for a while.

Goodnight! Sandie

Double Down Thursday

Getting radiation in the morning, then going home and going to sleep, and then waking up again in time for another treatment in the afternoon.  That is called "Tony Thursdays" so no more complaining about Hump Day Wednesdays, okay!

This is the 4th week of treatment, so only 2 of those Thursdays still ahead. Thanks to Tracey for carpooling this afternoon, I actually got some work done today!

The doc says things are going well this week. Skin is getting really dry  from the radiation, so we got a special cream for Tony's neck. Whatever he doesn't use, i'll try on my wrinkles once he's finished treatment :) ( I'm going to HELL!)

We are both thinking about next week when Tony will get his next Chemo dose. It will be a very long day resulting in days of nausea afterwards.

We are in the home stretch for treatment but recovery will last for many months -- TBD depending on Tony's physical, physiological and emotional determination.  Cross you fingers and say your prayers (to whomever or whatever)  that it will be over soon.

TGIF and FAC -- Sandie

Retraction - Tumor is Getting Smaller!

Yesterday Tony had an ultrasound which showed that the tumor IS SHRINKING!

The results showed that the tumor mass was originally 4.5 x 3.5 x 4.5 and now measures 3 x 1.3 x 2.4 !!! 

The forementioned "growth" in a blog from last week is a result of inflammation associated with the tumor dying and the surrounding areas being a bit inlfamed from the radiation.

This is the best news we have had in a while and puts us back on track with the original treatment plan.

The antibody proposed by the Chemo Doc may be declined by the Case Management/Insurance company.  Apparently several clinical studies were closed due to safety concerns... more as we learn more tomorrow.

On an interesting note!  Dr Hardenberg was out of the office this week and a Dr. Tim Thar was filling in from Florida!  Turns out he did his residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville and was there at the same time that my dad was doing his Cardio-Thoracic residency.  Small World!

What a beautiful day!  Welcome Pam O'Brien -- can't wait to see you.

Sandie

Blonde Locks GONE

Sorry for the break in postings... End of last week was filled with some bad news which we've been spinning on for a few days.  The tumor is getting bigger and after 3 weeks of treatment, that is quite disheartening... 

Instead of 2xdaily radiation which was the immediate response by the Rad Onc, the Docs have decided to add an antibody to the chemo treat. It's called Cetuximab (brand name Erbitux) and is injected through the veins like the chemo.  We'll learn more on Monday.

On Saturday, Sean Fraser, Bellace and Andy stopped by for a visit and to enjoy the last of the Fall rays from our yard.  Sean had the honor of shaving Tony's head and T actually looks pretty hot -- like a bad ass Rugby player :)

Go Giants!

Halloween: Loogies and Hair Loss

Well, today is about the inevitable physical side effects from chemo and radiation. 

This morning while Tony was showering, he noticed that his hair is falling out. This was inevitable but still difficult to swallow for both of us -- we both love his long, blonde locks.  In the scheme of things, this is a small thing because his hair will grow back as soon as the chemo is flushed from his system after treatment ends. What color the new hair will be.... TBD!

The last few days Tony has had considerable phlegm in his throat, which is the result of the radiation's effects on the mucous membranes in his mouth and throat.  It's getting thick and ropey (doctor's words not mine) and hard to get out.  Last night we had a suction machine delivered. It resembles the suction that your dentist gives you when you're drooling in the chair after a novacaine dose.  It's gross, but as Tony always says about bodily fluids and gasses -  "Better out than in, Mate!"

The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend and at this time of the yearsunny days give you inspiration and hope! TGIF and have a great weekend.

We have Wii

Tony and Rolly installed Wii Sports yesterday. If you have an extra 30 minutes and you want to swing by for a game of tennis or a round of golf, call ahead and Tony will design your character... hahaha... too funny. Too bad your can't design your outfit, that would be hilarious!

Thanks Brian and Wendy for being our first victims.

The Tumor is Growing!

Yesterday following radiation therapy, the consensus was that Tony's tumor wasn't shrinking as it should be this far into treatment, so they did another CAT scan.

Today was our weekly follow up meeting with the Radiation Oncologist and she confirmed that, indeed, the tumor is actually GROWING!  She said there could be three reasons; (1) fluid build up (2) inflammation from the radiation treatment, or (3) the worst case scenario, the cancer is growing.

A quick trip to the ENT with a tube up the nose and into the throat, confirmed it was not a fluid build-up.  Thus, we are preparing for the worst and the radiation plan is being intensified, with radiation twice a day starting tomorrow, until further notice. We are still waiting to meet with the Medical Oncologist to see if there is any change to the Chemo plan.

To add insult to injury (literally), Tony's throat and mouth are now too sore to swallow. He is barely getting water down, so all food (called nutrition in this industry), effective today and for the foreseeable future, will have to be provided through his feeding tube.  Which by the way, is making him crazy!

Thanks to everyone who volunteered to cook meals for us, consider yourself on "unpaid leave-of-absence" until the effects of chemo and radiation wear off, which could be months! :(  Poor Tony, he LOVES to eat, and feeding through a tube is not going to be particularly satisfying...

If anyone wants to help out, the best thing you could do for Tony is swing by for a visit, even a quickie. He is bored out of his mind! Once i know the schedule for afternoon radiation treatment, i'll let you know.

Sandie

Week 3 Begins with an Uneventful Monday

Monday marked the beginning of Week 3 of Tony's treatment. Nothing eventful to report :)  How nice!

Mouth is Getting Sore

Oops, i was so busy thanking all of our guests that visited today that i forgot to update you on Tony.

Sorry Baby!

Today is the first day that his mouth is starting to really bother him from the radiation. So... it is probably time to stick with softer foods and start considering the use of the feeding tube, although i know that does not excite Tony one little bit. As i mentioned before, it's totally painless and you can't even feel it ... it's just weird when it's happening to you.

All visitors -- please encourage Tony to drinks lots of fluids when you're visiting. This is not a habit that he is falling into easily but it is super important for hydration, constipation and overall health.

Doesn't have to be water. Juice, Gatorade, Ginger Al e-- whatever he can get down. Maybe join him for one.  There's beer in the fridge for visitors. Don't worry, Tony isn't even tempted these days.

Okay -- Good Night for real this time.

Sandie

Saturday busy with visitors!

Today was a busy day in our little cottage, starting with a visit from Gay Gardner with lots of healthy goodies to eat.  Thanks for volunteering to make us some meals Gay - can't wait to try the lentils, one of my favorites growing up... with lots of grated cheese on top of course!

Brian Lew is a regular, thanks Brian for being so supportive and coming over so frequently for visits. It makes Tony's day.

We also had a visit from Sean and MacKensie Fraser and their beautiful little Elsie from Breckenridge!  Little laughing faces sure cheeer up the place, and the dancing to rap music and You Tube videos is just hilarious! She has also adopted her daddy's contagious laugh ... hope she outgrows that before she starts dating.

Joel and Dana came up for a visit from Denver but unfortunately Tony crashed just beforehand... so the three of us enjoyed some awesome Chinese and they headed out to stay with another local friend.

We are now getting regular visits from Yukon, the 106 lb. Melamut from upstairs. I guess the few dog treats that I slipped him have made us BFFs and he pays us a visit whenever Nancy lets him out the door.  We just adore him and doggie love is good stuff! Maybe we should get a puppy..... :)

Well good night everyone. Sweet dreams. Think (more) snow!

Sandie

Belated Thank Yous!

I started this blog after a few unbelievable people went above and beyond, and I realized today as I was driving to Costco in a hailstorm, that i hadn't acknowledged them on the blog yet.

Barbara Scrivens!  Thank you so much for allowing Tony and I to stay in your Arrowhead condo during this difficult transition. We were kinda homeless for a couple of weeks and your offer to stay there was a God send!  Too bad we couldn't afford to stay for the entire winter, what a great place!

Dana and Joel Swing!  Tony calls you his Guardian Angels!  Dana and Joel spent a weekend with us just before Tony started treatment and tension and anxiety were high all around. Thank you for being there to just hang out, to prepare lots of healthy food, and of course, to help us move stuff down to our Eagle storage unit.

Thanks to Bruce Fraser for his truck and muscles and helping us move up to Singletree.

Friends with trucks and friends who offer to help you move, are friends in deed!  We can't thank you enough!


Tony and Sandie

TGIF and this one was better than last

For anyone following our blog regularly you may recall that I could not get Tony out of bed last Friday following a double down on radiation Thursday.  While Tony was pretty tired yesterday and this morning, we made it here without any assistance from Dennis or other big threatening men.

B.L.E.A.T.S are still on the menu for breakfast and Tony is trying to eat them everyday until his mouth hurts too much, cause they have lots of calories and protein.  Yesterday's treatment left his mouth a little sore so we are increasing the swishing with ReBalance which coats and soothes your tongue and throat and tries to prevent major sores (ick).

Tonys' ready to roll and I've gotta get to work, bring home the bacon.

TGIF. Sandie

Double Shift Thursdays

Every Thursday for 6 weeks, Tony has to go undergo radiation therapy not once, but TWICE in one day!  Can you imagine?  Ugh.  The only good part is that he gets a free ENSURE drink from the kitchen :)

Thanks to Rolly Heppinstall for playing carpool today to and from the Shaw Cancer Center, so I could get some work done!

Cheers!

Sandie

Hitting the Links!

On Wednesday following radiation treatment, Tony was feeling pretty good!  So he headed down to the storage unit to pick up his golf clubs, driving his car for the first time in 4 weeks!  ... and the rest is history.

He and Brian Lew and Scott Hall played 18 holes at the Sonnenalp Golf Course in Singletree and played until dark.

It must have been the BLEATS! And the Fresh Orange Butter cookies that he can't stop eating...

B.L.E.A.T.s for breakfast!

This morning we took on the calorie challenge with Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Egg and Avocado on Whole Wheat Bread.  Take that you feeding tube!

Tony ate half of mine also... i was so proud  :)

He's feeling good today, so if anyone is in the area for a visit, bring it on. Driving directions on a recent blog.

It's a beautiful day, enjoy!  I must get to work....

Sandie

Treatment Week 2 Begins

Today marked the beginning of the 2nd week of treatment.  Tony is on a very aggressive treatment plan, with the highest dose of chemo (200 MG) at days 1 and 28 and radiation 6x/week.

The good news is that he only has to undergo chemo therapy every 28 days... but the dosage is so high that it knocks him on his butt.  Typically 7-10 days following initial treatment (today) the chemo kicks back and nausea is really bad... So today he had to endure some extra TLC following radiation with IV nutrients and fluids.  Thanks for Dennis O'Halloran for getting him there this morning. The mornings are the hardest part.

And then we got some super-fun training on using the feeding tube.  Tony really enjoyed that (NOT).  Actually it's really easy, and not painful at all, just a little weird if it's happening to you.

While he was getting the TLC I attended a Support Group Luncheon held by Social Worker Vanessa Lewis.  She is from NYC.  Need i say more? She is  no-BS and fantastic. :)

When we got home there were beautiful lemon cookies from Brian and Wendy Lew. He's eaten half of them since we got home.  The nurses think he's not getting enough calories but i think he got enough today for the rest of the week.  Anything to avoid using that feeding tube!

Good night!

Sunday was a good day!

Although some of the NFL teams might disagree, Sunday was a good day in our household. Tony held his own all day long and his appetite was strong. The weekend was good to him in terms of some recuperation.

We finally got (mostly) unpacked in our new Singletree home. Thanks to Rolly for keeping us company Sunday night!

And thanks to Wren for two solid meals from the Antioxidant Bomb Mushrooms and Beans... I think they worked :)

Lotsa love. Sandie and Tony

Wendy's Lew Contact Information for Meals!

Wendy Lew has generously offered to help us coordinate meal donations throughout the next several weeks while Tony continues with radiation and chemo and I head back to work full-time at the Vail Daily. You can contact Wendy at 970-376-5662 or email lthootie@aol.com...

Wendy i'm not sure what that email address means, but it sounds interesting... maybe over wine? :)

Directions to our new home in Singletree

From Eagle Vail/Avon. Take Hwy 6 right towards Miller Ranch. Right on Winslow and under the bridge. Right on Berry Creek Road. Pass the Sonnenalp Golf Course/Balata. Left on Singltree Road. Right on Bronco. Left on Mustang.  About 200 yards on the right, there will be a long driveway that goes up over your right hand shoulder. Follow to the last house at the end, #21.  Walk around the front of the house, underneath the large second floor patio is the entrance to the caretaker unit. The door will be unlocked.

From Route 70 Westbound. Take the Edwards Exit, turn right and right again up the hill.  Follow through 2 stop signs. (Charolais and Winslow)  Pass  the Sonnenalp Golf Course/Balata. Left on Singletree Road. Right on Bronco. Left on Mustang.  About 200 yards on the right, there will be a long driveway that goes up over your right hand shoulder. Follow to the last house at the end, #21.  Walk around the front of the house, underneath the large second floor patio is the entrance to the caretaker unit. The door will be unlocked.

From Route 70 Eastbound. Take the Edwards exit, turn left, go under the highway and go right up the hill. Follow through 2 stop signs. (Charolais and Winslow)  Pass  the Sonnenalp Golf Course/Balata. Left on Singletree Road. Right on Bronco. Left on Mustang.  About 200 yards on the right, there will be a long driveway that goes up over your right hand shoulder. Follow to the last house at the end, #21.  Walk around the front of the house, underneath the large second floor patio is the entrance to the caretaker unit. The door will be unlocked.

Saturday and he's got the blues

Thanks to everyone who came over to visit Tony today to try to cheer him up today: Ara, Phil, Gareth, Brian and Caroline-thank you so much for your time and the goodies.

Wendy Lew has generously offered to coordinate with anyone who wants to help us with cancer-appropriate meals. Right now Tony can eat whatever he wants, but softer foods are working best.

There are plenty of "cancer" recipes online, but general ideas right now are high fiber, probiotics, potassium, calcium, lotsa vitamins, protein/omegas. Fruits and Lots of Veggies. Beans and legumes. Eggs. Go easy on cheese although Tony loves it. Multi-Whole grain whatever breads and pasta.

No-nos are processed foods, bleached-white grains, sugar. Although i'm slipping him the occasional dark chocolate which has healing powers :) Right????

His major challenge right now is dehydration, so if you are visiting please encourage he have a drink in his hand at all times--water/juice that is! Insist he drink 8 oz. of water or gatorade while you're visiting. He is supposed to drink 8-10 glasses of fluid per day, and it's not happening.

Good night!   Sandie

One week down... 5 to go

Friday a.m. was a rough morning. Tony was so exhausted from two sessions of radiation on Thursday that it was tough getting him rolling.... but thanks to Dennis O'Halloran for hauling him out of bed.

I hope that this weekend with no treatments or procedures, that he will regain some energy and spunk.

Monday we start with Radiation at 9:30, Nutrition Education at 10:30 and Follow-up visit for the Stomach Tube at 11:30. Full morning and my first day back to work! :)

For anyone cooking, he can still eat pretty well but prefers softer foods. Fish, whole grain pasta, beans, yogurt dishes, egg dishes.  Fiber is good too :) 

thanks to all for your love and support. Have a great weekend!

First day of Chemo

Tony's in the chair now, they're giving him saline and nutrients before the procedure. He's enjoying the free snacks from the snack bar in the chemo center. We have mountain views from our room, it's a very calming atmosphere. The nurses are great. The social worker popped in to talk to us. She is going to try to help us get a grant to cover some of the expenses.  Long day... radiation later at 4:15.

Countdown to Treatment

Today we did a "test-run" for the radiation therapy and got some education about the chemo process. Tony will be receiving a very aggressive level of chemo on treatment days 1 and 28. Radiation 6x/week (twice on Thursdays) for the next 6-8 weeks.

Radiation is at 9:30 am each day. If anyone isn't working and can pull a shift, especially on Thursdays where he has to go twice, please contact Sandie at 303-888-3132 to coordinate. We are living in Singletree effective 10/15 so it's a easy trip to the Shaw Cancer Center. Radiation therapy only takes about 30 minutes. Computers and wifi available to visitors.

Thanks to everyone for their wishes and prayers... and home made cooking.

Tony and Sandie