Almost July

Hi all!
Just a quick post before I nod off. I am feeling great. I am still conserving energy from the pulse chemo regime and I make good use of power naps. Karen and I are very optimistic about how this is going. The doctors are too.
We went to Wichita today to visit Ashley & Dan. Justin met us there as well. We had a good time and lunched at Cheddars.
Ashley took an important test for her real estate license this morning. The property management corporation she works for requires it. She successfully passed the test. Congrats, Ashley. She is now set for a big bump in salary. She is doing very well with her new position and they are very impressed by her.
I have completed all the continuing professional education (CPE) I needed to nenew my license to practice as a CPA. I mailed off the renewal forms, paid the renewal fee, and submitted certificates of completion yesterday. I'll hold a permit for the next couple of years until I have to renew it again. I had not been accumulating CPE certificates because I had been out of public accounting for nearly two years. Now I've paid the fee and provided the documentation of my study. It's good to have that out of the way and I learned about some topics I am really interested in pursuing professionally.

1st Week of Pulse Chemo

I just finished my first "off week" of pulse chemo. This means I was off chemo this week and I'll be off for the next two weeks. Then I do back on double-dose chemo for 5 days, then off, repeat, etc.
I didn't think the this new dose level of Temodar was having much physical effect on me but I can nap during the day like I never have before. It is very therapeutic. I'll lay down after lunch and the next thing you know, it's late afternoon. I don't do this every day but I can if I need to. I am sure it's doing good things for me.
I hope you're all having a great summer so far. Karen and I miss seeing as much of Ashley and Dan as we used to. They have been back a couple of times to see us and Dan's family and to finish their move. We hope to maybe see them next weekend.
I hope you're all getting ready for our trip to Yellowstone. I have my eye on a pair of Gore-Tex hiking boots. I think they're a necessity. I will be out there pounding the pavement in the next couple of months to get in condition for the Cascade Canyon hike, the Lost Lake hike, whatever. I hope you're up for it too.

Looking Forward to Yellowstone

I intend to spend some time researching the outdoor opportunities of the Tetons and Yellowstone in detail soon. I could use anyone else's input on this who cares to contribute.
Out of those of you who want to go, I see these of us as the most likely to be there (by family group):
Karen, John, and Dan, Martha, Greg, and Nathan, Mary Anne, Paul, Andrew, Katherine, and Alex, and Bob, Sr. That makes twelve committed to going. I think we can handle this group with 3 separate rooms and keep the cost manageble. I can't speak for Karen but I am willing to consider any reasonable room-sharing arrangements. It'll be a lot of fun. Four adults should be comfortable in a room with two double (or better, say queen) beds.
We're still waiting on final word from Justin and Laura. I hope you can make it. It may change room arrangements, so we'll have to take this into consideration. For me, vacation planning is half the fun. I know, I am strange.

Euro 2008

So, Nathan, will Sweden advance to the knock-out phase of the Euro 2008 Soccer Tournament? They'll have their work cut out for them against Spain today, no? I still see them as the runner-up in that bracket. They do have a win in-hand of course.
Just what does "Heja Sverige" mean anyway? Does it mean "Go Sweden!"? I like soccer at this level. It's entertaining and the action is continuous, unlike American sports.
What do you think?

1st Week Update - John

Well, after the 1st day's nausea from the pulse chemotherapy, I have had little to complain about with this phase of the treatment. This week of teatment is going well. After this week, I go off treatment for the rest of the month. That should have me feeling even better.
I enjoy hearing from each of you and I look forward to your comments. Please keep them up.
Dan, I hope your Bar Review continues to go well. Karen and I are very proud of you for your perfect final semester in law school (the end of a perfect law school career). We share a measure of your parent's pride in your graduation Summa Cum Laude and as the top candidate of your class. I know Ashley is beaming. Of course, none of us is surprised.

John's Chemo

I am adjusting to my 1st week of pulse chemotherapy pretty well after all. After the Monday's day's bout of nausea I am coping with the treatment nicely. I hope this trend continues. Karen is taking some time off this week to monitor my treatment, Bless her.
I met with Dr. Wills yesterday (my brain surgeon) for some feedback about the progress of my treatment. He has a lot of confidence in the phase-two pulse chemo team that is now in charge. Coming from Dr. Wills, that says everything. He wants me to touch base with him in a couple of months or so.
I am working on some continuing professional education (CPE) I must finish by the end of the month. It is coming along fine. I am working on renewing my permit to practice as a CPA. I should have no problem wrapping that up in the next week or so.
I met with the Vida Hispanic Ministry fundraising committee today. We the members of this committee work to network with other groups and individuals to diversify and expand Vida's funding. It's a great organization and has great promise. I am proud to be a part of it.

Pulse Chemotherapy Begins

I began phase two of my cancer treatment today. I took 280 mgs of Temodar (administered in two doses of 140 mgs) today. This after a four-week period of no treatment. I must say the effects were pretty pronounced. I vomited a couple of hours after taking the 1st dose of Temodar. I threw up until my stomach was empty. It's not ununsual. The medicine was absorbed by the time the side effects made me sick. I was sensitive on the 1st day of phase one too. There is an adjustment period, so don't worry. My appetite is back and I am eating well. I'll let you know if my tummy troubles continue. I am betting they won't.
I don't know who to root for in the Euro 2008. I guess Germany is the favorite. I am partial to Croatia and Sweden. It will be fun to watch.

Pulse Chemo to Begin

Happy Weekend everyone!
I begin my 2nd phase of treatment Monday when I begin pulse chemo. This will entail the 5 day stepped-up Temodar medicine with a 23 day recovery period. This will go on for months (maybe 6 months?)
Karen and I will meet with our brain surgeon, Dr. Matt Wills, on Tuesday, June 10. He has been so strong and confident. We put a lot of stock in his opinion. We are going to suggest whether referral to an experimental program (at say, Duke?) is a good idea. We want to explore the best options to whip this disease.
I have taken on a few professional projects of my own in the meantime to earn some income. I will meet with the Session of Westminster Presbyterian (here in Topeka) to set up an audit of their 2007 financial statements. This may be my future (as a self-employed CPA). I am excited about this.

My Week

Hope everything is well with all of you. Karen and I are enjoying the warm-up in the weather. There has been some active weather around here and we're dodging thunderstorms and humid conditions.
It was great to see Ashley and Dan back in Topeka for the weekend. We hoped they enjoyed dinner with us. I know we did. They are still moving odds and ends to Wichita. We miss seeing them every day but they seem to be very happy in Wichita. They also seem to be adjusting well to life in the "Ta".
Kim brought her lively kids over to see me last Friday. Brian and Laurie joined us for lunch. We had a great time. Kim looks wonderful and even at 8 months pregnant: petite still. She's a natural beauty.
I have an appointment with Matt Wills, my brain surgeon, next week. I will be asking him about his thoughts about experimental treatments and that sort of thing. Maybe I'll be seeking treatment at the Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke yet. I'll let you know what he has to say.
I also want to say thanks to Bob and Vicki Owen for taking the time to come and see me. I have been a youth group volunteer with Ist Presbyterian since Bob and Vicki were very young. It is delightful for see how graceful and accomplished they are becoming as adults. Bob, good luck on your medical school aptitude exams (MCATs, right?) I am confident they will go well for you. I know your wonderful parents are very proud of you. There are no limits on your abilities.

Pulse Chemo Scheduled

Hi all! It's been something like 3 weeks since I have graduated from radiation treatment. I am scheduled to begin pulse chemotherapy on Monday, June 9. This will entail a double dose of Temodar (a tablet) for five days at a stretch with a 23 day recovery period. Things have gone so well so far that Karen and I are very optimistic about it. I can say that I feel great. I feel the "significant improvement" that Dr. Green speaks of.
Karen and I have spent a lot of time together working on the yard. It's paying off. We accidently dumped the water from on top of the tarp back into the pool as we were working to open it up. The water is clearing now, though. It may have the clarity for swimming this weekend. The back yard looks so green with all the rain we've had. The vibirnum and the hostas, the bee balm and the yew are producing lots of new growth. Very green! We have some annuals and perenials in for color. Geraniums and Begonias, Pansies and Peonies. We are enjoying our efforts. Always something that needs to be done. It's great therapy.
We are very impressed by the efforts of John's Team. What a wonderful job you all have done. I got a cool NC Blue T-Shirt in the mail with our team name on it. I love it. Thank you for that.
More soon.
Love, John