Blog Photo Update

Greg: thanks for the new blog photo. Karen and I like it as does everyone else who's commented. I feel as if I am looking more like my old self these days. It's a good feeling.
Karen and I attended a fundraiser for a local State Representative candidate this evening. It was a good time and I think it did some good. We met the Kansas Attorney General Steve Six there. I will be doing some door-to-door campaigning for him Thursday (his name is Bruce Cooper). He is a neighbor and a friend and, more importantly, a moderate Democrat, running against an incumbent right-wing pro-life Republican. Apparently, its a "watch" race. We have a good shot here.

A Busy Week

Congratutions to Dan upon his admittance to the Kansas Bar. Dan is now a full-fledged attorney-at-law. We're all proud of you, Dan!! Here are a few pictures from the induction ceremony.

Testing Today

Hi all. Karen and I are about to leave for the lab to have some blood taken today for testing. If signs are right they'll do an Avastin treatment (mellowed with Benedryl) this afternoon. It may be nap time for me! I wouldn't mind that. Everything is going well and I am feeling strong. So is Karen (which is really more important).

I will take a Bible along. While we're waiting I'll study and prepare for my "conversation with the children" in Sunday's service. I am looking forward to that and should have no trouble keeping it short. Thanks for the tips, Jane. I may be calling you again for your advice.

Check out my lovely coffee date from Saturday. Thanks for the coffee and the company, Ash. Thanks to all of you for all your support and concern.

H!aving a Good Week

Hi Trophy Runners! Your comments and conversations are really making a difference. Karen and I both feel very strong. We owe it all to you. I've had an Avastin infusion, some blood tests this week, and I just finished another Temodar cycle. I feel very well. Karen is feeling strong too. We owe it all to your thoughts and prayers.
We will see Dan and Ashley this weekend. They will do some housesitting for Dave and Diane Lawence so they'll be in town. It is always our pleasure to see them.
Danielle: how is your 5K training going? I hope you are looking forward to your race. Let me know how it goes. Enjoy yourself, that's the key to sustaining interest. I know you'll impress us.
Martha: Thank you for your last comments. Karen and I are optimistic and determined. I hope that comes accross. We feel your love and care constantly. We love you with all our hearts.
More soon.
John

1st Week - New Chemo Regime

Hello. As I prepare for my nightly dose of Temodar (only one more night after tonight this cycle), I must say the new treatment regime has been more gentle on us physically (and thus emotionally) than either Karen and I could have expected.
I don't know whether to suggest that this is the breakthrough and the success we're praying for but we have a strong sense that it is just that. Please continue your prayers for us. They are making an unbelievable difference.
The trip to Duke was so enlightening, mostly in a spiritual sense. Stephanie, our brilliant social worker, told us we are navigating the five stages of grief. What are they, anyway: denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance? As you can imagine, that wasn't easy to hear at first. Stephanie said, in those words and others, that my disease is fatal. I know this isn't easy for all of you to hear (not even Karen has read this part of the post - she did hear Stephanie say it, though). Stephanie went on to say that I could live many, many years. Maybe there's even a cure in my future? So what's to worry about? I intend to live! Some of the things Stephanie said will stick with us for a long time.
Don't be afraid. We intend to face our future with all the courage and joy we know which, thanks for you, is immeasurable.
Love,
John

1st Day - New Treatment

I began my new treatment of Avastin and Temodar today. I just took a full daily dose of Temodar and Karen and I are a little nervous about this. I'll be sleeping soon but I could be vomiting (like during round one of the previous round). They gave me Benadryl and some anti-nausea medication that really put me out. Thanks for your prayers and suport and please keep them coming.
My Church has a new minister and his name is Brad Walker. He came by monday for a visit. I foresee big things for our congregation! I want to b a part of this.
Love,
John

Pulse Chemo Next Week

Hi all! Next week (Tuesday) I begin another round of pulse chemotherapy. This time we are using Avastin in addition to Temodar. We are hoping for positive results of course. I'll let you know the side effects, if any. Keep the faith.
I intend to spend a little quality time tomorrow on the road with my new LeMond Etape road bke!

Cancer Treatment

My cancer treatment will be changing next week thanks to the brilliant people at Duke Medical Center. I won't be part of the vaccine study as we originally planned. My brain tumor is "multi-site" and this rules out my participation in the study.
Duke is offering an alternative, however. They are also doing studies with an anti-cancer drug that shows great promise for brain cancer although it has been used for other types of cancer. The drug is called Avastin (check me on spelling, Doc) and may be a wonder drug for my type of case. We are praying it's so.
It all gets a little complicated for me but the treatment involves replacement therapy. This means, as I understand it, that Duke will administer the treatment to me then be reimbursed or accept "replacement" of this type of medicine to fund to experiment.
Our doctors and other top-notch people believe this may just be the approach we're looking for. One thing I can say for sure is that these people are at the top of their profession, including the most amazing social worker I've ever met.
We'll try to do a little better about timely blogging. I am working on a couple of professional projects and I feel great as you can probably tell from my last couple of blogs.
More soon and I love you all.

My Other Great Love

I hope you can see a picture of my Gary Fisher Mountain bike. Bob, this is what you need to have. Just made for single track, Baby!!

First Some Bad News, Then Good News

As some of you know, my beloved LeMond Virginia City road bike was stolen this weekend. Bike Thief, may you rot in hell! What to do, what to do? Well, there's really only one thing to do. Yes, I replaced the bike with a new LeMond (this one is an "Etape" model). It is aluminium with carbon forks. The old one was medium blue steel number. I love my new one very much but I won't take it out until it stops raining. With the homeowner's policy (thanks, Weissbeck Allstate Agency) the replacement won't cost us anything.

Pretty spiffy looking, no? I did have my eye on a Specialized Tarmac (easily a $1,000 more) but Karen's voice of reason prevailed. I am delighted and can't wait to race you!