tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68192428385292035422012-02-19T21:23:50.110-08:00A Journal dedicated to my wonderful family and our fight against my Renal Cell Carcinoma. When I registered the blog name, the site was going to be dedicated to alternative form factor computing in the hospital setting, but things change.Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.comBlogger571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-91374799560006527672009-07-21T21:10:00.000-07:002009-07-21T21:14:11.131-07:00

Hello all, and thank you to everyone who attended Francis' service on Saturday. It went very well and I think Francis would be pleased.Several people asked me if there was an account they could donate to for Patrick and Caitlin. Yes, there is, and thank you very much for your generosity.Please send donations to:Patrick and Caitlin LyonsC/O Washington Mutual Bank3449 Castro Valley Blvd.Thank you

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-7933042851804926642009-07-16T15:23:00.000-07:002009-07-16T15:40:21.502-07:00

Thank you to all who have contacted me with messages of condolence and remembrances of Francis.A memorial service for Francis will be held at CrossWinds Church in Dublin on Saturday, July 18th at 2PM. There will be time allotted for anyone who wishes to speak about Francis and what he meant to them. The church address is 6444 Sierra Court, Dublin CA 94568. A map of the church location is

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-25668184611999531972009-07-14T11:05:00.000-07:002009-07-16T15:48:55.593-07:00

Francis James Vincent Lyons succumbed on July 13, 2009 at 1:45PM, exactly three years and 7 months after his mother's passing. During his last days he was surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues. He passed away with his wife and family at his side.Thank you to all who have helped and supported Francis and his family throughout the difficult past year. Francis' ordeal was made much less

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-79128795474500839932009-03-20T23:37:00.000-07:002009-03-21T00:49:14.960-07:00

It has been quite a bit since I last updated this blog; and my fault for not having done so. When we last left our intrepid explorer the most recent news was that SoCal had accepted the referral and would start the paperwork for actually seeing me. Since then, quite a bit has happened... The days after my last post were rather frightful, with horribly increased trouble breathing and me pawing

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-37039564903990448912009-01-30T22:09:00.000-08:002009-01-30T22:22:14.114-08:00

Been quite a week, as I related earlier. The latest news is that SoCal has accepted the referral for the IFN/IL2 therapy. Note, that does not mean that I will be getting the therapy, only that they will consider the request. Before I really hit the winnowing process there are some tests that have to be done. First, I have to have a Treadmill Stress Test. This is where they make you runn your

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-92054089792204639242009-01-27T23:38:00.000-08:002009-01-28T00:06:44.744-08:00

And a quicker update on things. First, I want to extend further thanks to a few people. Dad, thanks for always being there. You are more important to the family and I than I think you realize. To Shirley G, Jacqueline V, and Mary W; thanks for the thoughts, messages, prayer cards and just plain being around. I know that I often fail to answer; but I have read everything, and it gives Robin

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-61840818403477017202009-01-23T23:26:00.000-08:002009-01-24T01:00:35.676-08:00

WWFD? Or, What Would Francis Do? Where the heck did that come from, you ask. Well, I gotta admit that this is from an old event, but corporate mail seems to take awhile... Way back in September I attended a party that was in appreciation for the pivotal figures in our implementation of the computerized medical record. No, I was not a recipient, merely a participant, Any way, during the

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-71682788936109804682009-01-01T21:14:00.000-08:002009-01-03T06:37:36.820-08:00

It has been awhile, and for that I apologize. What with Christmas and appointments and side effects I have basically ignored everything. But, there is good news. First, let's review the Bone Scan results...nothing new there, except that what I thought was a fracture in my right foot way back when truly was. Yep, dropping a motorcycle on your foot will break the foot. The scan confirmed all

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-45694449573895271602008-12-09T20:13:00.000-08:002008-12-09T20:52:38.956-08:00

Well, today was the Nuclear Bone Scan. For those not used to the terminology, that basically means that I was injected with a material that binds to the active cells in the bones and emits particles that a fancy geiger counter can "see". Granted, that is a horribly simplified explanation, but it works. The "camera" simply sees radioactive decay particles and plots them. Over time, you end up

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-58043017258109647652008-11-26T21:49:00.000-08:002008-11-26T22:29:40.594-08:00

First, let me be the first to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Many of us get so wrapped up in our lives, and the sheer commercialism of this time of year, that I think it is wise that we all sit back and reflect on the true meaning of this Holiday. And what is Thanksgiving about? For me it is a time to remember all the blessings and benefits that we all have in our lives. A time to share

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-61651921897083735272008-11-14T21:14:00.000-08:002008-11-26T22:30:37.020-08:00

OK, I have to send out an apology to a bunch of people. Evidently some people worry about me, and when I don't post here they email my family to find out what is going on... Sorry all. I let myself get so caught up in returning to work that I forgot about everything else.Things are going pretty well with this cycle of the Sutent. Amazingly enough, it seems that Benadryl is quite effective at

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-34100592449658538832008-10-28T05:33:00.000-07:002008-10-28T07:16:27.034-07:00

TV commercials suck. The last thing that I want to watch is the latest Viagra or Tampax ad, especially when the kids are watching TV with me. Ever try to answer a six year old when they ask "Daddy, what's a tampon?"!Since I hate commercials I tend to watch many of the shows from the DVR recording; that way I can tap the button I programmed for a 30 second skip and just bounce past the

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-15827800474606836972008-10-22T03:26:00.000-07:002008-10-22T04:03:06.883-07:00

Just a quick update while I wrestle with insomnia...I received a phone call from the Cyberknife folks late yesterday afternoon--tip for others out there: trying to locate items in a newly remodelled Safeway while noting appointments and talking on the phone does not work. I must have cruised the same aisles three or four times while trying to do both. I guess my sister in law is right, that Y

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-28991390906747641272008-10-20T13:02:00.000-07:002008-10-20T13:30:32.410-07:00

Well, we got back from Fort Bragg last night. I guess we all had fun, because we slept thru the alarm and didn't wake up until 0715 this morning. Even our son--who is usually up and raring to go by 0600--was fast asleep when I went in to wake him! All in all quite a nice weekend. My brother and his family just happened to be there as well (no planning, just luck), so the kids got to play and bop

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-9846631963007800702008-10-14T09:45:00.001-07:002008-10-20T12:29:39.556-07:00

Robin and I spent the day at Stanford Hospital yesterday for the CyberKnife consult. The Neuro folks had billed this as a treatment appointment, but evidently SUH had other plans... As is par for a teaching hospital we had to wade through a group of Fellows and R3's before we saw the physician of record for the consultation. The treatment plan that we agreed to is for a return visit for creation

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-64211087915206987452008-10-09T16:59:00.001-07:002008-10-09T16:59:48.130-07:00

I saw the Neurosurgeon today for my follow-up.  Nothing earth shattering there, the wound is basically healed, and the remaining visual changes should resolve over the next month.  He did mention in passing a new mets that was seen on the post-op MRI of the brain on 9/25.  Evidently it is in the Temporal Lobe and about 0.5cm across.  This one will be left for the CyberKnife folks to deal with on

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-15017258333708811172008-09-29T00:37:00.001-07:002008-09-29T00:37:23.362-07:00

No, this is not going to be about what you think it is. Well, not only that... I had some rather odd dreams last night, actually more like a night terror. I have noticed that I get them if I try and take anything (like Restoril, etc) to help me sleep when the steroids are keeping me up. You think I'd have figured it out by now. Four different attempts with sleepers and four night terrors. Sheesh

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-76507526672588300022008-09-26T14:19:00.000-07:002008-09-26T20:56:00.925-07:00

It is a quick and dirty form, but it will work to get the requests to me, and should be immune to Spam Robots.Located at the bottom of the page for now./EDIT 2055/ Form moved to the left side of the page as I was able to source a smaller one.

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-75131694024229672202008-09-26T06:39:00.000-07:002008-09-26T21:40:06.255-07:00

By now many of you should have received an invite to a Google Groups. I am tying this group to the Blog, mainly to use the mailing list features. I also opened the group to members only, since I have to open it to something/someone by the terms of the agreement. Membership is locker, privately held, and by my invitation only.Let me know if there is anyone who wants to be added to the

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-11248079761847587032008-09-26T02:43:00.001-07:002008-09-26T02:50:13.067-07:00

Well, went in today for a few things. The day actually started yesterday afternoon with a call from the MRI folks--they were trying to get me in ASAP for the special Closed MRI that Stanford needs before the CyberKnife therapy next week. There was bit of confusion, because my records now read "claustrophobic" so they try to do everything with me under the "Open MRI", rather than in the older "

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-56301238071351338052008-09-26T01:51:00.001-07:002008-09-26T23:36:27.446-07:00

The other day my niece/god-daughter sent me an email. Part of what we have been chatting about was how we each respond to life, and how facing fear is so often a part of recovery and redemption. Some fears are rational, some are not, many are from "future tripping", and most are just a way to avoid doing what we truly need to do for our own good. So Siobhan passed on this quote to me, as it "

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-31002735524093346382008-09-22T13:10:00.000-07:002008-09-22T13:17:31.827-07:00

Well, I had Robin snap a quick shot of the craniotomy site this morning after I finally got to take off the dressing and wash my hair. It looks a bit bigger than I expected.I think I need to buy a bigger hat. :)

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-92188719514109727252008-09-19T18:47:00.001-07:002008-09-20T22:25:21.868-07:00

Had a nice day. The staff here have been wonderful. Just the right mix of attentiveness and letting me do things for myself. Robin and my father spent a few hours visiting with me this am. My brother also dropped by with an order of Pad Thai on his lunch. That hit the spot! Talking about food; either we have changed suppliers, or the steroids are really messing with me, as the food is not

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-76045943670255254882008-09-19T01:20:00.000-07:002008-09-19T01:22:33.926-07:00

Shiver me timbers! It's International Talk Lika a Pirate Day. Aargh matey, that it be!

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-18156899619511465972008-09-18T18:04:00.001-07:002008-09-19T01:25:48.014-07:00

And rather bored. But that is a good thing! Being able to be bored that is! Went in to the OR at around 1:15 today, and was awake by 2:50 and back into the Recovery Room by 3:00 pm. One of the nurses showed me the tumor that they removed. Looks pretty tiny to have caused all of this fuss. According to the OR crew I wake up fast and happy. Their favorite type of patient. Best part of the

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-57755350003616768842008-09-17T23:25:00.000-07:002008-09-17T23:30:44.901-07:00

Telling the kids was a non-event. The biggest moment of excitement was when they heard that Grandad would be staying in town for a couple of days. That lead them to both vie for the priveledge of giving up their room to him.Why do I always insist on worrying about the things that seem to resolve themselves so easily? Ah well. If not that, it would be something else.The beach was a bust--

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-60027207024082838912008-09-16T23:43:00.000-07:002008-09-16T23:49:54.466-07:00

I forgot to mention that Jerry Pournelle's blog is a tad conservative. But please read it anyway, even if you are a "heathen". He has many thing to say about his treatment that could help us ALL become better providers.

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-29928581962537717792008-09-16T23:14:00.000-07:002008-09-16T23:37:15.653-07:00

Well, Monday we had the consult at UCSF. Nothing much new or unexpected. Given the tumor status, my primary ONC seems to be charting the proper path, and we are moving as well as can be expected. I had been pushing for a visit with the Surgical ONC, but their Tumor Group decided to start me out with the Medical ONC, so there we started. Man, the paperwork they wanted! Being out of the

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-49973167929675857492008-09-13T20:17:00.000-07:002008-09-13T20:22:09.005-07:00

Boy is it good to eat home made Lamb and Duck Chow Fun with a ton of Chili sauce slathered all over it...and no pain or problems!Sorry, had to do it. Hey, it's the little things that count. Have a good weekend. Off to the Ren Faire tomorrow. Now what to be; a brigand or a pauper?

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-9696624057656110552008-09-13T03:30:00.000-07:002008-09-16T23:39:52.310-07:00

The traditional scalpel and the Cyberknife!Robin and I spent a long and fruitful day in Redwood City on Thursday consulting with the Neuroscience team (a fabulous group BTW). The approach that we have settled on is a Craniotomy (next Thursday 9/18) to go in and remove the tumor. After a suitable wait of 10 to 14 days then I will be off to the Cyberknife facility for a thorough nuking of the

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-87179223484883844652008-09-11T06:35:00.000-07:002008-09-11T17:16:52.384-07:00

OK, a bit to say and not much time this am...First off, to all of the team that we were with in ROS last night. If I missed talking to you, I am sorry for that. You have now idea how much it meant to me to be able to be there and help show our appreciation to the REG team. Thanks again for the invite and everything else.During dinner last noc I got a call from the Med ONC...here is the gist of

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-30478153179857969502008-09-07T15:32:00.000-07:002008-09-16T23:40:21.416-07:00

Had a long appointment with the Rad Onc on Friday. She is recommending that I have a Neurosurgical evaluation (scheduled for Thursday) of the brain tumor. If it is non operable she will recomend that I go to UCSF for CyberKnife or Gamma Knife therapy. Whatever is used as the primary attack on the tumor, she is also recommending that I undergo "whole brain" radiation therapy in an attempt to

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-88206997635735391672008-09-03T17:40:00.000-07:002008-09-03T17:50:41.860-07:00

I was going to talk about some other stuff today, but somehow I have lost the motivation for that. Just got a call from the Onc. The MRI showed a 1cm lesion in the left parietal and some associated swelling. They also found a 2 or 3mm area that "might" be a recent bleed or a calcification. Oh joy. I am to start Decadron tomorrow morning. The doc is also putting in consults with a Radiation

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-69737133794379312102008-08-29T18:48:00.000-07:002008-09-07T15:54:12.664-07:00

I just tried to explain the concept of Vice-President to my six year old son. His take on the whole conversation and concept: "So, basically, she gets to be his side kick."

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-19774249287092095912008-08-29T18:00:00.000-07:002008-08-29T18:50:26.622-07:00

It has been quite a day. I took the last dose of the first cycle of Sutent this morning. Now I get to look forward to the gradual decrease of the side effects and about 10 days being able to eat. I intend to gorge myself.I had pretty much resigned myself to watching a boring Presidential race, with two teams of Senators--none of whom have any sort of Executive experience--trying to out do each

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-76974664045478714182008-08-28T17:44:00.000-07:002008-08-29T18:51:21.984-07:00

Boy what a week! Last Tuesday was the first day of the first grade for the twins so Robin and I walked them to class and did the whole parent thing. Wednesday morning the kids informed me that I could drop them at the curb to school and they would walk the rest of the way...my, how fast they grow up!The mouth blisters were entirely out of control by Monday, but now seem better. Funny story

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-58760407022396268212008-08-23T12:09:00.000-07:002008-08-23T12:48:24.838-07:00

After thinking about things, and doing a little research, Robin and I are convinced that we need to get a second opinion on the treatment, even if only to confirm the current one. So, if anybody out there knows of a good Oncologist in California with experience treating Renal Carcinoma, we would like to hear.It has been a relatively nice week, with letters from friends and a nice time with my

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-55387603218102250722008-08-19T19:51:00.000-07:002008-08-21T11:49:33.118-07:00

Just to prove that I think about things other than cancer...look at this post I just saw over on Engadget. 20 bucks says that is a new medical tablet for hospital use.

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-82715919302842161432008-08-19T19:32:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:30:07.018-07:00

I actually managed to eat all of my dinner tonight. Not up to my usual 2000 to 3000 calories, but getting there. I probably hit about 1200. And no Zantac today! Woohoo!I also got a letter from another old friend. Today has turned into a good day.Hey, like I keep saying, it's the little things.

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-53724108860236453792008-08-19T16:34:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:17:29.997-07:00

Get cancer. They'll give you anything that you ask for. Seriously, every visit or phone call with any of my docs ends with them asking me if I need anything "for the pain". What pain? If I had any damn pain it probably would have started long ago and then there is a chance that we could have caught this early!Anyway, the mouth is fine today--last night I could not even eat Shrimp Pho--and I

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-26010825724394582182008-08-17T16:20:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:11:20.062-07:00

OK, this is truly odd. Late Saturday the swelling on the right upper jaw went away; and the 49ers beat the Packers! Will wonders never cease?! The kids loved every second of the outing. Not sure if they paid much attention to the game, but the chance to play with their cousins made their night. I gotta say though, Damn! these football games have gotten expensive! Ah well, the family is

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-13988065309855966182008-08-15T16:16:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:11:38.843-07:00

Well, I'm done with the doc. He thinks that it might be Strep, so sent off a probe to the lab. We will also need to see what my routine labs show.Played with the kids all afternoon. They are so excited about going to see the 49ers that they can barely contain themselves. Not sure if that is why it is so hard to keep up with them, or if it is just the chemo working it's magic.The scalp lesion

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-55107967678539028202008-08-15T09:12:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:12:07.038-07:00

Last night I went to bed with a sore throat. This morning my jaw--right where my left upper wisdom tooth would be--is swollen and exquisitely painful. To the point where I can't chew and can barely swallow. Time to go see the doctor. I can get that done when I go in for the lab draw today.

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-17381711277865223172008-08-12T21:11:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:26:46.650-07:00

My low back has been killing me for the last couple of days. Now, most rational people with a history of spinal surgery would attribute the pain to their son running into their low back at full speed--Robin says it is the first time she ever saw me turn grey--but do I? No. It is mets. It can only be mets, and it is going to kill me right now.Aargh! This is not fun.OK, side effect check for

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-68198796587620141982008-08-10T22:02:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:15:08.259-07:00

I received a couple of cards today and yesterday, two for Masses for the sick (it's a Catholic thing) and one get well card from a friend. It looks like folks on at least two continents are praying for my family and I. Thanks, we truly do appreciate it.I have also had some emails over the last week from family and friends, and just want to acknowledge these as well. Thanks.On Tuesday we

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-60761338684623255452008-08-09T21:50:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:24:44.026-07:00

In my free time I have been looking at treatment options on the web and MedLine, as well as thinkingabout the morality of cancer treatment. Hey, I know that my head can be a dangerous place, but this thought just might have some relevance...Most of the treatments for advanced Renal CA only offer options for palliative care or a bit of life extension. It seems that the only definitive cure is to

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-62335250190959401872008-08-05T15:31:00.000-07:002008-08-19T16:11:48.460-07:00

Well, the real side effects are beginning. Today I awoke and my mouth felt like crap. So much for hoping that lots of water would help with the oral mucosa changes. Everything tastes pretty nasty, kinda metallic and my mouth is very sensitive to anything acidic or spicy. The headache and the spacey feeling continue, but seem to be less today.Robin is holding up well to all the stress, and I *

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-39897926491316185832008-08-02T20:46:00.000-07:002008-08-21T10:48:02.903-07:00

Well, last night went fairly well. Not too much weeping and wailing, and everyone got a chance to hear all the news first hand. No objections to our designations in the Trust, so that is good as well.This morning I started the chemo. No major side effects yet, but the stuff does make me feel pretty spacey. Kinda like what Vicodin does to me--makes me feel like my head is stuffed with cotton,

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-22186972986228457222008-08-01T14:13:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:37:55.278-07:00

Well, everyone except my sister will be here this evening. Even my brother managed to re-arrange his flight back from New Zealand so that he will land in the Bay Area. Topics for discussion are arrangements for the worst outcomes. In other words, what to do if Francis dies. Robin and I have already figured a lot of that out, and will have the final of the Family Trust for them next week. In

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-57512768729671015982008-07-31T21:00:00.000-07:002008-08-21T10:59:13.839-07:00

A friend of ours at the hospital heard about the MRI need and managed to get us on the schedule for today, so the MRI is already done. Yeah! Now all we need is a reading so that the Onc can pick a treatment plan. Also had the LDH and other labs drawn while at the hospital.I've had many MRI's of my spine over the years, but today's was the hardest. For some reason I basically lost it in the

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-63116368278026740912008-07-31T09:40:00.000-07:002008-08-21T10:56:17.571-07:00

Yesterday we met the Oncologist and talked about treatment plans and such. It turns out that I have:Renal Tumors, 9cm on the left and 2 of 1cm or less on the right.Mets to L1 in my spine.Mets to the skin (my scalp), including 1 lesion that I haven't mentioned until now. This one started as a zit.Mets to the Lungs--what I am calling shotgun effect, they all look like small #8 pellets on the CT

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-31861456800074257582008-07-29T20:27:00.000-07:002008-08-19T16:32:50.211-07:00

OK, I had the CT of the Chest today. Again done with and without contrast. Boy, I am getting tired of needles, and here I've only been stuck three times in 10 days. What a weenie...Again got a noncommittal response to my question about the CT. This time from a tech that my wife and I have known for years. That is definitely not good.Yet more waiting begins. At least most of the diagnostic

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-43459192074970485062008-07-25T20:16:00.000-07:002008-08-19T16:34:07.460-07:00

Saw the Urologist today. Seems that he has also had Kidney cancer many years ago. Go figure the odds of that.Turns out that the cancer is not just in the kidneys. There is also metastasis to the bone--on the process of L1 in my spine--and possibly to my lungs. Time for another CT, this time of the chest. The Uro is unwilling to commit to any course of treatment; it seems that I will have to

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-20050959187505822352008-07-24T20:08:00.000-07:002008-08-21T10:48:43.190-07:00

Got another of those infamous calls from the doctor today. This time it was suggested that I bring my wife. And come right away.Turns out that the cancer is in my left and right kidneys. The tumor on the left side is about 9 cm. The tumors on the right side are both 1 cm or less. I will need to see the Urologist and the Oncologist ASAP. My Doctor has called them, and wants to know if I am

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-32449190388623358352008-07-23T17:10:00.000-07:002008-08-21T10:47:26.903-07:00

Just got back from the CT. Full exam of the Abdomen and Pelvis, with and without contrast. Test went OK, but when I asked the tech if the "pretty pictures came out" all she would say was that the films didn't need to be repeated and would be read soon. All that without managing to look me in the eye. That can't be good.Working while we go through all of this is really starting to get hard. I

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-90588157960489108672008-07-18T19:58:00.000-07:002008-08-19T16:30:49.775-07:00

Took the wife and kids to the airport today for their flight back east. I am already wondering how I could have been so stupid as to let them go! So much for bravery and all that...Telling my wife last night sucked. I don't think that it really sunk in for her.The CT is at 4pm on Wednesday. Here's hoping.

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6819242838529203542.post-25556097617222134062008-07-17T18:17:00.000-07:002008-08-19T12:36:15.635-07:00

Welcome to my blog, as the saying goes. I initially toyed with the idea of starting a blog for a few months, but have decided today to take the plunge after a friend suggested that it would be a good outlet for me.You see, today at 3pm my doctor told me that the two wounds on my scalp that had to be excised and closed earlier this week are something called Clear Cell. Clear Cell is a type of

Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04884293232723395972noreply@blogger.com1