Update on Progress

Hi All,

Doing well. Finally past the bad cold I had. Fortunately, it never progressed into my chest, although I was coughing so violently that I suffered from inflammation in my chest and abdomen. Much of that has dissipated as well.

I saw Dr. Zu on May 7th. Good report! Vitals look good and I am up 1 pound since last month! Hoo Hoo!
I got my usual injection of Sandostatin which I seem to tolerate well these days. Funny how I now accept these shots without blinking. Another month, another shot in the buttocks! HA!

Thanks for all of your encouragement and positive energy!

Next up: Sandostatin injection on June 4. Zu will be in China so I won't see him again until July.

Update on Progress

Good news!
Saw Dr. Zu yesterday, 9 April, for regular follow-up appointment.
Scan results from 3 April show no growth in tumors! I continue to remain stable on the Afinitor and Sandostatin!

Despite fighting a bad cold, my WBC is higher this month than last and my vitals are good. I am also maintaining my weight which is always a struggle.

Although I am struggling to kick this cold, I am pleased and encouraged by these results.

I received my monthly infusion of Sandostatin yesterday.

Next appointment with Dr. Zu is 7 May.

Thanks to all for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement.

Progress Update

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay in posting a progress update.

Saw Dr. Zu on March 12. Good report: weight is up 2 lbs. from last month! WBC looks good - still low, but within an acceptable range. Zu thinks I am doing great. I also received a Sandostatin treatment. I am tolerating the treatment well, save for some minor side effects.

I continue to take Afinitor daily and, like the Sandostatin, I am tolerating the medication well.
For those unfamiliar with Afinitor, here is what I take it for:


AFINITOR is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of:

• adults with progressive neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic origin (PNET)
that are unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic. The safety and
effectiveness of AFINITOR in the treatment of patients with carcinoid
tumors have not been established. (1.2)

• pediatric and adult patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) who
have subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) that requires
therapeutic intervention but cannot be curatively resected. The
effectiveness is based on demonstration of durable objective response, as
evidenced by reduction in SEGA tumor volume. Improvement in disease related
symptoms and overall survival in patients with SEGA and TSC has
not been demonstrated. (1.5)

Next up:

CT Scan of chest, abdomen, and pelvis on April 3.
Blood work on April 5.
Appointment with Dr. Zu on April 9.

I am doing great. Now that track season has settled down a bit, I have gotten back to running regularly. Christine and I love each other immensely, I love my job, and am surrounded by wonderful people every day.

Thanks to all for your continued prayers, encouragement, friendship, and support.

Christine and I at the Elmer Runge Classic Invite on her birthday, March 16.

Progress Update

I continue to do well. Good appointment with Dr. Zu on February 12th. Weight is stable, vitals look good, although my WBC was a bit lower most likely due to the crazy cold and flu season gripping Southern California. I also received my monthly injection of Sandostatin which is always fun.

Work is going well. I am active, eating well, and happy to be married to Christine and to have the best friends in the world!

Thank you for all of your love and encouragement!

Next up: Appointment with Dr. Zu on March 12. At that time, we will schedule a CT scan.

Progress Update

Had Sandostatin injection on Tuesday and saw Dr. Zu for follow-up on Thursday, 17 January 2013.

Happy to report that I am doing great, aside from a nagging head cold, my numbers look good.

I am maintaining weight, eating well, and starting to run regularly again.

Thanks for all the support and encouragement.

Up next:

Mass of Hope: February 11 @ St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church
Dr. Zu appointment February 12.

All my best!

Update on My Progress

Hi All,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All! Happy Holidays!

I had a CT scan of my chest, pelvis, and abdomen on December 11 and saw Dr. Zu on December 18th.
All is good. CT scan shows no change in tumor size or growth.
WBC is good.
Had my monthly infusion (injection) of Sandostatin
Vitals are good. I am up two pounds!

All is good in the world!

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!

Next up: Appointment with Dr. Zu on January 15th.

Update on Progress

Saw Dr. Zu last week, Tuesday, 20 November 2012. He acknowledged that I "kicked his butt" in the half marathon! HA!

Good report! I gained three pounds, my vitals look better this month, and my WBC, while still low, is a bit higher this month! Hoo Hoo. Also got my monthly infusion of Sandostatin.

Got a flu shot last week as well.

Last few days have been rough with sore throat, fatigue, and low grade fever, but I am back to work today and am feeling okay.

Thanks for all the well wishes and encouragement.

You guys rock!

What's up next:

Three month CT scan of chest, abdomen, and pelvis to ascertain treatment progress.
Appointment with Dr. Zu on December 18.

Silver Strand Half Marathon

Hi All,

I ran the Silver Strand Half Marathon on Sunday, 11 November 2012. My goal was to run 2:00 or faster without having to dig down. I ran 1:58:54 officially! I beat Dr. Zu by 8 minutes! HA!

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed my experience. While I didn't run very fast, completing this race after last year was an emotional triumph for me.

Thank you to all who have supported and encouraged me!

Next time, let's do it together!

What's up next:

Blood work on Friday, 16 November.
Monthly appointment and Sandostatin infusion with Dr. Zu on Tuesday, 20 November.

Update on My Progress

I saw Dr. Zu on Tuesday, October 23, for my regular monthly appointment and infusion of Sandostatin.

He reports that my WBC is lower than last month, but still within an acceptable range. I never know how to interpret the numbers, but I know one key number is 88 as opposed to 92 last month. Perhaps someone can explain this to me!

I am also down 2 pounds from last month despite having a voracious appetite. Again, Dr. Zu is not overly concerned given that I have a good appetite, am strong, and am continuing to run.

Next appointment is November 20th.

Up next: Silver Strand Half Marathon. Zu thinks I will beat him! HA!

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!

Latest News on My Progress

Hi All,

Sorry for the long delay.

I had a CT scan of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis two weeks ago. Good news! Results show no tumor growth! I am doing well. Continuing to run about 4 - 5 days a week. Getting ready to run a half marathon on November 11 with Dr. Zu!

Thanks for your continued support and encouragement.