Progress Update

I have been remiss in updating my blog. 

The school year started and things went from crazy to crazier!

I am well! I am running regularly, although not as much in the last 10 days or so because I am "run" down. (Sorry, I could not avoid the pun!).

I am teaching five classes: 4 English classes and AVID. And coaching, too. All is going well.

On to my health:

Lastest scan (August) shows that I am stable. No tumor growth! Hoo Hoo!

I saw Dr. Zu today. My vitals are good. Weight is up from last month (1 pound) and my vitals are good. My WBC is low, but stable for me. No real surprises.

I received my monthly injection of Sandostatin. Guess I won't be sitting on my left side for a few days! HA! And I continue to take Afinitor daily. 

Dr. Zu talked to me about training for the Carlsbad Marathon. I suggested he contact Jim Maxwell, a good friend who has run 75+ marathons, for a training plan. 

I find it funny that they don't make cancer patients pay for parking. Guess it pays to have cancer! (Okay, I had to throw that in there...).

Thanks for your continued support and encouragement!

Next up: Appointment with Dr. Zu on October 22. Until then, live, laugh, love!

Update on my progress

Hi All,

Saw Dr. Zu on July 30.

Good news! My blood work looks good and I am maintaining my weight. Got my monthly injection of Sandostatin, and will have a CT scan and an MRI on August 6 to determine efficacy of my treatment.

I am doing great!
Running regularly, working out with Mark, and loving my wife, Christine!

Thank you for your continued love and support!

Progress Update

Hi All,

Saw Dr. Zu on July 2 for my monthly appointment.
My numbers look good. I am maintaining my weight, my WBC, while a bit low, is stable, and I am maintaining an active schedule, running about 40 miles a week.
I also got my monthly injection of Sandostatin.

Next up:
Blood work on July 26.
Appointment with Zu on July 30.
Scans to assess treatment efficacy will be in August.

Thanks for you support and encouragement.

All my best!

Update on Progress

Hi All,

I am doing well.

Finished up another school year today with a professional development day. Looking forward to getting our cross country summer training program off the ground.

I will tutoring for 4 hours a week this summer at the SDSU Literacy Clinic.

I had a Sandostatin treatment on June 4th. Dr. Zu is in China on vacation, so I did not see him.

Next up: appointment on July 2nd.

Thanks for the encouragement and support!

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.