MORE ON TONY'S HEALTH ...

Well, today is Thursday, December 19/07…. My last radiation treatment was on Monday, December 3/07. My radiation specialist Dr. Larrson, has unofficially given me a clean bill of health on my Merkel Cell Skin Cancer. I will see him on January 4/08, when he will hopefully make this official. I will then be able to wear the pin that says “CANCER SURVIOUR”. Yay!! That is great news!

Here’s the latest news... My bone marrow is not doing its full job and the oral chemo treatment I was taking, “Fludarabine”, didn’t work successfully. So, to fight back, I am now on an IV chemotherapy (for you technical people) called Cyclophosphamide. It’s far more aggressive chemo treatment so, unfortunately, I might loose my hair… yes, yes, whatever I have left…. (LOL)… so it will be correct for you to say “soon Yul look like Kojak” (LOL). My goatee is thinning but it’s still there - some of you have never seen my face without a goatee or mustache. Yep, get your cameras ready, because it’ll be your “2nd chance” to catch a glimpse of my face…. That is, your first and last chance!! (LOL). Even Ann hasn’t seen my face naked, for so long.

My two daughters, Julie and Sandra, have come home for Christmas. They’ve been cooking/baking a storm. I musta’ put on some 5lbs!

Hopefully… my last Chemo Treatment is scheduled for December 24/07. Yep, Santa didn’t forget me(LOL)…

My White Blood cells are continually dropping and I have to do a “self-injection” (actually, Ann does this for me) of Neupogen, a drug that brings my white blood back up to normal levels. Without this drug, my immune system drops far below a safe level.

I still have many doctor appointments, blood tests (3 x a week), daily pills, etc. to deal with but it’s all a manageable routine.

The bottom line is that through all this, I still feel very good. The Chemo (and Prednisone) makes my finger tips tingle and I occasionally get cramps in my hands and feet. The cramping is not the greatest for my close up magic, but I deal with it… You try hiding a card or coin in your hand for one minute, and you’ll know what I mean…

The way I see it, I figure I’m about 2/3 of the way through these health problems and the outlook is very positive and promising.

I’ve been practicing my magic and playing my guitar which keeps me occupied; I’ve also used the time at home to putt in my workshop, to play on my lathes and to work on other various projects. Though I haven’t been fly fishing lately… I plan to in the new year. I’m also planning to re-join the YMCA in February 2008.

I’d like to take this time to thank everyone for their continued support. Your emails, phone calls, cards, thoughts and prayers have really lifted my spirits and taken a huge weight off my shoulders.

From my family (Ann, Julie & Suley, Sandra & Ted) to yours…..

Our Christmas wish is for EVERYONE to have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

CONTINUING SAGA ...

Today, is Tuesday, November 20/07.

Every day is a good day… no, GREAT day(s)! Being a nocturnal person all my life… I’m starting to really enjoy getting up early in the morning. Sometimes, I stand by the window staring at the beautiful water view as the sun starts to peek over the horizon. Sometimes, I just sit in my big lounge/rocker; sip on my Hot Chocolate and get this warm, fuzzy feeling that I’ve truly been blessed. Blessed with terrific friends and family who have supported me through a very difficult time in my life. Ann, Julie, Suley and Sandra have been on top of me all the way through ordeal…

Although I have been inundated with phone calls and emails, I really appreciate the efforts by the respective people to get in touch with me to make sure I’m OK.

I’m writing this message to up date and let you know that I’m doing EXCELLENT.

I am now approximately 1/3 of the way through with my Radiation Treatments. I have completed 5 treatments and I have a total of 15 sessions, altogether. The treatments are swift and I’m literally in and out of the clinic, within minutes. The Cancer Clinic is amazing. They’re very caring and extremely efficient. My cancer cell has shrunk considerably.

During these Radiation Treatments, I haven’t been tired, sleepy, itchy, or sore. I haven’t lost any hair; nor do I have any “branches” growing outta’ my ears. I have no complaints, what-so-ever. I feel GREAT!

I feel 100% they (my medical team) will beat this Merkel Cell Skin cancer.

As for my second health situation… I’m doing “blood tests” every Tuesdays and Fridays. This is for my Hematologist, to keep on top of my Leukemia problem.

I will be seeing my Hematologist this Thursday to find out when my next Chemo Treatment will be…. There’s a possibility that we might wait until after all the Radiation sessions are completed.

Meanwhile, I’m back to exercising (lightly). I’m trying to tone up those muscles… I’m taking Prednisone Pills, which is supposed to make you gain weight. At least, that’s my excuse (LOL) and I’m sticking with it. Actually, I’m keeping my weight down. Right now, I’m at a lean and mean, 144lbs, and feeling GREAT.

That’s about all I have to report for now….

TONY'S HEALTH

Everyone's been asking... so here's what I know so far...

Ann and I will NOT be going down to Arizona, this year. At least, we have cancelled all plans to head south for the winter. Just when I thought things were starting to turn around in my favor....

I received a rather disturbing phone call from my GP. Dr. Houston phoned me and reported that I have Chronic Lymphoytic Leukemia (CLL)

http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7059#blood

He is sending me to see a Hematologist, Dr. Yee re: this matter. Dr. Yee will be checking my blood and perhaps do some bone marrow tests to find the root of the Leukemia problem. Here's the down and dirty.... My White Blood cells should be less than 10 (I'm currently at 19).... too high.... My Red Blood cells should be around 130 (I'm currently at 84).... far too low... that's why I'm tired and easily winded....

We're dealing with two separate issues..... my first problem is: Merkel Cell Carcinoma (I have a big "cancer tumor" on my back) It's the size of 4-5 silver dollars stacked on my back.

http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cancernet/210847.html

I'm going ahead with my original plans and that is...

1. I have a consultation appointment with Dr. Djurickovic (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon) on November 8/07. I have the date of November 30/07 planned to remove the tumor from my back. He will be the surgeon that will be removing the cancerous tumor and repair my back.

2. I have another consultation appointment with Dr. S. Larson (Radiation Specialist) at the Cancer Clinic, on November 6/07. He will be filling me in as to when radiation (perhaps Chemo) treatments will commence. He might shrink this "tumor" before the operation or he might "burn" this tumor after the operation. That's why the consultation.

My dermatologist, Dr. Patrick Kenny was pleased when I told him I was cancelling my trip to Arizona. This way, there's no pressure on the medical team or on us. The bottom line is I don't know how long these medical treatments will take. There is no cure for CLL, but if I'm careful, I can keep an eye on my blood levels... and can live a fairly normal and active life. I will have to keep watchful eye on the Merkel Skin Cancer too. It can come back any time.

Jeez, a total of SIX doctors all poking me, like a prized beef (LOL). When does this end??

Ann and I had really wanted to go down south this winter and had made plans to leave on November 1/07. The "waiting" to hear from the various doctors has been soooooo draining and time consuming.

I want to be healthy going down "south" and certainly don't want to have any medical problems down there.

Trust you have a better understanding of my health situation up this point.... I will make an official announcement to the general family and some close friends, in a couple of weeks, when I get some concrete answers myself.

Ah, life's a bummer when you start getting old.... On the bright side, modern medicine is at its BEST, right now. While I'm easily tired and winded, I do feel strong and I do have a good feeling that doctors will come up some answers to remedy this delicate situation.

I appreciate you thinking of me and my concerns.