Hello everyone,
Well, I am doing better in staying a little more timely! Only a one month gap this time around!
Well, on the cancer front, it took a little while but I have adjusted to the new treatment, Xalkori. I had several days of really severe nausea while figureing out if I should take it before meals, after meals, during meals, or whatever! And the winner is...during meals! Unfortunately, as I said before, it took a few days of extreme nausea and actually vomiting a couple of times (once at church I'm sorry to say) before I figured that out! I think it was hard for me becfause I have always had a cast itron stomach. The worst anything, food or otherwise, would ever do to me was a little heartburn. Not any more! Now I even get a little nauseous if my stomach gets too empty! Ah, those days of youth are gone. As far as how the new treatment is affecting the rest of my life... I feel like I am slowly gettting some energy back, I don't nap as often, I go out and about a lot more that I had been, and there are no changes to my vision so far (a really common side effect for this drug). So, at this point, the change seems to be successful. I have a CT Scan Monday and we'll find out Wednesday if anything has changed. I'm optimistic which helps my overall frame of mind! In any case, all I can do is let go and let God.
As to my awesome family, everyone is good. I think this whole thing weighs on Catherine from time to time, though she wouldn't let on if it did. Please keep her in your prayers. Melissa is back in school at UNI and working really hard (she aced the ast paper she turned in!). Grant and Jody are in the in the parental mode and, as with the rest of us, adjusting and enjoying the almost daily changes with our little Eli. He loves to try and repeat words, is starting to like books, and loves running the vacuum cleaner! He is truly a joy in our family.
Now, on to
Bible trivia. The question from the last post was: David was a great king but one of his sons led a major revolt against him. Who was he? The answer is... Absalom. Did you get it right? I hope so. I was talking to our Pastor's wife, Mary (Hi Mary... By the way, did you know that our Pastor's name is Joseph... Mary and Joseph)... Anyway, I was talking with Mary last Sunday and she said she really enjoyed these trivia questions. Now Mary knows the Bible very well, so I'm going to have crank up these questions a bit! So for this entries question... Hmmm... How about: According to the Bible, how many pearly gates are there?
In
closing today, I would ask that all of you try and share your faith with those around you when given the opportunity. I don't mean shouting "Halleluyah! Praise the Lord! (although that's OK if you're comfortable with it). But simply in your actions, your attitude, and confirming that you are a Christian and that you are thankful for having Him in your life. If any of you reading this are not Christian, I pray that God will reach out and touch your life and that you at least hear His calling and try to listen and understand it.
God's Blessings to you all and have a happy and thankful Thanksgiving holiday!
Yours in Christ,
Jace
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
10-13-2012 Saturday
Hello everyone,
I must say that I'm ashamed of myself. I haven't posted in 3 months! You all probably thought the cancer had won and I was no more. Well, it hasn't beat me yet although the treatments are wearing on this old body!
In fact, three weeks ago I switched over to an oral chemo treatment in hopes that it would be both effective and give by body a chance to recover from the exhaustion I was feeling from my other treatments. I had been on IV treatments for 18 months and had received a total of 28 chemo treatments. No wonder my body was getting so tired! Anyway, this new treatment is two pills a day at 12 hour intervals. It's call Xalkori (crizitonib) and briefly here is how it works (I found this very interesting... I hope you do too). We have a gene called ALK that normally teams up with a partner gene from time to time to create nerve cells. My ALK gene has two breaks in it and the piece in between them has spun 180 degrees. This is sort of like flipping a switch so now the ALK and a different partner gene constantly produce nerve cells. These nerve cells don't mature so they kind of pile up and, you guessed it, there is my cancer. Quite simply, what the Xalkori does is stop the ALK from creating these endless cells! Isn't that amazing!? What is even more amazing is that of all the people who have the kind of cancer that I have, Adenocarcinoma, only around 4 percent have this mutant ALK gene and can be treated with Xalkori. I don't know about you, but I truly believe that is God's devine intervention! So far I seem to have a little more energy but I'm still tired a lot. I guess it will take a while to get my body rested up. The other symptom, one that I really didn't have before, is nausea. Rally bad nausea! I'm still trying to get a handle on how to deal with that... when to take it (i.e before or after eating) what medicine best deals with it, how long it lasts. Oh well, God and I will figure out the best course eventually.
And now, on to Bible trivia. The question from the last post was: Lazarus had 2 sisters. What were their names? This was probably too easy because evertone that responded was correct. The
answer is... Mary & Martha. So for this entires question... I think I need to come up with a harder one... David was a great king but one of his sons led a major revolt against him. Who was he?
In closing today, I think about the fact that come January, it will 2 years since I was diagnosed with cancer. When Catherine and I were told that I had stage 4 lung cancer, I immediately though that I had probably 3 to 6 months to live. Even the information that I found on the web said that the median time for survival was 8 months. I have no doubt at all that God is guiding my treatment and my life to keep me around for a while because he has some purpose for me. He has a purpose for all of us. We just need to listen to His guidance. It really bothers me that so many in our society either don't believe or don't have God in their lives. It also bothers me that many "believers" don't take the time to go to church and worship Him or to read the Bible. Personal pleasures seem to be the top priority. But... I must remember... I am a sinner and no better than anyone else and it is not my place to judge.
I pray He helps all of us bring glory to His name.
God bless you all,
Jace
I must say that I'm ashamed of myself. I haven't posted in 3 months! You all probably thought the cancer had won and I was no more. Well, it hasn't beat me yet although the treatments are wearing on this old body!
In fact, three weeks ago I switched over to an oral chemo treatment in hopes that it would be both effective and give by body a chance to recover from the exhaustion I was feeling from my other treatments. I had been on IV treatments for 18 months and had received a total of 28 chemo treatments. No wonder my body was getting so tired! Anyway, this new treatment is two pills a day at 12 hour intervals. It's call Xalkori (crizitonib) and briefly here is how it works (I found this very interesting... I hope you do too). We have a gene called ALK that normally teams up with a partner gene from time to time to create nerve cells. My ALK gene has two breaks in it and the piece in between them has spun 180 degrees. This is sort of like flipping a switch so now the ALK and a different partner gene constantly produce nerve cells. These nerve cells don't mature so they kind of pile up and, you guessed it, there is my cancer. Quite simply, what the Xalkori does is stop the ALK from creating these endless cells! Isn't that amazing!? What is even more amazing is that of all the people who have the kind of cancer that I have, Adenocarcinoma, only around 4 percent have this mutant ALK gene and can be treated with Xalkori. I don't know about you, but I truly believe that is God's devine intervention! So far I seem to have a little more energy but I'm still tired a lot. I guess it will take a while to get my body rested up. The other symptom, one that I really didn't have before, is nausea. Rally bad nausea! I'm still trying to get a handle on how to deal with that... when to take it (i.e before or after eating) what medicine best deals with it, how long it lasts. Oh well, God and I will figure out the best course eventually.
And now, on to Bible trivia. The question from the last post was: Lazarus had 2 sisters. What were their names? This was probably too easy because evertone that responded was correct. The
answer is... Mary & Martha. So for this entires question... I think I need to come up with a harder one... David was a great king but one of his sons led a major revolt against him. Who was he?
In closing today, I think about the fact that come January, it will 2 years since I was diagnosed with cancer. When Catherine and I were told that I had stage 4 lung cancer, I immediately though that I had probably 3 to 6 months to live. Even the information that I found on the web said that the median time for survival was 8 months. I have no doubt at all that God is guiding my treatment and my life to keep me around for a while because he has some purpose for me. He has a purpose for all of us. We just need to listen to His guidance. It really bothers me that so many in our society either don't believe or don't have God in their lives. It also bothers me that many "believers" don't take the time to go to church and worship Him or to read the Bible. Personal pleasures seem to be the top priority. But... I must remember... I am a sinner and no better than anyone else and it is not my place to judge.
I pray He helps all of us bring glory to His name.
God bless you all,
Jace
Saturday, July 7, 2012
07-07-2012 Saturday
Hello everyone! I hope you had a great Independence Day and if you're living in the midwest right now, are surviving this HEAT!! The last time I posted, I commented that "No news is good news"? Well, once again, that is the truth. I must admit that without something interesting to tell you I'm less inclined to post as often as I should. But, I'm here now so here it goes.
Back on 06-19 I had another MRI (they're so much fun... NOT!)
and talked with my neurologist, Dr. Ryken. He read the MRI and determined that
my menengioma (brain tumor), had shrunk just a little from the previous MRI
three months ago. He is comfortable enough with the steady and continued
shrinkage that he is setting up our follow-ups at 6-month intervals instead of
3-month intervals! I can't ask for much more considering the cause of the
shrinkage is actually one of the chemo drugs used to treat my cancer! Dr. Ryken
hasn’t actually had to treat me with anything!
I'm still a two-a-day nap taker during the first week after treatment. I know that's OK and my body is focing me to give it rest but it still bugs the "old me" a little bit. As for the rest of the family... everyone is currently healthy and busy avoiding the heat that we've been having! Praise God!!
And now, Bible
trivia. The question from the last post was: What symbol did St. Patrick use to explain his theory of the Holy Trinity? Several responded with the correct answer which is... (drumroll please...) The Shamrock (three leafed clover... now you know why you see so many of them on St. Patrick's Day!). So for this entires question... this one should be fairly easy... How
about: Lazarus had 2
sisters. What were their names?
I'll close today by asking all of you to keep a smile on your face. Sometmes we get so tied up in thinking of the day to day turmoil in our lives that we forget how blessed all of us really are. God provides for all of our needs if we only accept His guidance. Remember, God doesn't say that being a Christian means we will never have troubles! He says that He will always be there to help us through any trouble that comes along! May God grant you all the peace and contentment that only He can provide. God Bless.
I'll close today by asking all of you to keep a smile on your face. Sometmes we get so tied up in thinking of the day to day turmoil in our lives that we forget how blessed all of us really are. God provides for all of our needs if we only accept His guidance. Remember, God doesn't say that being a Christian means we will never have troubles! He says that He will always be there to help us through any trouble that comes along! May God grant you all the peace and contentment that only He can provide. God Bless.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
05-26-2012 Saturday
You know the old saying, "No news is good news"? Well, in the case of my blog entries (or lack thereof) that is the truth. My treatments have been continuing without any problems, the chemo is keeping the tumors/masses/lessions (whichever you choose to call them) the same size (remember, no growth is a good thing), and the lession in my head continues to shrink (that one is almost miraculous!). The only bad thing is that the treaments are starting to wear on my body and I am getting more and more tired and achy. It hits me particularly hard the week after I receive treatment. I have been taking two naps every day during those weeks and I sleep over an hour every time! I know you are all saying, "What's frong with naps? They are a good thing!" Well, yes they are but if you know me very well, I was never much of a "nap taker" and even whe i do now, I don't feel much more rested when I wake up. Oh well, we all have our cross to bear and if that's what I need to do to keep on keepin on, then so be it. As for the rest of my family everyone is doing well. Catherine has been having some problems related to GERD and may need to get her throat stretched, Grant is recovered from his MRSA adventure, Jody is back outside and happy now that the weather is nicer, Melissa finished the year at UNI on the Dean's list, and Eli is walking and jabbering and just an amazing presence in all of our lives! God is defintely good!
Now, on to the Bible trivia. The question from the last post was: What was Matthew''s profession before becoming a follower of Jesus? My Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois got this one right the day after I osted the blog!. The answer is: A tax collector. Since no one else answers the questions, I am wondering if I should continute including them or not. Awe, what the heck! We all need a little more Biblical knowledge don'te we!?! So for this entires question... tough but not TOO tough... How about: What symbol did St. Patrick use to explain his theory of the Holy Trinity? This one isn't actually in the Bible but shouldn't be too hard to find.
I'll close today by asking all of you to celebrate Memorial Day by remembering those who suffered and died that we might have the freedom that we have here in America. Most importantly, we have the freedom to praise God (or not praise God) in the way we choose. Our theology might disagree with others, but just as we have the freedom to worship in our way, so do they in theirs. I pray that God grant you all the peace and contentment that only He can provide. God Bless.
Now, on to the Bible trivia. The question from the last post was: What was Matthew''s profession before becoming a follower of Jesus? My Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois got this one right the day after I osted the blog!. The answer is: A tax collector. Since no one else answers the questions, I am wondering if I should continute including them or not. Awe, what the heck! We all need a little more Biblical knowledge don'te we!?! So for this entires question... tough but not TOO tough... How about: What symbol did St. Patrick use to explain his theory of the Holy Trinity? This one isn't actually in the Bible but shouldn't be too hard to find.
I'll close today by asking all of you to celebrate Memorial Day by remembering those who suffered and died that we might have the freedom that we have here in America. Most importantly, we have the freedom to praise God (or not praise God) in the way we choose. Our theology might disagree with others, but just as we have the freedom to worship in our way, so do they in theirs. I pray that God grant you all the peace and contentment that only He can provide. God Bless.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
03-31-2012 Saturday
Hello everyone,
Well, Chemo Treatment #20 came and went without anything really noteworthy happening... except that it was my 20th treatment. There was a period of time at the beginning of this "adventure" when I wasn't sure if I would see my grandson born, celebrate our 31st anniversary, or see Catherine's 52nd birthday. But thanks to God's grace, the expert care of my Doctors, nurses, and health professionals, and the prayers of family, church family, and friends, here I am a year later typing this blog to share with all of you. GOD IS GOOD! In other news, I did finally get my voice back, all of last week I had the flu, and Eli turned 1 on the 22nd. Our family anventure for this blog was my son Grant. He got a bug or spider bite on the back of his left knee, that somehow got infected. He ended up spending a week in the hospital getting antibiotics and the infection was actually MRSA (an "illin" (i.e. penicillin, amoxicillin, etc.) resistant staff infection. He doing well now and we're so glad everything is OK.
Now for this entries Bible Trivia. The question from the last post was: What was Paul's profession before becoming a follower of Jesus? This one stumped everyone, even my Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois. The answer is: A tent maker. Tough one huh! Maybe I cranked up the difficulty too much! So for this entires question... let me see... How about: What was Matthew's profession before becoming a follower of Jesus? This one shouldn't be quite a tough. Good Luck.
I'll close today by reminding everyone that next week is Holy week. A week of emotion for all Christians. Within a few days we mourn the suffering and death of our Savior and then celebrate His ressurection from that death and His eternal life. We must always remember that without His resurrection, we would not have eternal life either. His sacrifice was our sacrifice, His resurrection our ressurection, and His eternal life our eteernal life. Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!
God Bless, Jace
Well, Chemo Treatment #20 came and went without anything really noteworthy happening... except that it was my 20th treatment. There was a period of time at the beginning of this "adventure" when I wasn't sure if I would see my grandson born, celebrate our 31st anniversary, or see Catherine's 52nd birthday. But thanks to God's grace, the expert care of my Doctors, nurses, and health professionals, and the prayers of family, church family, and friends, here I am a year later typing this blog to share with all of you. GOD IS GOOD! In other news, I did finally get my voice back, all of last week I had the flu, and Eli turned 1 on the 22nd. Our family anventure for this blog was my son Grant. He got a bug or spider bite on the back of his left knee, that somehow got infected. He ended up spending a week in the hospital getting antibiotics and the infection was actually MRSA (an "illin" (i.e. penicillin, amoxicillin, etc.) resistant staff infection. He doing well now and we're so glad everything is OK.
Now for this entries Bible Trivia. The question from the last post was: What was Paul's profession before becoming a follower of Jesus? This one stumped everyone, even my Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois. The answer is: A tent maker. Tough one huh! Maybe I cranked up the difficulty too much! So for this entires question... let me see... How about: What was Matthew's profession before becoming a follower of Jesus? This one shouldn't be quite a tough. Good Luck.
I'll close today by reminding everyone that next week is Holy week. A week of emotion for all Christians. Within a few days we mourn the suffering and death of our Savior and then celebrate His ressurection from that death and His eternal life. We must always remember that without His resurrection, we would not have eternal life either. His sacrifice was our sacrifice, His resurrection our ressurection, and His eternal life our eteernal life. Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!
God Bless, Jace
Monday, March 5, 2012
03-05-2012 Monday
Greetings & salutations everyone,
Well, a week ago Thursday was Chemo Treatment #19 and as with #18, it went off pretty much without a hitch. Unfortunately, I was recovering from a cold and the post-chemo kicked it back into gear... at least the cough part of it. So, because of that, I pretty much haven't had a voice since just after my birthday on February 3rd. My voice is finally coming back today!! I was feeling so ewxhausted last week that I worked from home the whole week! And if any of you really know me, I am not one to do that! But, God will guide my through this "adventure" one way or another!
Everyone else in the family continues to do well. Eli had RSV last week so Grant stayed homewith him 2 days and Jody another 2 days. He's feeling much better now. Oh one other cool/funny thing. Eli discovered a kleenex box the other day and was simply amazed as the tissues just kept coming, and coming, and comng and... well, you get the picture. It is just hilarious watching him!
Now for this entries Bible Trivia. The question from the last post was: What was Bathsheba's first husbands name? and how did he die? Once again, Kudos to my Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois for getting the correct. The answeres are: Uriah and David put him in the front lines of his army's fighting so he would be killed. Looks like I need to crank it up another notch or two. Hmmmm, let me see... OK, for this entries question: What was Paul's profession before becoming a follower of Jesus? Good Luck.
I close by noting that I miss using my voice to praise God in song. I wonder if God didn't allow this to happen to my voice for that very reason? My guess would be YES! He does work in mysterious ways! Amen & God Bless! Jace
Well, a week ago Thursday was Chemo Treatment #19 and as with #18, it went off pretty much without a hitch. Unfortunately, I was recovering from a cold and the post-chemo kicked it back into gear... at least the cough part of it. So, because of that, I pretty much haven't had a voice since just after my birthday on February 3rd. My voice is finally coming back today!! I was feeling so ewxhausted last week that I worked from home the whole week! And if any of you really know me, I am not one to do that! But, God will guide my through this "adventure" one way or another!
Everyone else in the family continues to do well. Eli had RSV last week so Grant stayed homewith him 2 days and Jody another 2 days. He's feeling much better now. Oh one other cool/funny thing. Eli discovered a kleenex box the other day and was simply amazed as the tissues just kept coming, and coming, and comng and... well, you get the picture. It is just hilarious watching him!
Now for this entries Bible Trivia. The question from the last post was: What was Bathsheba's first husbands name? and how did he die? Once again, Kudos to my Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois for getting the correct. The answeres are: Uriah and David put him in the front lines of his army's fighting so he would be killed. Looks like I need to crank it up another notch or two. Hmmmm, let me see... OK, for this entries question: What was Paul's profession before becoming a follower of Jesus? Good Luck.
I close by noting that I miss using my voice to praise God in song. I wonder if God didn't allow this to happen to my voice for that very reason? My guess would be YES! He does work in mysterious ways! Amen & God Bless! Jace
Monday, February 13, 2012
02-13-2012 Monday
Hello everyone,
I went in a week ago Thursday morning for Chemo Treatment #18 and it went off pretty much without a hitch. Either that or I'm just gettng used to them. Not too surprizing after 17 of them!
Last week was kind a tough. I was just getting over a chest cold when my post-chemo symptoms hit and really knocked me down! I choughed my head off (almost) and still haven't got my voice back completely! I'm so thankful I have the employer I do who is symathetic to my situation. I try to keep things going as normal but they know that from time to time things may take a little longer than usual and they're OK with it.
Everyone continues to do well. Eli is a crawling, eating, and almost walking machine! Oh, and he's up to 4 teeth now! Catherine got back from Phoenix and took a couple days to recover from the almost non-stop shopping! You should have seen the huge box that UPS dropped off the week after she got back!
Now for this entries Bible Trivia. The question from the last post was: Who were the parents of King Solomon? The answer is: David and Bathsheba. Once again, Kudos to my Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois for getting the correct answer again. C'mon, everyone! They're smokin' ya!! I've been told that maybe I need to make these questions a little harder so... for this entries question: What was Bathsheba's first husbands name? and how did he die? Yes, its a two part question and you gotta get both right to prove you know your stuff! Good Luck.
I close as always by thanking God for the many blessings in my life. I have to deal with this cancer, others have to deal with health problems, family problems, money problems, ... the list goes on and on. The Bible tells us that to worry is a waste of time and energy. Instead, bring it to God and you will surely feel the peace that passes all understanding! Amen & God Bless! Jace
I went in a week ago Thursday morning for Chemo Treatment #18 and it went off pretty much without a hitch. Either that or I'm just gettng used to them. Not too surprizing after 17 of them!
Last week was kind a tough. I was just getting over a chest cold when my post-chemo symptoms hit and really knocked me down! I choughed my head off (almost) and still haven't got my voice back completely! I'm so thankful I have the employer I do who is symathetic to my situation. I try to keep things going as normal but they know that from time to time things may take a little longer than usual and they're OK with it.
Everyone continues to do well. Eli is a crawling, eating, and almost walking machine! Oh, and he's up to 4 teeth now! Catherine got back from Phoenix and took a couple days to recover from the almost non-stop shopping! You should have seen the huge box that UPS dropped off the week after she got back!
Now for this entries Bible Trivia. The question from the last post was: Who were the parents of King Solomon? The answer is: David and Bathsheba. Once again, Kudos to my Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois for getting the correct answer again. C'mon, everyone! They're smokin' ya!! I've been told that maybe I need to make these questions a little harder so... for this entries question: What was Bathsheba's first husbands name? and how did he die? Yes, its a two part question and you gotta get both right to prove you know your stuff! Good Luck.
I close as always by thanking God for the many blessings in my life. I have to deal with this cancer, others have to deal with health problems, family problems, money problems, ... the list goes on and on. The Bible tells us that to worry is a waste of time and energy. Instead, bring it to God and you will surely feel the peace that passes all understanding! Amen & God Bless! Jace
Saturday, January 21, 2012
01-21-2012 Saturday
Hello everyone,
Sorry for the delay but I'll get you caught up on all of my medical related stuff from last week.
I went to my family doctor a week ago Wednesday morning and he gave me a couple of prescriptions to dry the fluid in my inner ear and take care of the dizziness & balance issues I’ve been having. The new prescriptions are working and once my balance was better, the nausea went away too.
I went and had an MRI early that afternoon (I don’t know if you’ve ever had one, but you pretty much have to lay in a big tube, with your head in another tube-like saddle and you DO NOT move your head AT ALL for over an hour!) I went to the neurologist later that afternoon and he looked at the MRI images and read the radiologists report. The tumor in my brain measured 1.42 x 0.52cm versus 2.0 x 0.8cm last September. He told me had read through some studies and based on those studies how my brain tumor is shaped and is reacting to the drugs I am getting during chemo, he again believes the tumor is a benign menengioma rather than a malignant adenocarcinoma! YEA!!
I went in a week ago Thursday morning for Chemo Treatment #17 and my oncologist read Monday’s CT Scan and the radiologist’s report. They only seem to be noting the size of one mass now (I think that a good thing?). Visually it looked about the same size but the report said it was 2.1 x 1.3cm versus 3.1 x 1.8cm 6 weeks ago. In any case, its not any bigger and that’s what we want to see (although shrinking is even better!).
We had a good Christmas at the Hicok house. Lots of gifts and food and laughter and hugs. As you might guess, my best gift was simply enjoying the time with my family. There obviously were times during the past year when I doubted that would happen.
Everyone continues to do well. Little Eli is crawling like a madman, eating like little horse, standing and walking along things, oh, and he learned to clap his hands! My grandson is a genious!! We had an 8" snowstorm yesterday so we we're all digging out last night and today. My lucky wife Catherine, flew to Phoenix this last Wednesday to visit a great friend of hers for a week. She was rubbing it in that it was 70 and sunny in Phoenix when I talked to her last night!! That's OK thought. I got to see Eli clap by himself before she did! HA HA!
Now for this entries Bible Trivia. The question from the last post was: What language is Jesus believed to have spoken? The answer is: Aramaic. Kudos to my Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois for getting the correct answer again. The rest of you are slackin' a little bit! hehe.
Now for this entries question: Who were the parents of King Solomon? (This one should be pretty easy!) To share your answer, just post it in the comments area below this blog entry. Good luck! :o)
Once again, I can't close this entry without thanking God for the many blessings in my life. As I said in my last post, I know that I've had to deal with cancer (something that I would not wish on my worst ememy!!), but God has showered me with blessings in every other facet of my life!! GOD IS AMAZING!!
I wishing you all a warm and blessed January and I'll fill you in again in a few weeks!
God bless you all,
Jace.
Sorry for the delay but I'll get you caught up on all of my medical related stuff from last week.
I went to my family doctor a week ago Wednesday morning and he gave me a couple of prescriptions to dry the fluid in my inner ear and take care of the dizziness & balance issues I’ve been having. The new prescriptions are working and once my balance was better, the nausea went away too.
I went and had an MRI early that afternoon (I don’t know if you’ve ever had one, but you pretty much have to lay in a big tube, with your head in another tube-like saddle and you DO NOT move your head AT ALL for over an hour!) I went to the neurologist later that afternoon and he looked at the MRI images and read the radiologists report. The tumor in my brain measured 1.42 x 0.52cm versus 2.0 x 0.8cm last September. He told me had read through some studies and based on those studies how my brain tumor is shaped and is reacting to the drugs I am getting during chemo, he again believes the tumor is a benign menengioma rather than a malignant adenocarcinoma! YEA!!
I went in a week ago Thursday morning for Chemo Treatment #17 and my oncologist read Monday’s CT Scan and the radiologist’s report. They only seem to be noting the size of one mass now (I think that a good thing?). Visually it looked about the same size but the report said it was 2.1 x 1.3cm versus 3.1 x 1.8cm 6 weeks ago. In any case, its not any bigger and that’s what we want to see (although shrinking is even better!).
We had a good Christmas at the Hicok house. Lots of gifts and food and laughter and hugs. As you might guess, my best gift was simply enjoying the time with my family. There obviously were times during the past year when I doubted that would happen.
Everyone continues to do well. Little Eli is crawling like a madman, eating like little horse, standing and walking along things, oh, and he learned to clap his hands! My grandson is a genious!! We had an 8" snowstorm yesterday so we we're all digging out last night and today. My lucky wife Catherine, flew to Phoenix this last Wednesday to visit a great friend of hers for a week. She was rubbing it in that it was 70 and sunny in Phoenix when I talked to her last night!! That's OK thought. I got to see Eli clap by himself before she did! HA HA!
Now for this entries Bible Trivia. The question from the last post was: What language is Jesus believed to have spoken? The answer is: Aramaic. Kudos to my Aunt Elsie and cousin Lois for getting the correct answer again. The rest of you are slackin' a little bit! hehe.
Now for this entries question: Who were the parents of King Solomon? (This one should be pretty easy!) To share your answer, just post it in the comments area below this blog entry. Good luck! :o)
Once again, I can't close this entry without thanking God for the many blessings in my life. As I said in my last post, I know that I've had to deal with cancer (something that I would not wish on my worst ememy!!), but God has showered me with blessings in every other facet of my life!! GOD IS AMAZING!!
I wishing you all a warm and blessed January and I'll fill you in again in a few weeks!
God bless you all,
Jace.
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