July 30 was my last set of Temodar pills to take. July 26th was my last Avastin infusion; the first of five sets of Temodar pills followed that evening. Now, at the beginning of August 2010, I have finished three distinct sessions in my battle with Glioblastoma multiforma, with three distinct victories. Phase 1 was discovery, test and removal of the glioblastoma from the upper left side of my brain, along with three weeks of post-surgury recovery, June 10 through July 19. Phase 2 was six weeks of heavy-duty application of radiation five days a week; Temodar every day; and Avastin twice, from July 20 through August 28. Phase 3 started when I went home August 29, 2009 and continued trips every other week to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle for Avastin. In addition, one Avastin trip out of two also provided me with Temodar for a five-day application of heavy-duty pills. Phase 3 ended the 30th of July, 2010, as mentioned at the beginning.
In some ways, it seems like a very long time; in others it feels like no time at all. The one part that is always near the top of my consideration is that, without the help of a whole set of people, I would not be typing anything for anyone to read. Faith is at the top, with Scott and Scott, Gary, Jim, and Dr.'s Taylor, "B", and Malpass, among a whole pile of others, leading the list. Phase 4 started July 31, and I hope and plan for it to be a very long continuation of my life. I'll have MRI checks every three months for a while; then a switch to every four months; then to every six months. They did tell me at the hospital that I should plan on MRI's every six months for the rest of my life...just to be sure. And this seems like a very good idea. So that's the story, in a very short version. Chemotherapy has finished its work, and there is utterly no sign of cancer -- a feature I plan to continue, and appreciate very much. I am very grateful to everyone who has helped me; I am still alive and very functional because of the incredible and occasionally almost unimaginable amount and kinds of help we got, on my behalf. So, once again...thank you!
Other great events have also occured over the past couple of months, not the least of which was Erin and Glen's wedding! I got to walk her down the path and hand her to Glen...then all I had to do was watch for a few minutes -- then cook king salmon and halibut for about 40 people after the wedding. I caught the fish a couple of weeks earlier, through the grace and help of my friend Pat in Sitka, so these folks in southern California got a real treat for a wedding dinner.
Here are a couple of pictures...
They have returned from their honeymoon in Hawaii, and are busily moving forward in their life together. Heather, who was the maid of honor, among a plethora of effort, is resting from the effort of perfecting her sister's wedding events and working for the summer. School doesn't start for her until mid-September...the good news is she's coming up here for a week of early September fishing. Look out salmon -- some of you are going back with her!
So life is going on. Faith is hard at work, as always, and is getting about twice as much done as anyone should be able to expect. My contract with The Nature Conservancy is moving along again, and should turn out well later this summer. Hunting seasons are coming up, and fishing is wide open. Our life is in front of us, and we plan to enjoy it.
Again -- thank you.
Dennis
