November 16th, 2004
It seems like forever since I have sent out an update and I do apologize. As
you will see from the update below, I was all set to send an update last week
but, unfortunately, we have had to overcome some obstacles and
setbacks...However, now I can safely say that we have made it over several
hurdles and we plan to move forward full steam ahead.
To bring you all up to speed: Todd has gone through Rounds 6 and 7 and did very
well in the end. He begins Round 8 tomorrow and has been resting since his
recent colonoscopy. We had some scares last week which prompted us to see the
GI Doctor sooner than we had originally planned. As per the GI Doctor's
request, Todd had a colonoscopy to make sure the tumor that was removed in July
didn't come back. As soon as the procedure was over, a smiley nurse came out
to the waiting room telling me I could talk to the Doctor about the "good
news." We just love good news around here! So, the Doctor told me that Todd's
colon looked fine and that the complications he experienced were just a result
of the chemotherapy and various medications. Todd was so happy to hear all of
this - I wish you could have seen his face. And, since he was pretty sedated, I
wish you all could have heard some of the interesting things that were coming
out of his mouth. Apparently, before he went under, he asked the
anesthesiologist if she could explain the history of the colonoscopy....Anyway,
weĞre off tomorrow morning for Round 8. Todd spent the last 2 days prepping for
the colonoscopy so he is feeling pretty wiped out at this point. We will get
him back on track as soon as Round 8 is over.
We hope you are all doing well and that you will all enjoy a wonderful
Thanksgiving.
Take Care,
Amanda
And now to back track a little bit....
November 9th, 2004
Well, we all have gone through many a milestone since Todd's last two
treatments and since my last update: The Red Sox won the World Series,
Election Day is finally over, a crew from Colby came to the Jersey Shore, and
Todd is more than halfway through his chemotherapy!
Todd made it through Round 6 and is now finished with Round 7. As we have come
to realize, the rounds get progressively harder and harder for Todd. The
cumulative effect of the chemo is tough but he is handling things with such
determination, grit, and patience. His attitude continues to amaze and inspire
me.
We received the results of the CAT scan that was taken last week. In the
previous update, I mentioned that we were concerned about the elevated
enzymes in his liver. Thankfully, everything came back normal which means that
there are no new tumors or obstructions. As we suspected, the elevated markers
are just a result of all the medicine that has been entering Todd's body.
So now, in a nutshell, what we are trying to figure out is how to attack the
20-25 tumors that are still in his abdominal cavity. We are meeting with
Todd's GI (gastro-intestinal) Doctor next Monday. Hopefully, he will be able
to tell us how we should proceed with Todd's treatments and whether or not we
will need to have another procedure (surgery) to remove the abdominal tumors.
Now that we only have 5 more treatments to get through, Team Gov is beginning
to see the finish line. We are all really beginning to feel confident in the
fact that everything will be just fine. As the crew from Colby pointed out,
Todd really looks great and, aside from the week he undergoes chemo, he feels
pretty good too. I think the combination of eating healthy, getting plenty of
exercise, and thinking positively has made all the difference in Todd's
fight.
So, 5 more rounds of chemo to get through. Not too bad. I hope you are all
well. And, I cannot thank you all enough for your continuous love and support.
Love,
Amanda
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