Kinda good news, 10/17/16

The bloodwork and CTScan were done on Friday at Moffitt. Meeting wiith DR Tan and infusion was today. The doctor was unavailable Friday. Pretty good scan result, liver tumor has shrunk by about 50% and liver enzymes are back to normal range. My optimism is tempered by the fact that small cell cancer can't be surgically removed it spreads once exposed to air, a last resort. The best they can do right now is knock it down and wait for it to come back every 1.5 to 2 years.
Irene brought up to NP Kenneth about my shortness of breath. He tested me by walking. Started out at 98% and after about 15 feet he stopped me, it was at 80%. So now I'm on o2 24/7. Home o2 generator and portable tanks. Big change for me, but you do what your DR tells you to do.
They delivered the equipment at 5:30 PM this afternoon.

Starting another 2 week cycle of chemo. A little better news this time. The reason the chemo was so harsh, it's an accumulated effect. I guess I'll just have to put up with it. Nurse Sam said the liver ensymes were back down in range. Hopefully an indication of the new chemo is working?
The legs giving out, Sam wants me to bring this to my nuerologist. I'll do that asap.

Back home, another chemo next week, then a week off. This stuff doesn't have any of the horrible side effects that I was warned about. Exception, heavy sweating for a couple of days, that's it. Oncologist was amazed about that. He thinks the lack of side effects could be a sign that it is working, No scans until Oct 14. Feeling pretty good overall. Not happy about the scheduling, very stretched out as far as I am concerned. The good part of the day was eating at Shells again, excellent seafood.

I had a scan, blood work and infusion today. They changed to chemo from Taxil to CPT-11 Irinotecan. Why? Because Taxel wasn't working, tumor ia still growing somewhat slowly, but still growing, not gone. So instead of a 3+ hour infusion every 3 weeks, it is only 1 hour each week for 2 weeks then 1 week off. Then do it again. So far it isn't all that bad. The one side effect is diarrhea if Immonium doesn't cut it then Immidol will be used, Down side, 4 times a day but you got to do whatever works.

Another series of Chemo has started...6/27/2016

I thought I was going to meet with the Oncologist today, I did and he asked me when I wanted to start my chemo. I told him today and he was surprised. We earlier talked about going home to visit family. I told him cancer treatments have a higher priority for us.

So far it's tolerable, but rougher than carboplatin and etopocide. Here's what I'll be doing for 6 to 8 months.

Stinks for Irene, I can drive to Moffitt but not home. (gives you a hint on how strong The Taxol is they are giving me)

Every 3 weeks, starting yesterday, the 27th, a 3 hour infusion with Taxol for 6 to 8 months, here we go again...The 3 hours turn into 4+ hours depending whether or not I have a meeting with with my Oncologist, Bloodwork, CTScans, etc. (what ever test they can dream up)

I fell good for now, they gave me steroids, oh yea they work 
g o o d! Problem is sugar checked 202 this morning.
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I'm doing to need them. I have a good attitude about this and I can handle whatever comes my way.

I don't plan on giving up my involvement with St John's Episcopal Church in Brooksville until I feel that it would be best for the Parrish.


Mark A Johnson, Brooksville