Still on Anti-Seizure Meds

I had an appointment with my neurologist, Dr. Angelopoulos on May 10 and she wanted me to have another EEG to see how the brain is doing.  I was hoping everything would be normal on the EEG so I could further cut back on the anti-seizure medication.  Alas, the EEG results came through this week and there is still abnormal slowness in the brain waves of the right temporal lobe (I think that's where she said it was) so I remain on the Keppra twice a day.  It's not a big deal, but Dr. A feels it is best to be conservative and make sure there that I don't have any seizures in the future, especially while driving.  She said it is still possible that I will one day have a normal EEG and may be able to someday get off the medications, but it also is not a sure thing.  Another "wait and see" deal - lots of those with this whole process.  The good news is that she says as long as I stay on the medication, I can ride roller-coasters! :)

Thursday, June 2 I will meet with both oncologists - Dr. Bonomi and Dr. Kiel for a follow up from the lung radiation.  I don't expect there will be anything new coming from that meeting since we haven't done any scans since I completed the radiation.  If there is anything to report, I'll post it on this blog.

September 17, 2011 - Team DL returns to the Lung Run at Montrose Harbor

Team DL has officially returned for year 2 of the Chicago Lung Run.  Click here to see my personal page and to access the Team DL page to join us.  If we get enough local team members, we might even have some group training runs/walks in the local area, since we have 4 months to get ready.  I will post dates and locations for any training runs that might get set up on this blog.

The Chicago Lung Run raises awareness and much-needed funds for lung cancer research. Your support will help fund important research for the leading cancer killer of men and women.

Approximately 19 people die from lung cancer every hour -- that's over 160,000 people per year, more than 25,000 of whom have never smoked (like me), and these cases are on the rise.

Proceeds from the event will benefit innovative lung cancer research projects through the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago and Uniting Against Lung Cancer, organizations that are funding real research, not just publicity, to find new treatments and end lung cancer.

Your participation would mean a lot to me.  Thanks!

Lung is Done and All is Well

I survived all four of my focused lung radiation treatments and I am done for the foreseeable future with cancer treatments.

All that is left is check ups and scans to make sure no new growth appears and maintenance usage of my Tarceva pill every other day.

So now Doug and I will try to fully absorb this good news and find our way toward a "new normal" life!

Thanks again for all the support everyone who is reading this has given to us throughout this difficult time.  I will continue to blog the results of check-ups but hope that there won't be much big news going forward.

The 2011 Lung Run in Chicago is now taking registrations and I am hoping that a battalion of my army of supporters would join me in planning to RUN, not walk, in this year's Sept. 17 event.  (I think the fact that I never stopped running throughout my ordeal made a real difference and would like to give others that same bulwark for their own health.) In a separate email, I will post a link to a team page and will gladly put together team training runs to get us ready to run a 5K (3 miles) for a great cause - funding research to find a cure for lung cancer.  This will be a fun event in a beautiful environment (Montrose Harbor on Chicago's lakefront) that will help your own health and those of others who really need that help.  Let's keep riding this wave of good will and good outcomes as far as we can!

Focused Radiation: 1 down, 3 to go

I had the first lung radiation treatment yesterday afternoon.  With the help of some calming essential oils, aspirin, anti-anxiety meds and relaxing music, I made it through okay.  It is still really uncomfortable, especially for my arms, but easier to manage with the aids I mentioned. 

Thanks to several friends and colleagues for suggestions on what to do and how to prepare for this treatment.  I've taken all suggestions to heart and am using a lot of them!

I am looking forward to Monday evening, when this is all over with.  Hopefully, that will be the end of any radiation treatments of any kind.