2011 Lung Run

Team DL at 2011 Lung Run

What a difference a year makes!  From wet, cold and soggy weather to a beautiful sunny early fall morning; and from just getting diagnosed with lung cancer to celebrating the cancer's remission!  Lung Run 2011 was a great success.

Thanks to the 22 family members and friends who made up 2011 Team DL for your participation.  Team DL ranked fourth in highest team donations raised!  Everybody seemed to enjoy the scenic walk/run and nobody got injured.  Success all around!

I am still smiling from the great day you all gave me yesterday.  Once again, I count my blessings of such a great support network.  Thank you.

All Quiet on the CAT scan front

I had my first CT scan of the lung since they did the focused radiation on it in early May.  As expected, there is what they called a "frosty glass" type of spot exactly where the radiation was done that is very likely scar tissue.  Everything else was clear, so looks like the lung is fine.  All the blood work was also normal.

So I will be able to take our trip to Italy with no worries.  Yeah!

I will have an MRI to ensure the brain remains clear on October 10, so that is our next major date. 

On August 20, we had a party to mark the one year anniversary of my lung cancer diagnosis.  In spite of some rain at the beginning, it turned into a lovely day and a joyous time to celebrate the progress that has occurred in that year's time.  Thanks to all who have supported me and shared this journey with me.

Ciao for now!

Another good report

... I could get used to this!  I had an appointment with Dr. Bonomi this afternoon.  Today was just blood work and a check up.  All my vitals and blood work look normal.  He said we can stretch the time between our appointments to every 6 weeks instead of every 4 weeks - which is really great because he really runs late and a 10 minute visit with him today required almost 3 hours of waiting!

At my next appointment we will do a chest CT scan to see how the lung is looking since it was radiated back in early May.  That will be on Tuesday, August 30. 

Until then, I'm just trying to enjoy a Chicago summer!

A Milestone of Sorts

Happy 4th of July!  Today is not only my father's 85th birthday, it is also the one year anniversary since I had the brain seizure that ultimately led me to see the doctor and learn that I had cancer.  This morning, Doug and I ran the Highland Park Firecraker 4 Mile again.  My time was not nearly as good as last year, but I didn't walk or stop at all during this run - that's progress!

I'm feeling pretty normal and tested my stamina this week by putting in 12 hour days (9 of them doing stand-up training each day) for 3 days in a row.  Not only did I get through it, the student evaluations were all very positive!  :)

My appointment with Dr. B that was scheduled for July 5 has now been postponed to July 19 so those of you keeping track, no need to worry that I don't post anything about the results of the visit for a couple more weeks.

That's all for now!

Lungs Seem to be Working Well

Last Sunday, Doug and I biked on Lake Shore Drive for 30 miles with some of our friends as part of Chicago's annual Bike the Drive event.  I am pleased to say that I wasn't the least bit winded and even my knees, which are usually troublesome on long-distance rides, gave me no trouble at all.  Although it was foggy and cool the whole ride, it still felt great to be on the bike in one of my favorite venues.

On the Thursday following the bike ride, I had a check up with Drs. Bonomi and Kiel which was pretty much just me telling them how I am feeling and if I've had any reactions to the lung radiation.  I have an itchy rash that got scabby pretty quickly on my back and they determined it is probably from the radiation since its location seems to match up pretty closely to where the lung tumor is.  They gave me some topical steroids that should help with the rash.

When I told them I'd ridden my bike 30 miles for BTD, they were very pleased and felt pretty confident that the lung was  recovering quite well from the radiation treatments.  :)

I will have bloodwork and another check up with Dr. B in a month and then MRI and CAT scan in early August to see how the lung looks and make sure those tumors are staying away!

Don't forget to sign up for the lung run - we have 9 team members already.  Several members are not up  for a 5k, so the 1 mile walk will also have some Team DL members.  Hopefully, that might persuade a few more people to sign up!

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!