The Countdown

So, the countdown officially begins...I guess.  Two weeks from Wednesday morning I will begin my chemotherapy treatment.  Each treatment will take place every two weeks and last about 3 hours.  

Before the treatment begins, we'll be going to Seaside, Oregon for a little R & R.  It is Spring Break around here and I'm really looking forward to the trip and the time away from whatever we call "normalcy" anymore.  I hoping to post pictures from the trip when we get back.  I'm crossing my fingers it doesn't rain the ENTIRE time we're there.

Look for vacation pix around Easter and treatment updates either on or after the 15th of April.

-bw

The Port

It is approaching 11 AM Pacific and it has already been a long day for me.  I was up at 4:30 this morning to get ready to go to the hospital for the surgical implantation of my port (portacatheter).  I had to be at the hospital at 5:30, which meant leaving the house by 5:00.  I arrived a few minutes early and had to wait before the pre-op center opened.  By 6:10 I was prepped for surgery...the only problem being the surgery wasn't scheduled until 7.  

At 6:45, the anesthesiologist and nurse stopped by to answer any questions I might have about the procedure.  A few moments later, the surgeon was there to do the same.  The anesthesiologist and nurse came back to give me a little relaxing medication before wheeling me to the O.R.  When I got to the O.R., the room started to slowly spin.  I remember being asked to move to the operating table.  The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery room and the recovery nurse was preparing me to go home.  She went over the discharge instructions (which include no heavy lifting and no driving) and then helped me get dressed before putting me in a wheel chair to go home.

After stopping to big up some snacks and breakfast, I was home about 9:40.  I'm relaxing now, and probably will be the rest of the day.  I have plenty of shows to get through on the TiVo and plenty of papers to grade from the last two weeks.  But, right about now, I think I'm going to pause "The Office" and take a nap.

Nothing else is scheduled right now until I start my treatment on April 15th.  I'll be sure to post if new details arise.

-bw

The Pre-Op & The Chemo Nurse

I apologize for the delay in writing this update, as I had the information on Thursday and am just getting around to sharing it with all of you.  I had two appointments last Thursday, one was a pre-op for my procedure Friday and one was a meeting with the Chemo Nurse.  First, the Pre-Op...

I arrived at the surgeon's office a few minutes early for my appointment, and they were able to get me in right away--which was good because I was supposed to be at the appointment with the Chemo Nurse an hour later.  I met with the surgeon's NP who provided me with all of the information about the procedure.  I am having a Power Port implanted into the front of my chest on the left side.  The port will enable my medical team to have access to a large vein that dumps directly into my heart.  The upside of the port is that I won't have to be poked to have blood drawn or IVs anymore because the port will provide adequate access.  The procedure is supposed to take an hour, so I should be home by noon (it starts at 7).

The appointment with the Chemo Nurse went as well as it could have.  Arla (who is WONDERFUL) spent most of the meeting warning us about the side effects of the chemo treatment and what to expect.  She also warned us about the dangers of taking "supplemental medications" with the chemo regiment that I will be on...unless I want to be a guinea pig for science (I declined).

So here's what's up for this week:  Wednesday, I have the tests to determine the strength of my lungs and my heart.  On Friday, I'll have the port put in which means plenty of rest and no lifting over the weekend.  I hope to have more for you Wednesday, but Friday at the latest.

-bw

The Follow-Up

I'm sure that some of you have been constantly checking the site for updates because you knew that we were meeting with Dr. Nagasawa this afternoon.  Well, the update is finally here, so let's get to the details.

Again, Dr. Nagasawa reiterated that Hodgkins Lymphoma is the "better" lymphoma to have.  It responds well to treatment and he's very upbeat about it.  Over the next three weeks, I will undergo some "house keeping procedures" before I'm able to start the Chemotherapy treatment.  I have to have heart and lung test to determine baseline levels to compare to during my treatment.  I will also have a minor procedure done to put a port in my chest.  The port will allow the Chemo Nurse to easily access my blood stream to administer the drugs.  It'll definitely beat needle pokes every couple of weeks.

Treatment will consist of 4 cycles consisting of 2 rounds each.  Rounds will be administered every 2 weeks.  I know it is hard to do the computations, so we're looking at 16 weeks of initial treatment.  After those 16 weeks, I will have another PET & CT Scan to determine if the lymphoma is still present.  If it isn't present, I'll be in remission!  If it is present, I'll undergo 2 more cycles of treatment.

The drugs are what is called ABVD and will all be administered via the port.  A= Adriamycin  B= Bleomycin  V= Velban   D= Decarbazine.  He also said I'll have some anti-nausea meds and need to avoid large areas of germs and certain types of foods.  

The bottom line is that things are looking on the up and up right now.  Thanks again for the continued prayers and positive thoughts.  

-bw

Aint'a That Good News!

As I write tonight, I'm singing the chorus to a song I think we sang on either the Eastern Canada or Scandinavian Choir Tours.  I could be wrong and just making up the lyrics as I go, but regardless, the prayers and well-wishes are starting to pay off.

While we don't have a course of treatment yet (that's coming Monday night), we do have results from the PET/CT Scans that were conducted on Thursday.  Results showed that the cancer has not crossed my body's hemisphere into the lower portion (think of the diaphragm as the equator)!  In addition, the cancer appears to only be located in the same spots the original CT picked up on February 27th.  

Nothing else is expected until Monday.  Here's hoping and praying for more good news!

-bw

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-bw

The Bone Marrow and PET/CT Scans

Today I had the luxury of spending my day in medical office undergoing a series of tests.  Let's start with the morning...

My dad and I arrived at the Mission Hospital a little before 8 am and I reported to the Short Stay Unit.  After getting my vitals, I met my nurse, Ching, who took me to my room.  She prepared me for the procedure, which included a battery of health questions and the dreaded IV.  She attempted to start the IV in my forearm, but "couldn't get any blood to come out."  I honestly think I could start my own IV with the veins I have.  On attempt 2 she was successful.  The procedure, which started a little after 10, went off without a hitch and by noon I was headed home for some rest before my next appointment.

We left the house for Pacific Coast Imaging a little after 2 and arrived by 2:45.  It was a beautiful building (an article on the wall said it cost over $15 million to build) with a very relaxing waiting room.  Around 4:00 they took me back to start the imaging which started with a glucose injection, followed by waiting an hour for the radiating glucose to circulate throughout my body.  When the waiting was over, I was taken to an imaging room where I had PET and CT Scans performed.  The tests lasted about 45 or 50 minutes, all of which I had to remain completely still on an 18 inch wide table with my hands resting on my stomach.  I don't know how, but I made it through it.

When the scans were over I was finally allowed to eat again.  Because of the timing of everything, I was allowed to eat Wednesday night, but nothing after midnight.  We ate at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Newport Beach.  It was a good meal...a meal I had been waiting a long time for!

We meet with Dr. Nagasawa on Monday to go over all of the test results.  We should have more for you after that.

-bw

The Pathology Results

Yesterday, my surgeon and I played phone tag over the results of the biopsy she performed on Friday.  Today, she was able to get a hold of me to share the results of the pathology that was performed on the lymph tissue she took out.

According to the report, I have Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkins Lymphoma.  It is a lymphoma that affects mostly teens and young adults.  This type of lymphoma responds well to both chemo and radiation.  While there isn't a course of treatment yet, at least we have a diagnosis.  I still am scheduled to have tests run on Thursday of this week to help my doctors come up with an accurate diagnosis.

Rachel wanted me to be sure to mention the love and prayers we feel from all of you.  Thank you so much for all of your positive thoughts and prayers.  We both know the only way to get through this is with the support of you, our family & friends.

-bw

The Biopsy

I spent most of Friday afternoon in the office of the Advanced Breast Care Specialists of Orange County.  The office was very nice and relaxing (I even took a few catnaps while listening to my iPod) and the staff was awesome.  I met with the doctor/surgeon and she did an exam and decided to go ahead and take some tissue samples from under my left arm.

They took me to the procedure room and after some Lidacane they were able to cut out nine tissue samples to send to the lab.  The entire procedure took about 10 minutes.  The incisions were small and I didn't receive any stitches.  All I have to worry about is icing my armpit and taking it easy over the next 3 or 4 days while the incisions heal.  No lifting and no strenuous exercise...I think I can handle that!

I'd like to take a minute to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers you've been sending my way.  I have received your E-mails and appreciate your words of encouragement and tales of success stories.  

Probably nothing new for a few days.  I have a follow-up with the surgeon and the other tests late next week, so I'll update you after that.

-bw

The Time Frame

I realized after posting last night and sending the mass E-mail that I neglected to provide everybody with a timeline as to when and how things are going to happen, so here we go...

Friday, March 6: Consult with surgeon; possible biopsy

Thursday, March 12: Bone Marrow Test (AM) & PET/CT Scan (PM)

I'll be fasting starting at midnight and then arriving at the hospital around 7:30 to get my "happy juice" and bone marrow test.  I'm guessing the Scans, which are scheduled for 3:30, won't be done until 5ish.  I'm going to be one hungry and grumpy guy.  

Monday, March 16: Meet with Dr. Nagasawa to discuss diagnosis & treatment.

Sometime between the 16th and April: Get second opinion from City of Hope.

Thank you all for your E-mails and thoughts & prayers.  I appreciate you thinking of us during this time.  I know you are with us, even if you are far away.

-bw

Update on Big B

March 4, 2009

Greetings family and friends:

Many of you may not know, but recent medical tests have concerned Bryan’s doctors. Results from CT scans, lead to an appointment Wednesday afternoon with Dr. Nagasawa, a Medical Oncologist.

After meeting with Dr. Nagasawa on Wednesday, Bryan more than likely has Lymphoma. This preliminary diagnosis is based on blood work , CT scans, and experience of the doctors. Dr. Nagasawa is upbeat and optimistic about treatment. Here are the details:

Tests over the next two weeks will determine the type of Lymphoma, the possible grade of the Lymphoma, the stage of the Lymphoma, and the treatment options.

After a diagnosis has been made, Bryan, at the advice of Dr. Nagasawa, will seek a second opinion from the City of Hope. At that time, a treatment procedure will be determined.

Bryan has been feeling fine, which encourages his doctor for a positive outcome.

The earliest possible test results will be after March 16th. While we appreciate your thoughts and prayers, we kindly request that you limit contact to E-mail. We’ll post updates as soon as we get them at http://wislockifamily.blogspot.com