Paul's Posts

Hey all, Enclosed please find in the attachment the results of my CT scan. Everyone was amazed, the nurse, my Doctors, my friend Dr Matsubari. Dr. Butler, my radiation encologist handed me the CT scan results and simply said "you're cured", along with "this is the best that we could have ever hoped for", and do you have any questions? This is very rare as usually they specify remission followed by designated time protocol along with testing before they sign off on a cure. They will however, be scanning me regularly every three months for the next year. I answered no for questions, but did make the comment that the sqaw cell never new what hit it. Dr Butler chuckled. I added, yep, it was nipped in the bud by Dr Sheps while I was there on regular dermitology maintenance (another chuckle) and it didn't have a chance. I want to give thanks first of all to the Great Physician whose miraculous working power is just as real whether by science and Dr's or by His unseen hand , family and friends who gave great support and diligence in their thots and prayers, specifically cousin Gloria (who got us short circuited into Cancer Care), sister Denie with her ever loving mountain moving faith, uncle Al who continually reminded us that he was out of the loop, and could we update him please.....that made for real comfort....along with all who carried us on the 5 yrs of my heart journey and on the heels of that the carcinoma. We don't get to choose these things. We know not what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. Love and thanks, Paul and Eleanore

Hey all, my year has come and gone. Except for a month or so with an arryhtmic hitch, the old ticker is delivering marvelously. Got a lot of strenth and increasing stamina. With a seamless transition from cardio issue A to skin issue B am now getting radiation along with chemo for a rare and unusually agressive form of squamous cell carcinoma . Reems of research from the Aussies indicate a much greater full cure rate and much less reoccurrence. Surgery didn't do it. When this all happened I said "Why not me Lord?". There you have it, still journeying with Peace at the core of my being. A big hello to all of you out there.

I'm a little late on my monthly update. Too rehabbed to find time for the HVJ.The long and the short of it is my heart journey is pretty much history. After the bout with the arryhthmia and thinking things through carefully, I decided to ditch the metoprolol and just go for it. After 9 months of carefully doing things I threw caution to the wind. I knew I had a good heart from angiogram pre op, ten years younger than my chronological age. Knowing I could overdo it on the stamina side I still felt comfortable in that I was still a non candidate for a cardiac event.So I went for it, working like I did in my 40's. Had all the tools out, sledgehammer, bldg materials, concrete blocks for levelling and built myself a shed. Had all the power tools going. Up and down the ladder maybe 25 time a day. On one occasion I felt so good I decided to see what I was capable of. Five hrs non stop, with peak exertion a drenching sweat and then tapering to lesser demand as the job req'd. I could toss the concrete blocks around almost like a paper cup, sqirrel up and down the ladder, and monkey swing myself to the ground from the rafters. I knew I was pushing my limits, breaking through to the next physical level. Next day I was'nt wasted but took it easy for the most part and the flg day was back at it, only at a reduced pace. All in all I'm quite unable to deduce the time frame from whence I really started to suffer from O2 deficiency, 5 yrs, 10yrs, 20yrs, who knows? I lived my life with a bicuspid valve and the overall impact will never be known, but suffice to say having adequate O2 supply is a bit of a high. The mechanical valve you can't hurt it, it just hammers away like an old iron gate. I still have the infrequent metoprolol option to bring my heart rate down if needed along with the Ativan of which I have used 14.5 mg since Dec 16th. The last 0.5 mg will likely last me 4 more weeks and then I'll likley have no further need. When used properly the meds are very helpful in pushing through to the next levels. I'm pretty much bulked up now, can hardly get my ring off, and people say OUCH when I shake their hand. So over all a sense that the journey is winding down with the knowing that life just dishes stuff up and nothing can stop that. Have in fact gone into "next" mode already, having been recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Very early "situ" stage, have already consulted with plastic surgeon, and hope to have op shortly. Can't seem to worry about it as I know that my life is in His hands, But that's for another blog. Many many thanks to my cheerleaders, those who so consistently and faithful and with great tenacity have held me in your thots and prayers. I've got my hand on the plow and there'll be no looking back. I'll upate next month as always.Love you all.