After a brief hiatus I am back with news of John. Good news at that!
We spent the week at MD Anderson seeing leading specialists in kidney and pancreatic cancer. John went through a few more tests. It turns out that the kidney is not a problem. It is a cystic lesion-not malignant.
We had known earlier about the pancreas, but were reluctant to mention it because of the implications, especially at the time of Steve Jobs demise. However, John has a neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas. Anderson has some of the world's best doctors in this cancer. They believe that John's condition can be treated with drugs and not require surgery, radiation or chemo. In fact, two of Anderson's doctors developed the drugs used in this treatment and will be available for consultation.
We will be returning to Houston the week of December 4th. John will have an endoscopic ultrasound biopsy. This will be done by inserting a tube down the throat and a super-fine needle to extract tissue samples from the pancreas. If the diagnosis is confirmed, John will be able to proceed with the drug treatment before the end of the year.
We are thankful to the Lord for his blessings and all of you who have had John in your thoughts and prayers.
On a lighter note, we had a delightful evening with John's family in Houston including spirited card games.
The trip to Austin-3 hours away with Jackie at the wheel, was enjoyable. We were able to see Jackie's neice and nephew and families. Our only regret was it was all too short. We were brought up to date on the activities of the children-horseback riding, volleyball, cheerleading, etc. One is already off at Texas A & M in a tough course of engineering and cadet corps. Another is thinking of going to Duke-John's alma mater!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
11/15/2011 update
Sorry for the blank blog! Computer here in Houston doesn't like my password so this is coming by way of my generous son-in-law in Summit,l NJ.
As I explained in my email, nothing much is going on until Friday.
Monday, we saw two kidney specialists, one from NJ and one from Iran. John told the Iranian more about his country than he knew. He(the doctor) pronounced his government "idiots/awful."
Spent rest of the day finding things to do. Suggestions?
Tuesday night we shall dine chez Turbidy, John's younger son and family who live here in Houston.
We have nothing at the Clinic until Friday so Jackie has arranged a trip to Austin (2 hours and 15 minutes from the Galleria according to my neice, Randee, who would know!) to visit Randee and her 2 girls and Rick and his family.
We'll go up on Wednesday and spend the night and come back Thurs.
Three appointments Friday which will keep us hopping.
John's-and Jackie's, spirits are good. We are enjoying the time together. Have found good places to eat-even breakfasts thereby eliminating the dreaded drap hotel eatery.
This note reminds me of why I am not more active on Facebook, saying a lot with nothing to say. ( I got up, brushed my teeth, ate breakfast ad nauseum!) Tho' you will eventually be able to view my paintings and photograph there-know you can't wait!
Love to you all, Jackie and John
As I explained in my email, nothing much is going on until Friday.
Monday, we saw two kidney specialists, one from NJ and one from Iran. John told the Iranian more about his country than he knew. He(the doctor) pronounced his government "idiots/awful."
Spent rest of the day finding things to do. Suggestions?
Tuesday night we shall dine chez Turbidy, John's younger son and family who live here in Houston.
We have nothing at the Clinic until Friday so Jackie has arranged a trip to Austin (2 hours and 15 minutes from the Galleria according to my neice, Randee, who would know!) to visit Randee and her 2 girls and Rick and his family.
We'll go up on Wednesday and spend the night and come back Thurs.
Three appointments Friday which will keep us hopping.
John's-and Jackie's, spirits are good. We are enjoying the time together. Have found good places to eat-even breakfasts thereby eliminating the dreaded drap hotel eatery.
This note reminds me of why I am not more active on Facebook, saying a lot with nothing to say. ( I got up, brushed my teeth, ate breakfast ad nauseum!) Tho' you will eventually be able to view my paintings and photograph there-know you can't wait!
Love to you all, Jackie and John
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