Just a quick note to let everyone know how I am doing. As of today, I am still cancer free. I have a PET scan about every six months, so that is not too bad. I am, however, having a lot of trouble with my teeth and surrounding mouth area. Because of the radiation around my head and neck, my jaw area is very soft so I have been aggressivley taking steps to take care of my teeth. It has been quite the trip, but it will all be good. I am just thankful for each and every day. Love, hugs, and kisses to you all.

Update

Just wanted to let everyone know I now have a clean bill of health with ALL my docs. My last visit with my ears, nose, and throat doctor went well. He said I do have some abnormal swelling in my throat, but all that is normal with all the radiation I had. He said it can be up to a two year battle with that; however, I am not complaining. I just have to watch when I eat breads and meats...chew A LOT and make sure the pieces are small. If I don't, then it gets caught in my throat. I can live with the little inconviences. I do have a date to get my med port out. I will have that surgery on August 18th, ya!! I have been waiting patiently for that to be removed, so I am happy. Well, not too much more to say. Just wanted to keep you all up-to-date. Love you all!

OK...OK...here is a cancer(free)update on me.....love you Tom and Kate :) I just had a PET scan about two weeks ago and my last visit with my Doc has come back clean. Everything looks good; however, I still have two spots on my lungs, but the spots have not grown, so they don't believe that it is cancerous...they feel it may be scar tissue from my last episode with my blood clot/pulminary ademia. Anyway, I am going to the surgeon next week to set up a day to take out my med port..yah!! I still have to limit my activity cause if I do too much, then I get very weak and have to take at easy for a day, but things are going well. I still have some side effects like no saliva and I still have a hard time swallowing breads and meats, but I'm good. I have put on a couple of pounds, so i am where I should be. So, to all my dear friends and family that want to know how I am doing....things are going well and I thank you all for the love and prayers that you gave me and still continue to give. I love you all and am so thankful for each and everyone of you. Sending hugs and kisses your way. LOVE YOU

Well another month has just flown by....where does the time go? Anyway, just to bring you all up to speed. Things have been going a lot better. The physical Therapy really seems to be helping. My swelling and pain have stayed at a minimum for some time, and I only hope that keeps improving. So far, so good. Still no evidence of disease. I had my port cleaned out last week and everything looks good. I may have to keep my port in for many more months, but I guess it isn't too bad. It doesn't really bother me. I have been getting sick spells up and down for the last couple of weeks, but I have really been working on getting our other house ready for listing so I MAY be over doing it, just a little. We want to get it on the market before we leave for Alaska. Yes, Alaska....Patti and I really need this vacation and are looking so forward to spening a fantastic time with my family. With me coming down with cancer, it really put a halt to our remodeling project, so we have been kicking it into high gear to finish before we leave. Patti does try to keep me in check when it comes to overdoing it, but once we get the house done, I can really start to relax. I guess, not too much more to inform you all about. As I said before, things are looking good and they will continue to improve. I thank all my friends and family that have been there throughout this whole ordeal. You all are the greatest and I love each and everyone of you. Thanks for all that you have done. Love and Kisses

Well...what to say. I started physical therapy on my neck (for my lymph nodes); however, there wasn't much that could be done at this point until the pain subsides somewhat. They tried to do a massage, but I just had too much of a hard time with the pain, so they showed my what needs to be done and Patti can massage my neck. The problem is my neck and shoulder muscles have deteriorated a little from the radiation) and I need to get those areas improved (that physical therapy starts next week)then the massages for my neck can start again and that way the swelling will be much less. I do use an electrode zapper that I bought from Vegas last year (Awsome time with my family...but thats a whole other story). It has really helped. I have had some boughts of sickness lately...I think I just overdo it and my body just can't do what it used to, but I am so thankful for what I do have. Well, I will keep you all posted of any new developments. Within a month, Patti and I will be floating the waves of Alaska....and spending some fabulous time with family. I love you all and send big hugs to each and every one of you. Thank you all again for everything that you did for us this past year. Patti and I are so blessed to have you all in our lives. Love to all!!

Hello All! Thought I would bring you up to speed on my progress...well, had another episode with the pain and swelling in the neck. Went back to my radiologist and she has now put me back on medication for the pain and has set me up with physical therapy. Apparently the radiation has weakend my neck muscles. All this swelling is a side-effect of the radiation and I am looking at having episodes of pain and swelling for up to two years. Most anything can bring an onset, so I have to watch what I do. And anyone that knows me, knows that is really hard. Next week starts my physical therapy, so I will try and update everyone as much as possible. Love and Hugs to all!

Just an update....Went to my ears, nose, and throat doc and he did a very thorough exam and gave me a big thumbs up. Great News! My oncologist still wants to leave in my med port for a little while longer, so the surgeon that put it in checked me out to make sure the med port wasn't causing any of the neck issues, and he also gave me a thumbs up, so everything looks good. Kinda sucks I have to keep in the port, but I am so thankful everything is looking up. Love to all and in just a very short time I will be sailing through Alaska with my wonderful family. Can't wait. Hugs and kisses to all.

Hi All...went to see my oncologist today. Set me up with another PET scan in three months, but so far he feels everything is going good and he agrees that the last scan I had didn't show cancer and that the spots are more geared towards inflamation. I will be going to see my ears, nose, and throat specialist this week so he can check on my neck issues. I am still having pain and some swelling, so they want to keep an eye on those issues. They all do feel it is just side-effects from radiation. Haven't been feeling too hot lately...I think I overdue it, but I really want to get our "flipper" on the market. The house is really coming along and working on it makes me feel somewhat normal again. Even though it does wear me out...I love doing it. Patti does get on me about overdoing it, but I just roll my eyes (behind her back, of course!!) and say "yes, dear, you are right"

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter...I certainly did. Miss you all and am so thankful for all my wonderful friends and family. Take care and I'll keep you posted on my progress. Love and kisses to you all.

To all my dedicated followers...I apologize for not keeping up-to-date on my blogs. I will try much harder to keep you all current. As for the last couple weeks, I did have somewhat of a little scare. I had another CAT scan (my neck and lungs) because I was having such a hard time with all the pain and swelling in my neck and they wanted to double-check from the last scan where they found a spot. Anyway, the scan came back with MORE spots on my lung, so they set me up with a PET scan because they wanted to see if the spots were cancer. Of course, I had to wait almost a week before I got the news that they are pretty confident the spots are inflamation and not cancer (three radialogist got together and looked over the scan)They did not want to do a biopsy of my lung because it is such an evasive surgery. So it was a relief; however, the docs are still going to keep an eye on my lungs just to be safe. As for the pain and swelling in my neck, well I have been informed it is definetly side-effects from all the radiation. I am on several different medications to control the pain and swelling and hopefully within the next couple weeks I'll be back to normal; however, it has been a LONG process and I am now just able to turn my head somewhat and the swelling has subsided enough I don't look like FAT ALBERT everyday. Normally, when swelling is a side-effect of radiation, they will put a tightening "brace" on to control the swelling; however, putting one of those on around a person's neck probably isn't the best solution for swelling.....SUFFOCATION!! So medication is the alternative; however, Patti has informed the docs that if I don't start behaving myself she will request the "brace" around my neck. Boy, I sure do love my wife and I am so glad she is watching out for my best interests. HA HA Anyway, Patti and I want to send our love and thanks to all of you that have been there for us through this whole ordeal. We love you all very much and will never be able to thank you all enough for everything that you have done. The love and prayers have meant so much....we are lucky to know you. Sending out hugs and kisses to all.

Well went to see the doc on Monday cause I had a CAT scan to look at my lungs last week and there was another little spot on my lung, so the docs want to do another CAT scan in a couple weeks. At this point they are not too concerned. They do not think that it's cancer, but they want to be sure. I did; however, have quite the scare on Saturday morning. I woke up and looked like FAT ALBERT. My neck was as big as my head, but as the day went on, the swelling went down. The next morning it was more of the same, but when I went in to see the docs on Monday, I was informed this was normal with the type of radiation I had. Oh well...just another strange malfunction that my body seems to be going through. Other than the surprises, I am doing very well. I have a positive attitude and am so grateful for all the prayers, well wishes, and love throughout this whole ordeal. Love you all and I am so thankful for each and everyone of you. Love to all.

Well, went to the docs because I had not been feeling well, but they informed me that the Chemo I was on was the strongest treatment (along with the radiation)and all that has kinda turned my body upside down. I won't get into too much what has been going on, but Patti teases me about it. I understand the whole....roll down the car window in the middle of winter and throw off the covers at night in a matter of minutes. Anyway, I have sympathy for all the ladies out there. I do believe I have said enough...too much info. Anyway, I have a CAT scan next week on my chest and I'll see the docs again the first week of March to get my results. Hopefully, everything goes well and the blood clot issues are getting better. Well, when I find out more, I'll let you all know. Love to all!

Hello All..just wanted to let everyone know I am N.E.D.(No Evidence of Disease)Talked with the docs yesterday and my scans look good. I still have a little edima around the jaw line and chin; however, that is consistant with residual radiation. Both my oncologist and radiologist are VERY pleased with the results. I still have some issues with blood clotting; however, they are working around all of that. My oncologist feels that my last episode with the whole ambulance ride and the pulmonary edima are consistant with me actually throwing a blood clot into the lung..but they are going to run more tests at the end of the month to see if my lungs are clearing any. If so, then it is some type of inflamation which has to do with pulmonary edima, but if it doesn't get better, or it seems to get bigger, or if I have ANY type of issues, then they are going to take action at that time. My doctors want me to keep the med port in for just a little while longer; however, I do get to have my feeding tube removed. Good thing, I am sick of this dangly tube that always gets in the way. Well I just wanted to give everyone the good news. I am so thankful for all the friends and family members that were there for me and my family and for all the wonderful prayers. Love you all and Matt is back...BEWARE..you never know what I will do next. Hugs and kisses to everyone

Hello to everyone. As of today, I am doing very well. I feel so much better. The antiboitic they have me on for the pulmonary edima is working wonders. As for surgery to take out my med port because of the blood clot, the surgeon and oncologist have opted on waiting until my PET scan on January 28th to be sure I am cancer free. (As we all know I will be) The reason for waiting is if by some chance I still have some cancer remaining and additional treatment is needed, then another port will not have to be put in. The current port has effected a bigger, main vein to the heart and they do not want to take a chance in taking that out and then having to put another port in the other side resulting in the other main vein being effected also. My health issues are greater taking out the port and putting in another than just taking lovanox to thin my blood and control the blood clot. (it really sucks though, cause I have to give myself shots in the stomach...which doesn't feel too good) I know all this seems confusing, but I am confident in my doctors and I know they have my best interest at heart. They all are keeping very close tabs on me. On to Jaron...he started his treatment on Monday. His treatment consists pretty much the same as me except his chemo is not as aggresive. His cell counts will most likely be affected,he may feel some nausia and tiredness, and he may have some chills; however, the effects are a lot less. I am very thankful for that. He was pretty nervous when he began treatment, but as time goes on, it will get better. He will have treatement every Monday for 4-6 hours for 4-weeks, then they will do another PET scan and at that time we will know if he needs additional treatment. I am thankful everyday for the people in my life. The outpouring of support has been amazing and we truly are blessed for knowing each and every one of you. We love you all!!

Hello All....this is Patti. Just wanted to update everyone on Matt and what we can expect for the week. If you didn't already know, Matt was in the emergency room on Monday night cause he was having a hard time breathing. After some unsettling news, as of today, this is what we know. Matt has Pulmonary edema (excess fluid in the lungs), not cancer in his lungs as first diagnosed at the hospital. We are VERY greatful for that news. Pulmonary edema makes it very hard for him to breath and it can be very painful...which it is. Also, he has a blood clot in his arm. The oncologists feel that the med port is the culprit for the clot and are scheduling him for surgery to have it removed. Hopefully, they can get everything organized so he can get in there ASAP. Matt is feeling better, but he still is struggling with talking cause he has to take shallow breaths frequently. As for all of you that have sent your prayers.......THANK YOU. I also want to send out a special thanks to my family. They were coming out of the woodwork when Matt went to the emergency room. I think the "Capron" group took over the hospital waiting room. As for all our friends and family that have been there for us through this whole ordeal.....we love you all and will never forget what you have done for us. I want to send each of you a hug and kiss. You all will never know how much you mean to us. All I can say is LOVE YOU AND THANKS FOR EVERYTHING.