February 27, 2013
It almost one year ago that we wrote that our world has changed forever and that was about the previous year, it has now changed again!
Dan's last CT scan, on February 22 showed that our world would change yet again. Dan has a new tumor in the same lung, much smaller than the first, but a new one. His cancer has been "stable" for the last 22 months with the chemo drugs he has been on. It is now time to go down a diffrent path. After much difficulty, discussion and a great deal of time with our wonderful, dedicated oncologist Dr. David Ellison (and his team), Dan will start a new chemo drug on Wednesday March 6. We know that all of you will continue to support, pray and love us ever day as we start this new battle. If I wrote better, I would tell you that God answers prayer even when you don't think that he is listening - but I know that he is. The story has many twists and turns and is long, but one day I will write about it.
March 7, 2012
It has been one year today that our world changed forever. I just wanted to share this day with all of you and thank each and everyone of you for your support, your love and most of all your prayers. Dan and I were able to ride our tandem today to the beach and we stood on what our family referes to as Victory Hill. We took a moment to Thank God for all the beauty of Edisto and the many ways he carries us everday. We know that he has a plan for us and Dan's cancer. Remember to love each other everyday and find the joy in your heart. We love you!
May 25, 2011
Dan's Medical Progress Update:
We met with our oncologist Dr. David Ellison yesterday in Charleston to review CT scan results to assess effectiveness of Dan's first 3 rounds of chemotherapy. Finally some good news to share! The radiology report stated "incremental shrinkage" of both the main tumor in Dan's lower left lung as well as in some involved lymph nodes! Praise the Lord!!! Dr. Ellison went on to explain that even if the CT scan had shown "no increase in growth" of the tumors that would have been "good news". Given we've seen shrinkage in the lung mass and lymph nodes this is "very good news". When we asked Dr. Ellison where we go from here he stated "we will keep riding this winning horse" and continue the same chemotherapy protocol (one 4.5 hour treatment every 3 weeks for the next 9 weeks) and then repeat the CT scan to assess effectiveness.
We know this positive news makes ya'll feel as happy as we do today. We know this cancer remains stage IV and presents a tough, long fight still ahead of us. However it's important to celebrate each and every victory along this path no matter how big or small.
We are thankful to our Lord and Savior for his continued supreme intervention and guidance. We are thankful for Pastor Rob Heath and the fellowship of our Edisto Beach Baptist Church for the loving, caring, and prayerful reception this church "of many victories" has shared with us. We are thankful for Dr. David Ellison, Nurse Sue Fleming and the other members of the outstanding medical team at the Charleston Hematology and Oncology Center. And of course we continue to be thankful for our wonderful "family and friends" for their continued prayers, calls, emails, blogs, visits and positive thoughts from across the miles. Keep them coming ... we do feel them here on Edisto. God bless you all ...
***************************************************************************************************************
March 7, 2011
This one's tough ... the "devastating sadness" part of our lives right now.
After moving to Edisto in December 2010 Martha and I did all the right stuff to establish South Carolina residency ... converted our drivers licenses from NY to SC, registered to vote, put up a mailbox in front of our rental house and established new physician relationships in Charleston.
In January 2011 Dan began experiencing moderate pain in his left shoulder. He had arthroscopic surgery on this shoulder in Rochester 5 years ago to relieve a "frozen shoulder" condition. Tests by Dan's new orthopedic surgeon indicated a bone spur and more arthritis. In preparation for surgery, a CT scan of the shoulder was performed in early March to obtain definitive images of the issue. Our lives changed forever following the results of that CT scan.
The scan coincidentally revealed an unrelated, unknown mass in Dan's lower left lung. Dan was immediately scheduled for a battery of additional scans and lung biopsy surgery. The results are not good. The devastating diagnosis is stage 4 non-smoker's (non-small cell) lung cancer. The cancer has unfortunately spread beyond the lung to a few bone areas. There is no surgery nor medical cure for Dan's cancer. In his 61 years Dan has never, ever smoked a single cigarette. Dan's oncologist has communicated four possible triggers of this non-smoker's lung cancer: exposure to radon, asbestos, chemicals and second-hand smoke. His surgeon has simply referred to is as "bad luck cancer". Dan has experience absolutely no physical symptoms to indicate this insidious cancer had begun it's evil work inside his body. Absolutely no symptoms of any kind. Twenty-twenty hindsight suggests one should perhaps request a simple chest x-ray during one's annual physical.
So the fight of Dan's life begins ... and fight we will. Due to the nature and rare mutation of Dan's cancer, pathology tissue has been sent to a specialized lab in Colorado for extended characterization. Dan's treatment protocol is currently chemotherapy every 3 weeks. Chemotherapy began at the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center in Charleston (about an hour from Edisto) on March 21, 2011. Following his third round of chemo Dan's oncologist will assess treatment effectiveness through additional scans and tests. Dan came through his first round of chemo quite well. Side effects are managed medically very well today. Only two days of nearly non-stop hiccups which was successfully resolved with medication and feeling a bit fatigued as expected.
Many question why we haven't returned to Rochester or Roswell to obtain a second opinion or evaluation. The short answer is simply that Martha and I believe at this moment we have the right medical team here in Charleston. The day the CT scan revealed the lung tumor, we met with a surgeon (Dr. Elizabeth Kline) who personally called my new oncologist (Dr. David Ellison) whom we met with that same afternoon! Shocking isn't it? Our quarterback is Dr. Ellison. He is forthright, doesn't sugarcoat anything and confident he has the resources required to treat this cancer. He has assured us that if at some point we need to alter the treatment protocol and perhaps enter into an investigative or experimental therapy program he will likely be able to obtain the facilitate the process from Charleston. If not, he would not hesitate to advise us wherever we might need to go to receive alternative treatment. We believe and trust in him totally.
Perhaps another reason for not returning north is we are confident we are in the right place to fight this disease. Unless you've personally been here you can't appreciate how "special" this little island is. There is a unique peacefulness and calm about this island unlike any other we've experienced. With only 700 (now 702!) permanent, year-round residents, minimal commercialization, soothing beaches with dolphins playing just off-shore daily and its abundance of protected natural wildlife and beauty ... this is the place to heal we believe. Martha and I walk the beach every day and either walk or ride our bicycles to our future home (a mere 1/2 mile from our rental house) to review progress. During our walks we encounter many wonderful song birds ... abundant cardinals and blue birds. The cardinals are especially vibrant and sing beautiful songs. We are confident these cardinals are singing through Grandma Brown telling us to fight the fight and all will be fine.
The house project is a welcomed and positive "distraction" from Dan's cancer for us both. We have a phenomenal builder "Greg" who is employing hand-picked subs. The framing team ("Russell" and his two sons) personally walked up to us while at the site one day to thank us for the badly needed work. After learning of my diagnosis Russell approached me to say how truly sorry he was with tears in his eyes. Martha and I continue to be amazed at how friendly, genuine and unassuming the people are here in the low country. While we had anticipated some "Yankee prejudice" thankfully we have experienced none. We love our new culture and the people we've been fortunate to encounter here.
Martha has become an incredibly supportive, invaluable and unbelievable co-fighter (and somewhat of a "Nurse Ratchet"!) for Dan. Dan's actually gaining weight thanks to all that "What's Cookin' at Martha's" fine cooking! I simply couldn't fight this fight alone without her love and devotion. This diagnosis is incredibly difficult on Martha as it is on Derek and Carrie, Lindsay and Jobe, Stefanie and Julie. We appreciate all the love and support you share with them as well.
In spite of the medical diagnosis and odds we believe with God's grace and help we can successfully fight this cancer. We have found a wonderful new church here on Edisto (the Edisto Beach Baptist Church) and are excited about re-engaging our Lord, our renewed faith and this church body in our fight. Following our very first visit to this small church and learning of our health challenge, a member brought a handmade soft "caring blanket" to our rental house for Dan's use. This special blanket is comforting and Dan wrapped himself in it during his first chemo treatment as he will do with those to follow. We have been so welcomed by this congregation ... the homemade bread, cards and books provided by caring members. We will join this church. We have been told this church has many "victories". They are encouraging and praying for us as are so many of you ... and we thank you all so very, very much for your abundant thoughts and prayers. We do feel them. With God's grace Dan will become one of God's special miracles.
It almost one year ago that we wrote that our world has changed forever and that was about the previous year, it has now changed again!
Dan's last CT scan, on February 22 showed that our world would change yet again. Dan has a new tumor in the same lung, much smaller than the first, but a new one. His cancer has been "stable" for the last 22 months with the chemo drugs he has been on. It is now time to go down a diffrent path. After much difficulty, discussion and a great deal of time with our wonderful, dedicated oncologist Dr. David Ellison (and his team), Dan will start a new chemo drug on Wednesday March 6. We know that all of you will continue to support, pray and love us ever day as we start this new battle. If I wrote better, I would tell you that God answers prayer even when you don't think that he is listening - but I know that he is. The story has many twists and turns and is long, but one day I will write about it.
March 7, 2012
It has been one year today that our world changed forever. I just wanted to share this day with all of you and thank each and everyone of you for your support, your love and most of all your prayers. Dan and I were able to ride our tandem today to the beach and we stood on what our family referes to as Victory Hill. We took a moment to Thank God for all the beauty of Edisto and the many ways he carries us everday. We know that he has a plan for us and Dan's cancer. Remember to love each other everyday and find the joy in your heart. We love you!
May 25, 2011
Dan's Medical Progress Update:
We met with our oncologist Dr. David Ellison yesterday in Charleston to review CT scan results to assess effectiveness of Dan's first 3 rounds of chemotherapy. Finally some good news to share! The radiology report stated "incremental shrinkage" of both the main tumor in Dan's lower left lung as well as in some involved lymph nodes! Praise the Lord!!! Dr. Ellison went on to explain that even if the CT scan had shown "no increase in growth" of the tumors that would have been "good news". Given we've seen shrinkage in the lung mass and lymph nodes this is "very good news". When we asked Dr. Ellison where we go from here he stated "we will keep riding this winning horse" and continue the same chemotherapy protocol (one 4.5 hour treatment every 3 weeks for the next 9 weeks) and then repeat the CT scan to assess effectiveness.
We know this positive news makes ya'll feel as happy as we do today. We know this cancer remains stage IV and presents a tough, long fight still ahead of us. However it's important to celebrate each and every victory along this path no matter how big or small.
We are thankful to our Lord and Savior for his continued supreme intervention and guidance. We are thankful for Pastor Rob Heath and the fellowship of our Edisto Beach Baptist Church for the loving, caring, and prayerful reception this church "of many victories" has shared with us. We are thankful for Dr. David Ellison, Nurse Sue Fleming and the other members of the outstanding medical team at the Charleston Hematology and Oncology Center. And of course we continue to be thankful for our wonderful "family and friends" for their continued prayers, calls, emails, blogs, visits and positive thoughts from across the miles. Keep them coming ... we do feel them here on Edisto. God bless you all ...
***************************************************************************************************************
March 7, 2011
This one's tough ... the "devastating sadness" part of our lives right now.
After moving to Edisto in December 2010 Martha and I did all the right stuff to establish South Carolina residency ... converted our drivers licenses from NY to SC, registered to vote, put up a mailbox in front of our rental house and established new physician relationships in Charleston.
In January 2011 Dan began experiencing moderate pain in his left shoulder. He had arthroscopic surgery on this shoulder in Rochester 5 years ago to relieve a "frozen shoulder" condition. Tests by Dan's new orthopedic surgeon indicated a bone spur and more arthritis. In preparation for surgery, a CT scan of the shoulder was performed in early March to obtain definitive images of the issue. Our lives changed forever following the results of that CT scan.
The scan coincidentally revealed an unrelated, unknown mass in Dan's lower left lung. Dan was immediately scheduled for a battery of additional scans and lung biopsy surgery. The results are not good. The devastating diagnosis is stage 4 non-smoker's (non-small cell) lung cancer. The cancer has unfortunately spread beyond the lung to a few bone areas. There is no surgery nor medical cure for Dan's cancer. In his 61 years Dan has never, ever smoked a single cigarette. Dan's oncologist has communicated four possible triggers of this non-smoker's lung cancer: exposure to radon, asbestos, chemicals and second-hand smoke. His surgeon has simply referred to is as "bad luck cancer". Dan has experience absolutely no physical symptoms to indicate this insidious cancer had begun it's evil work inside his body. Absolutely no symptoms of any kind. Twenty-twenty hindsight suggests one should perhaps request a simple chest x-ray during one's annual physical.
So the fight of Dan's life begins ... and fight we will. Due to the nature and rare mutation of Dan's cancer, pathology tissue has been sent to a specialized lab in Colorado for extended characterization. Dan's treatment protocol is currently chemotherapy every 3 weeks. Chemotherapy began at the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center in Charleston (about an hour from Edisto) on March 21, 2011. Following his third round of chemo Dan's oncologist will assess treatment effectiveness through additional scans and tests. Dan came through his first round of chemo quite well. Side effects are managed medically very well today. Only two days of nearly non-stop hiccups which was successfully resolved with medication and feeling a bit fatigued as expected.
Many question why we haven't returned to Rochester or Roswell to obtain a second opinion or evaluation. The short answer is simply that Martha and I believe at this moment we have the right medical team here in Charleston. The day the CT scan revealed the lung tumor, we met with a surgeon (Dr. Elizabeth Kline) who personally called my new oncologist (Dr. David Ellison) whom we met with that same afternoon! Shocking isn't it? Our quarterback is Dr. Ellison. He is forthright, doesn't sugarcoat anything and confident he has the resources required to treat this cancer. He has assured us that if at some point we need to alter the treatment protocol and perhaps enter into an investigative or experimental therapy program he will likely be able to obtain the facilitate the process from Charleston. If not, he would not hesitate to advise us wherever we might need to go to receive alternative treatment. We believe and trust in him totally.
Perhaps another reason for not returning north is we are confident we are in the right place to fight this disease. Unless you've personally been here you can't appreciate how "special" this little island is. There is a unique peacefulness and calm about this island unlike any other we've experienced. With only 700 (now 702!) permanent, year-round residents, minimal commercialization, soothing beaches with dolphins playing just off-shore daily and its abundance of protected natural wildlife and beauty ... this is the place to heal we believe. Martha and I walk the beach every day and either walk or ride our bicycles to our future home (a mere 1/2 mile from our rental house) to review progress. During our walks we encounter many wonderful song birds ... abundant cardinals and blue birds. The cardinals are especially vibrant and sing beautiful songs. We are confident these cardinals are singing through Grandma Brown telling us to fight the fight and all will be fine.
The house project is a welcomed and positive "distraction" from Dan's cancer for us both. We have a phenomenal builder "Greg" who is employing hand-picked subs. The framing team ("Russell" and his two sons) personally walked up to us while at the site one day to thank us for the badly needed work. After learning of my diagnosis Russell approached me to say how truly sorry he was with tears in his eyes. Martha and I continue to be amazed at how friendly, genuine and unassuming the people are here in the low country. While we had anticipated some "Yankee prejudice" thankfully we have experienced none. We love our new culture and the people we've been fortunate to encounter here.
Martha has become an incredibly supportive, invaluable and unbelievable co-fighter (and somewhat of a "Nurse Ratchet"!) for Dan. Dan's actually gaining weight thanks to all that "What's Cookin' at Martha's" fine cooking! I simply couldn't fight this fight alone without her love and devotion. This diagnosis is incredibly difficult on Martha as it is on Derek and Carrie, Lindsay and Jobe, Stefanie and Julie. We appreciate all the love and support you share with them as well.
In spite of the medical diagnosis and odds we believe with God's grace and help we can successfully fight this cancer. We have found a wonderful new church here on Edisto (the Edisto Beach Baptist Church) and are excited about re-engaging our Lord, our renewed faith and this church body in our fight. Following our very first visit to this small church and learning of our health challenge, a member brought a handmade soft "caring blanket" to our rental house for Dan's use. This special blanket is comforting and Dan wrapped himself in it during his first chemo treatment as he will do with those to follow. We have been so welcomed by this congregation ... the homemade bread, cards and books provided by caring members. We will join this church. We have been told this church has many "victories". They are encouraging and praying for us as are so many of you ... and we thank you all so very, very much for your abundant thoughts and prayers. We do feel them. With God's grace Dan will become one of God's special miracles.