It's been so long since I've posted that I can't even remember how to do it. If this doesn't work I'll try something else.

So where are we now?

After months of chemo therapy we are now hearing some really encouraging news. The new chemo therapy cocktail that Bob has been receiving for nearly 5 months seems to be doing something.

The first chemo cocktail did shrink the throat cancer to almost nothing. But the esophageal cancer was still very much there, and spreading mischief. The previous Petscan had shown new "hot" spots on bone, specifically sternum and vertebrae. Also 2 spots had popped up on his liver. Remember now, Bob experiences no symptoms of cancer. His only symptoms are chemo-related. I'm not downplaying that because the chemo is really nasty and does a number on his general well-being and state of mind.
But because he doesn't have cancer-related symptoms we have no idea how he is doing cancer-wise until a new scan tells us. VERY nerve wracking.

So the results of the new scan (the first in 90 days) are in. They show excellent improvement. The throat cancer cannot be detected at all. The esophageal is also gone! One of the 2 spots on his liver is gone. The smaller one appears to be scarring up (that's good). The spots on his sternum and vertebrae,
although still there, are not as "hot" (Petscanning measures cancer by heat).

So where do we go from here? Three more months on the same chemo, since it seems to be working. Then more tests right after Christmas. In the meanwhile Bob and I are planning to go to Boca for the season where I'll be able to work at the store and Bob will do some volunteering, while continuing chemotherapy at Boca Community Hospital. We'll drive down in November, fly up in Dec (for Christmas), then drive the other car down after festivities and testing.
"How many cars do we have?" you ask. "Oy," we answer. And there we'll stay, in Florida, until the boat goes in the water in May and the bass start their Siren-like call.

Thank you to you all for being patient with my poor communication skills. I should have posted a lot earlier I know. Hope this makes up for it.

Love to you all.

Susan and Bob

TWO CYCLES DOWN, ONE TO GO

Bob has now completed two 3-wk cycles of chemo. He had a week off during which we visited the kids and grandkids, first in Boston, then in Ct. He tires easily but otherwise feels pretty good. His hair is very thin but still there. Sawyer comments every time he sees him "ANOTHER haircut, Cappy!"

That's the background. Now for the NEWS....
We saw the ENT today who reexamined the squamous cancer in Bob's throat and he said it has shrunk SIGNIFICANTLY. And the original lump on his neck, the one that sent us to the doctor originally all those months ago is almost completely gone. So where do we stand, you ask?

Round three of chemo starts Thursday. When it's completed, and AFTER our subsequent 10-day visit to Florida, the doctors will retest (CATscan and PETscan, I think). Then, depending on the results, a new plan may be initiated. The doctor said they may even reevaluate and decide to add radiation to the mix. This means we would be aiming for a cure, instead of remission. OMG, could this really happen?

It's funny: All these months I haven't shed a tear. It's like my crying reflex is broken. Now I keep bursting into tears. Go figure.

Thank you all for caring as you do. You'll never know what it means to us.

SO FAR SO GOOD

Bob has finished his first cycle of chemo and had his week off. Tomorrow it starts again. Except for some minor tiredness and major hair loss (still an ongoing annoyance) everything is going well. The hair is everywhere; it flies around like a shedding cat's fur. It's in my nose, food, eyes. Bob refuses to shave it all off and mourns each hair's demise like a beloved pet. I can't wait for it all to be gone so we can concentrate on more important stuff. The mustache is also shedding and will probably disappear too.

We saw the oncologist after the cycle and he was typically upbeat but noncommittal too. He did measure the swollen lymph node on his neck that started the whole thing and it has shrunk by 50%. That has GOT to be good, right? The lymph node was never considered cancerous, just a symptomatic response to the cancer in his throat, but still, we are taking it as a good sign. After the second cycle is completed, the ENT  will re-scope to see how the throat carcinoma is responding to the chemo. That should be around January 27th so I am hoping for the BIGGEST birthday present of my life!

Bob and I are always optimistic, with brief spells of despair. Luckily, the spells are short-lived and, so far, we have not had them simultaneously, so we are able to boost the other's mood. We have even made plane reservations for Florida in late February for a week in Boca preceding the all-important next Petscan.

We read every card and email with great delight. Keep 'em coming.