Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Birthday Thumping


Forty-four years ago today I sprang forth from the loins of my sainted mother. What a delightful ride it has been for the last two score and four years. And I am happy to report that 10 months after learning of my defective gray - or is it grey - matter, that I received another outstanding report during my last visit to the NIH in mid-April. I was fortunate to have Lee Ann accompany me. Thank you, American taxpayers.

Dr. Howard Fine (pictured here with his favorite patient), chief of the neuro-oncology branch at the National Cancer Institute, lined up my last four MRI scans dating back to last October. Back then, there was quite a crater where the tumor used to be. Now, my brain has filled back in and you can hardly tell that anything was ever askew. The change, as Dr. Fine called it, is "dramatic." So I have that going for me...which is nice.

Dr. Fine's findings, as it were, were corroborated by my local neuro-oncologist, Dr. Edward Dropcho, a few days later. I completed my seventh cycle of chemotherapy on Monday, April 28. As long as my body tolerates the drugs, Dr. Fine wants to keep pounding away for up to two years. Dr. Dropcho is leaning more toward one year. The only study with this particular drug - temozolomide - lasted six months so there is no evidence one way or the other as to the optimal length of treatment. I may stage a steel-cage death match between my two doctors to decide which course to follow.

One side note...my military-style haircut has been a real conversation starter. Lee Ann and I had a nice chat at O'Hare airport with a Navy man who was sure that we had served together on an aircraft carrier in the mid-1980s. We learned from him that the third largest naval base is in Crane, Indiana. We also got to meet the team doctor for the Cincinnati Bengals when he asked what branch of the service I was in because his son is preparing to graduate from West Point. Very cool.

I'm back to Bethesda in mid-June. If anything exciting happens between then and now, I'll let you know!

P.S. A shout out to my grandmother, Lou Harmon, who turned 98 yesterday!

P.P.S. And a shout out to my favorite expat cousin Emily who shares my birthday but is much, much older than I. Emily is pictured below with her youngest daughter, Ellie, at the U-Bahn station in Munich in late March. Look how excited Ellie is to be spending the day with her mother and favorite first cousin once removed!
P.P.P.S. Here I am with friend and fraternity brother Bob Marchesani, newly-minted chairman of the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), on April 13 in Washington, D.C. The NIC is the equivalent of the United Nations for men's fraternities. In his day job, Bob is a high-powered executive with Eli Lilly & Co. and is the person who pointed me in the direction of Dr. Fine in the first place. I am very grateful to Bob.

11 comments:

Virtual Farmgirl said...

Thanks for the update Terry. Love the haircut BTW.

Unknown said...

So happy for the update and the outstanding news!

Righteous haircut. You wear it well, sir.

Expat Hausfrau said...

What, no mention of a visit with your beloved cousin in Germany who SHARES YOUR BIRTHDAY?! Keep on thumpin', Cuz - you're a handsome trouper. I'm pretty sure we were in the Marines together, though. Or maybe it was the National Guard?

pharper said...

Terry,

That's a great report. Thanks for the news. Hear you'll be in the Cincy area soon. Love to get together with you at my favorite 'salon', er, Saloon. Sorry, had a wild 'hair' - let's just 'cut' to the chase - dig the doo!

Paul

pharper said...

Terry,

That's a great report. Thanks for the news. Hear you'll be in the Cincy area soon. Love to get together with you at my favorite 'salon', er, Saloon. Sorry, had a wild 'hair' - let's just 'cut' to the chase - dig the doo!

Paul

Anonymous said...

Thanks for keeping us posted. I was just thinking about you last week. Very glad to hear the grey/gray matter looks good!

TE Recker said...

Terry:

Fantastic news on your progress and great to hear it's going well. Also nice to see that you once again have more hair than me! The toughest thing about being bald is remembering to wear sunscreeen or a hat whenever one is out in the sun for any length of time, otherwise . . . . . TomatoHead!!!!

Take care and thanks for the update! Hapopy 44th youngster!

Tom

Anonymous said...

Dear Terry --- The reports keep getting better and better! John M called this morning to let me know how much he enjoyed reading your humorous and direct style of writing about your situation. Of course, I agreed whole-heartedly! Dad

Expat Hausfrau said...

Ok, I am placated by your postscript, Favo(ur)ite Cousin. We miss you. Come on back now. The Chardonnay is chilling.

Carl Bello, D.V.M. said...

Wonderful news, Terry. I celebrate with you, your family, and the whole neuro-oncology dream team the destruction of those diabolical cancer cells!

love and hugs,

Carl

SallyB said...

Heya, Cuz!

Great to hear such good news that all is going well with you! C'mon over this way to NE Ohio sometime, why doncha, and pay a visit! After all, when was the last time we saw each other? What, almost 20 years ago now?

Keep on keepin' on there, Cuz Terry!

Yer fav expat cuz's older sister,
~Sally