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Archive for June, 2005

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June 29, 2005

Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

We have a date for stem cell transplant at the City of Hope in Duarte (near Pasadena and the Santa Anita Race Track where Seabiscuit was filmed). We’ll be admitted 7/21. The way it works is that chemo is the first 4 days and on 7/28 they do the stem cell transplant which is really […]

June 24, 2005

Friday, June 24th, 2005

Sam finished his LAST BAG of chemo for San Diego last night at 9:30 pm. We are excited but don’t think we can match his excitement. He told Margot when the nurses took the bag down – “Mom, I’m done with my chemo!!!” We’re now home and looking forward to having a ton of fun. […]

June 19, 2005

Sunday, June 19th, 2005

Sam is not the only brave one in our family. Neil let us shave his head this week and he gave the razor to Sammy and his friend Mimi in turns (what a dad) and then had me finish him off. He was pretty stripey looking when we were finished, not the smooth look he […]

June 17, 2005

Friday, June 17th, 2005

We received the pathology report today and it’s good news. The tumor (the adrenal gland) had margins free of tumor they didn’t leave any tumor behind. Four of the eight lymph nodes had tumor in them but everyone expected that and that’s why the protocol includes radiation (probably in September). Otherwise, it’s just another great […]

Happy Father’s Day!

Thursday, June 16th, 2005

 We wish every dad out there to have an amazing day sharing with their families. We would also like to thank Sam’s Angels (check out www.chemoangels.com) who have continually brought huge smiles to his face and to Andy’s face. So, Jill Foltz & family, Mary Montford & family, Jennifer from Wichita, and Angie Dobson & […]

June 14, 2005

Tuesday, June 14th, 2005

We are getting discharged today for a week of fun & sun before starting round 6 of chemo on Monday the 20th. Sam was checked by a renal specialist who indicated that his kidney function is fine. He does have a bit of high blood pressure which comes & goes but this is treatable by […]

June 10, 2005

Friday, June 10th, 2005

Quick update since I’m on my way to the hospital. Sam is out of ICU and we’re very happy about that. He’s got a bit of high blood pressure and this could be a sign that his left kidney was damaged but we are not going there yet – we’ll see if it stabilizes again. […]

June 9, 2005

Thursday, June 9th, 2005

“Gross, total resection”. Those are magical words. That’s surgeon speak for “I got it all” and I confirmed again that that’s what happened since this is such great news. I am still in disbelief at how successful surgery was! Sam is doing super in ICU. He has had all of his catheters removed and will […]

June 6, 2005

Monday, June 6th, 2005

Great news from surgery. The “bump” is gone. The surgeon believes he removed 100% of the visible tumor (there are always the chance of microscopic lymph nodes that weren’t seen). He removed Sam’s left adrenal gland (the origin of the tumor) and the enlarged, tumor-filled lymph nodes around the kidney/adrenal gland. We are VERY HAPPY! […]

June 6, 2005

Monday, June 6th, 2005

Surgery is tomorrow at 12:40 so we’re raring to go. Our best guess schedule for the rest of the summer is: 6/7 – surgery (San Diego) 6/27 – round 6 of chemo (San Diego) 7/18 – round 7/stem-cell transplant (City of Hope/LA) We are planning to be in LA until 8/15. Please keep young Sam […]

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