UPDATE: So I think I may have lung cancer (1 Viewer)

[GROMS]

Prayin for you Enfuego!

4 weeks ago I had surgery to remove a 6" diameter x 1/2" thick Lipoma (non cancerous tumor) from underneath my right pec muscle. I knew something was wrong but let this thing go for almost a year before I went to the doctor. If it had been something serious, I would have wasted almost a years' worth of time that I could have been getting it treated. Don't be stupid like me, please get checked out early if you think something is wrong.

 

[Porkchop Express]

I have cancer, and am undergoing treatment. Every week I see hundreds of people with the same affliction. I know they are making breakthrough's all the time so there is hope for everyone who has a family member going through such a thing. Best of luck to your son BB.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

I hope for the best possible outcome. Stay strong, BB.

 

[bigbottom]

I have cancer, and am undergoing treatment. Every week I see hundreds of people with the same affliction. I know they are making breakthrough's all the time so there is hope for everyone who has a family member going through such a thing. Best of luck to your son BB.

Best of luck to you, PE. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. If you have any inclination to share any details of your situation, I'd love to listen. Really hope your treatments are going well.

 

[simey]

That was such a cool day. This news story might tug a little at your heart strings as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPX6biYdYP8

And an alternate version with additional footage:

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/video?id=8776874

Chance is awesome. I love his spirit, and I think it's great that his beautiful spirit has been a positive awakening for you and your wife during this unexpected detour in life. Positive energy works wonders. Well wishes, good vibes, and T&Ps to Chance, steelers dad, PE, Bill, and everyone else touched by cancer. God Bless and much respect to enfuego.

 

[steelerfan1]

Like BB said, didn't mean to hi jack enfuegos thread. just kind of hoping that with it getting bumped he would be here to post :( thanks for everyones thoughts and prayers for my dad. BB, my dad is goig to a new center that just opened in davenport fl. i am trying to get him to go to the moffit center in tampa which is like 90 miles from him but he said he will be getting radiation everyday and chemo 3-4 times a week and is not going to deal with that travel time.

Yeah, we were real lucky that we live within minutes of one of the best medical centers in the country. Got to sleep in our beds most nights. A lot of patients were from out of town and were staying at hotels or extended stays. That would be a drag, as would a long commute. I can understand your dad's resistance.

>BB, just wanted to say our neighbors grand daughter had stage 4 brain cancer, a very aggressive form, but not sure of name, and after a couple surgeries and treatment she is back at school. believe she is around your sons age. i'll be praying for him.

Thanks man. And I really do like hearing survivor stories. As for the stage thing, we were never given a stage for our son's cancer. Not sure whether that was because of the specific type of tumor.

i think we could all learn from your boy chance and my neighbors grandaughter. i know there are times when i complain about having a long day at work or whatever, and here you have these kids fighting the good fight and loving life. makes me realize what an ungrateful person i am and how much i take for granted. really, really praying for your boy BB.

 

[steelerfan1]

Like BB said, didn't mean to hi jack enfuegos thread. just kind of hoping that with it getting bumped he would be here to post :(

thanks for everyones thoughts and prayers for my dad.

BB, my dad is goig to a new center that just opened in davenport fl. i am trying to get him to go to the moffit center in tampa which is like 90 miles from him but he said he will be getting radiation everyday and chemo 3-4 times a week and is not going to deal with that travel time.

BB, just wanted to say our neighbors grand daughter had stage 4 brain cancer, a very aggressive form, but not sure of name, and after a couple surgeries and treatment she is back at school. believe she is around your sons age. i'll be praying for him.

if it's very aggressive and Stage 4 it's likely glioblastoma. I'm glad Chance does not have that one......

thanks agin for all the well wishes guys.

yeah JS, started in his lungs an has gone to his lymphnodes and has a tunor on his neck vertibrate causing him a lot of pain with headaches and throat.

talked to him today and he is reading up on hydrogen peroxide for the lung cancer. had a friend battle it lastyear and said it was very beneficial, so who knows.

 

[tri-man 47]

My thoughts and my prayers to all of you (and your families) battling this beast. The treatments now-a-days are quite amazing ...hoping that proves true for you guys.

 

[Mr.Pack]

BB didn't you post something awhile back about your son playing hoops with Dickie V, or was that another poster? I remember thinking that was a great story either way.

Will be praying for your boy.

Yep, that was Chance!http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=670966&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

That was in December when Chance was finishing up treatments the first time around.

Jesus BB, don't actually know you but teared up th second I read this. Reiterate what Bentley said... 3 hours away. Blood, cash, anything you need. Thoughts and prayers in the interim.

Yea, I'm just sitting here crying after watching the video of Chance and Dickie V. My wife is asking my what;s wrong.

Tell Chance we are all behind him. EFF Cancer

Prayers and God Bless

That was such a cool day. This news story might tug a little at your heart strings as well:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPX6biYdYP8

And an alternate version with additional footage:

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/video?id=8776874

So awesome.

 

[johnnycakes]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

#### cancer

 

[bigbottom]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

edit to note that treatment is always a bit of a moving target. He ended up getting chemo for six days, not five as we though when we first checked in as noted in my May 1 post above, and the stay ended up exceeding three weeks, rather than the two we were expecting.

 

[General Malaise]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

I'm going to wait until all the guys are gone from the office to watch this one.

I'm happy he is home with you all and I continue to keep your family on the front of my mind.

 

[bigbottom]

Hope your dad is hanging in there steelerfan. And porkchop and I still need to grab a beer.

 

[bigbottom]

I'm going to wait until all the guys are gone from the office to watch this one. I'm happy he is home with you all and I continue to keep your family on the front of my mind.

It's a happy video. And thanks for the words of support, GB.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

Awesome stuff, BB.

 

[Keerock]

I'm going to wait until all the guys are gone from the office to watch this one. I'm happy he is home with you all and I continue to keep your family on the front of my mind.

It's a happy video. And thanks for the words of support, GB.

Wow! Those docs/nurses have a special place waiting for them...

 

[Mr.Pack]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

Holy crap is it dusty in here

 

[Nipsey]

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

Wow. Getting a little dusty in here. Sending positive vibes your way for Chase and your family. Your family's love really comes through in that video. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[johnnycakes]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

Great news & great video. Sorry I screwed up on his name.

I didn't want to say anything before, but I worked with a guy at The Firm who went through the bone marrow transplant. He was a great guy... very positive, always there to pitch in and help out whenever needed. But he had always been "in and out" of the office... for stretches at a time as long as I ever knew him. And I worked with him a fair amount, but I wasn't really "friends" with him, though I had some interaction with him on at least a weekly basis. I knew he had some sort of cancer. I never knew exactly what kind it was and I never thought it was that serious because he was always so functional whenever he was in the office. When he was working, no one had to carry his load. Well, finally, the word came down one day that he was going in for a bone marrow transplant. They explained the whole deal to me... they kill all... I forget what kind of cells they were, but basically they killed his immune system, I understood that much... and if the bone marrow transplant didn't "take", he was basically dead. that was the deal and it was the first time I really understood the gravity of his illness. Needless to say, he didn't make it. Very odd feeling to be taking the guy out to lunch one week... and three weeks later, hear he passed. He had a wife & 3 kids, too.

Anyhow, it was really good to see Chance pull through this critical stage. Glad to hear he's home and doing well. Thanks for the update.

 

[jon_mx]

Yeah, #### cancer. After completing treatments in December, my son's brain cancer had returned by February. The battle was back on in a big way. Brain surgery in late February to remove the mass from near his brain stem (surgery went very well) and chemo treatments thereafter. Just checked in today for a two week stay on the bone marrow transplant floor. Massive chemo blast for the next five days, followed by blood stem cell infusion to repopulate his bone marrow. For those of you who pray, please pray for my son, Chance. TIA.

I'll pray for Chance. That's gotta be unbelievably tough on you and the family. Damn.

Thoughts and prayers.

 

[Whitetail Hunter]

I'm going to wait until all the guys are gone from the office to watch this one. I'm happy he is home with you all and I continue to keep your family on the front of my mind.

It's a happy video. And thanks for the words of support, GB.

Great vid and fantastic staff at the hospital.

Best wishes, GB.

 

[bigbottom]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, in addition to hopefully killing the cancer, the high-dose chemo basically destroys your immune system. And by destroy, I mean the white blood cells that fight infection are wiped out completely in both your blood stream and bone marrow. Without the infusion of stems cells (from a marrow donation or an autologous collection) to repopulate your bone marrow, you will have no immune system to withstand the outside world. You'll sort of live like bubble boy I guess. It takes a while for the stem cell transplant to take. Chance's cell counts went to zero for days. They did labs every morning, and we kept waiting for an uptick in that number. Those days when the test result kept coming back at zero were incredibly stressful. And then finally, on the ninth day following his transplant, the cell count came back at 0.03. The next day it was above 1.0. We could breath again.

As for now, Chance's immune system is still compromised. His counts are high enough that he could go home. But he can't go out in public where there are other people (restaurants, movies, etc.), and when he must do so (like when he has to go to the hospital for labwork and tests - usually 2-3 times a week), he has to wear what looks sort of like a respirator or gas mask.

 

[belljr]

omg that video made me

awesome video. t&p to all

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Very cool.

 

[Corporation]

Chance and your family remain in our prayers.

 

[Fennis]

omg that video made me

awesome video. t&p to all

yeah me too

anyone who has thought about signing up to be a bone marrow donor should do so: http://marrow.org/Home.aspx and donate some cash while you are at it.

 

[jamny]

Not much gets to me but that video did. Glad to see things are going well BB.

GB that hospital staff...

 

[shadyridr]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

dusty in here

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

 

[The Hank]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

+1

GB Bigbottom, cheering on Chance from the sidelines here.

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Man. Love you guys.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Ignoramus]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

I cried.What a beautiful display of love and hope and joy. Thank you for sharing that.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Man. Love you guys.

Wow...GB your family bb...glll Chance

 

[Nick Vermeil]

omg that video made me

awesome video. t&p to all

yeah me too

anyone who has thought about signing up to be a bone marrow donor should do so: http://marrow.org/Home.aspx and donate some cash while you are at it.

On it. Sending good thoughts your way BB.

 

[flapgreen]

Yes, BB, it's great to hear he's out of the hospital. Can't imagine the feeling, but it's all about the positive things now. He's one step closer to getting back to a normal and living a long life.

 

[Raider Nation]

Very happy to hear this, BB. You guys stay strong!

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

It sure is. I'm very glad to hear they are taking care of your son, because all they give is the best care.

Good luck.

 

[bigbottom]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, in addition to hopefully killing the cancer, the high-dose chemo basically destroys your immune system. And by destroy, I mean the white blood cells that fight infection are wiped out completely in both your blood stream and bone marrow. Without the infusion of stems cells (from a marrow donation or an autologous collection) to repopulate your bone marrow, you will have no immune system to withstand the outside world. You'll sort of live like bubble boy I guess. It takes a while for the stem cell transplant to take. Chance's cell counts went to zero for days. They did labs every morning, and we kept waiting for an uptick in that number. Those days when the test result kept coming back at zero were incredibly stressful. And then finally, on the ninth day following his transplant, the cell count came back at 0.03. The next day it was above 1.0. We could breath again.

As for now, Chance's immune system is still compromised. His counts are high enough that he could go home. But he can't go out in public where there are other people (restaurants, movies, etc.), and when he must do so (like when he has to go to the hospital for labwork and tests - usually 2-3 times a week), he has to wear what looks sort of like a respirator or gas mask.

Thanks for the update, biggie. Praying for Chance and your family daily. I'm glad you're close to a superior treatment center, and that your family has been able to stick together through this.

Not that this matters much for Chance... one of my best friends from childhood got brain cancer when she was a little older than Chance is now. It was a war that took months. But she survived. And then finished high school. And college. And medical school. These days she is a pediatric cancer specialist, married with kids.

Someday that respirator/gas mask contraption is going to be part of a Halloween costume or part of his on-stage persona with his heavy metal band.

VERY interesting story. Would very much like to connect with your friend if she's open to it. Chance has for a long time said he wanted to be a lawyer (the horror), but he's started talking about potentially pursuing a career in the medical profession. I have no idea if it's in the cards for him, but if anyone can overcome what he's gone through, it's Chance.

As for the gas mask, way ahead of you - here's a photo I took the day he was discharged. I told him to look evil. I think the Tiger Woods hat helped.

 

[bigbottom]

And thank you again everyone for all the kind words. They mean a lot.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, in addition to hopefully killing the cancer, the high-dose chemo basically destroys your immune system. And by destroy, I mean the white blood cells that fight infection are wiped out completely in both your blood stream and bone marrow. Without the infusion of stems cells (from a marrow donation or an autologous collection) to repopulate your bone marrow, you will have no immune system to withstand the outside world. You'll sort of live like bubble boy I guess. It takes a while for the stem cell transplant to take. Chance's cell counts went to zero for days. They did labs every morning, and we kept waiting for an uptick in that number. Those days when the test result kept coming back at zero were incredibly stressful. And then finally, on the ninth day following his transplant, the cell count came back at 0.03. The next day it was above 1.0. We could breath again.

As for now, Chance's immune system is still compromised. His counts are high enough that he could go home. But he can't go out in public where there are other people (restaurants, movies, etc.), and when he must do so (like when he has to go to the hospital for labwork and tests - usually 2-3 times a week), he has to wear what looks sort of like a respirator or gas mask.

Thanks for the update, biggie. Praying for Chance and your family daily. I'm glad you're close to a superior treatment center, and that your family has been able to stick together through this.

Not that this matters much for Chance... one of my best friends from childhood got brain cancer when she was a little older than Chance is now. It was a war that took months. But she survived. And then finished high school. And college. And medical school. These days she is a pediatric cancer specialist, married with kids.

Someday that respirator/gas mask contraption is going to be part of a Halloween costume or part of his on-stage persona with his heavy metal band.

VERY interesting story. Would very much like to connect with your friend if she's open to it. Chance has for a long time said he wanted to be a lawyer (the horror), but he's started talking about potentially pursuing a career in the medical profession. I have no idea if it's in the cards for him, but if anyone can overcome what he's gone through, it's Chance.

As for the gas mask, way ahead of you - here's a photo I took the day he was discharged. I told him to look evil. I think the Tiger Woods hat helped.

m//

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, in addition to hopefully killing the cancer, the high-dose chemo basically destroys your immune system. And by destroy, I mean the white blood cells that fight infection are wiped out completely in both your blood stream and bone marrow. Without the infusion of stems cells (from a marrow donation or an autologous collection) to repopulate your bone marrow, you will have no immune system to withstand the outside world. You'll sort of live like bubble boy I guess. It takes a while for the stem cell transplant to take. Chance's cell counts went to zero for days. They did labs every morning, and we kept waiting for an uptick in that number. Those days when the test result kept coming back at zero were incredibly stressful. And then finally, on the ninth day following his transplant, the cell count came back at 0.03. The next day it was above 1.0. We could breath again.

As for now, Chance's immune system is still compromised. His counts are high enough that he could go home. But he can't go out in public where there are other people (restaurants, movies, etc.), and when he must do so (like when he has to go to the hospital for labwork and tests - usually 2-3 times a week), he has to wear what looks sort of like a respirator or gas mask.

Thanks for the update, biggie. Praying for Chance and your family daily. I'm glad you're close to a superior treatment center, and that your family has been able to stick together through this.

Not that this matters much for Chance... one of my best friends from childhood got brain cancer when she was a little older than Chance is now. It was a war that took months. But she survived. And then finished high school. And college. And medical school. These days she is a pediatric cancer specialist, married with kids.

Someday that respirator/gas mask contraption is going to be part of a Halloween costume or part of his on-stage persona with his heavy metal band.

VERY interesting story. Would very much like to connect with your friend if she's open to it. Chance has for a long time said he wanted to be a lawyer (the horror), but he's started talking about potentially pursuing a career in the medical profession. I have no idea if it's in the cards for him, but if anyone can overcome what he's gone through, it's Chance.

As for the gas mask, way ahead of you - here's a photo I took the day he was discharged. I told him to look evil. I think the Tiger Woods hat helped.

Dang &

T&P's to you and your family GB.

 

[tdoss]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, in addition to hopefully killing the cancer, the high-dose chemo basically destroys your immune system. And by destroy, I mean the white blood cells that fight infection are wiped out completely in both your blood stream and bone marrow. Without the infusion of stems cells (from a marrow donation or an autologous collection) to repopulate your bone marrow, you will have no immune system to withstand the outside world. You'll sort of live like bubble boy I guess. It takes a while for the stem cell transplant to take. Chance's cell counts went to zero for days. They did labs every morning, and we kept waiting for an uptick in that number. Those days when the test result kept coming back at zero were incredibly stressful. And then finally, on the ninth day following his transplant, the cell count came back at 0.03. The next day it was above 1.0. We could breath again.

As for now, Chance's immune system is still compromised. His counts are high enough that he could go home. But he can't go out in public where there are other people (restaurants, movies, etc.), and when he must do so (like when he has to go to the hospital for labwork and tests - usually 2-3 times a week), he has to wear what looks sort of like a respirator or gas mask.

Thanks for the update, biggie. Praying for Chance and your family daily. I'm glad you're close to a superior treatment center, and that your family has been able to stick together through this.

Not that this matters much for Chance... one of my best friends from childhood got brain cancer when she was a little older than Chance is now. It was a war that took months. But she survived. And then finished high school. And college. And medical school. These days she is a pediatric cancer specialist, married with kids.

Someday that respirator/gas mask contraption is going to be part of a Halloween costume or part of his on-stage persona with his heavy metal band.

VERY interesting story. Would very much like to connect with your friend if she's open to it. Chance has for a long time said he wanted to be a lawyer (the horror), but he's started talking about potentially pursuing a career in the medical profession. I have no idea if it's in the cards for him, but if anyone can overcome what he's gone through, it's Chance.

As for the gas mask, way ahead of you - here's a photo I took the day he was discharged. I told him to look evil. I think the Tiger Woods hat helped.

Love to hear the great news BB.Chance totally has Bane down for Halloween.

 

[Henry Ford]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, in addition to hopefully killing the cancer, the high-dose chemo basically destroys your immune system. And by destroy, I mean the white blood cells that fight infection are wiped out completely in both your blood stream and bone marrow. Without the infusion of stems cells (from a marrow donation or an autologous collection) to repopulate your bone marrow, you will have no immune system to withstand the outside world. You'll sort of live like bubble boy I guess. It takes a while for the stem cell transplant to take. Chance's cell counts went to zero for days. They did labs every morning, and we kept waiting for an uptick in that number. Those days when the test result kept coming back at zero were incredibly stressful. And then finally, on the ninth day following his transplant, the cell count came back at 0.03. The next day it was above 1.0. We could breath again.

As for now, Chance's immune system is still compromised. His counts are high enough that he could go home. But he can't go out in public where there are other people (restaurants, movies, etc.), and when he must do so (like when he has to go to the hospital for labwork and tests - usually 2-3 times a week), he has to wear what looks sort of like a respirator or gas mask.

Thanks for the update, biggie. Praying for Chance and your family daily. I'm glad you're close to a superior treatment center, and that your family has been able to stick together through this.

Not that this matters much for Chance... one of my best friends from childhood got brain cancer when she was a little older than Chance is now. It was a war that took months. But she survived. And then finished high school. And college. And medical school. These days she is a pediatric cancer specialist, married with kids.

Someday that respirator/gas mask contraption is going to be part of a Halloween costume or part of his on-stage persona with his heavy metal band.

VERY interesting story. Would very much like to connect with your friend if she's open to it. Chance has for a long time said he wanted to be a lawyer (the horror), but he's started talking about potentially pursuing a career in the medical profession. I have no idea if it's in the cards for him, but if anyone can overcome what he's gone through, it's Chance.

As for the gas mask, way ahead of you - here's a photo I took the day he was discharged. I told him to look evil. I think the Tiger Woods hat helped.

There are a lot of clients who could use a lawyer who understands medical issues and medical jargon. He has a huge leg up in that regard. Whichever he chooses (or whatever else he chooses) I have no doubt he will be successful.

I know you're more of a legit legal mind, but the plaintiff's bar would welcome your son with open arms. I have a colleague who's a brilliant neurologist and a plaintiff's medical malpractice attorney, and it's a very lucrative and otherwise rewarding combination.

 

[gianmarco]

Too bad still no updates from enfuego :(

 

[Kumerica]

Thanks again everyone. We're remaining positive. Even though it was devastating news when we learned that the cancer had returned, the treatments have gone well since. The brain surgery was a success, and the subsequent chemo has had the desired effect of knocking down the remaining cancer cells. This last treatment is the important one though. Hopefully will get rid of the cancer for good. Fingers crossed.

How's Chase doing, BB?

He's doing well, thanks for asking. That most recent treatment was brutal. Over three weeks in the hospital quarantined on the bone marrow transplant floor. The effects of the high-dose, six-day chemo treatment was worse than anything we'd experienced to date. But the stem cell transplant succeeded in jump starting his immune system and we were released form the hopistal a couple weeks ago. It will still be another couple weeks before they do the labwork and scans to determine whether the treatement had the desired effect on the cancer (we'll be holding our breath until then), but for now, it's great to have everyone home and under one roof (my wife lived with him at the hospital 24/7 for the 3+ weeks he was there). His appetite has not yet returned and it's a chore to get him to eat anything. He's still on IV nutrition 12 hours a day. But his spirits are good and his energy improves everyday.

Here's a video of the day he was released from the bone marrow transplant unit. Texas Children's Hospital is a special place.

BB, that's an exceptional video and it lifted up my afternoon (though it got me teary eyed a bit at the office). Glad to see everyone so happy and I hope that Chance is on the mend.

 

[fasteddie_21]

omg that video made me

awesome video. t&p to all

This.

I work with a ton of former military and I'm like a baby here. Awesome video and positive vibes going out to all of y'all suffering from this damn cancer. I lost my mom to a brain tumor. #### cancer.

 

[steelerfan1]

Hope your dad is hanging in there steelerfan. And porkchop and I still need to grab a beer.

hi BB, can't watch your video now as i am trying to keep it under control. glad he is home bud and he is in my prayers daily.

i am out on FMLA now and in florida with my dad. he has really fallen fast and i dont think it will be long for him.he has lost over 20 more pounds over the last 6 weeks i had last come down.

he did not do well with chemo and has stopped treatment. has stopped his radiation since yesterday as well. he wants it to be over and seeing him now i understand and cant argue with him. just very thankful to have the opportunity to take some time off from work and be here just to say what i need to say and just sit with him. very emotional times and dont wish it for anyone.

again, my best to chance and you and your family.

 

[bigbottom]

Hope your dad is hanging in there steelerfan. And porkchop and I still need to grab a beer.

hi BB, can't watch your video now as i am trying to keep it under control. glad he is home bud and he is in my prayers daily.

i am out on FMLA now and in florida with my dad. he has really fallen fast and i dont think it will be long for him.he has lost over 20 more pounds over the last 6 weeks i had last come down.

he did not do well with chemo and has stopped treatment. has stopped his radiation since yesterday as well. he wants it to be over and seeing him now i understand and cant argue with him. just very thankful to have the opportunity to take some time off from work and be here just to say what i need to say and just sit with him. very emotional times and dont wish it for anyone.

again, my best to chance and you and your family.

I'm so sorry to hear that. But I'm glad for both of you that you are able to be there with him. I will be keeping you and your whole family in my prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do (for example if there are any difficulties with work and your protected leave, I can assist with the legal issues), or if you just need someone to vent to. I can PM you my cell number. Take care.