A Personal Experience

Anyone who might be interested in our cancer experience should check out "Stories of Real Hope" at the Seattle Cancer and Wellness Center Website. It gives you a real feeling or what it is like to be a part of this amazing experience.

Update From Dr. Chu

It has been a much better week for Jon. Acupunture on Tuesday seemed to work miracles for the respiratory infection he had been fighting. The zpack, supplements, rest, and time probably were also contributing factors. He was able to do most of his normal activities, including 3 weight workouts so he's a happy guy. Staci has been visiting this week and Jon even joined us dancing Friday night...of course he did bring a blanket and pillow to sleep in the car once he ran out of steam :)

We had a visit with Dr. Chu on Tuesday who gave us more information about the remainder of Jon's treatment. His last chemo for this cycle will be March 20. He will have a CT scan shortly thereafter. On March 21 he will start on Tarceva, an oral chemotherapy for two weeks. (sidenote: Tarceva will cost $1900 for two weeks, our insurance covers $400 of it. We are thankful its two weeks and not two months!!)In early April he will start his second round of chemotherapy with a different "cocktail". This combination is designed to kill any microcancer cells so his cancer does not return. That cycle should last another 12 weeks so we will be at this until June.

We were a little disappointed to discover that, even if his CT is normal, he will need to do another round of intravenous chemo. However, being the goal oriented people that we are, it is helpful to know what to expect over the next couple months. We are optimistically anticipating the CT results and expect to be backpacking by August.

Through this process Jon remains the most remarkable person I have ever known. His positive mental attitude, self-discipline, strength, and dedication are astounding. He has even managed to hold onto his sense of humor. When Dr. Chu was examining him with a student from UW Medical School, Jon told the student how fortunate he was to study with a legend like Dr. Chu....told them both the Dr. Chu was the "Johnny Cash of Oncology"!

Support

Hi Everyone! It's Staci writing...I wanted to pass on some things I've seen showing support for my Dad.

From my cousin Kyle's myspace blog:

"Friday, December 08, 2006 - Pray for my Uncle Jon

I have recently become very close with my Uncle Jon. He took over a lot of the roles my parents played when my parents moved to Japan. He was recently diagnosed with cancer and things aren't looking good from what I hear. The cancer is spread out from his pancreas, lungs, liver and lymph nodes. Please keep him your prayers. I want him to make it!!!"

(By the way, Kyle just earned All-American honors at the NAIA National Wrestling tournament this last weekend!!)

A recent e-mail from my old college friend Tobias Brace:

"Your father is an inspiration. I wish all my patients took that much interest in their health. hell I wish I did. Anyways, I get a good vibe on him too...give your dad my best. hoo-rah...But if anyone was ever in the top 3% and a survivor on top of that it would be your Pa."

You have no idea how much your support means to us!

Ann Joins the Girls Team

Ann Lenting, daughter of Jon's sister Tonya and husband Tony, takes a few inches off in honor of her Uncle Jon

Sick of Being Sick

Jon has had a pretty tough week. He had been struggling with a headcold for the last month that has progressed into a respiratory infection. The doctor gave him some antibiotics on Tuesday, of course he refused to take them. Finally after a week of low energy, fever, and body aches he started his zpack last night. Hopefully he will start to feel better this weekend. As you can imagine, after eleven chemos his body is pretty depleted. We are really not sure if his fatigue is from the cold or all the chemo. His blood work remains good. White cells normal, red cells only slightly low, and alkaline phosphotase slightly elevated. All good signs that he is holding up well, all things considered. Three more chemos to go before the next CT scan.

True to form, Jon has still managed to get a few weight workouts and walks in this week. He even went to the airport on Thursday to get on a plane to take him to the Collegiate National Wrestling Championships to watch our nephew Kyle wrestle for a National Title. Unfortunately, the flights were cancelled due to snowstorms in the midwest and he was unable to go. Although it was probably for the best, considering how sick he's been, Jon was disappointed he was not able to watch Kyle compete. So far Kyle has won all of his matches and continues to compete today. We are cheering for you from home, Kyle!

I hear rumors of more haircuts on the way and am awaiting emails of any pictures you might have. For the record, although Jon may appear completely bald in the pictures, he actually has the same haircut as all the other men (I believe its a #2). It's just his hair has turned so grey you can't see it very well! It will be interesting to see how it grows back after chemo. It kind of looks like goose down these days.

Thanks again to everyone for all of the recent photos, emails, cards, phonecalls, prayers, and support. It keeps us going strong during weeks like this.

FROM STACI

I might not have shaved my head, BUT I'm damn sure I cut off more hair than everyone else put together. That's gotta count for something!

Staci




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Brother Tim and Brother-In-Law Tony

Tim Nichols


Tony Lenting

KEEP THEM COMING BOYS!