Mike, You don't know me from Adam, but I am a TM'er and following these emails. You have my prayers, but also my complete respect for your courage and outlook/attitude that endears you to all of us. I guess you realize you have the dubious honor of being the one that I can look at and say "he is worse off than I am". You have a lot to fight and it sounds as if you have a lot of fight in you. Don't think that because we are not there with you that you are not in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted - we care - and God bless. Janice, Missouri ----- Original Message ----- From: Jill Hammond To: Anna & Jim ; Annie ; Becky & Steve ; Beth & Greg ; Bob & Beverly ; Carole Matteson ; Char Brower ; Cheryl Hammond ; Cindy Dunn ; Craig & Candi ; David Brooks ; Denise & Pam ; Elaine Boos ; Eric & Eri ; Fred & Susan ; Gil & Mari ; 'James Fulmer' ; Jan Hlavaty-LaPosa ; Jim and Bobbi ; Johanna ; Judy & Karl ; Keenan ; Kendra ; Lenny Lisa ; Lisa ; Lynn & Jade ; Mari & Gary ; marie swanson ; Mike & Nancy ; Nancy ; Noah ; Pat Allegretti ; Pat and Corky ; Pat Doebele ; Pat Massey ; Paula ; PJ ; Ron ; Sally ; Sarah Bell-Schell ; Sharon & Steve ; 'Sheri Meyer' ; Steve & Gail ; Steve and Jo ; Susan & Ted Roth ; Tmic ; Tom & Deb ; Wayne ; Zsolt & Patty Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2009 11:25 AM Subject: [TMIC] Update on Mike
Hi, everyone! First a little update on what has happened since the last update a couple weeks ago, and then the schedule for the next round. . Radiation has really started to take a toll on me. Last Friday, Jill took me in for my 12th rad treatment. The Tomotherapy machine that they are using is state of the art. Even thought our son took me in to have the old bowling ball shaved, now, my eyebrows are falling out. We think we may have the perfect Halloween costume, "Dr. really not-so-evil". All I need now is to find the hairless cat to complete the costume. Had a feeding tube put in last Thursday I have completely lost the sense of smell, and most of taste. The salivary glands are so far gone that it is painful to swallow. Now, I "eat" 8 cans a day of a liquid nutrient, and some of my hydration. This is accomplished by a large syringe to a port in my stomach just below the rib cage. Jill and I were able to pick this up very quickly. By the way, for the first time in many moons, today I was able to get into a size 34 waist, yahoo. God Bless .. We had one major bad evening last week in the effort to find a pain killer that agreed with me. I certainly qualified as a zombie for about 16 hours, and Jill thought she was seeing one. The medication now seems to be working much better. Under the heading on miscellaneous, I have certainly been given the opportunity to practice; humility, gratitude, patience, and numerous others on a daily basis. I could not do this without my family and all the friends who send notes and stop by. Here is my schedule for the next round of chemo. The first treatment will be October 6th, 9:30 am until about 2:00 pm. Second treatment is the 7th from 1:30 pm until about 4:30 pm. Third treatment is October 8th, 1:30 pm to about 4:30 pm. All are at the cancer center, 3rd floor on 13th street, just east of Colby in Everett If none of the above times are convenient, here is the radiation schedule. Treatment is on the 2nd floor. 28th September to October 2nd - 4:20 pm. Week of October 5th - 4:20 pm. October 12th until 29 - 4:20 pm. You do not have to visit just there... our home phone is 360 658 5878, and our home address is 4924 66th Ave NE, Marysville, WA 98270. Either Google for directions or I can give them to you. Take care until next time, Mike, Jill and the rest of the team
