Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Merry Christmas...
Julie and I are notoriuos for getting our Christmas cards out late; in recent years I can actually recall sending them after the New Year. Given everything going on with my health situation, this is going to be one of those years where they simply will have to wait until next Christmas. We'll be doing well to have everything else ready for the holiday season, much less mail Christmas cards.
Most of you are on our Christmas card list so we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a warm, safe and blessed Christmas spent with the ones who are nearest and dearest to you.
We'll be doing our typical whirlwind tour of Cincinnati and Dayton. On Thursday we'll get together with Julie's brothers and sisters for the annual Judd family Christmas...Julie's Aunt Sharon will also be joining us as she flies in from Denver on Thursday afternoon. Following Christmas Eve Mass on Saturday we'll head down to the 'west side of town' for the annual Riestenberg family Christmas...best of all is that Viv and Skeeter will be able to take part in the celebration. Julie's sister Jan will host the party. And on Christmas Day, we'll go up to Dayton to celebrate with the Hopkins side of the family. The boys both have to work at the movie theater on Christmas but they should be able to join us by 6 PM for dinner.
Next week we'll be heading to Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, New York for our annual ski trip. Ellicottville is about a 6 hour drive, a perfect distance for a 4 day trip. The skiing is very good and I understand they have great snow conditions this season. We'll be home in time to celebrate New Years Eve in Mason.
On the medical front, things should be somewhat slow until the first of the year. There is a test I need to take and I also need to have a port put in so treatments can be administered a bit more comfortably but I won't have any other treatments until the first of the year. Once I get through a cycle of this CHOP chemotherapy at least I'll know how I'm going to be feeling these next 5 to 6 months. By all indications I've been told its not as bad as it used to be....lets hope that is the case with me as well.
Again, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2006! We also wish The Ohio State Buckeyes all the best on January 2 as they play Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl! Thank you for being there for our family!
Happy Holidays!
The Hopkins Family
Most of you are on our Christmas card list so we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a warm, safe and blessed Christmas spent with the ones who are nearest and dearest to you.
We'll be doing our typical whirlwind tour of Cincinnati and Dayton. On Thursday we'll get together with Julie's brothers and sisters for the annual Judd family Christmas...Julie's Aunt Sharon will also be joining us as she flies in from Denver on Thursday afternoon. Following Christmas Eve Mass on Saturday we'll head down to the 'west side of town' for the annual Riestenberg family Christmas...best of all is that Viv and Skeeter will be able to take part in the celebration. Julie's sister Jan will host the party. And on Christmas Day, we'll go up to Dayton to celebrate with the Hopkins side of the family. The boys both have to work at the movie theater on Christmas but they should be able to join us by 6 PM for dinner.
Next week we'll be heading to Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, New York for our annual ski trip. Ellicottville is about a 6 hour drive, a perfect distance for a 4 day trip. The skiing is very good and I understand they have great snow conditions this season. We'll be home in time to celebrate New Years Eve in Mason.
On the medical front, things should be somewhat slow until the first of the year. There is a test I need to take and I also need to have a port put in so treatments can be administered a bit more comfortably but I won't have any other treatments until the first of the year. Once I get through a cycle of this CHOP chemotherapy at least I'll know how I'm going to be feeling these next 5 to 6 months. By all indications I've been told its not as bad as it used to be....lets hope that is the case with me as well.
Again, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2006! We also wish The Ohio State Buckeyes all the best on January 2 as they play Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl! Thank you for being there for our family!
Happy Holidays!
The Hopkins Family
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
It figures...I'm one of the 2 out of 10....
Well, one treatment down and six to eight to go! Yesterday was quite an experinece. First, I was very nervous and anxious to get going. Couple that with the unknown about what I was about to experience and I was pretty much a basket case. Once I got started with the Rituxan drip I relaxed a bit and got to know some of my 'neighbors' down at the 'Infusion Room'. It turned out that the woman sitting next to me was a co-worker's (Mark McLaughlin) mother-in-law who has the same lymphoma I have. Mark had told me a little about her and she is doing very well - she's been clean for a while and simply going in for maintenance treatments of Rituxan. Rather ironic that we would sit next to each other - another example that it's a small world in Cincinnati.
Everything was going smoothly and around 2 PM Julie ran out to get us some lunch. When she left they increased the drip on the Rituxan because I wasn't having any reactions. Julie returned around 2:30 and while we were eating, I noticed that my belly was starting to itch. I lifted up my shirt and I had red splothes all over - I was having an allergic reaction to the Rituxan. So they turned off the drip and gave me an extra dose of Benedryl. After about an hour, they put the drip back on at its slowest rate and after awhile the rash started going away and I was fine the rest of the way. They even had it dripping pretty quickly at the end of the treatment. The good news is, you usually don't have any problems with the Rituxan after the first treatment so it sohlud go a lot smoother from now on. As an example, yesterday took almost 7 hours for the infusion, the next time it should 'only' take 3 hours. As I said in my previous post 8 out 10 people don't even have problems with the first dose so consider me part of the 2 out of 10!
Today I started on Predizone...I'll take it for 5 days and then be off until I start the CHOP chemo in early January. There are a couple other drugs I'll be taking as well but at this time I'm not really sure what they all do. As long as the end result is it gets rid of the lymphoma, I have no problems with it. Actually I think the other drugs are to counter potential side-effects of the other drugs. Dr. Leming knows what he's doing so I'll just do what he says to do.
I have to admit for the first time since we started this 'journey' I feel like we're doing something about the lymphoma. It seemed somewhat strange to sit back and watch when I knew that something bad was possibly spreading within me. But in hindsight it turned out to be a well-timed decision. The results of a clinical study involving CHOP/Rituxan treatments for follicular lymphoma were released on November 20 and the results of the study were so encouraging that Dr. Leming decided it was the way I should be treated. I'm not sure but had we started in October, I would have probably been on a different course of treatment. So while the waiting was extremely nerve-wracking, it may have been the best possible thing to do.
I continue to find strength in my family, friends and our parish community at St. Susanna. Julie and the kids have been wonderful. I had a great conversation with Julie's mom, Vivvy, last night driving home from the doctor's office. Her recovery from surgery for lung cancer has been nothing short of a miracle. She is an inspiration to us all. It is so comforting knowing there are so many people out there praying for you. Yesterday as I looked around the 'Infusion Room' at the 13 reclining chairs which were constantly filled throughout the day it made me realize that I'm certainly not the only person who is dealing with something like this. That scene is played out every day in doctors rooms across the world - today those seats will be filled with 13 different people continuously from 8AM to 7PM. I guess that's what amazes me about Dr. Leming. I don't know how many patients he has but if he treats them all the same way he treats me, then they know he cares. He takes the time to explain everything to you and he lets you know that everything is going to be fine. I don't know if it would have made a difference, probably not, but I wish I would have known about him when my mom had lung cancer. Even if it would have been the same result, I know Dr. Leming would have treated her with compassion and dignity.
I would like to make a couple thank-you's. Things have been rather hectic, as you might expect, and as a result we still hadn't gotten a Christmas tree. Julie called our friend, Billy Wersel of Sharon Nursery, and he said he'd bring one over for us. So when we got home last night, our tree was set-up in the stand and ready for decoration. Steve Bruce and the kids set it up after Billy delivered it. We got it decorated last night. So thanks to Billy and Steve for helping to get our house into a festive mood...you guys are awesome.
I think that covers everything for now. I'd appreciate it if you would include my new friends down at the 'Chemo Parlor' in your prayers as well. I'm sure it would be OK to share the wealth.
As always, Peace and Blessings to all!
Vince
Everything was going smoothly and around 2 PM Julie ran out to get us some lunch. When she left they increased the drip on the Rituxan because I wasn't having any reactions. Julie returned around 2:30 and while we were eating, I noticed that my belly was starting to itch. I lifted up my shirt and I had red splothes all over - I was having an allergic reaction to the Rituxan. So they turned off the drip and gave me an extra dose of Benedryl. After about an hour, they put the drip back on at its slowest rate and after awhile the rash started going away and I was fine the rest of the way. They even had it dripping pretty quickly at the end of the treatment. The good news is, you usually don't have any problems with the Rituxan after the first treatment so it sohlud go a lot smoother from now on. As an example, yesterday took almost 7 hours for the infusion, the next time it should 'only' take 3 hours. As I said in my previous post 8 out 10 people don't even have problems with the first dose so consider me part of the 2 out of 10!
Today I started on Predizone...I'll take it for 5 days and then be off until I start the CHOP chemo in early January. There are a couple other drugs I'll be taking as well but at this time I'm not really sure what they all do. As long as the end result is it gets rid of the lymphoma, I have no problems with it. Actually I think the other drugs are to counter potential side-effects of the other drugs. Dr. Leming knows what he's doing so I'll just do what he says to do.
I have to admit for the first time since we started this 'journey' I feel like we're doing something about the lymphoma. It seemed somewhat strange to sit back and watch when I knew that something bad was possibly spreading within me. But in hindsight it turned out to be a well-timed decision. The results of a clinical study involving CHOP/Rituxan treatments for follicular lymphoma were released on November 20 and the results of the study were so encouraging that Dr. Leming decided it was the way I should be treated. I'm not sure but had we started in October, I would have probably been on a different course of treatment. So while the waiting was extremely nerve-wracking, it may have been the best possible thing to do.
I continue to find strength in my family, friends and our parish community at St. Susanna. Julie and the kids have been wonderful. I had a great conversation with Julie's mom, Vivvy, last night driving home from the doctor's office. Her recovery from surgery for lung cancer has been nothing short of a miracle. She is an inspiration to us all. It is so comforting knowing there are so many people out there praying for you. Yesterday as I looked around the 'Infusion Room' at the 13 reclining chairs which were constantly filled throughout the day it made me realize that I'm certainly not the only person who is dealing with something like this. That scene is played out every day in doctors rooms across the world - today those seats will be filled with 13 different people continuously from 8AM to 7PM. I guess that's what amazes me about Dr. Leming. I don't know how many patients he has but if he treats them all the same way he treats me, then they know he cares. He takes the time to explain everything to you and he lets you know that everything is going to be fine. I don't know if it would have made a difference, probably not, but I wish I would have known about him when my mom had lung cancer. Even if it would have been the same result, I know Dr. Leming would have treated her with compassion and dignity.
I would like to make a couple thank-you's. Things have been rather hectic, as you might expect, and as a result we still hadn't gotten a Christmas tree. Julie called our friend, Billy Wersel of Sharon Nursery, and he said he'd bring one over for us. So when we got home last night, our tree was set-up in the stand and ready for decoration. Steve Bruce and the kids set it up after Billy delivered it. We got it decorated last night. So thanks to Billy and Steve for helping to get our house into a festive mood...you guys are awesome.
I think that covers everything for now. I'd appreciate it if you would include my new friends down at the 'Chemo Parlor' in your prayers as well. I'm sure it would be OK to share the wealth.
As always, Peace and Blessings to all!
Vince
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Let's Get It Started.....
I'm sure many of you are checking back in today to learn the results of yesterday's meeting with Dr. Leming. The results of the scans indicated that there has been a slight increase in the lymphoma since I was first diagnosed. Given this, Dr. Leming has suggested that we begin treatments. I had hoped that we could hold things off until the first of the year but on the other hand, starting three weeks earlier should mean that we will be through every thing 3 weeks earlier, right?
To be honest I'm a bit relieved that we are going to start treatments. Walking around knowing you have a serious illness and also realizing you're not doing anything to get better is a bit nerve-wracking.
We still need to work out all the details but here is the basic plan. Next Tuesday I will have my first treatment of a drug called Rituxan. This has been very successful in immediately reducing the size of the lymph nodes. Dr. Leming said for 8 out of 10 patients there are no problems taking this drug but in a few cases the patients can have an adverse reaction to the initial treatment. For that reason, they take up to 6 hours to administer the first treatment. After that, receiving the Rituxan should not take nearly as long. After the treatment on Tuesday, I will take Prednizone for five straight days. I won't have any other treatments until after the new year.
Following the holidays we will begin a treatment cycle of CHOP chempotherapy and Rituxin every 3 weeks for 6 treatments. Dr. Leming showed us the results of a study which we are hoping to link to which shows that this form of treatment has had a positive and dramatic impact in the treatment of people with follicular lymphoma. The date this study was published was November 20, 2005...as Dr. Leming said, the timing was very good for me. All along he has said that I should be able to handle the treatments. He said most people are able to work, etc. He said I should do my best to continue excercising and working out. (I've gained 10 pounds since finding out I have lymphoma so this is a good thing!) Admittedly I'm a bit nervous (OK, I'm lying....I'm very nervous) about getting started but I think once I get into the cycles and see how I'm going to feel, I'll be able to deal with this a little better. Right now there are just so many 'unknowns'.
Dr. Leming said the treatments will probably last 6 months followed up by a monthly maintenance treatment of Rituxan. The entire treatment cycle could last up to a year. They are going to put a port in my chest for the administering of the
treatments. Apparently this is a lot better than having to go into a vein every time
you get treated.
There are other things that we need to work out between now and the first of the year but I think I've covered all the major issues. Again, I'm relieved that we are going to get started, a new leg of this 'journey' is about to begin.
I would like to say a few words about my family. The kids get on me that I never say anything about them on the 'blog'. It should go without saying that my family is and will always be my inspiration and motivation to get through this. Julie, Judd, Aaron and Abbey have been tremendously strong through these first couple months. Our home continues to be filled with love and laughter. I'm sure they all worry about me but I think they realize I will do whatever it takes to get my health back. I also hope they realize just how special they are to me, how much I love them and how proud I am of them. They are the most wonderful treasures of my life.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, concerns and prayers. We are very blessed to have you in our lives. Peace and Blessings....
Vince
To be honest I'm a bit relieved that we are going to start treatments. Walking around knowing you have a serious illness and also realizing you're not doing anything to get better is a bit nerve-wracking.
We still need to work out all the details but here is the basic plan. Next Tuesday I will have my first treatment of a drug called Rituxan. This has been very successful in immediately reducing the size of the lymph nodes. Dr. Leming said for 8 out of 10 patients there are no problems taking this drug but in a few cases the patients can have an adverse reaction to the initial treatment. For that reason, they take up to 6 hours to administer the first treatment. After that, receiving the Rituxan should not take nearly as long. After the treatment on Tuesday, I will take Prednizone for five straight days. I won't have any other treatments until after the new year.
Following the holidays we will begin a treatment cycle of CHOP chempotherapy and Rituxin every 3 weeks for 6 treatments. Dr. Leming showed us the results of a study which we are hoping to link to which shows that this form of treatment has had a positive and dramatic impact in the treatment of people with follicular lymphoma. The date this study was published was November 20, 2005...as Dr. Leming said, the timing was very good for me. All along he has said that I should be able to handle the treatments. He said most people are able to work, etc. He said I should do my best to continue excercising and working out. (I've gained 10 pounds since finding out I have lymphoma so this is a good thing!) Admittedly I'm a bit nervous (OK, I'm lying....I'm very nervous) about getting started but I think once I get into the cycles and see how I'm going to feel, I'll be able to deal with this a little better. Right now there are just so many 'unknowns'.
Dr. Leming said the treatments will probably last 6 months followed up by a monthly maintenance treatment of Rituxan. The entire treatment cycle could last up to a year. They are going to put a port in my chest for the administering of the
treatments. Apparently this is a lot better than having to go into a vein every time
you get treated.
There are other things that we need to work out between now and the first of the year but I think I've covered all the major issues. Again, I'm relieved that we are going to get started, a new leg of this 'journey' is about to begin.
I would like to say a few words about my family. The kids get on me that I never say anything about them on the 'blog'. It should go without saying that my family is and will always be my inspiration and motivation to get through this. Julie, Judd, Aaron and Abbey have been tremendously strong through these first couple months. Our home continues to be filled with love and laughter. I'm sure they all worry about me but I think they realize I will do whatever it takes to get my health back. I also hope they realize just how special they are to me, how much I love them and how proud I am of them. They are the most wonderful treasures of my life.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, concerns and prayers. We are very blessed to have you in our lives. Peace and Blessings....
Vince
Monday, December 05, 2005
Weekend in Pittsburgh/Another Scan today....
We had a blast in Pittsburgh this weekend! We arrived at 2 pm on Saturday afternoon and left around 6 pm yesterday with a 38-31 Bengals win over the Steelers. I had a tremendous view from my last row seats! Yes, we sat in row LL which is the last row in the endzone seats. (Actually we stood in the last row since a winter storm came through Pittsburgh on Saturday night and left most of the seats covered with a sheet of ice.) Despite the weather and 'nosebleed' seats we had a great time and were pleased to watch all the disgruntled Steeler fans head for the exits with about 5 minutes to play and the Bengals up 14 points. Next up for the Bengals are the Cleveland Browns...two more wins and the Bengals clinch the north division crown and a berth in the playoffs! Who Dey!!
Today I'll have a CT scan of my neck region. As I said last week, I had an abdomen scan last Thursday. We'll get together with Dr. Leming to go over the 'results'on Wednesday. So a few extra prayers this week would certainly be appreciated.
I hope everyone is getting into the swing of the holidays. Only 20 days until Christmas; we don't have any decorations up, don't have a tree, Judd hasn't even done his Christmas list...we need to get busy! Maybe we can get things set up this weekend.
Finally, you've probably heard that Ohio State and Notre Dame are going to be squaring off in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. You may recall the last time these teams hooked up back in the mid-90's Ohio State not only ruined the Heisman hopes of Ron Paulus but also threw the Irish into a tailspin that they are just now recovering from. Sun Devil Stadium has become a home away from home for the Buckeyes these past few years and I expect the Scarlet and Gray to show the Irish that they ain't playing Stanford anymore. Go Bucks!
Today I'll have a CT scan of my neck region. As I said last week, I had an abdomen scan last Thursday. We'll get together with Dr. Leming to go over the 'results'on Wednesday. So a few extra prayers this week would certainly be appreciated.
I hope everyone is getting into the swing of the holidays. Only 20 days until Christmas; we don't have any decorations up, don't have a tree, Judd hasn't even done his Christmas list...we need to get busy! Maybe we can get things set up this weekend.
Finally, you've probably heard that Ohio State and Notre Dame are going to be squaring off in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. You may recall the last time these teams hooked up back in the mid-90's Ohio State not only ruined the Heisman hopes of Ron Paulus but also threw the Irish into a tailspin that they are just now recovering from. Sun Devil Stadium has become a home away from home for the Buckeyes these past few years and I expect the Scarlet and Gray to show the Irish that they ain't playing Stanford anymore. Go Bucks!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
A Big Day....
Back on October 28 we decided to take a 'Wait and Watch' approach before doing any treatments for my lymphoma. Today, nearly two months after being diagnosed, we are going to repeat the scans to see how much has changed since October 5. (I'll actually have an chest/abdomen scan today and a neck scan on Monday, December 5.) I have to admit I'm very anxious to see the results of the tests. We'll meet with Dr. Leming on December 7 to go over the results. So if you read this before 1 PM on December 1, lift up a prayer that everything goes as well as possible with these scans.
This weekend I'm heading over to Pittsburgh to watch the Bengals play the Steelers. That should be a great diversion. I was invited to go with a group of guys from St. Susanna, many of whom I coach football with. Knowing this group, there could be a record for Anheuser Busch product consumption over a 36 hour period established in the Steel City this weekend. If I know what's good for me, I may want to volunteer to be the designated driver! I would like to thank Nick Ducey for inviting me - I know we're going to have a great time - Who Dey!!!
I'll be sure to let everyone know what our next step will be. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend.
Peace and blessings,
Vince
This weekend I'm heading over to Pittsburgh to watch the Bengals play the Steelers. That should be a great diversion. I was invited to go with a group of guys from St. Susanna, many of whom I coach football with. Knowing this group, there could be a record for Anheuser Busch product consumption over a 36 hour period established in the Steel City this weekend. If I know what's good for me, I may want to volunteer to be the designated driver! I would like to thank Nick Ducey for inviting me - I know we're going to have a great time - Who Dey!!!
I'll be sure to let everyone know what our next step will be. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend.
Peace and blessings,
Vince
