MEETING TODAY

TODAY IS A BIG DAY FOR US. AT 10 TODAY WE MEET WITH THE DOCTORS TO GET THEIR OPINIONS ON WHAT THEY RECOMMEND NEXT, AND WHAT AND WHY THEY RECOMMEND WHAT THEY DO. FURTHERMORE, WE ARE GOING TO GET TOUGH ON THIS CHEMO AND DO SOME DAMAGE. OUR HOPE IS THAT NO MATTER WHAT IS RECOMMENDED, IT'LL BE HELPFUL IN THE END. WE KNOW THE ODDS HAVEN'T MOVED MUCH, BUT WE NEED TO BEAT THEM. SO LET'S GO TEAM JUSTIN. HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Jim Valvano ESPY Awards Speech 1993

Jimmy was a big figure in the sports world as an announcer, coach and player. Here is an amazing speech he gave shortly before his death. Due to copyright laws, YouTube has removed this video. I apologize that it's no longer available.

TUESDAY = GOOD, WHERE TO NOW...

I FOUND OUT YESTERDAY THAT THERE IS NOT A NEED TO CONTINUE RADIATION AS IT HAS CAUSED ME DIARRHEA AND PUT ME IN DISCOMFORT FOR A WEEK. SO WHEN THEY CONSIDERED WHAT I WAS GOING THROUGH THEY KNEW THE RADIATION WASN'T SHRINKING THE CANCER ENOUGH TO KEEP GOING. THAT'S WHY ITS BEEN DISCONTINUED. EVERYTHING ELSE SO FAR HAS THIS WEEK BEEN GREAT. THE SUPER BOWL IS COMING SUNDAY, UFC SATURDAY AND I HAVE VISITORS NONSTOP ALL WEEK. MY LOVING AUNTIE IS IN TOWN FROM WINONA STAYING WITH US, THEN OTHERS HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE IN AND OUT ALL WEEK. NOT TOO MUCH ACTION BUT JUST ENOUGH. TOMORROW THE STATE APPOINTS A PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT TO ME, SHE'LL BE CALLED, "WANNA BE ANDY." SHE IS AN INTERN STILL A STUDENT. NOT THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF ANDY, BUT WHAT CAN YA DO. OH YA SO ON THURSDAY WE'LL KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT'S NEXT FOR ME. JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW IF THIS CHEMO DOES NOT WORK OUT I AM OUT OF OPTIONS. THAT'S ALL. THIS TIME THEY DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER DOOR TO OPEN. SO LETS KEEP THE POSITIVE ENERGY FLOWING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

Monday, T-Wolves win!! Wow!!

There ended up being no decision to make as my medical staff discontinued the radiation. This decision was really weighing on me. It was nice to have my mind made for me. Now I have a similar to make with the chemo. Can my body handle it? Anyhow, my bro and the fam left today. I miss him greatly. He's great guy. My auntie is staying with me tonight. The rest of the day I just got caught up on rest. I needed it too. Man I was tired. Well have a great day.

TODAY MY FRIENDS F/CO DEPARTED MN, TOMORROW MY BRO, WIFE AND BOYS ARE LEAVING AS WELL ....

EVERYONE IS HEADING HOME TO EVENTUALLY GET BACK IN THEIR ROUTINES. I'LL BE LEFT WITH A DIFFERENT DECISION. I FOUND OUT I COULD CONTINUE RADIATION HOWEVER, MY BLOOD COUNTS STRUGGLING TO RECOVER SO I AM NOT SURE THIS IS THE BEST DECISION. FOR ME THE QUESTION WOULD BE WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? ULTIMATELY, I'LL HAVE A LOT WEIGH, BUT I'LL TAKE MY TIME AND HOPEFULLY MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. I AM PRETTY DARN CONFIDENT WITH THE LORD ON AND ALL OF YOU ON MY TEAM.

Things could be on the up and up!

I had a brain and spinal MRI on Thursday. Things went well, but we did not have the results for the brain portion of the MRI when we left the hospital on Friday. The cancer has been reduced in the upper part of the spine, which was encouraging to us all! After so many disappointments this was great news! It does not appear to be affecting the lower part of the spine, which would have been great, but kinda unrealistic.....which the Dr. told us. Sorry I haven't blogged in the last couple of days, I have had a lot of company in town the last couple of days. Once things slow down around here I'll put a few more posts up.......Until then they will be kinda sparatic. Have a great day and I'll talk to you soon.

Working with others

I hope you all consider us a team, because right now I depend on each and every one of you. First I want to thank everyone for the support you offer when you are with me, and the support you offer when you are not around. I hope you all have fun when you come to visit me. I love seeing all of you but sometimes I need my rest. The treatments and meds really wear me out and sometimes I just need to sleep. It's taking a lot for me to let people know that they don't need to stay with me. I will let you know if I am too tired. With what I am going through I often become too tired and need to take a little nap. I hope none of you take offense to this. Thanks again for all of your support and keep the positive energy in the room.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

The Doctors wanted to start my chemo yesterday but my blood counts have been really low lately. The second straight day my blood counts dropped. Also some key counts of mine are not getting better. They are thinking about postponing chemotherapy until at least Monday and see where my blood counts are at that time. As for I - I would like to get started on the chemo asap, but it won't be that bad because my brother and his family, and some friends of mine from Colorado will be coming in on Thursday and staying for the weekend. This should be a very busy weekend and I can't wait to see all you guys. I am still doing my radiation, but they may postpone it after tomorrow because they would like to see some advancements in my blood counts. Tomorrow after radiation I am having a full spine and head MRI to see how the cancer in my brain and spine are responding to radiation. They are hoping that my spine has been improving through the radiation and again that the cancer in my brain is not getting worse. The MRI should show this. If the spine is getting better and the brain looks good (ideal) they will keep the same treatment in place. If things are looking better, but I am still having issues with balance, strength, and vision then they are going to postpone radiation and go with chemotherapy. If the spine is showing advancement but the brain is not they are going to switch from radiation to chemotherapy. If both the spine and the brain are regressing, then all the doctors will get together and decide what the next step will be. Thus, I may or may not be in the hospital tomorrow night. We'll see what the day brings. If you are planning on visiting me be sure to call first. Andrew, thanks again for your terrific blog - I can't wait to be able to view it - but it must be terrific by the feedback. Hope you all have a great night and thank you for your support.

More waiting around...

As most of you know the hospital really wears your patience. That was no more evident then today. I got in for radiation right away. So that went well. Then I got into my room right away. Still no waiting yet. Then they took me out of the room I was in, because I had my room ready. However, the kid who was in the room didn't come back to get him. So he sat in the room for almost 4 hours, which meant I sat in the waiting room for almost 4 hours. I had 3 visitors in the waiting room. My Ma and I played a bunch a Skip-Bo while we waited. At this point I got diarrhea and my bathroom wasn't available to me. Moreover, the bathroom wasn't right in the corner it was a ways down the hall. Have a great day.

Friday's results...

We've got the results from Friday back today, and they're indifferent. There are a few new spots in my brain (we were hoping for nothing too harsh). But the Doc does not feel that these (because of location) will have anything to do with balance, vision or strength issues. Tentatively I am going to begin chemotherapy soon, and I am that not sure when that will be. They are thinking possibly tomorrow. I believe that's what they are going to try next, because the sooner we get some results from chemo. Keep on praying, love yall. Hace a great night.

Testimonial....

Hey all,

Just so everyone knows after I woke up a long nap and I felt alright, earlier my back was hurting severely, my tummy not feeling well eithet. Sorry I had to cancel tonight, I just want to feel better when I do this. I was really looking forward to it, so I can do it any other night. Just so everyone knows I did not give my testimonial today as I didn't feel well. It is tentatively rescheduled for next Sunday. Well have a great night.

JJ

Friday and Saturday

Sorry I haven't gotten this out to you sooner. I have had some computer problems the last few days. I did the MRI on Friday and it will probably be Monday before we find out the results. They probably had them Friday night but none of my doctors are around on the weekend. My vision continues to get worse, wheras I think my strength is getting better.

All in all the MRI went really fast and really well, but every time I crawl up in that little tube it seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Tomorrow night I give my testimonial and I am filled with excitement along with nervous energy even though I am sure it will go really well and I have done this before, I am still really nervous. I wish you all could be here to see my testimonial tomorrow. Have a great night.

Friday and beyond ...

Tomorrow I am doing another MRI in hopes that they'll uncover something leading to my weakness, balance, and most of all sight issues. I hope they have a plan soon because my vision has been getting poor (this is very difficult to explain, I cannot explain this, so please don't ask). On Sunday I am giving my faith testimonial. I have done this before; however, many things have changed with my faith since. This will be a lot of fun on Sunday. The radiations have gone well and that's all folks.

Sorry I haven't gotten around to posting lately ...

I've been busy with friends and relatives visiting. Also, my uncle Rick just left town yesterday ... and my brother was in town the weekend before, so I've been exhausted. It was great to see everybody. I can't wait until we can all do it again. Radiation has gone as planned. My vision is still poor, as is my strength. However, I've been feeling really well and have no explanation for this, nor do the doctors. Rick left town yesterday just after five in the afternoon ... and I got a chance to see a lot of relatives that I hadn't seen in a while or that I just wanted to see this weekend. So thank you all for coming out. My brother and his family are supposed to be back in a couple of weeks, so that should be a nice treat as well. And as you can all see, I should have some friends coming in from Colorado as well, and that too should be a treat. Hope you all have a great day. I'll do my best to get back on here as soon as anything cool happens.

Yesterday and today....

Things are going really well physically. I've been feeling great, however, my strength, vision and balance have been getting worse since this last August. They are not as bad as they were after the August 1, 2005 surgery. However, just this week in the house I have started using the wheelchair and a hospital bed.
Hopefully with the 16 sessions of radiation I'm going to build my strength, balance and vision back up to not needing the wheelchair or hospital bed.
I've never talked about my emotional side. The main thing that gets on my nerves from time to time is simply when I make a suggestion and individuals take offense to it. Please don't take offense to this. I'm only making a suggestion to protect myself from harm.
If you have any questions on anything don't be afraid to ask. I will do my best to answer them. None of us have ever been through this so we are blind.
Have a great night.

Good info, some worthless...

I hope we'll all pray for the military. I guess I have a lot at stake over there, so the extended stay of many troops makes me sad cause it just means it'll be a little longer before I can see them. Love you gals. By the way I try not impose my opinion to others. My uncle is going back in April, but we should all be praying for our troops safety. I feel its best to always pray for our troops, safe return, liberating Iraq, and protecting us. Thank you. On a lighter side the Kyle, my bro, and my uncle Tim went out to spread manure on the field. However, Tim hooked the hydro's up backwards and they both got doused in cow manure. Tim was really pissed off; however, Kyle was just too young. A lot more family this with weekend. I don't have any radiation until Monday and fam here this weekend I may not have time to post.

More radiation...

I had my 3rd radiation treatment. It has been going pretty well. I have been getting tired lately, but that could be caused by me staying up at night dinking around on the laptop. Last night a bunch friends came over. It was a lot of fun. I was planning on having them all over, but I had ask them all to leave. Then, today I had six relatives over to see me. So again I was really blessed. The treatment yesterday went well and so did today. Last time radiation seemed pretty tiring toward the end. Stay in touch. Keep those positive vibes migrating this way, have a great night.

Start of radiation... take two.

Well today I started radiation, again. I haven't been back visit other then the to see Tony in a year and a few months. I have been staying up late lately, so I have slept right thru everything. However, the first real day went well. Then and I am not sure how beneficial this is because I forgot to ask, but they looked at my old chart incorrectly, so instead of having 10 days of radiation I have 16 days. They did more before in other places. So I did that and you'll never believe it, but I like shopping at Target and Walmart. So Mas and I shopped the clearances pretty hard. We won!! Then we went home and crashed. Well everyone have a great night and syanara everyone!!

Tuesday...

I got all set up for radiation, but I'll start it tomorrow at 8:30am. They do a simulation first which just sets up the treatment. My doc decided we didn't need to start today. In case we have confusion, with the last blog I was given 2 options, basically they are one in the same. 1 we do chemo then radiation, or radiation first with chemo the latter. The smaller we get the cancer before we start the radiation the better. However, this wasn't really an option to wait as my neurological functions are worsening rapidly. Although the radiation is riskier with more cancer there, we figured it may further down the road that I'll see the effects. We are hoping that first some of my functions start coming back soon. We are hoping for a lot of things, but that is the first thing. If I took chemo first, the risk of nerve damage would go way down, however, my neurological functions will take a lot longer to improve with the chemo. So that is the trade off. Please keep for us in in our corner. Take care JJ.

Today...

I got my options today and I would say things are about as I expected, not good. Basically, I went from an 80% chance, which the BBBD provided which was affective in the brain, however not in my spine.it couldn't get low enough for me and thhe cancer built up in my spine. So my options would be starting chemo now, and radiation later or radiation now and chemo later. My chances are at 10% now, which means there is a 10% of ridding myself of the cancer itself now. Ultimately, if we do not kill the cancer at some point it will kill me. Scary huh? So that stinks. Hopefully if I can even buy a little time good things may happen. The good news is Jesus called and he is waiting for JJ's arrival at some point. Don't worry we're not giving, its like a man smarter than myself once said "if there's fight left in the dog let'em fight." Myself, my family, my friends, God and the medical staff we're ready for a war. The longer we wait on the radiation the less risky things are. However, the radiation could kill s Or the option I think I am going to go with is radiation now and chemo later. This is a little riskier, because eventual there could be spinal nerve damage. However that may be years away, or never... hopefully. The prob with the chemo now is it may take longer for my neurological functions to come back, which are a problem now. So the sooner they come back will matter. The radiation should take affect now, it just has potential problems down the road. I think I'll worry about the here and now for a while through. Thoughts and prayers appreciated. Don't be afraid to ask any questions you have. Have a great night.

Big Day...

Nothing really happened today, but tomorrow is a big day in that we learn our next options. I am nervous. Today I did see grandpa and grandma, Tim and Kay, Brendan, Cheryl and Cole all relatives, yesterday a bunch of friends stopped by. The list there is long. My bro is still in town and I couldn't be happier if I was a puppy with 2 peters. He's coming with tomorrow to hear what could be scary stuff. It'll be a lot easier with him there. Keep those prayers rolling in and I'll keep yall posted.

One day...

One day removed things seemed a lot better, Thursday night we had our playoff fantasy football draft, then the big news my bro flew in town tonight. I found out he was on his way and I got really excited. Couldn't even concentrate. Which right now is a good thing. The start tomorrow, so tonight went really well, no tears. Kyle is in until Tuesday, so I'll have a lot of time to spend with him. Thanks Lord, it's great to see him. Right the more I keep my mind off the bad news the better or easier it is for me. It ain't easy to keep this ole bird down. Ally leave Randy alone, he's not a nut bird, oh what ya he is too, a big one too. Sorry Randy, but we all know it. Well everyone lets keep the prayer and positive energy keep flowing and God'll send that stupid chemo packing love yall!

Bad News...

As if things couldn't get worse, I found out the cancer is getting worse in my spine, but mostly gone in my brain. Anyhow, we are not going to do the BBBD anymore, it's not getting the spine. So on Monday they'll try to figure out a new plan, it's back to the drawing board. Hopefully the next plan works better. This afternoon has been full of tears, not the news I wanted. Life goes on. I'll have more on Monday, til then lots of prayer appreciated.

Good Day for Minnesota basketball...

First the Gophers won their Big Ten opener then the T-Wolves upset the Spurs. Wow! My MRI went well but we won't hear results until tomorrow. So wish me luck. Keep praying. All God's accepted. I'll post as soon as I hear anything. Good night.

Today was one bad day...

My weakness has been going downhill for some time now and today it hit a low. Tomorrow I got an MRI to try to figure out what's going on. Hopefully they find something. I'll know late tomorrow. Today was the first time Andy couldn't hold me up. I mean my strength has gotten really bad. So pray please, I'll need it.