Gerry’s Story

Site created on May 4, 2018

Greetings to family & friends,

Forgive our group approach...it is our best way to communicate a lot of complicated info to a lot of caring people the best way we can. We are also on text and email but not very reliably at times.  (Btw, Do NOT feel compelled to donate any $$ to this site. The requests come with the free part of the site. )

Gerry and I have had some overwhelming news over the last one and a half weeks. Gerry has had back and leg pain since about December, 2017. He has been doctoring, chiropract’g, ‘PT’ing, heating, icing, resting, exercising, praying, joking, and cursing for relief ( not necessarily in that order) - and to no avail. Last week it got worse and included swollen legs and feet and increased pain. Wednesday, 4/24, an MRI was ordered and afterward he was admitted to Froedtert Hospital for pain control and further testing.  

Unfortunately, a large tumor was noted at the base of his spine and in several other areas of suspicion. He came home for the weekend to await results of a biopsy and several more scans. A meeting with a Palliative Care Pain Management team has been helpful. The pain is better controlled now, but with the cost of being sleepy and easily confused much of the time. More than usual, and still making me laugh.  A PET scan and blood testing followed on Wednesday, 5/2. Yesterday, 5/3, we met with Dr. Mehdi Hamadani and his team at FH. His specialty is Hematology and Oncology. We learned that Gerry has Non Hodgkins B cell Lymphoma. He stated it is a blood cancer that cannot be cured but can most often be treated successfully into remission. That is the goal. Gerry’s type is atypical, usually non-aggressive but growing faster than expected. 

The treatment plan of care includes 6 cycles of intensive chemotherapy over the next 18 weeks. Today, 5/4, a heart scan is taking place to insure he is up to the task and a port has been implanted under the skin in his chest. The first day of the first cycle is Wednesday, May 9 with an array of 5 drugs. It will be in the day hospital at FH. At the end of all this there will be a hospitalization for a 6th drug. There will be lots of additional scanning and blood testing along the way. Still, the news was better than we had hoped and it feels like prayers already answered.


We have had some wonderful, in-depth med teaching and received tons of information about cancer, chemo agents, side effects, meds for side effects and their management and resources. Our heads are spinning. 
 
We have also had multiple offers of help, prayers, good thoughts and Karma sent in our direction and extended to those we love. So far, we don’t know what we need-still in a bit of survival mode. We are strong together and appreciate all the caring and strength of friends and family. Our plan is to use all that to breathe, pray and laugh our way thru these challenges. What else? We’ve had some good practice.  Our plan is also to update the journal and photo section of this site.  Good intentions!  Please check in for those so we can respect your kindness and keep folks updated.  


Peace, Gerry and Sandy





Newest Update

Journal entry by gerry gabor

Brewers just beat the Dodgers to take the series lead. Packers just came back to tie 49er’s with a minute left. But I need to focus. I had my last scan Thursday the 4th. All is good. The scan was 100% clean. Such good news. The past ten months have been a son of a gun. Lot of pain to begin the year. Lot of stress trying to keep track of all the treatments, the drugs, the daily routine. But, I’ll tell you, the team I had was extraordinary. All the nurses, technicians and doctors were so professional. So cool and confident. The outcome had to be this. I was just a bit player in their everyday success.
Today I had my port removed. So that was the ceremonial finale.
Next up. Checkups every three months for a year, with no scans. Kinder to my body. After that every six months and then yearly. Statistics are good. Knock on wood, 70% chance I won’t see this again. With today’s treatments and advances, if it returns I’ll just have let the pros do their thing.
Looking forward to life returning to normal. Maybe some bike riding yet this fall. Maybe cutting some firewood. Whatever it is there will be a better appreciation for it. Life is good!
Thank you all again, especially you, Sandy

Packers won with no time left. A good evening
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