Mike’s Story

Site created on January 4, 2023

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Newest Update

Journal entry by Mike Bannier

A lot has happened in the last 86 days and it looks like things are finally truly moving in the right direction. On Wednesday May 31st I had my 2nd PET scan and after a week of waiting, the results were all good. The scan was all clear and showed no lingering cancer. So now it is just a matter of being monitored via further doctor appointments with Dr Shamah (oncologist), Dr Pao (radiologist) and Dr Romero (ENT) on a somewhat 3 months basis for the next two years and then on a 6-month basis for three years after that.

Between March 26th and June 5th I had weekly lab tests with bi- weekly oncologists visits to have my blood tested to measure my magnesium level and my White and Red Blood count levels. Until May 22nd I had issues with my magnesium level being too low so that they were giving infusions of a few grams of magnesium to try and boost my level and finally on the 22nd it was at the lowest permittable plateau so I needed no infusion and on my next visit on June 5th, I was again in the limits so no further need for lab tests and we could get the above-mentioned schedule of appointments. My blood counts are still low but Dr Shamah isn’t too concerned with those because they are increasing and they were caused by the chemo and radiation and as the effects ran their course they will get back to where they should be.

As mentioned before, I lost about 40 to 50 pounds but that too is trending in the right direction in terms that my appetite has returned and it is another thing that the doctor feels is in line. He said that I will never be back at the weight that I was a year ago and that is great news. The only real issue is that I obviously no longer fit my old clothes but I guess that is another good problem to have in a sense. My taste is still a little screwed up; spicy is back but sweet is still on leave. Oh well, this too will get better (so I hope).

I have been back to work since mid-April and started with 4-hour days and have slowly increased to about 6 hours days but this summer I am only working 5 hours days. This last year and its happenings have indeed caused me to reevaluate my future so that is something I have to seriously contemplate.

Well, that's about it for this update. As it has become my practice, I truly continue to lay my cares at the feet of the Lord and am daily thankful for all of the “little wheel keeps turning” that the Good Lord provided every minute of every day.

Take care and blessings today, tomorrow and always.

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