It is very good news that I have now entered into a "monitoring" mode regarding my cancer treatment. With no cancer currently detected, I am expected to live my life "normally", keeping in mind that my survival odds remain as described in my last post. Because of those odds, I will get tested every 4 months to catch any evidence of the cancer returning. And I will also be alert to any related symptoms.

 

In the short-term, once my incisions from the surgery completely heal and I'm off my pain medications, the on-going main change to my daily lifestyle is minor, which is to always have enzyme pills with my food. And I can always hope that the chemotherapy's nerve damage to my fingers and feet recovers more fully.

 

The tests to be done every four months include blood work which can show elevated cancer marker numbers. The blood testing can also indicate any problems with how well the remaining 55% of my pancreas is managing my glucose levels. If that capability deteriorates sufficiently, I will become diabetic and I will need to explicitly manage it. The other significant part of testing will be getting CT scans to compare with my baseline, post-surgery scans from Monday, July 22nd. The blood testing and CT scans can both be done in Ithaca. However, I plan to do every-other-one of these in Milwaukee in order to also confer with my surgeon, Dr. Evans, every 8 months, at least initially.

 

I must now work to build up my physical and mental energy and stamina levels beyond just the capacity to go on long walks. I found I needed lots of down-time for more than a week following a fun-filled and energetic time at EAA's AirVenture's fly-in at Oshkosh a few weeks ago, during which I was grateful to be joined by my brother Chris (from Anchorage, Alaska) and good friend Ken (from Denver, CO). For the week, we slept in tents and during the day we were super-saturated with all things aviation. We all had a wonderful time during which we had great weather after a soggy start.

 

The love and support you have extended to me and my family, both in-person and here on this site, have been invaluable towards my healing and comfort. I am so very, very grateful to each and every one of you!