Recap of Dad's 1st Follow-up

All in all, Dad got a good report on his 1st follow up visit after his surgery at the end of April and release to come home in May. Those of you that have seen him lately know that he's bounced back to be the "same old Vince" that he was before his cancer diagnosis. On this visit, his abdominal/chest CT scan and blood work were all good. In fact, he's recovered so well that instead of seeing his surgeon, Dr. Pisters, he met with the PA (physician assistant) and didn't have to meet with the nutritionist at all.

If you're sensing a "but" then here it is...Dad had a spot on his thyroid that showed up about 5 months ago on a head/neck CT scan. At the time, the cancer and tumor in his intestine/bile duct were much more pressing so the physicians agreed to monitor the spots on his thyroid. Well the 3 cm spot on the right side of his thyroid is the same size and has tested benign based on the previous biopsy. However the spot on the left side has developed/grown into a cluster of a-typical cells so we are waiting on the pathology results to come back. Based on what they do know, the physician is recommending Dad have his thyroid removed and he's scheduled to do this the 1st week of December at MD Anderson.

So in the grand scheme of things, this is still very good progress and we are very blessed by how well things have gone for Dad and that he has had the opportunity to be treated at MD Anderson. There was a small part of me that knew this wasn't likely the end of his cancer battle but I would be lying if I told you that there wasn't an equally small part of me that was really hoping this might be the end for awhile. It obviously hasn't slowed Dad down since he and Mom drove home from Houston this afternoon only for Mom to drop him off at the airport to head to Salt Lake City for a business trip. That's Dad for you! (Between both of my parents, you can see where I get my workaholic tendencies from!)

On a different note, please say an extra prayer for my Dad and Grandma Louise because my Dad's older brother Santon is gearing up for his own fight against lung cancer pending some additional pathology reports. He's a retired radiologist himself so I'm sure he will be connected with some of the best at the Univ of Michigan for treatment.

Thanks again for your continued support! I'll keep you posted as we learn more about Dad's thyroid surgery in December.

First Follow Up Since Surgery

Mom & Dad left for San Antonio Friday AM because Dad had a business meeting there. They decided to spend the weekend in San Antonio and are headed to Houston today by way of Lockhart, TX - home to some of the BEST barbecue in Texas - YUM!

Tomorrow (Mon. 8/24) is the first round of follow up tests, scans, and appointments since Dad was released to come home back in May. He's been doing really well - energy level is more consistent in the 80-90% range, his taste is almost normal so he's eating much better, and he's working with his primary care physician to monitor his high blood pressure. So we have every reason to believe that his appointments on Monday and Tuesday will go well. As always, we'll keep you posted!

California Trip Recap

Dad asked me to post this list of folks that they saw during their whirlwind weekend trip to California. Glad they were able to go after all!

DAY 1 STOPS
Daniel Pereda
Minnie Ortiz
Roy Ortiz
Lee Hanley
Linda Hanley
John Medrano
Carlos Viveros
Gwen Viveros
Grandson Joshua
Jessica Falker
Matt Falker
Leila Falker
Naima Falker
Carol O’Leary
David Strider
Sydney Strider
Bob Bowers
Reveta Bowers

DAY 2 STOPS
Virginia Estrada
Jeff Schriehart
Chuck Langley
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL 45TH REUNION

DAY 3 STOPS
Martha Oronoz
Lou Oronoz
Jason Oronoz
Fikri Takla
Pat Talka
John Pereda
Gilrose Pereda
Bobby Baeza
Gloria Baeza
Ruby Baeza
Steven Baeza
Gina Baeza
Natalia Baeza
Christopher Baeza
Isaac Baeza
Rosary Baeza
Justin Baeza

Back in the saddle

So the Monday after 4th of July, Dad proceeded to take his 1st business trip post-surgery. Leave it to Dad to not make it a single city or 1-night stay. No, it had to be a 4-day, several city trip including Salt Lake City, Albuquerque & Alamogorda in New Mexico, and El Paso. So even though we were worried sick that he was doing too much too soon after the big 4th of July fireworks, it seemed to be exactly what Dad needed to get "back in the saddle" so to speak. Last week, he went to Las Vegas to meet up with his boss for some meetings. He's feeling more and more normal to the point that he and Mom are headed to Dad's high school reunion in California this weekend. His taste is slowly but surely returning and he's holding steady with an energy level of about 80% compared to pre-cancer treatment. He's even been tending to his fruitless pear and pecan trees with pruning, fertilizing, and watering in the mornings before it gets too hot.

All in all, pretty darn good by most people's measures. This is one time I don't mind Chris telling me, "I told you so" when I was so worried about Dad during his treatment and surgery recovery.

4th of July in Cleburne, TX

Crowd getting settled to watch the show

I think we had about 40 or so people at the party tonight.

Just one of the many great shots in Dad's 30 minute display.

He's only been doing this kind of thing since 1974.

That's Dad & Jonathan off to the left of the blazing fireworks.

Notice the 2 tables behind the blazes loaded with fireworks.

Chris was busy videotaping the show behind the crowd.

I think this was the best show yet!

Dessert buffet - yum! We went this route this year instead of the full-blown cookout.

Dad, Thanks for keeping the tradition going for another great 4th of July celebration!!!

We love you!

From Father's Day

Dad & I

Dad, Chris & Mom

For Father's Day, we went to an early dinner at Uncle Julio's with Mom and Dad. We enjoyed a big meal of fajitas (Chris), enchiladas (Mom & I), quail and chile relleno (Dad.) Yum!

And thanks to Aunt Lucy & Uncle William, Dad had 2 bowls of menudo yesterday. Although he's slipped to 183 lbs. Dad seems to slowly be regaining his appetite. Another good sign is he was cleared for travel today and is looking at several trips in July. Let's just hope he doesn't overdo it!

Hope you all have a safe & fun 4th of July this weekend!

Happy Friday

Friday afternoon after their weekly call with the nutritionist in the AM, Mom and Dad heard back from the surgeon's physician assistant that afternoon. The PA called with good news - Dad had done well enough during his trial week without the nightly feedings through his feeding tube that they were ending the feeding tube sessions. Pretty good even though he lost a couple pounds without the extra nourishment at night. So Dad is working on setting up an appointment this week to have the feeding tube removed. They celebrated Friday night by going to El Asadero where Dad ate a whole bowl of menudo. That should help fatten him up a bit too!