Chemo #12, the GI Doc and Fun in the Sun

Hey There Everyone!
  On Friday, February 17th Ken had an appointment with a GI doctor to discuss the location and possible treatment of his Crohn's disease.  Did you know that Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It usually affects the intestines, but may occur anywhere from the mouth to the end of the rectum.  Ken has had this disease since he was 15 years old.  The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. It is an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when your body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.  People with Crohn's disease have ongoing (chronic) inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract).  Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, Ken's doctor verified that he had Crohn's disease near his ilium.  However, since getting routine CT scans, there has been a discrepancy between where this doctor said his Crohn's was and where his current doctor thinks it may be.  The GI specialist will be running test on Monday, March 5, to verify the Crohn's whereabouts, and then she will decide a course of treatment.  When we met with her, though, she did say that treating the cancer was the number one priority.  We'll keep you guys posted.
  On Tuesday, February  21 it was wheels up for us as we headed to to Key Largo, Florida, for 7 days of fun in the sun!  Our trip highlights included such things as getting see old friends, boating, seeing dolphins swim off the bow of the boat after sunset, visiting Key West, feeding the manatee, snorkeling the John Pennekamp reef, swimming out to Christ of the Deep, and eating such delicacies as Stone Crab, Snapper and Grouper.  Many thanks to James and Jenn Kent for letting us crash in your vacation home and to Mr. and Mrs. Kent for making a special trip down from Coral Gables to see us!  We miss you all already and can't wait until we see you again! :)

 Also, many thanks to Kris & Lola and Jim & Cappy for taking such good care of our girls when we were gone!!  You guys are awesome! :)
  It was back to reality on Tuesday, Feb. 28th when Ken had the last of his first 12 treatments.  He discussed the possibility of radiation with his doctor, and after much careful thought and consideration, has decided NOT to proceed with it.  Due to the fact that this disease has already metastasized (moved to other parts of his body) we feel that it is better to just stay the course and continue chemotherapy.  Another CT scan will be done in few weeks, and we will know then whether or not the cancer continues to shrink.  We will make sure to keep you all posted.   

  Waiting for us in our mailbox when we got home was a package from Mrs. Katie (Beach) Beaupre!  We opened it to find a bunch of little boxes wrapped and numbered, along with a card and a short story.  As we read the story, there were instructions as to when to open each box...

As we opened each package we found many of our favorite sweet treats!  Thanks, Beach, for thinking of us!!  And for writing such an awesome and creative story!  :)
As winter winds down and begins to turn to spring, we hope you all are happy and healthy...wherever you are!
Love, Ken & Nicole

Chemo #11 & He said, She said

Hey There!
  We've been pretty busy since the last time we wrote to you all. 
  First of all, we went to get a second opinion from a Radiation Oncologist, and boy, did we learn a lot.  Did you know there different types of oncologists?  There are medical oncologists (like the one Ken has now)-they administer chemotherapy.  There are radiation oncologists-they administer radiation.  And there are surgical oncologists-they perform any surgeries related to cancer.  Pheeew-ok-now that we got that all figured out...we went to get a second opinion from a radiation oncologist to see what he thought about the treatment Ken has been receiving and if he thought Ken would be a candidate for radiation. 
  According to this doctor, radiation is inevitable.  A patient can receive radiation to shrink a tumor that is causing a blockage, pain or to ultimately get rid of a tumor.  This doctor believes the chemotherapy alone will not get rid of Ken's cancer-most importantly, the tumor in his bootie.  Having said that, he feels that the treatment Ken has been receiving thus far is what he would have suggested.  It is responding to the chemo and therefore it is shrinking.  This is when, ideally a patient would have radiation, when the cancer is on the downswing-being proactive, rather than when it is on the upswing or growing-being reactive.  This doctor specializes in a procedure called Brachytherapy, also know as internal radiation therapy.
  Brachytherapy is a form of radiation that delivers high doses of radiation from implants placed close to, or inside, the tumor(s) in the body. This technique ensures the maximum radiation dose is given to cancerous tissues, while minimizing exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue.  He believes Ken is a strong candidate for this procedure.  If he were to do this, Ken would continue receiving chemotherapy, while at the same time receiving daily radiation treatments for 9 weeks. 
  Now...of course, Ken's medical oncologist would have to agree to this...and right now there is some confusion as to whether or not she is in agreement.  She has some trepidation because she is not sure if the chemotherapy will be strong enough to continue shrinking the tumor in Ken's lung.  So...we have a big decision to make and of course each option comes with its own set of risks.  But hopefully we'll have an answer for you all soon!

WOW...that was a lot!  But it hasn't been all about decision making....because we were able to get up to the mountains and go skiing!!  We weren't sure how this was going to go since Ken is so sensitive to the cold, but it ended up to be a really great time!  It had snowed the night before we went to Loveland and the trails were perfectly groomed when we hit our first run at 8:30.  It had been two years since Nicole had last skied, so she was unsure if she was going to enjoy this...but she ended up doing 11 runs that day...more than she's done in the last 2 ski trips combined!!

She even made some attempts to go through the trees. 

Skiing that much definitely made her tired!

Thanks to Sean and Maryann for suggesting we tag along!  It was a nice break to take our minds off of everything.




And now...we're getting ready to pack and head to Key Largo, FL, where the weather forecast is 85 and sunny!  We hope this post finds you all happy and healthy.  Talk to you all again soon.  Love Ken and Nicole

Chemo #10 & Good News

Hey Everyone!
  Finally...we have some good news to share!!  On Tuesday, January 24th, Ken had a PET scan at the request of his doctor.  She was concerned with the results of his latest CT scans, which showed no shrinkage in the cancerous areas in Ken's body.  However...the PET scan showed that there is barely any cancerous activity in Ken's liver, the legion in Ken's lung has shrunk from 3cm to 1cm and the mass in his rectal area went from 7 cm to 5 cm.  The technician who read the scans noted that there is a great deal of inflammation in the rectal wall as well as swelling in the rectum.  Ken's doctor believes that this is due to the crone's close proximity to the cancer and that it is making it difficult for a CT scan to show shrinkage of the tumor.  She suggested that we meet with a GI specialist in order to find out exactly how the Crone's in effecting the cancer.
  Due to the fact that we were concerned with the slow rate of shrinkage, we opted to seek a second opinion from a radiation oncologist.   We learned a great deal about radiation therapy and how it, along with chemotherapy, could result in great benefits for Ken and are excited about this possibility.  We have a few weeks to think about it, but we'll keep you all posted about what we ultimately choose. 

Last Tuesday was a milestone for one our friends, Bob.  He was able to receive to his final chemo treatment!!  We hope we never have to see him in that room again! (And we mean that in the most loving and caring way!)  We wish him the best of luck and many, many years of bird hunting to come!
 

Just when we were beginning to think winter was never going to come...it came, and it stayed!  In fact it snowed for nearly 36 hours.  The dogs loved it, we however, did not.  But we did get out to watch, what we were told, was a great college hockey rivalry, Colorado College vs. University of Denver.  Unfortunately DU lost, but our seats were great and we had a lot of fun. 

And now, we're resting up for the BIG GAME tomorrow (Go Patriots!) and trying to stay warm. 

We hope this post finds you all happy and healthy!
Love Ken and Nicole

Chemo #9 and well...what?

Hey Everybody!
  Sorry it's been so long since we last wrote...life just sorta happened!  Our puppy Cookie has decided to take up the hobby of chewing on furniture and clothing, Nicole started school and our computer had an unfortunate run in with a bottle of water and needless to say it was unable to be recovered.  But...thanks to one of Nicole's regulars allowing her to borrow his lap top, we are back on the web and ready to go!
  On Tuesday, January 17th Ken had chemo treatment #9 and received the results of his latest CT scans.  According to the scans, Ken cancer did not shrink at all over the last 8 weeks.  It didn't grow...but it didn't shrink.  The doctor ordered a PET scan that Ken had today, and we will receive the results of this next week.  She seems to be confident that the chemo is working and hopeful that the PET scan shows that the cancerous areas are less active...we'll have to wait and see.
  Now...true to form to what the Weather Channel said, this was the most depressing week of the year, for us!  We left chemo with a great deal of questions.  What happens if the PET scan comes back showing the same amount of activity as before?  What are the back up plans if this chemo really isn't doing the job?  Are they planning on treating this as a chronic illness and therefore the goal isn't to shrink the cancer, rather, just keep it from growing? 
  Because we feel sort of clueless and like we've been left in the dark about these things, we have chosen to seek a second opinion.  We figured this would eventually need to happen.  So we will meet with this doctor next week to find out what his suggestions are.  Whether he agrees with the treatment our current doctor is doing, or whether he doesn't, we are open to what he has to say. 
  But it's not all bad...Last weekend we visited the National Western Stock Show downtown.  And while we didn't get to see any of the rodeo events, we got to have a little fun!

Ken got to eat some delicious beef jerky...

We visited the petting zoo...

Got up close and personal with this guy...

And watched the collies try and herd some sheep!

Hopefully we will have answers to all of these questions within the next week or so.  Until then, we hope your winter blues aren't too overwhelming and that you all are well. 

Love Ken and Nicole

Chemo #8 & The Bronco's Win!!

Hello from colorful Colorado!
  The New Year began with chemo treatment number 8...and a few adjustments.  Due to the fact that Ken's neuropathy (numbness) continues to get worse, the doctor decided to reduce his intake of this medication by 20%.  This means that hopefully the side effects should begin to subside a little.  Ken will be coming off of this medication altogether at the end of February and according to the doctor, over time he will begin to feel better, as this one chemo causes most of the unbearable side effects he experiences.
 Today Ken went in for another CT scan, at the bargain price of $1,170!  This is a regular procedure that is done every 8 weeks to monitor the growth/shrinkage of the legions in his lungs and liver, as well as the tumor in his bootie.  Please keep him in your prayers that we will receive good news next week when we get the results.
  Congratulations to the Denver Broncos for beating the Pittsburgh Steelers at home this weekend.  Clearly we were celebrating the win...and here's a picture of Ken after celebrating a little too hard!

  The weather here has been a little wacky lately and with the temps dipping pretty low, the dogs have been forced to entertain themselves inside...for you viewing pleasure, here's a clip of what we see and hear on a daily basis...enjoy!

  We hope that you all are staying true to your New Year's resolutions and are doing well!
  Love Ken and Nicole

Chemo 7 and Fa la la la la

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
  We've definitely been slacking some on the blog front, but we've been busy otherwise!  Let's see what we've been up to since we last saw you...

 First of all, we received an early Christmas gift from Auntie Cappy and Uncle Jim.  They got us tickets to the Patriots/Broncos game on December 17th. 

Nicole had never been to a pro football game before, so it was certainly an exciting day for her. 
 It was an afternoon filled with lots of laughter, sunshine, food, parachuters, an F-16 flyover, and of course a Patriots win! Not too shabby for your first football game! :)
 
Since Ken had Chemo a few days before Christmas and because we were traveling home to New England for the holiday, Nicole needed to be creative!  So...instead of opening all of his gifts before we left, Ken got 12 days of Christmas this year.  Now we have a few things to look forward to this spring like going and watching a great college hockey rivalry and to the theater to see Wicked!!

On December 20th, it was business as usual, when Ken had chemo treatment number 7.  His neuropathy continues to get worse, while his spirits continue to remain high.  After this next treatment, should the neuropathy be the same, we will need to consider whether or not Ken will take a medication to counteract the neuropathy or to just have him come off that particular chemo altogether. 

Friday, December 23rd, it was wheels up, as we flew to the northeast to enjoy the holidays!!  We were able to spend time with and see so many wonderful family and friends and eat, eat, eat! 

We made it as far north as Rutland, VT to see JC and family. 

As far east as Framingham, MA to visit Grammy. 

As far south as New Haven, CT to visit the Peabody museum with Sophia and Joseph and to eat some delicious pizza...

and many place in between! 

 We would like to thank everyone who rearranged their schedules and drove many miles in order to see us, hotels Kent, Bolduc, Soriano, and Thulen for putting us up, especially Sophia and Noah for giving up their beds for us and to Jim and Cappy for taking such amazing care of our doggies while we were gone! 

  Now we're back in reality and awaiting chemo number 8 this week.  With 2011 in our rear view mirror, we are able to reflect on everything the year had given to us...the good, the bad, the ugly.  And while the most recent things aren't the best, we've come to realize that all of you are the ones that keep us energized, optimistic and full of love.  We consider ourselves so fortunate to have you!  It is our hope that 2012 is a year full of health and happiness for you all...oh, and a cure for cancer wouldn't be so bad either! ;)
  Cheers!  Ken & Nicole
 

Chemo #6 & Brenda's Visit

Howdy Partners!
 It had been pretty quiet around here since Thanksgiving...until Ken's sister, Brenda and her husband Jon arrived from Connecticut!  They may have only been here for 48 hours, but we made sure to make the most of it!

  When we asked them where they wanted to go to eat, their response was that they wanted steak and something "Denver."  Well...where else did we take them, but The Buckhorn Exchange!  It is regarded as Colorado's most historic eating and drinking emporium.  This famous steakhouse opened it's doors in 1893 and was the first restaurant in Colorado to hold a liquor license.   Since opening nearly 120 years ago, it has seen such visitors as former presidents, famous actors, astronauts, Great Britian's Princess Anne, AND now us!!

See those antlered friends behind us?  They're just a few of the hundreds of heads that adorn the walls of The Buckhorn.  I'm sure we'll never forget the deer, moose, giant buffalo and mountain sheep, as well as the indigenous fowl and fabulous gun collection hanging on the walls around us as we dined! 

Speaking of dining...The Buckhorn's menu is rather eclectic.  Not only is it written in five different languages, but the selection isn't what you'd see at your run of the mill steakhouse.  If you're feeling adventurous, you can order rattlesnake, fried alligator tail, Rock Mountain oysters (it's not really seafood, you know!), smoked buffalo, sausage, elk, Colorado lamb, Cornish game hen or quail.  Or if you're Brenda you can order a NY strip steak! :) 

Much of the next day was spent shopping and chatting.  We visited The Bass Pro Shop...apparently we couldn't get enough wildlife that weekend!  Here are Nicole and Brenda at the "Shooting Range".  Needless to say, Nicole was the low scorer of this little game...look at her, she doesn't even know how to hold a gun!


Sadly, though, their trip had to come to an end.  It was so wonderful having them here, despite the fact that it snowed most of the time.  But hopefully we'll see them again soon!

Back to reality...On Tuesday, December 6th, Ken had his sixth chemo treatment.  This marks the halfway point of this concoction of drugs.  When we met with the doctor she informed us that at the end of these 12 rounds Ken will be taken off whichever medicine he's taking that causes the numbness in his hands.  This is because they do not want to cause permanent nerve damage.  Whether he will eventually have to go back on this specific drug, we are unsure.  But, she did say that once these 12 weeks are up, Ken will need to continue chemo...indefinitely.  What this means for him, we're not sure.  We have a lot of questions...will he be able to go back to work once he's off the numbness causing chemo, will he be able to go back to work ever, what kind of work will he be able to do if he continues on a bi-weekly chemo schedule....the list goes on.  As for now, we can only take it one day at a time.  This last chemo treatment has caused a greater deal of fatigue, a greater sensitivity to cold and vomiting for the first time.  So, needless to say, the days are very quiet in hopes that Ken can get as much rest as  possible. 

BUT...as to not leave on a sour note...a BIG thanks to Maureen and Mark for the package of goodies they sent our way!  Nicole can't wait to kick Ken's bootie in Scrabble Slam!  And how did you know Lemon-Heads are Ken's all time favorite candy?  (Nicole didn't even know that!)  It was very thoughtful of you and the timing was perfect! 









 And a Happy early birthday to Nicole's God daughter's baby mama, Tara!  May all your birthday wishes come true! 
  And to all of you out there reading this, we hope you're finishing up your holiday shopping early so that you are able to have a few relaxing weekends ahead!
  Love to you all, Ken and Nicole