Heath's surgery went very well. They removed the 3 small pieces that they saw on the scan plus a couple other suspect pieces. Unfortunately, the doctor said the 3 initial pieces were cancer. We were told that they probably were but still. It was the same kind that he had before. The other pieces that they took out turned out to be nothing.
He is recovering very well. They already removed his chest tube because the lung re-inflated very quickly without a lot of drainage. He might come home tomorrow but he will still have a lot of pain.
At this time we don't know what the doctors will want to do next; we just hope he doesn't need anymore chemo. Karis said that we will meet with Dr. Summers and his ARNP-C, Joe Garrett, in a couple weeks and probably meet with Dr. Agresta on the same day.
I can't say enough about the compassionate and professional care that Heath received from the Surgeon, Dr. Summers, and his ARNP, Joe Garrett, and the nursing staff at Moffitt.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Scan results
Unfortunately they found a couple spots on Heath's right lung in one of the scans that they did on Aug. 20th. On Aug. 27th, they confirmed it by doing a Chest CT scan. We are very optimistic but it does suck (sorry but that's how I feel).
We met with the Thoracic Surgeon at Moffitt on Wednesday and he went over everything with us. Heath is scheduled for surgery on Oct. 8th to remove 3 very small pieces of his right lung. They will be able to tell us almost right away rather or not it is cancer. Then they will send it off to confirm.
Dr. Agresta scheduled Heath for another Chest CT Scan on Oct. 1st to get another look before they operate.
Please pray that the spots will be gone before the next scan so surgery is not even needed but if surgery is needed that it isn't cancer and the doctors will proceed with the correct treatment so this will be the end of it.
We met with the Thoracic Surgeon at Moffitt on Wednesday and he went over everything with us. Heath is scheduled for surgery on Oct. 8th to remove 3 very small pieces of his right lung. They will be able to tell us almost right away rather or not it is cancer. Then they will send it off to confirm.
Dr. Agresta scheduled Heath for another Chest CT Scan on Oct. 1st to get another look before they operate.
Please pray that the spots will be gone before the next scan so surgery is not even needed but if surgery is needed that it isn't cancer and the doctors will proceed with the correct treatment so this will be the end of it.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Upcoming Scans Aug. 20th
Heath has his checkup scans scheduled for August 20th.
He is having a lot of anxiety as you can understand and has had problems sleeping because of restlessness. Please pray that both of these things go away and for good results from his scans.
He is having a lot of anxiety as you can understand and has had problems sleeping because of restlessness. Please pray that both of these things go away and for good results from his scans.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
More on Miles for Moffitt
If anyone is planning on attending, register under "Sarcoma Speed Demons". That is the team that Dr. Agresta is in and we will be too.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Miles for Moffitt
We are all planning on attending the 2nd Annual Miles for Moffitt on May 12, 2007 at the University of South Florida to help support cancer research and to cheer on Dr. Agresta, Dawn and other staff members that we have gotten to know and love. Join us if you can.
"Miles for Moffitt has again partnered with SunTrust Bank to present the Second Annual SunTrust Miles for Moffitt run and walk to benefit the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Last year’s successful event attracted over 1300 participants and raised over $50,000 for the state of the art cancer research being done at Moffitt."
For more information about the race, go to http://www.milesformoffitt.com/about/
To register online, watch a video preview for 2007 or watch a video from the 2006 race, go to http://www.milesformoffitt.com
"Miles for Moffitt has again partnered with SunTrust Bank to present the Second Annual SunTrust Miles for Moffitt run and walk to benefit the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Last year’s successful event attracted over 1300 participants and raised over $50,000 for the state of the art cancer research being done at Moffitt."
For more information about the race, go to http://www.milesformoffitt.com/about/
To register online, watch a video preview for 2007 or watch a video from the 2006 race, go to http://www.milesformoffitt.com
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Almost Done
They hung Heath's last bag of chemo last night. That's a very welcomed milestone. It's been a long year. Dr. Agresta just came in to congratulate Heath on finishing his chemo.
I just wanted to take time to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support.
Dr. Agresta brought a young lady up yesterday that is writing a book and she had some questions for Heath. We have met a lot of nice people and want to stay involved somehow. I will keep this blog updated from time to time on what we are doing to stay involved and when Heath needs to visit the clinic.
Thanks again
I just wanted to take time to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support.
Dr. Agresta brought a young lady up yesterday that is writing a book and she had some questions for Heath. We have met a lot of nice people and want to stay involved somehow. I will keep this blog updated from time to time on what we are doing to stay involved and when Heath needs to visit the clinic.
Thanks again
Monday, April 9, 2007
Last round of Chemo 4-9-2007
Karis is taking Heath to Moffitt for his last round of chemo. Heath is ready to get it started so it will be over. He should be home on Friday, I think.
I want to thank everyone for their support and prayers. Please continue to pray that all his treatments have done their job to keep him cancer free forever.
I want to thank everyone for their support and prayers. Please continue to pray that all his treatments have done their job to keep him cancer free forever.
Cancer Walk at the Beach on 3-9-2007
On March 9th, we went to Coquina Beach for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Anna Maria Island. Heath's band wanted to play but all the members were not available so part of the band and some other friends got together and jammed for a couple hours in front of all the volunteers and workers. We didn't spend the entire night out there but stayed very late and we had a great time. Of course, the crowd was very impressed with their music. Here are a couple of pictures:
Manatee River Community Bank will have 2 teams participating in the Relay For Life of Palmetto. Karis and I will be in one of the teams and we will be staying the entire night. Heath's entire band will be available and playing so please come out and watch them. The opening ceremonies are at 6PM and Heath's band will play shortly after that. Show your support and come out for the opening ceremony.
Karis is a team leader for MRCB Rocks Too. Click here if you would like to donate to this wonderful event.
Click here for more details about Karis' team MRCB Rocks Too.
Here is a link to the Relay For Life of Palmetto,
http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=191938
Here are a couple of links for more information about American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life - A Team Event to Fight Cancer",
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/par/content/PAR_1_Relay_For_Life.asp
http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/
Manatee River Community Bank will have 2 teams participating in the Relay For Life of Palmetto. Karis and I will be in one of the teams and we will be staying the entire night. Heath's entire band will be available and playing so please come out and watch them. The opening ceremonies are at 6PM and Heath's band will play shortly after that. Show your support and come out for the opening ceremony.
Karis is a team leader for MRCB Rocks Too. Click here if you would like to donate to this wonderful event.
Click here for more details about Karis' team MRCB Rocks Too.
Here is a link to the Relay For Life of Palmetto,
http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=191938
Here are a couple of links for more information about American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life - A Team Event to Fight Cancer",
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/par/content/PAR_1_Relay_For_Life.asp
http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Next Chemo scheduled for Tuesday, 2/27/07
Heath had an appointment at Moffitt on Monday. Karis, Allen and Bonnie (Karis' stepmom) accompanied him.
Heath's platelets were still a little low but the doctors all agreed that it was safe for him to get a three day round of IFOS/ETOP with one day of mesna at the end. After this round, Heath will have only one more round like this and he will be finished.
This worked out very well as far as the timing because Heath wanted to play Tigerfest before his next round. His band will be playing at Tigerfest on Saturday night, 2/24/07, at Palmetto High School. There will be several other bands playing that night from 4PM to 9PM. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
Come see Heath's new haircut. He's had such a long break that he has hair now, and yes he did get a haircut today. If you can't make it, don't worry I will definitely have some pictures to post.
Heath's platelets were still a little low but the doctors all agreed that it was safe for him to get a three day round of IFOS/ETOP with one day of mesna at the end. After this round, Heath will have only one more round like this and he will be finished.
This worked out very well as far as the timing because Heath wanted to play Tigerfest before his next round. His band will be playing at Tigerfest on Saturday night, 2/24/07, at Palmetto High School. There will be several other bands playing that night from 4PM to 9PM. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
Come see Heath's new haircut. He's had such a long break that he has hair now, and yes he did get a haircut today. If you can't make it, don't worry I will definitely have some pictures to post.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Scans done and more chemo scheduled
Karis took Heath up to Moffitt last Friday. Heath had an MRI scan and a PET scan.
We met with Dr. Agresta yesterday to go over the scans, to talk about the next round of chemo and to do labs and check his blood counts. He said the scans looked great and there was no activity on the tumor, meaning it appears completely dead. He did say that he needs to go over both scans with the radiologist but from what he could see they looked very good. Also, his blood counts are in great shape. Last time they checked his blood counts, a couple weeks ago, his platelets were still low.
He wants to go over the exact amounts of chemo that Heath has already had before he makes a final decision but he thinks Heath will only need two more rounds of the ifos/etop/mesna. He did imply that he will probably be in for up to 5 days for each.
One funny thing happened during the appointment. Before Dr. Agresta came in, his nurse practitioner came in to talk to us and get to know us a little before Dr. Agresta came in. At one point she asked Heath what he does with his free time. He smiled and looked at me and I laughed and said "she asked so show her". He got on the computer and went to his latest video on youtube "Pretty Women" and started it, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSv3aGkDBxo. She laughed all the way through it. She wanted the link to all the videos and said she would show it to everyone. Heath got a big kick out of that. One thing Heath has mentioned is he thinks he can be an inspiration to other cancer patients "when they see what this kid with cancer is doing while he is going through his fight with cancer".
Thanks and keep praying
We met with Dr. Agresta yesterday to go over the scans, to talk about the next round of chemo and to do labs and check his blood counts. He said the scans looked great and there was no activity on the tumor, meaning it appears completely dead. He did say that he needs to go over both scans with the radiologist but from what he could see they looked very good. Also, his blood counts are in great shape. Last time they checked his blood counts, a couple weeks ago, his platelets were still low.
He wants to go over the exact amounts of chemo that Heath has already had before he makes a final decision but he thinks Heath will only need two more rounds of the ifos/etop/mesna. He did imply that he will probably be in for up to 5 days for each.
One funny thing happened during the appointment. Before Dr. Agresta came in, his nurse practitioner came in to talk to us and get to know us a little before Dr. Agresta came in. At one point she asked Heath what he does with his free time. He smiled and looked at me and I laughed and said "she asked so show her". He got on the computer and went to his latest video on youtube "Pretty Women" and started it, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSv3aGkDBxo. She laughed all the way through it. She wanted the link to all the videos and said she would show it to everyone. Heath got a big kick out of that. One thing Heath has mentioned is he thinks he can be an inspiration to other cancer patients "when they see what this kid with cancer is doing while he is going through his fight with cancer".
Thanks and keep praying
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Heath and Allen Productions
Heath's been back home for about a month now and he has been feeling pretty good. He is still having some leg pain and trouble sleeping but other than that he is doing great.
As a matter of fact, he's been also feeling very creative. Heath and Allen have been making videos and uploading them to youtube. All of these videos were created in less than one day and were filmed/edited/portrayed by none other than Heath and Allen.
This is a link to there youtube profile. They have made 5 short movies. Heath also made a skateboard video from some of his old videos. He wanted to do that because he can't skate anymore because of the cancer in his sacrum.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=sidthesloth11
These videos are absolutely hilarious. Take a look and rate them if you can. They are very talented and may be famous some day, seriously.
As a matter of fact, he's been also feeling very creative. Heath and Allen have been making videos and uploading them to youtube. All of these videos were created in less than one day and were filmed/edited/portrayed by none other than Heath and Allen.
This is a link to there youtube profile. They have made 5 short movies. Heath also made a skateboard video from some of his old videos. He wanted to do that because he can't skate anymore because of the cancer in his sacrum.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=sidthesloth11
These videos are absolutely hilarious. Take a look and rate them if you can. They are very talented and may be famous some day, seriously.