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.