Uncle Mike,
I have many happy memories from my childhood of you and your family visiting our house or us at yours. The time you took me for a ride in your cool blue Mustang, (I actually remember riding the streets of Arlington Heights in that car), you in your Navy uniform and all of us running around the park next to your house. (The house with the water tower next store). I thought that water tower was really cool when I was 10, but now at 50 I am not sure why. The pictures that were posted by Jody reminded me you once had a really thick mustache too. That made me laugh… In more recent times at family parties in my backyard and at the water park in Rockford with Jim, Jenny’s family, you, Aunt Carolyn and some of your family. These were all happy times for me and hopefully for you too.
You have more happy memories to create for a lot of people. Thank you for sharing all you and your family are going through. I hope it is as helpful for you to share these experiences as it is for the rest us to learn.
Steve
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Good News!
It's not scientific, but I am seeing a good sign for my health. I've gained 5 lbs in about one week. this after losing 20 lbs in 6 weeks. Why? I can only guess that my chemotherapy is working.
The 2nd chemo was a much better experience than the first, I thought it must be working right away.
Doctor has ordered another CT Scan for this Weds, Oct 1. this will give more scientific, medical evidence for what's happening.
Chemotherapy 3 of 4 is Monday, Oct 6. I am actually looking forward to it. I guess I know how to have fun. Ok, you have to get your "kicks" where you find them
So far, each time has been better. It is more of a routine. The nurses expect us. When my team shows up we just smoothly go through the process. Find a place in the chemo lab, set up, get comfortable, start thinking about lunch and wait for the first injection. There are multiple injections. You get something to make the chemo more tolerable, them two chemo injections.
Four or five hours later, my team has gone and returned from lunch and I am no more than slightly uncomfortable. I know by then that the next few days I will be sleepy, but unable to sleep, lazy and not able to motivate myself and just going through the motions.
Thanks for checking in with Mike Rice's Journal. Next weeks version should be big, very big!
The 2nd chemo was a much better experience than the first, I thought it must be working right away.
Doctor has ordered another CT Scan for this Weds, Oct 1. this will give more scientific, medical evidence for what's happening.
Chemotherapy 3 of 4 is Monday, Oct 6. I am actually looking forward to it. I guess I know how to have fun. Ok, you have to get your "kicks" where you find them
So far, each time has been better. It is more of a routine. The nurses expect us. When my team shows up we just smoothly go through the process. Find a place in the chemo lab, set up, get comfortable, start thinking about lunch and wait for the first injection. There are multiple injections. You get something to make the chemo more tolerable, them two chemo injections.
Four or five hours later, my team has gone and returned from lunch and I am no more than slightly uncomfortable. I know by then that the next few days I will be sleepy, but unable to sleep, lazy and not able to motivate myself and just going through the motions.
Thanks for checking in with Mike Rice's Journal. Next weeks version should be big, very big!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A Letter To My Dad
Dear Dad,
How could you ever "not exist"? You are one of two main elements of how I have become me. I think things through, long and hard, before I make a decision. Once the decision is made, I stick by it and make the best of the situation. Because of you, I know the value of a dollar and how hard it is to earn it. I'm a saver. I watched you write lists on what you needed to do at work and home, so I am an avid "lister" - that's why I'm so organized.
You put everyone else first, yet you know how and when to say NO. Okay, I'm still trying to do that, in that order -gee I love the word NO though, so it's an asset of yours I am nowwhere near a master of.
My complete love and loyalty towards my family is learned from the lessons you teach. Because of the husband and father you are and have always been - I knew exactly what kind of man to look for: honest, gentle, and caring and with a slightly funny sense of humor. When I found him, I married him. You are quite the role model. Notice how our marriage is still strong after 19 years?
Not Here? Not Matter? Not Exist? On the contrary dad - without you there would have never been a me.
I Love You!
Michelle
How could you ever "not exist"? You are one of two main elements of how I have become me. I think things through, long and hard, before I make a decision. Once the decision is made, I stick by it and make the best of the situation. Because of you, I know the value of a dollar and how hard it is to earn it. I'm a saver. I watched you write lists on what you needed to do at work and home, so I am an avid "lister" - that's why I'm so organized.
You put everyone else first, yet you know how and when to say NO. Okay, I'm still trying to do that, in that order -gee I love the word NO though, so it's an asset of yours I am nowwhere near a master of.
My complete love and loyalty towards my family is learned from the lessons you teach. Because of the husband and father you are and have always been - I knew exactly what kind of man to look for: honest, gentle, and caring and with a slightly funny sense of humor. When I found him, I married him. You are quite the role model. Notice how our marriage is still strong after 19 years?
Not Here? Not Matter? Not Exist? On the contrary dad - without you there would have never been a me.
I Love You!
Michelle
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Lung Cancer Guilt
CBS News Sunday Morning had a special on cancer recently. Comparing incidence, funding, research on Lung cancer, breast cancer and other forms.
On the program, Dr. Harvey Katz of the New York Cancer Institute reported that 5 year survival rate is up slightly and life span is increasing.
The stigma of self-inflicted cancer is attached to lung cancer. The smoker had a choice and made a bad choice either from laziness or ignorance. This has meant that, even with the tobacco settlement, lung cancer receives less research funding that breast cancer, barely a tenth.
With all the progress in education lung cancer is still a result of smoking. Here's what we hadn't been told until now. it's essential to quit smoking as soon as humanly possible, but it's no guarantee of safety no matter how early you quit. I'm not the first to avoid cigarettes for 33 years and get caught in this trap. Women non-smokers are not safe. Children of smokers are not safe. I lived with Carolyn in my house for 15 years before I quit, with Michelle for 9 years and Jody for 2 years. Today, 15% of lung cancer patients are non smokers, but the cause is still smoking.
People live for their future hopes and what tomorrow may bring. Until deliveration day when dreams are ours for the taking. The dreams have to be ready to come true, the hopes to come to pass; all the pieces to fit together. There is always a monkey wrench that doesn't loosen or tighten just right. Those funny little adjustments to the plan; not quite enough money to winter in Florida. Hold the cruise till next year. So many couples I've seen have had to face up to sudden illness or sudden financial surprise.
Some have adjusted to regular interruptions to their lives for tests, more chemo, ect... Who can tell. More surprises to come, maybe even a good surprise like an increased 5 year survival rate.
On the program, Dr. Harvey Katz of the New York Cancer Institute reported that 5 year survival rate is up slightly and life span is increasing.
The stigma of self-inflicted cancer is attached to lung cancer. The smoker had a choice and made a bad choice either from laziness or ignorance. This has meant that, even with the tobacco settlement, lung cancer receives less research funding that breast cancer, barely a tenth.
With all the progress in education lung cancer is still a result of smoking. Here's what we hadn't been told until now. it's essential to quit smoking as soon as humanly possible, but it's no guarantee of safety no matter how early you quit. I'm not the first to avoid cigarettes for 33 years and get caught in this trap. Women non-smokers are not safe. Children of smokers are not safe. I lived with Carolyn in my house for 15 years before I quit, with Michelle for 9 years and Jody for 2 years. Today, 15% of lung cancer patients are non smokers, but the cause is still smoking.
People live for their future hopes and what tomorrow may bring. Until deliveration day when dreams are ours for the taking. The dreams have to be ready to come true, the hopes to come to pass; all the pieces to fit together. There is always a monkey wrench that doesn't loosen or tighten just right. Those funny little adjustments to the plan; not quite enough money to winter in Florida. Hold the cruise till next year. So many couples I've seen have had to face up to sudden illness or sudden financial surprise.
Some have adjusted to regular interruptions to their lives for tests, more chemo, ect... Who can tell. More surprises to come, maybe even a good surprise like an increased 5 year survival rate.
Mike you mean so much to us
Mike,
I just signed up for this and for the record, this is my first official blog that I have contributed to. I guess you are never too old to learn something new every day.
Over the last few weeks I have been praying and thinking about you and your family. In looking back at several of the good times in my life, I realized you and Aunt Carolyn were at several of those events celebrating with me and my family, for that I am extremely grateful for your support and love. I watched the pictures that Jody posted from your suprise 70th birthday and I remember some of those places and the pool at your house. Those were fun times.
Through God, I believe that everyday is a gift and I personally am eternally grateful for every day I have to enjoy life with my family and others. Uncle Mike as I look at you and your family and all the things you have accomplished in your life, I can only hope that I look the same someday. All the gifts you have been blessed with are amazing. You should be very proud of your daughters and Aunt Carolyn.
That being said, you still have a lot to accomplish and have a loving family to accomplish it with. By taking each day and making the most of each day, I am confident you will set out a course that will provide you with the strength and hope you will need to get through this time of your life. Talk to you soon, Love Tom
I just signed up for this and for the record, this is my first official blog that I have contributed to. I guess you are never too old to learn something new every day.
Over the last few weeks I have been praying and thinking about you and your family. In looking back at several of the good times in my life, I realized you and Aunt Carolyn were at several of those events celebrating with me and my family, for that I am extremely grateful for your support and love. I watched the pictures that Jody posted from your suprise 70th birthday and I remember some of those places and the pool at your house. Those were fun times.
Through God, I believe that everyday is a gift and I personally am eternally grateful for every day I have to enjoy life with my family and others. Uncle Mike as I look at you and your family and all the things you have accomplished in your life, I can only hope that I look the same someday. All the gifts you have been blessed with are amazing. You should be very proud of your daughters and Aunt Carolyn.
That being said, you still have a lot to accomplish and have a loving family to accomplish it with. By taking each day and making the most of each day, I am confident you will set out a course that will provide you with the strength and hope you will need to get through this time of your life. Talk to you soon, Love Tom
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Chemo Day Two
Chemo day two on Monday, Sep 15, was a world of difference from the last one. It was all due to preparation on the part of everybody. Even as we sat down with Dr Schultze, he was already telling us that I would be injected immediately, Tuesday, to help my white blood count recover. In case anyone isn't aware, chemotherapy is devastating to your white blood count, which protects our immune system. So, with low white count you get fevers, chills and less protection against disease and probably a trip to emergency. Our team had already decided to change my diet and improve hydration. That has helped, too.
More good news, I will be getting another CtScan on Oct 1. Are we measuring progress? I hope.
I know I take this dialoge in many directions and through multiple changes. It's important to me to talk about everything to encourage others to talk about what matters to them.
More good news, I will be getting another CtScan on Oct 1. Are we measuring progress? I hope.
I know I take this dialoge in many directions and through multiple changes. It's important to me to talk about everything to encourage others to talk about what matters to them.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Things to do today: Learn to Pray
A very early saint, St. Augustine prayed as follows "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief". God doesn't give us to know with our brains that He is there for us, He only gives us to know with faith.
Faith, hope and love. Of the three hope is easiest because we can't live without hope. Love is simply to return all the kindnesses that we receive in life. Faith is hardest because it is a gift of God and we don't earn it but somehow we must find it.
Monday is a big day coming up for our team. Jody will stay with us Sunday and we all, Carolyn, Michelle, Jody and I will roll out at 8:00 am and head for the Oncologist in Rockford for chemotherapy # 2. The game plan is for me to lay low for a week after that.
There are advances being made in cancer treatment all the time and I am part of a clinical trial of a new oral medication to supliment chemo and maintain whatever remission that comes from chemo for a longer time. See why hope is easy!
Best regards from Mike and family.
Faith, hope and love. Of the three hope is easiest because we can't live without hope. Love is simply to return all the kindnesses that we receive in life. Faith is hardest because it is a gift of God and we don't earn it but somehow we must find it.
Monday is a big day coming up for our team. Jody will stay with us Sunday and we all, Carolyn, Michelle, Jody and I will roll out at 8:00 am and head for the Oncologist in Rockford for chemotherapy # 2. The game plan is for me to lay low for a week after that.
There are advances being made in cancer treatment all the time and I am part of a clinical trial of a new oral medication to supliment chemo and maintain whatever remission that comes from chemo for a longer time. See why hope is easy!
Best regards from Mike and family.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
I just caught up on what Jody has been up to!
Wow! Today, Carolyn and I went through everything in the blog, photos, memories and all. There is so much more to this than just "Mike Rice's Journal". I am so pleased. I suspect everyone who shares it will feel the same.
Still my job here is to discover some good in all this that has happened to me and my family. The best thing you can hope for is to find out early. Clues can be a lingering cough, shortness of breath and unexplained weight loss.
We are learning every day. The good weeks are when you feel well and store up calories. Then for a week after chemo, its time to hunker down, watch out for fever, drink Pedia Lite and wait for your white blood cells to recover.
The doctor's are very honest. They are not happy with the tools they have to work with. Chemo gets better when they reduce the side affects, but it's still chemo. That's why research like this new "Stand up to Cancer" plan will help researchers share what they learn faster.
Thanks for reading, more to come. Mike
Still my job here is to discover some good in all this that has happened to me and my family. The best thing you can hope for is to find out early. Clues can be a lingering cough, shortness of breath and unexplained weight loss.
We are learning every day. The good weeks are when you feel well and store up calories. Then for a week after chemo, its time to hunker down, watch out for fever, drink Pedia Lite and wait for your white blood cells to recover.
The doctor's are very honest. They are not happy with the tools they have to work with. Chemo gets better when they reduce the side affects, but it's still chemo. That's why research like this new "Stand up to Cancer" plan will help researchers share what they learn faster.
Thanks for reading, more to come. Mike
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thanks for checking on Mike Rice's Journal. The initial schock is past now and I and mine are turning into good cancer patients. What that involves is following routines whose purpose is making simple gains like enough hydration and nourishment to be ready for the next chemo onslaught, coming soon enough, believe me.
I think it's been about six weeks since Dr. Retzer told me "you haven't had a chest X-ray in a long time, you should have one now". This was just after I had complained about a cough that wouldn't go away. The chest X-ray led to a CT Scan of my chest and then to an appointment with Dr. Kullberg who used his skills as a Pulmonologist to take a biopsy of my right lung and found the cancer. Doctors also believe there is some in my left lung, but since we decided on Chemotherapy, which is the 'universal soldier' of cancer and will search my blood stream for the presence of the disease anywhere in my body it isn't necessary to nail down every detail.
I think it's been about six weeks since Dr. Retzer told me "you haven't had a chest X-ray in a long time, you should have one now". This was just after I had complained about a cough that wouldn't go away. The chest X-ray led to a CT Scan of my chest and then to an appointment with Dr. Kullberg who used his skills as a Pulmonologist to take a biopsy of my right lung and found the cancer. Doctors also believe there is some in my left lung, but since we decided on Chemotherapy, which is the 'universal soldier' of cancer and will search my blood stream for the presence of the disease anywhere in my body it isn't necessary to nail down every detail.
For my dad..
I created this blog today so my father can share his stories, keep a journal, and keep in touch with everyone, near and far.
As you may or may not know, he has been diagnosed with NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) and he is currently undergoing chemo.
I am including some of my favorite pictures of my dad by posting a compilation we did for his 70th surprise birthday.
As you may or may not know, he has been diagnosed with NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) and he is currently undergoing chemo.
I am including some of my favorite pictures of my dad by posting a compilation we did for his 70th surprise birthday.
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