Gramps had more chemo on Monday. He will go in for Avasitn and Ironitican every two weeks. They were almost not going to give him the chemo because his white blood count was slightly low. They decided to go ahead with the chemo anyway, and he got a shot Tuesday to boost his blood count. They told him the shot may make him a little achy. He has a little back ache today, as a side effect, but it should go away.
He seems in pretty good spirits. Wendy, Nate, Lindie, Abbie, Stacy, Jess, and Tessa went to Ruth's Diner up Emigration Canyon after his treatment. He did really well. I don't have any pictures from that event, but I will take some after his next treatment.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
3/17/08 UPDATE!
Gramps went up to the hospital lab today to have his blood drawn to make sure that everything was going well with the new chemo treatment. His bloodwork came back good, which is great news. He is so happy that his blood counts are not down like last time. So far so good.
He has been out and about lately. He, and Gram came out to my house for dinner last night, and stayed for 3 1/2 hours. My family, and Wendy and Corbin were there. The amazing thing is that he wasn't even antsy to leave, and you know Gramps, staying anywhere 3 1/2 hours is pushing it for him. He also went down and met with his accountant today, so things are looking good.
He has been out and about lately. He, and Gram came out to my house for dinner last night, and stayed for 3 1/2 hours. My family, and Wendy and Corbin were there. The amazing thing is that he wasn't even antsy to leave, and you know Gramps, staying anywhere 3 1/2 hours is pushing it for him. He also went down and met with his accountant today, so things are looking good.
Monday, March 10, 2008
3/10/08 UPDATE!
Gramps had his first intervenious round of Avastin and Irinitican today. All went well. He was in the infusion center for 6 hours!!! His next rounds will not be as long, just the first one takes a while. These drugs are very effective for GBM's right now. So pray that it does wonders! Also, they assured Wendy that things are being taken care of to pay for the Avastin (which is $40,000 a month), so we certainly hope that is the case. He topped the day off with dinner at his favorite place...IHOP! Good luck Gramps!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Race for Gramps
Hey all,
I am trying to get a count of who is going to run the race because I want to make t-shirts. If you want to run, but don't want to register on the "Hometown Hero's" page where you are required to raise $200 in donations, then just register at the following link, and you will not be required to raise money for Huntsman:
http://www.saltlakecitymarathon.com/5K.148.0.html
If you still want to donate to Hunstman Cancer Institute for Glioblastoma research, but don't want to raise the money yourself, you can donate on my page at:
http://www.active.com/donate/huntsman08/JMiller1130
Please let me know if you register, and what size t-shirt you will need. You can register for the 5K, Half-Marathon, Marathon, or Bike Race.
I am trying to get a count of who is going to run the race because I want to make t-shirts. If you want to run, but don't want to register on the "Hometown Hero's" page where you are required to raise $200 in donations, then just register at the following link, and you will not be required to raise money for Huntsman:
http://www.saltlakecitymarathon.com/5K.148.0.html
If you still want to donate to Hunstman Cancer Institute for Glioblastoma research, but don't want to raise the money yourself, you can donate on my page at:
http://www.active.com/donate/huntsman08/JMiller1130
Please let me know if you register, and what size t-shirt you will need. You can register for the 5K, Half-Marathon, Marathon, or Bike Race.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
3/5/08 UPDATE!
Today Gramps found out that he will have the Avastin treatment on Monday, at 1 PM. He will be in the infusion center at Huntsman for 6-8 hours. I also took him to the market today, and he was great. I think his attitude has drastically changed this week, and that it is really helping his health.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
3/4/07 UPDATE!
I just got off the phone with Gram, who had just talked with Dr. Glantz at Hunstman. He is going to put Gramps on the Avastin! YEAH!!!! He is going to try and get him in the infusion room tomorrow, or if that won't work, it will be Monday. This is huge! Now we need to bust it to get the paperwork through so we can get it paid for.
Monday, March 3, 2008
3/3/07 UPDATE!
First of all, Happy 73rd to Grandma. Gramps had a big day today. Some of us family went to the Olive Garden for lunch for Gram's birthday, then he had a nap, and insisted on driving to his doctor appointment (Dr. Hill). He loved driving, and said he has to do things like that. He is now getting ready to go to the Jazz game with Chris. Go Gramps!
Second, I (Jess) talked with Access Solutions (formerly known as SPOC) this afternoon. They have Gramps registered in their system. Access Solutions is the company that will work with us on getting the Avastin drug paid for if (when) Medicare denies it. They referred me to the Genentec Foundation, to make sure Gramps meets the financial and medical requirements, which he does. Here is the catch...the foundation reviews which types of cancer it is going to cover, on the 15th of every month. Right now the foundation is covering brain cancer, but their is a possibility they could drop it in their meeting on the 15th. The woman at the foundation told me that she doesn't think they will drop it any time soon, but that their are no guarantees, and as long as he is treated and the paper work has been received by the 15th of this month, he will be ok, to have it covered. Here is the break down of what MUST happen by the 15th of this month:
1) Grandpa must be treated with Avastin at Hunstman
2) Medicare must receive the treatment paperwork and deny it
3)The denial must be sent to Access Solutions, along with Grandpa's proof of income, and his diagnosis
This is a lot to have happen in this short time, and we need to get Huntsman to pay attention to us, and get it done. Get your boxing gloves out!
Second, I (Jess) talked with Access Solutions (formerly known as SPOC) this afternoon. They have Gramps registered in their system. Access Solutions is the company that will work with us on getting the Avastin drug paid for if (when) Medicare denies it. They referred me to the Genentec Foundation, to make sure Gramps meets the financial and medical requirements, which he does. Here is the catch...the foundation reviews which types of cancer it is going to cover, on the 15th of every month. Right now the foundation is covering brain cancer, but their is a possibility they could drop it in their meeting on the 15th. The woman at the foundation told me that she doesn't think they will drop it any time soon, but that their are no guarantees, and as long as he is treated and the paper work has been received by the 15th of this month, he will be ok, to have it covered. Here is the break down of what MUST happen by the 15th of this month:
1) Grandpa must be treated with Avastin at Hunstman
2) Medicare must receive the treatment paperwork and deny it
3)The denial must be sent to Access Solutions, along with Grandpa's proof of income, and his diagnosis
This is a lot to have happen in this short time, and we need to get Huntsman to pay attention to us, and get it done. Get your boxing gloves out!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Welcome to the Waheezie Update!!!
Hello friends and family, this is a blog for good old Gramps, known as "The Waheezie Update." We thought a blog would be a good way to keep family informed on Cal's treatment, as well as allow people to post comments and feedback.
Currently, Gramps will be seeking treatment this week for Avastin. Avastin is a fairly successful treatment, where over half the patients on Avastin have no tumor progression at 6 months. We feel this will be a great treatment for Gramps, and are anxious to get it started. The first option will be to have the treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and fight with medicare to get it paid for. If that option does not come through this week, then Gramps is willing to travel to get the treatment in another state as part of a clinical trial. We will keep you updated. Keep the faith and prayers going! Gramps has a lot of faith in this Avastin treatment.
Help Gramps by Donating or Run/Walk!
We have the opportunity to donate through the following site to fund research for GBM's at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Our friend Rich, who also has a GBM has set up the following site:
http://www.active.com/donate/huntsman08/rlloyd
Also, if you are interested in running with "Live Rich" team for the Salt Lake Marathon, Half-Marathon, Bike race, or 5K, please sign up at this link. We are going to make shirts for Gramps, for whoever is interested in running. Several of the family members are running the 5K.
www.active.com/donate/huntsman08
You will need to copy and paste these links to get to the sites, or manually type them in.
http://www.active.com/donate/huntsman08/rlloyd
Also, if you are interested in running with "Live Rich" team for the Salt Lake Marathon, Half-Marathon, Bike race, or 5K, please sign up at this link. We are going to make shirts for Gramps, for whoever is interested in running. Several of the family members are running the 5K.
www.active.com/donate/huntsman08
You will need to copy and paste these links to get to the sites, or manually type them in.
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