Good News and...

Let’s get right to it! I have good news and…well…news.

Good news… Dr. Kamat used words like cure, cured, recover. News… He also used words like kill, dead and done (as in dead). For this post we’ll focus on the first group of words. The diagnosis in “Bob” words is T1 tumor that has begun to invade the bladder wall. The “Doctor” words are TUMOR, RIGHT LATERAL WALL: PAPILLARY UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA, HIGH GRADE (GRADE 3), with FOCAL INVASION INTO SUPERFICIAL LAMINA PROPRIA.

Hmm, I thought a FOCAL INVASION was when Hung and Jim looked through the window to see Cheryl having her morning coffee.

So… On Monday, March 23 Dr. Kamat will surgically remove my bladder, lymph nodes, prostate and any other parts that appear to be at risk. This is the safest option and has an 80% success rate of eradicating the cancer completely. He will build a new bladder that, after rehab, will function pretty much like the original. In fact, if all goes well “everything” will function like original equipment.

Hospital stay will be 7-10 days with 6-8 weeks recovery. He said I could be running, or at least walking within 6-7 weeks after surgery. YES!!! He said that apart from cancer in my bladder my body is very healthy, strong and, get this, very young. Exercise works…

More good news! The M.D. Anderson Clinical Research group invited me to take part in a trial. I’m taking an experimental chemo drug that has shrunk tumors in rats. IT WORKED IN RATS! Why not me? Hmm, I wonder how those rats are doing… Will it alleviate my need for surgery? Probably not but miracles do happen! If it shrinks my tumor at all it is a success and might help the next person that gets this disease.

Are there risks? Yes. Will the cancer come back? Don’t know but I wasn’t expecting it the first time so I’m not going to worry about a second time. And remember, there is only one other alternative (see second group of words in second paragraph).

Well, there you have it. Bob’s Excellent Adventure continues.

All kidding aside, I’m anxiously awaiting that first day when I wake up and the pain is gone. I know its coming. In the meantime I’ll keep my family and friends in my thoughts and prayers. You folks have kept me going…

I know I still owe everyone an update on my visit to M.D. Anderson. I’ll write it tomorrow.

I had dinner with Alison, David, Trent and Carter last night. Carter has really grown…at least he looks bigger. Alison looks considerably smaller and David looks, well, like David. Trent decided to play in his car rather than eat with the “old” people.

As I was leaving there was a frog on the front porch. Trent doesn’t like frogs…yet.

Carter taking it easy after meal time...

Trent driving his car...

A Message For Michelle...

I sent this message to Michelle this morning and then realized it would be a good “post” for my blog.

Hey Girl!

We're still praying for Kathy. Chemo and radiation are tough. We're pulling for her. Where is she being treated? We'd love to send her a note of encouragement.

We're sitting in the Waterfall Cafe at MD Anderson. Just ate eggs, biscuits, gravy and hash browns. Life is good! I've already been to the Vampire Department (blood tests). Next appointment is at 11:30 with the Texas Chainsaw Group (my surgical treatment team). They will give us the final diagnosis and treatment plan. This afternoon we meet with the Lethal Injection Department (Anesthesia Assessment). Then we go home...

Cancer is not funny but by laughing at it I don't allow it to change who I am...Bob.

Thanks for thinking of me. It really does help.

Bob

Friends

I have found that friends appear, unasked and undemanding, just when they are needed most – the love of friends is incredibly reaffirming.

I received this from my sister Marcy this morning…

Boy do I miss running...

I felt better this week than I have for months. Spent three days on the road working! I get tired easily which frustrates me. A few months ago I could run a marathon. Now I struggle to get through a day. Oh well, I guess that comes with the disease. It's like being in training for a race. A race I intend to win!

My next M.D. Anderson expedition is Tuesday, February 24. That’s when we get the final prognosis and treatment plan. I know they want to do more surgery and if that has to be then we’ll do it. However, I am not giving up organs without a fight! I want to be absolutely convinced that is my only alternative. I know God has been working in me, healing me. If it’s His will that surgeons do the rest, okay. But I need to be convinced.

Speaking of running, I found a few of my favorite pictures. I so miss being healthy and able to run…BUT I WILL RUN AGAIN!

Marine Corps Marathon
October 2006
"We Did It"
(The smiles are fake...we can barely stand)

San Antonio Marathon
November 2006
"Bob Cruising"

Dallas White Rock Marathon
December 2006
"It Was Cold"

Houston Marathon
January 2007
Ginger & Me

Austin Marathon February 2007
Brenda, Vicki & Me
(No Thighs Showing)

Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon
March 2007
Brenda & Me

"I'll Be Back"

Pray for Kathy...

It seems everywhere I turn there are reminders of people living with cancer. Just this morning our friend Michelle asked us to pray for her best friend Kathy who is only 35. Kathy has cervical cancer and was in surgery to remove the tumors. It was a six hour procedure. I hope she recovers quickly and heals completely.

From recent, personal experience I can tell you how meaningful it is to a cancer patient to know people are praying for you. My daughter Adrianne told me I am on prayer lists at churchs full of people I don’t even know. She told them about my illness and that was that…pray for Bob.

I have always known I have family and friends that care about me; love me. I just never realized the amount of strength I could draw from their support when I needed it most. A phone call, email, get well card…it doesn’t take much to lift my spirits.

I have my own prayer list that is growing. Kathy is the newest member. I don’t know her but I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

More Carter Photos

Grandma Ginger

Great Grandma Fletta

Presenting Our Newest Grandson Carter David Jones

Born February 12, 2009
9 lbs 7 oz
21"

Cruising and In Love!

A couple of years ago Ginger and I went on a seven day cruise with our friends Janice and Jeff. Although we were apprehensive about being on the water for a week it turned out to be one of the best vacations we ever had.We visited Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. And…drum roll please…we did not gain weight! We were in training for the Marine Corps Marathon so we went to the gym every day to use the treadmills. We spent hours in the gym trying to stay in shape for the race which was only a few weeks away. It worked!

We have a lot of good memories from the trip, one of the funniest being our thousand dollar bar bill at week’s end (Ginger drank a lot). Another fun memory is the Party Boat in Cozumel. It was a four or five hour trip on a ferry boat with unlimited cocktails…really! It was pretty crazy. Ask Ginger about Ms. Texas (and the twins)...

Below are a couple of pictures. Do we look happy or what?

Just Laying Around...

"The Party Boat Beach"

The Girls

Athletes?

What are they looking for?

My Girls

What really happened on the Hudson River...

Welcome to M.D. Anderson

We spent three days in a row at M.D. Anderson this week, culminating with surgery number two yesterday. Ginger and I arrived at M.D. Anderson at 5:30 AM. We were on our way home at 12:00 PM. I don’t remember much about the 6 or so hours I was there. Apparently I talked with my doctor but I don’t even remember seeing him. I did have the “pleasure” of removing my own catheter when I got home. I’ll spare you the details… My spirits are pretty high today but I feel like I have mild whiplash, kind of like the second day after a marathon. Stiff neck and jaw, sore arms and legs plus a sore throat… I guess this is post-op trauma from the breathing tube and the way I was positioned on the operating table.

The doctor did take a biopsy and we should have results in a week or two. He also removed remains of the original tumor (no new tumors, Thank God). Ginger specifically asked him if I would be able to run again. He said yes. The simple fact he’s referring to me “having a future” is reassuring. I still have a ways to go but I do have a future. I truly believe this is the result of all your prayers.

To the Tuesday Night Drunken Running Cult/Losers, your picture and “comments about Bob” meant the world to me. I understand this was the idea of a blue eyed angel. Wait until I see her!
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.