Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Today was the best day yet. I went to Duke today to do scans and see how I was doing overall. I was supposed to do chemo, but we will get into that a little later. I had a CT scan done at 7:15 am. Well, I had to be there at 7:15 am but the scan was done at 8:00 am. We went up the night before and I stayed with my buddy Brian. Christi, Bill, and Mom came up as well. We went to Squid's that night for dinner and it was good. Scott W. gave us that suggestions, and made mention of the hushpuppies. I could not eat them, although the consensus of the table was Big Daddy's hushpuppies were better. I will be taking Scott and Katie to Big Daddy's soon so they can see what they think.

Any way, I saw Dr. Crawford later that morning and he came in to discuss the scans. He checked me over first, and then went over the scans. I still have zero symptoms except for the cough, which has decreased a lot, about 75% less. He basically used this to let me know how it was going:

When he first saw me, my lungs looked like there was a snowstorm going on inside. Now he said it looked like flurries. Needless to say, that means that the treatment is working and the cancer is reducing. They did not give me a percentage per say, but it is for sure decreasing. I think this will make me double my efforts to keep doing the things I am doing. I am sure that the treatment Duke is giving me is responsible for a lot of the change, but I am also sure that prayers from everyone including me, eating right, taking the supplements I am taking, and exercising are a key as well. (Golf too, but do not tell Christi!)

Now, about the chemo - I could not do my regular chemo today because my mature white blood cell count is low. The baby white blood cell count is SUPER high, so there is not a problem. Basically three weeks would have been Thursday of this week, so I technically went in a little early. I am going to go back on Monday for chemo.

I was really happy today to see that all of OUR hard work is paying off. I said our hard work meaning you! If you are reading this for the first time or you have read it every day, the prayer from before and in the future really count. I appreciate all of the emails, cards, letters, crazy treatments, etc. that everyone sends me. The support has really helped my attitude as well.

A little update on Mike D - He had his appointment as well today. The doctors at Duke told him that he should stay at UNC for treatment, and that the treatment he would receive there would be great. I think this made Mike feel really good and confident in the doctors at UNC. I also feel really confident in my doctors at Duke, this shows they do the right thing. I met Mike's wife Angie as well and she was very sweet. We are going to keep in touch through this ordeal and be support for each other.

Again - Thanks to you, God, my doctors, my friends, my family, my wife, and Addi for all that you have done for me. Looks like I am going to be sticking around for awhile!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are the man! Wait, you already knew that. I felt awesome after you called today. I can only imagine how much better you felt. You do realize I am still going to take your money in the golf tournament this week? Just checking. See you at lunch tomrrow.

love you man, (that's a guy's way of saying it?) :)

Phil

Anonymous said...

Bo,
Just can not express in words how thrilled we are to hear this fantastic news!!! Although, we are not surprised in the least that you are kicking BAC's BUTT!!!!
We are all routing for you and are definitely right beside you in this fight!!
All our love and prayers continue your way...

Anonymous said...

Bo:

Great news!!!!

I have been thinking about you alot and glad to read that your report was good.

Your in our thoughts!

Larry Pike

Anonymous said...

Bo -Fantastic!!!!
Our prayers and you and Christi's hard work are paying off.
Just had to log on tonight and check this out before going to bed. I well sleep better.

Anonymous said...

Bo,

Marshall and I are thrilled with the news! You have impressed me with your strength and courage!

Our prayers are with you!

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with ALL thy heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Through the toughest of times remember this and you will prevail!

-Alecia

Anonymous said...

Bo,
It was great hearing the news of your scans. Keep up the great job you are doing. We will all keep the prayers going.May the Lord bless ang keep you.
Love,
Dad

Anonymous said...

oh yeah....i bet you didn't know about my sensitive side. :)

-alecia

Anonymous said...

Bo,
I had to check the blog before going to bed. I am so happy that everything went well today. You sound so good and so happy. Your positive thinking and good eating are making a difference! Balanced with love and lots of prayers, you are doing everything that cancer doesn't like!
Keep up the good fight.
Love,
Aunt Mary

Anonymous said...

Bo, In my busy daily life, I did not know about this challenge that you are facing. I usually run into the FIG web site, hit the calculators and run out. Last week I your BLOG caught my eye and I read through many of your days. I called Phil the next morning and he filled me in. You have been on my mind and in my prayers for the last week and tonight, I thought I would respond to you. I have never faced anything as big as this before, so I can't give you any advice. I do know that nothing in this world is as big as GOD. I know that the way we face things has a bigger effect on us than just how we react to things. And lastly, I have lived my years after college with an approach of Positive Mental Expectation. This is quite different than a Positive Mental Attitude. Your expectation of each situation that you are about to encounter, such as each day we will face, or how you will approach and conquer Cancer will ultimately make a difference. Put yourself totally in God's hands, there you will find peace. His plan for you, no matter how it proceeds and ends, is perfect. I will pray for you and your family. I leave you with something that I cling to from a book by OG Mandino called the "Greatest Salesman in the World". If you haven't read it, do so. It is the perfect guy book, short and to the point. But in one of the scrolls that he quotes, he makes a statement of "Live each day as if it were your last". People better than you and I left this world yesterday and last week. Was their task complete. You and I still have today, be about completing what God has set before you. You still have today. And if we all are lucky, we will get tomorrow, others will not. It makes me hug my children a little longer, hold my wife a little closer, work harder, and play alot more. God Bless you.
Jeff Barnard

Anonymous said...

Bo,
Trey and I just read your blog and are so pumped up right now, that we can't even sleep! YOU ARE KICKING SOME YOU-KNOW-WHAT!!! That's the best news we've heard in a long time! You must be drinking that apple juice that Catherine keeps asking God to give you!! :o) Keep up all the hard work and your amazing attitude... that's KEY! We continue to keep you in our prayers DAILY!!!

Much love,
Neal

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, wonderful news, Bo! Sounds like everything you, your doctors and your blog fans are doing is working wonders. Will continue to keep you in my prayers.

Debbi

Anonymous said...

That is such great news. I am so excited for you...I'm looking forward to hearing a lot more good news from you.

- Tracy Lingo

Anonymous said...

Bo,

I was extatic when I received the call yesterday. I just read your blog. You, Christi, & Addi are doing fantastic, but we all realize the battle has not been won. Until it is we will keep the prayers and well wishes coming your way, and you keep doing what you are doing. We hope the battle will be completely under control soon. Hope to see you all soon. Love ya lots, Kansas

Anonymous said...

Bo,
Meghan and I have been thinking a lot about you and praying for you. We are pumped to hear that your making such good progress. I pray we can call you the Cinderella Man after a few more rounds and you deliver the KO to BAC. If you haven't seen that movie, I highly suggest it. At the end, I was off my seat throwing punches in the air. It'll pump you up!!!
Brent

Anonymous said...

Bo,

Nancy and I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Keep doin' what you're doin' buddy. We have no doubt that you can kick BAC's butt. Tell Christi and Addi hi from us.

with love,
Jason, Nancy, and Little Reed Willems

Anonymous said...

Congratulations. I came to your blog through a series of internet references and have been reading, cheering and getting choked up regularly. Lung cancer hit our family in 2000. I have made a donation to the Lance Armstrong foundation today in your name, as well as my uncle. Keep on fighting!
Sarah
Chicago, IL

Anonymous said...

Bo,

Greetings from the West Coast. This is your cousin Jenn. I've been reading your blog for a while but couldn't figure out how to post. I think about you almost every day, you are an inspiration to me especially working in the cancer research field. Everytime it get's tough you remind me what the goal is.

Thank you,
Jenn
LA, CA

Anonymous said...

You know how I feel and everyone here at EquiTrust was so excited to hear your news. The day we hear you are in remission, we will ring our bell!!!
P.S. remember what I said about the pink jacket and if it comes true - I need pictures. Have a great weekend with your pals - your deserve one. JT

Anonymous said...

Great news! After you finish watching "Cinderella Man" (as was suggested earlier), listen to "Gonna Fly Now" from the Rocky soundtrack. That will keep you pumped up to win this fight :)

Anonymous said...

Bo,

Candace and I are extremely happy for you and your family. Here is a quote I read this morning that made me think of you:

"I am not on this earth by chance. I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.
I am nature's greatest miracle
And nature knows not defeat. Eventually, she emerges victorious and so will I, and with each victory the next struggle becomes less difficult."

Bo, so far you are kicking the crap out of BAC. All we need now is the KO and we are all here in your corner.

All our love,
Walker and Candace Ham

Anonymous said...

Bo, I read your Blog every morning. Your attitude and determination is just incredible. I pray for you and your family each night. The news this week was excellent!! You have great people behind you so keep up the fight. You are an inspiration to work for and to know. I am happy to be a part of the FIG family each day! Elizabeth Maddox.

Anonymous said...

Bo,
I've never met you but it seems like I know you. I work with Chuck Austin and he has told me a lot about you. I felt obligated to let you know that even though we probably couldn't pick eachother out in a line up, I'm thinking and praying for you. I suppose the old saying, "when you throw a pebble in the pond you never know how far the ripples will go" has some credence. Perhaps there are others reading this that have never met you as well but are touched (as I am) by your blog. You seem like an incredible person and I have mentioned your story to my wife. We are both praying not only for you, but your recovery. Remember, Failure is not an option. Keep smiling, fighting, living, and loving. Hope to meet you someday.

Drew & Robyn Partridge