Jill says I’m obsessed with my hair. That I talk about it every day. Sometimes several times a day. It is just so interesting to me, I guess, that I’m seeing such changes in my hair over such a short period of time. And, it is not only my hair that is doing some weird stuff.
I have no cuticles on my fingernails. The cuticles have receded and sort of folded in on themselves, creating a little trough at the bottom of each of my fingernails. I tried looking in there. Nothing really going on, it appears.
Dr. Pippas put me back up to the full 800mg dosage of Votrient, starting on January 17. So, for about six weeks, I’ve been getting adjusted to the side effects. The mornings are tough. I’m most nauseated in the mornings and then in waves during the day. With my tastebuds out of commission, I’m eating much less and have enjoyed a hard-fought 30-pound weight loss. I expect to keep dropping a few pounds here and there, because I just don’t enjoy eating right now.
I want Jamie Keating to know that I’m dying to come to Epic for dinner. I know he’s been wondering why he hasn’t seen our faces in his new place. When foie gras tastes like Alcoa aluminum foil, it doesn’t make sense to eat foie gras.
I’m ready to talk about the pink elephant in the room. For over five weeks now there have been no new posts to my blog. Speaking of epic, I’m in middle of what I hope is the end of an epic writer’s block. There is so much going on in my life that I just haven’t been able to get my mind clear to write. In the midst of all this cancer stuff, I had an event in my left eye that sent me to see local retina specialist, Dr. Nicholas Mayfield, at West Georgia Eye Care Center. Thankfully the tiny leak of blood in my eye didn’t rise to the level of retinal tear. I still see floaters and my eyesight seems to have changed to the extent that my reading glasses aren’t so helpful, further impacting my comfort in using my laptop and making me less able to be in the mood to write.
But I finally have some good news to tell, so I’m powering through the blockade to tell it. The Votrient is working for me. The formerly 4cm tumor that is in my left adrenal gland is now just under 2cm! That is about a 50% reduction in the length of the tumor and equates to nearly a 75% reduction in volume. Dr. Pippas is thrilled with these results. Naturally, so are we. I guess the broken tongue, having to sleep with a vomit bucket next to the bed, white hair and diarrhea have begun to pay off.
Here’s what Dr. Pippas says. He feels like the Votrient will give me at least 18 months to two years of disease control. The Xgeva, the monthly injection that I take to keep a metastasis from setting up in my bones, and the Votrient will buy me some time while we wait for something that could give us a cure to come along. It is not the best existence, but the discomfort the drugs have brought into my life is WAY better than runaway disease. By a mile!
I am trying to reinvigorate my desire to write. Please be patient with me and continue to keep our family in your prayers.
Debbie King says
Praying, Praying, Praying. So tremendously happy about your good news. Love you and Jill and think of you every day.
Marianne says
Great news!
mallory says
I was so glad to hear this awesome news! You are constantly on our minds and in our hearts. I would love to see you and Jill soon! Say hey to her for me. Sending you light and love and good vibes.
Kate Nerone says
Every time I wanted to complain about the silence from Planet Mike, I checked myself. I knew the transmissions would start again as soon as you were able. And w/good news, wow! We will keep all channels open for further updates. Even if it’s only about your hair. Love you! xo
Shelice says
No words, just tears of joy!
Jennifer Joyner says
Great news, Mike!
Ramona says
Happy dancing for you, friend!
Debbie & David Harrell says
always good to read your post. Keep up the fight. You are helping so many understand this thing called Cancer. You and Jill are such troopers.
Laurel Blackwell says
We just sort of hold our breath until we hear more news from you. Did you hear that great exhale just now? What wonderful news!
Bill Plock says
Glad to hear things are looking up for you Mike. You are one tough old bird!! I had heard at Dr. Pippas office that you had changed your hair color. The eye thing must be a typical effect of cancer or the drugs. After my first leukemia experience I developed a bleeding retina in my left eye AND later a painful case of shingles. Take care.
Beth Martin says
Wonderful news!!! And by the way, the white hair looks good on you. You and Jill are in my daily prayers and I also pray a cure is found for this terrible thing called cancer. Love to you both.
Cyndy says
I have missed your written voice! So glad that your return to the blog brings good news. I’ll anxiously await more!
Carol Casey says
Mike,
You are such an inspiration and I am so glad to see you back online. Prayers are coming your way daily.
Allison Kennedy Owen says
Mikey, not a day goes by that I don’t think of you and Jill. … And how is “my” dog Dixie?
So glad for this good report! Xxoo.
Pat Daniel says
So glad to hear about the progress you are making with the tumor!!!! Steve and I have you in our prayers every day!
Gloria Dodds says
Hopefully we can celebrate at the Crystal Ball tomorrow night. All of us will be ganging up on this disease and fighting hard for a cure.
Chris Batttle says
Fantastic news, Mike! I sympathize with the white hair but, as you said, it’s worth it to see those mets shrink. I’m thrilled for you. And, of course, we’ll be keeping you and Jill in our prayers.
Linda Parks Smith says
Mike, you and your family are in our prayers.
Jim Devitt says
Mike, I know it’s a tough row to hoe but keep up the fight. I draw strength from your struggles. My cancer markers are way down as of now. Only taking daily doses of Xeloda…side effects are minimal…hands and feet peel and I have no fingerprints. I guess this would be a great time to explore crime as an option since I’d leave little evidence at the scene. I had a new right hip installed three weeks ago…..and now the old hippie has a new hip. The discomfort is only exceeded by the PT sessions which leave me wobbly at best. I trust we both shall prevail and within a few months we’ll be hoisting a few beers together excited that we whupped these little trivial discomforts together. Bless you my friend……endure.
Sherrie says
Yay! I’ve missed you and it is so good to see your fingertips back in action. Keep that keyboard smoking. You are on our prayer list every Sunday at church as well as daily in my home. Love you both and cannot wait to see you hopefully in the hours in this day!!
Suzanne Morton says
Oh, Mike! So glad to hear from you and to have good news, too!! I’m just so sorry the fight is so hard. You and Jill are in our constant prayers!
Bonita Cantrell says
I don’t always comment, but I always read your articles. Your writing is perfect. As always, I can’t stop reading!! You bring everything to life…as a good writer should. I’m so very thankful your treatment is working for you. I’ve called your name in prayer a bunch. I’ve felt called to pray for you since I caught the very first article about your ordeal. I’ll continue to remember you.
Jan Venable Davenport says
Love you …..:)
Deb Wood says
I have missed seeing the updates, and I am so glad you had some good news to tell. You and Jill are always in my prayers!
Camille Russo says
White hair and skinny is in the wheelhouse. Love you both and are glad you are responding to these meds.
Virginia says
Mike, so glad you are writing again and thankful the treatment is
working for you. You remain on top of my prayer list.
Becky Ivey says
Thank you for sharing this wonderful news,Mike. You and Jill are constantly in my prayers.
Hugs and love,
Hope Phillips says
Have never stopped praying, whether or not there are posts or personal sightings of you both!
Hope
Carol Ann Kaplan says
Mike,
Morgan and I pray for you and Jill often. Not a day passes where you are not in my thoughts. I’m so happy to read your blog. I look forward to the next installment!
Dianne Henry says
Good news, Silver Fox. I am grateful for your strength and that you share it with others. Thank you so much for your call to my sis.
love you both, di
Rusty Scoven says
Toughest guy I know!! Stay strong my brother!!
Debbie Seeley says
Fabulous to see you at the Crystal Ball! I thought Jill looked stunning and you were so handsome! I LOVE the hair color….it adds character…….like you need it!
Not sure how much we raised Saturday night, but, as you know, there is something new coming down the pike daily, and I feel YOUR miracle will come along shortly. Mikey is long overdue for a break, and you, my friend, will get it soon.
All my love to you and Jill!
mary margaret stone says
Dick and I think of you and Jill often. So glad you are having good days. Will continue to keep you in our prayers.
Jo mcDaniel says
So glad to hear from you, and with good news. Will keep you both in my prayers. Love to you both.
Jennifer says
What wonderful news! So glad to read a new blog from you.
Mark Venable says
Mike, I’m so thankful to get the good news about the Votrient. Your family here in Florida continues to love and pray for you. By the way, Brenda and I really enjoyed having lunch with you, Jill and your wonderful parents (the most hospitable people on the planet) a few weeks ago. Take care.