I just got home this afternoon from spending the early part of the weekend with my brother, Eric, at his hunting lease south of Albany, Ga. I went by The Medical Center lab on Thursday morning to get my blood work done and then headed out of town to see Eric. On the way down there I got a call from Dr. Michael Morse’s physician’s assistent, Cindy Simonson. She said, “Mike, your creatinine is still at 2.3. Dr. Morse is saying no to any further HD-IL2 therapy. So, you’re on hold for coming back on Sunday and I’ll let you know what comes next.”
So, I decided to go see my brother and do what we do best….laugh. I have laughed my guts out all weekend long and I haven’t given cancer a single thought. So, we’re not going to Duke tomorrow and I don’t have a single idea what is going to happen next. I’m sure we’ll be bringing in a nephrologist for consultation. And, I’m sure I’ll be talking to Dr. Pippas, Dr. George and Dr. Morse about next options. I guess they’ll scan me anyway to see if the first half of the HD-IL2 therapy, though abbreviated, did me any good.
I really hope the creatinine is going to settle back down. If it doesn’t, we’ve really got some tough ground ahead. Not being able to use contract media for scans might just be the most scary change we’ll have to make. If I can’t stand the contrast, all of my future scans won’t be worth much. They’ll be trying to manage a scary disease with blinders on. I don’t know the answers to any of these questions at this point. I’m just speculating and I won’t know the score until we have some of these medical consultations.
Sorry for the short post. I wanted to bring everyone up to speed and I want to go talk to my wife. I’ve missed her.
Allison Kennedy Owen says
Mikey. North Carolina will just have to delay having your awesomeness in the state for another little while. Their loss. Prayers and love!
Brenda French says
My #2 sister always makes me laugh and I love to laugh. Glad you spent time with your brother and you guys laughed. I did a lecture at my hospital recently on humor and health. There actually is research that shows it does help the body heal, improves immune system and decreases blood sugar, to name a few things. The following websites are cool.
http://www.humormatters.com/
http://www.laughterremedy.com/
http://www.humorproject.com/
http://www.holisticonline.com/humor_therapy/humor_therapy_benefits.htm
Continue to laugh and heal.
Ellen Brooks says
Laughter is excellent medicine! Continuing in prayer!
Patty Branch says
Hang in there Mike, you are so strong! I keep you and Jill in my prayers everyday!!!
Love to both of you!
Patty
Marquette McKnight says
Im glad you got those laughs with that wild brother of yours. And freakin’ hate that the news what you wanted. There’s another day bro….and it will be conquered. Wish you and Jill were here with us, this is your kind of crew….love you man
Pat McDougall says
So glad you got some good laughs with your brother! You and Jill hang on……you know who is in the driver’s seat! God bless!
Marianne says
Mike – my Mike always gets MRI’s instead of CT’s to avoid the CT Contrast due to high creatinine. Maybe that’s an option for ya.
Sandy Gunnels says
PET Scans an option? (if it comes to that. Love ya! Praying!
Bonita Cantrell says
Thanks for the update. I woke up and you two popped into my head. So, at 3:45 AM, I am checking your page. Glad you enjoyed your Brother. I believe the Bible… and it says in Proverbs 17:22
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
So, “Laughing your guts out” was the best medicine you could receive this weekend! AND Not giving that ole nasty cancer one thought, was good too. I’m keeping the faith for you two. Sometimes I’ve had to depend on others to pray for me…cause I was in too big of a mess to pray for myself. I think lots of people are doing that for you…and you are loved by friends and family. I’m continuing to do those 5 words…remember them???? ๐ Ok…who needs a test, right?? “I Will PRAY FOR YOU”
Jim Thomas says
Mike, have you heard of a company called TGEN? Look them up on tgen.org. Interesting new take on cancer research.
David Fletcher says
V.
Can you say “egg mcmuffin?”
Love you both,
Fletch
Pat McDougall says
Mike, I am reading my Bible this morning and this specific chapter jumped out! Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Especially verse 9!! Hold onto this! Prayers going up for you and Jill!
Perry Ann says
Hi buddy. Thanks for update. Your body will let you know what is next
Glad you got some All-benny style therapeutic recreation!!
I bet your creatinine evens out. Just may take a little extra rebound time
Love to you and J. PAW.
janet p says
I have problem with contrast too. Getting a pet scan this Wednesday.
Grandin says
Another part of the journey…………!
Willa Ogletree says
Hi Mike
I feel sure that your creatinine will level out. Maybe it is just going to take a little longer for you. You have been thru so much and I understand you wanting to get back to taking care of business, but maybe this is just a way for your body saying it needs a little more time. Our bodies do talk to us.If I had not listen to my back in 2005 and had not gone to the Clinic for Women I would probably not be here today. Same thing with my bladder this past year. You are in my and Jim’s prayers everyday, and I know in my heart God is taking care of you. Take care and I will be waiting for your next blog.
Please take care of yourself my dear and special friend.
We love you
Jan Venable Davenport says
thinking of you………glad you and Eric had fun ๐
Love you
Perry Ann says
Sorry for the news. Sounds like you are prepared for conversation with Dr George
Your body did the very best it could. Time to make a new plan with your “A team”
Thanks for slogging and blogging onward and upward
You need a 2 hour massage with shea butter!!