Kevin’s Journey – January 2009

It is at this time I need to post some personal information, to help to explain the discontinuance of updates, a slowness in my ability to respond to e-mails quickly, or the ability for me to assist folks like I would like.

I have and continue to respond in kind to all the e-mails I receive, and welcome them. I have saved some that I find complete and interesting, and have plans to research or respond more completely.

First, In March 2005 I underwent an operation for colon cancer. This operation was a complete success according to the surgeons and the oncology teams. All subsequent testing were clean.

In November of 2007 I went to the Primary Care doctor on a routine visit, and his concerns leaned toward my heart and a high cholesterol count. I was prescribed some medicines, but even more profound, I decided to make a change in my diet. I weighed 254 pounds at this point. I completely changed my diet (no more grand slams/bacon), no butter, no sugar, no soft drinks (I did drink diet sodas) no fried foods, I drank non fat dairy (milk, yogurt and cottage cheese) ate plenty of oatmeal and made a concentrated effort to watch the labels of everything I consumed. I began getting interested in the effects of particular foods in the diet. I read three or four books on the western diet and others. I picked information out of these and applied them.

I also took exercising pretty seriously. I began a regimen of walking every day beginning with lite walks and through the months got into longer ones with the longest at almost five miles. I purchased a bike- walking to the store (3 miles) and riding it home. If not for the flat tire I got two miles into the return trip, It was the perfect exercise day. Well, I did have to walk home a mile with the bike in tow. I integrated the bike and walking into my everyday routine. Some walking, some biking. I bought an AB-Lounge plus at a second hand store and was given a treadmill (pro-form 625) by my neighbor. I transformed the computer room to an exercise/computer room.

I had gradual but continuous success, and began tracking my activity/weight, blood pressure, meals etc. My last entry was 7/20/08 where I weighed in at 214. Needless to say, I felt pretty good.

In September of 2008 I had a routine appointment with my Rheumatologist at the VA. All of my visits over this period with any of my care givers was greeted with “you have lost a lot of weight”. Of course, I was working at it. This visit was a bit different. I met a young intern, Jennifer Lee who was under the tutelage of my regular Rheumatologist Dr. Naguwa. She stated that I needed to get Cat-Scan as a result of some concern for a high blood count of some particular variety. I thank her for this.

The CT was scheduled and completed week before Thanksgiving 08. I received a call from Dr Lee shortly after I arrived home. You have a growth in your abdomen, one that needs to be addressed with a biopsy. December this was done, and the results were positive. I had a two percent chance of cancer returning, and it had. My surgeon and the residing oncologist were “very surprised” at this.

After making my way through all the subsequent tests and treatment doctors, I begin a chemo-radiation regimen which begins first part of February. I have some prep appointments left, including a port installation.

I am told that this is an inoperable tumor and that it is not likely to go away. Their goal is to prolong life, and shrink it to a level where there is minimum pain. I will be on some form of Chemo the rest of my life, as I understand it.

I appreciate all the support I have gotten from my family at Dennys. They are irreplaceable. I wanted to post this for extended family, and those of you who I have maintained casual contact over the years as connections I have made. Thank you all for caring about MCKEE and your roots. Please see that your degree of passion continues in genealogy through your families as well.

Update 2/09: I have begun radiation therapy, and start chemo today. All pictures (PET Scan, Lung X-Rays and CTs) are clean, meaning the only cancer is where the original tumor was located. I am in great hands at Travis. Everyone is dedicated to their jobs and the Doctors seem to have the smarts needed in their fields (Dr Wild (Chemo) Dr Lee (Radiation).

Update 3/09. Boy the beginning of chemo/radiation was a bear, however some adjustment with medicines etc. have leveled that out. I am still at work and in my fifth week of therapy. I am blessed with great care, have some radiation redness and soreness, otherwise doing fine. have no new prognosis because they will run some of the tests toward the sixth week. The tests will measure their results on this attack. I will post any new information I can pass. Bless all of you for the well wishes. Update 4/09. Tumor factor in the beginning of this mess was at 77. Latest at 40 week of 3/20. Only real problems have been site redness and soreness, and of course I am tired real early in the afternoons.

Update 6/09. Factor at 5. Promising. Radiation results were not as favorable as they would have liked, although they add the CT scan was a rather early one to determine any success of treatment so far. Completely finished with radiation (At my limit, can’t take for 10 years! wow). If nothing else this treatment stuff is interesting. Still in chemo, every other week -the plan is six months. CT scan planned.

8/09. Outward appearance great- no weight loss as I am up/down in the 206 range. Some localized pain-but working everyday-making all the appointments. CT Scan accomplished 08/09. Doc ordered bone scan, informational 08/19. I am sure I will get a great deal of information from these two tests. Accepting and feeling your prayers and well wishes. I thank you all and appreciate it more than you know.

8/20/09-WOW. Bone scan at 9am at Travis AFB at Fairfield. Got injected with some radioactive stuff that everyone is else is afraid of- and they’re putting in my veins! At Noon they put me on the table (the tube and x-ray equip) and I got up from there at 1:45. Then they sent me to get reg X-rays of ankles. Well, they are thorough! Good note is- the X-ray Doc who reads these things said that if I had not told him where the tumor was (by circling a diagram) he said he probably would not have seen it. Also said he saw nothing unusual in the way of lobes or nodules from head to toe. He seemed to be most concerned about swelling and effects of RA- ankles, feet, hands, knees.

Nothing but good news regarding bone scan, which as the X-ray guy said, no metastising – or traveling of cancer through the bone which is common with this type of tumor. ( There is some destruction of joints from the Arthritis) Good news where the cancer is concerned. She is happy about this big time. The CT scan showed no difference in the size of the tumor, however the same explanations are likely, that there is improvement in the tumor that cannot be really measured cause the size is comparable to the beginning, the explanation could be that some of the tumor is dead cells. My cancer factor still in the 7’s from the 80’s. Very happy about this. So there is little concern about the cancer at the bone, and right now all signs are good. The long term prognosis is much the same right now, and treatments are going to be extended so to continue what is working (beyond the two more I am scheduled to have) She thinks a lot of the success is due to my continuing my routine, as in working, active at home etc. She says people who back off and stay at home through therapy don’t tend to have very good success rate. Anyway, all is good today. Also, she is happy with how it feels to her touch as opposed to how it felt to her in the beginning. (as in does not hurt to the touch, the size etc.)

September 15, 09. Have been getting well wishes and folks asking if there is anything they can do to help. Times like this sometimes get out of control as the medical expenses get going so much faster than I thought even possible. Prayers are special and needed. If you have the ability – helping defray the costs no matter how little, to Department of Veterans Affairs, P.O. Box 530269 Atlanta, Georgia (Account 612-000000-7252643-MCKEE) or if you would feel more comfortable I am a real believer that earlier detection would have save my life. We need to help get the word out- so any donations of your resources including time to the American Cancer Society or your local group would be comforting and helpful.

Dec/09 I just went to give away my youngest daughter last month and it was really beautiful. Tough to loose a McKee but gained a bunch! My oldest daughter to be married this month. I am off to Cat Scan on the 8th and will end here.