Whisper

Whisper is undergoing unplanned surgery as we speak. She has had a recurring UTI, and today, in an attempt to figure out what's going on, the vet x-rayed her and found several marble-sized kidney stones. T

he vet thinks we can still come to Rockford with her as planned, but because of her age, we're taking a wait and see approach. I don't want her to be stressed if she needs to be recuperating. The last time she had surgery, a few months ago, she was up and bouncing around in less than 24 hours, so we'll hope for a repeat performance.

Happy 4th of July

As we head into the 4th of July holiday weekend, I tried for a red-white-and-blue theme. This was the best I could find.

Lisa, Harry, & Chesa are due to arrive in Rockford on Saturday. The McGivern plans, as always, are still up in the air. Paul works Saturday, he's off Sunday, works Monday, he's off Tuesday, and works Wednesday. This doesn't bode well for a long weekend with the family. We'll try to visit on Sunday and Tuesday. We certainly don't want to miss Uncle Hazen's 60th birthday!

Love you all & see some of you soon!

P.S.
Jeanne - We still need to finish plans for Georgia. As it stands now, my dad is picking up Katie and JOHN on July 22. The rest of us are driving down for a visit the week of August 7. If you are in town and have room to take PJ & Michael, they would like to go earlier, but can't leave until after July 30.

no change in lymph nodes

The CT scan showed no change in the lymph nodes, and the PET scan showed no primary. Dr. Nora said the primary may be gone. He recommends another CT scan in a month and no treatment unless there's a change. Good news. Maybe it will stay in it's cage for 20 years.

Positive Vibes

Let's all send out positive vibes, say a prayer, cross your fingers, or whatever else you want to do to create good energy for Chuck.

Update - June 28

Chuck had both the CT scan and the PET scan yesterday. I guess the same machine was used for both.

They are meeting with Dr. Nora today at 2:30pm to discuss the results and any comparisons to the first CT scan from ~1 month ago. The best news would be to see no change or, God willing, a reduction in the size of his lymph nodes.

status 10:10AM

Pancreatic cancer blood test was negative as was prostrate biopsy. Pet scan results should be in late today and new CT scan is tomorrow. Love, Carol

Alternatives??

I spoke with my friend, Michelle Cecil, yesterday. Her sister was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. After chemo and radiation and one remission, the cancer reappeared and she was told her only option was paliative care. With that in mind, she went on a 6-week trip to Europe, running up her credit cards with a 'who cares' attitude. 15 years later, she is alive, well and cancer-free, although she had a heck of a time paying off her credit card bills! The doctor's have no explanation.

Michelle and her family have done a lot of research into cancer and its treatments. Michelle mentioned to me theories that cancer may be in all of us, many times without us ever knowing about it, and that people have spontaneous remission more than is currently believed because the cancer was never diagnosed.

I found a website that discusses this theory, and the benefits of diet, immunology and having a good attitude in treating cancer. It also references numerous texts. Maybe some of the medical folks could take a look and tell us what they think. I think it offers Chuck a more systematic way of trying to beat this, assuming there's something left to beat, than just doing nothing. The link is

http://www.soilandhealth.org/02/0201hyglibcat/020121horne/020121ch20.html

Dr. Nora appointment

Mary and Chuck got VIP treatment with Dr. Nora. He didn't have any new info now, but seemed to have a more hopeful attitude. He also got Chuck in for the PET scan on Monday and will see them again on Wednesday with the results and more discution. Carol

From Chad

My Dad's Words

Saturday, June 17, 2006posted by Chad Ketner at 10:32 AM

I just got an email from Carol showing me how to get into this website. How awesome are you all to do this. I am at work right now. My new carpet sales position following in my dads foot steps. It is going very good so far.I just wanted to let everyone know how My dad taught me to handle getting thru situations like this. I also hope this reminds him and he chooses to live by his own words. This is Chuck's words to Chad when Chad was at a bad time in his life........"No one said life will be easy. Life can be really good and it can be really bad. And when it gets bad it can even get worse. But no matter how bad it gets, if you are strong and wait it out it will always get better."I live by this every day! It will get better for us all especially for my Father.

Happy Father's Day

Michael and his friend Jack A. got home from Canada in time for father's day. It was quite a successful trip, with Michael catching 104 fish! Mostly Walleye and a few Northern. He brought home 8 fillets and a garbage bag full of dirty clothes.

We are still trying to finalize plans for the kids trip to Georgia this summer. PJ has football camp Monday-Thursday every week until July 27. Official football practice starts on August 9. Michael's all-star baseball started yesterday. He has both Jack A. and Jack B. on his team. They have 2-3 games per week for the next 6 weeks and then the championship tournament July 28 - 30. Doesn't leave much time for the family!

Maybe the Rockford gang would like to come to MG for one of the baseball games. We have Saturday games on June 24, July 1, 8, 15, and 22.

nothing new

Not much happened today. Chuck sent a blood test report to Dr. Nora who Mary and dad know and like a lot from his days at RMH. The doctor at UW (Dr. Cleary) said a PET scan wouldn't change what they're doing - which is nothing until the next CT scan. So no PET scan has been ordered. Dr. Picus is gone for a week. Waiting and doing nothing is tough - and nohing will happen on the weekend.

Mary's update

Mary sent slides and digital scan to Dr. Joel Picus, one of the best in the country at Barnes in St. Louis. He is the son of Dr. Charles Picus of Rockford who is a friend of Alex Halley. Before seing the slides he said Chuck should get a PET scan. They're trying to get that set up.

Emotionally they're a little better today per Mary.

How to post a message

How to add your message to this site for all you newbies.
At the top of the site to the right of the orange B is a little sign that says "BlogThis!" Click on it and a little box will pop up that you can type in.
After you type your message, give it a title in the title box which will have "Charles E. Ketner Family Pep Rally" in it.
Then delete the blue letters at the top of what you typed which also say "Charles E. Ketner Family Pep Rally".
Then click PUBLISH POST in the orange box at the bottom of what you typed. CT

Home from Madison

As many of you already know, the entourage has returned from Madison. Chuck has spoken to several people individually, so I'll cut to the chase ... he is seriously leaning towards the no treatment option.

As the UW physician pointed out, his quality of life right now is very good. He feels fine. Chemotherapy treatment could screw that up and cause him to feel terrible. Possibly even making things worse if suppressing his immune system allows the cancer to proliferate. I guess that is the difficulty in trying to treat an unknown primary source.

If he decides not to begin any treatment, he will have his chest and abdomen scanned again in ~6 weeks to see if there have been any changes to his lymph nodes. While this seems to make sense in a lot of ways, Dr. John Goldener is checking with his contacts to make sure it isn't too unconventional. I believe Alex is doing some checking as well.

PaPa - we will support you in any way we can and in whatever choice you make. You remind us to make the most of every day and to appreciate each other. We are blessed in many ways, especially by having such a caring family and group of friends. We all love you, and each other!

Born to Run

When Chuck recently celebrated his 60th as part of the first wave of Baby Boomers reaching that milestone, I couldn't resist honoring or as we said in '64 "pimping" him with this magazine cover mock up. Hope all of you enjoy the humor.

To be philosophical, sentimental and express Sue and my sentiments from afar, it should be quite a ride / adventure. In our few phone conversations, I know in my heart that Chuck is one determined son of a gun and we pray and support him in every way possible.

The lyrics here hold some meaning to the adventure and his persona in my opinion.

http://www.searchlyrics.org/steppenwolf/born_to_be_wild.html

Neil

Charles E. Ketner Family Pep Rally

Mary asked that I post a thank you to all of you bloggers for your great support and for your words of encouragement and inspiration.

Hazen Sr.

Eye Candy for Chuck

Hiya Chuck! Thought you'd enjoy this clip:

Best of luck at UW tomorrow!

A picture of my son the doctor at his brothers graduation. 

Photo of the Day

PaPa & Baby John at Andy & Katie's Wedding

UW Appointment Scheduled

All tests are in and Chuck has an appointment at UW for Tuesday afternoon (June 13). The UW doctor that he will be seeing speacilizes in CUP. Chuck's friend Alex (see previous entry) and Grandpa Van are planning to go with Chuck and Mary.

The brain scan was negative. The blood test for testicular cancer was negative. Mary didn't know what the Mayo Clinic had to say about the biopsy slides, but they are done with them and have sent them via FedEx to UW. UW also requested that Chuck bring all of his scan films with him to the appointment.

Chemo plans are TBD after the appointment at UW.

Alex spoke to a colleague of his that recently attended a seminar on CUP. He thinks Chuck should have another colonoscopy, thyroid studies, and a liver scan. Alex will be with Chuck at UW to make these suggestions.

Welcome everyone!

I'm still trying to get Mary & Chuck to figure out how to log in. Jeannie had some trouble so I removed her and then sent a new invite. It looks like it worked the 2nd time.

Thanks Hazen for the e-mail addresses for Dave and Chad. I added them to the list. Hopefully they will join us.

Rockford internet

The only fast internet access we have is Insight Communications.

blog member

I'm in.

Quiz of the day

Hey Chuck! Do you know the answer to this question:

Who is this masked man?


Extra points for the correct answers to these questions:
1. What mission was he trying to accomplish?
2. Whose wetsuit is that?

Hoping to hear some good news today,

Harry

Ignore this message if you are a pro-blogger

If you are a newbie like me, make sure to check the comments to posts.

Update from Mary

I spoke to Mary last night and have just a few things to share.

1. Chuck had a brain scan on Wednesday. They expect the results to be available tomorrow (Friday).

2. The tissue slides from the biopsy were mailed to the Mayo Clinic on Wednesday. The results of their analysis might be available early next week.

3. Chuck had a blood test on Wednesday to see if testicular cancer might be the "primary." The sample had to be sent out for analysis. They do not have results on this test, yet. I can't remember what she said on timing, but I believe it was Friday.

Once the results from these three tests are available, the Oncololgy Dept in Rockford will call UW to set up an appointment for a 2nd opinion. Hopefully, this will be next week. No treatment will begin until after the UW consultation and recommendation.

Mary and Chuck spent some time yesterday with their friends Alex and Marcia Halle. Alex is a retired internist and Marcia is the women that Sean called a "dick-head." Alex was able to help Chuck better understand all of the information that has been coming at him. Marcia and Alex have offerred to go with them to UW. They also told Chuck and Mary no more crying, it's bad karma. If only it were that easy.

Travel this weekend

I decided to go ahead and fly up this weekend. I arrive at Midway on Southwest at 5:45 pm on Friday, and can then take a bus to Rockford, arriving at Clock Tower at 8:30 pm. My return flight leaves Sunday at 7:45 pm. I'll need to get on the bus at Clock Tower at 3pm.

Insomnia

Thinking about you, Papa Chuck. Can't sleep, so said a prayer and thought I'd try to figure out how to do this. Not sure I have any of it right.

I'm learning how to use the BLOG. It's pretty easy. I don't have any news to report, but thought I would add a picture of Chuck from last 4th of July.