The latest

Chuck had an appointment with Dr. Nora today. Mary and Dad went with. There is no change in the CA19-9 blood test. One of the lymph nodes was slightly larger (2mm) and the rest were unchanged. Dr. Nora was 50-50 about doing nothing last visit. Now he's 51% for doing nothing. He will get checked again in 2 months.

Other news: RCC Club golf championship - Chuck came in 4th overall in a 3 way tie scratch. The 3 had a playoff which he didn't win. However, he won the Senior golf championship scratch and with handicap.

Good news!

The CAT scan showed no change in Chuck's enlarged lymph nodes (i.e, they aren't any bigger), and none of Chuck's other lymph nodes are showing any sign of abnormality.

Chuck also had a CA19-9 blood test, which is a tumor marker primarily for pancreatic cancer. It was slightly elevated. The other hospitals who have reviewed Chuck's information are of the opinion that the primary source is either pancreatic or lung cancer. However, there are still no tumors visible.

The plan is for Chuck to repeat the bloodwork, CAT scan, and chest x-ray in 7 weeks. In the meantime, Chuck seems to be keeping whatever it is from getting the upperhand!

Appointment with Dr. Nora

Mary and Chuck are meeting with Dr. Nora today at 2:30 pm. Mary said she will post a blog or call someone after the meeting with the results of the CAT scan.

In our thoughts

You'll be in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow, Papa Chuck. Here's hoping for a repeat performance of the last scan.

4th of July Pics

I have uploaded my pictures from the 4th of July on Flickr. You should be able to just click here to view and download/print.

If that doesn't work, you may have to create a flickr account by going here first.

Enjoy!

Tres Amigos - 1964

This was in June of 1964 packing the Corvair for the epic trip to California to spend a week with Phil Basile. Many enduring memories. "let's hike to the bottom", "watch out that bar will come crashing down on your head", cruisin Hollywood boulevard, swimming at Malibu, Disneyland, the ranch in New Mexico etc. etc.

Neil

The Four Musketeers

Chuck, Phil, Neil, and Hazen. From one of the fun get-togethers by the ever gracious hosts, the Tucks.

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