Gus is Doing So Good

Gus is doing great right now. This is his week of no-chemo and he is living life to the fullest . . . golfing, horseback riding, taking walks with his puppy, splitting firewood, and repairing buildings at my fathers. He loves going to bed at night exhausted from accomplishing things instead of exhaustion from treatment and cancer.

Gus’ sister, Mary, spent 5 days with us and left last Monday. Those two had so much fun reminiscing, watching golf on the TV, and laughing.

He golfed yesterday in Dillon with a friend, Lonnie, and really had a great time. Gus even had a 69 foot putt.

Gus is in the mountains on horseback today. It started raining last night, but even nasty weather couldn’t dampen his excitement. He has so looked forward to another ride in the mountains. Especially since his last opportunity to ride in the mountains ended instead in Dillon redoing a CT scan.

Gus and I are amazed he feels so good 15 months into this cancer walk. It just shows you that it is God's time frame we live in, not the statistics of this world.

Doctor's Appointment 9-15-09

Gus’ CT scan was clear. No signs that the cancer is spreading to other organs. We felt confident before meeting with the oncologist that the scan would be fine, but you still love to hear the doctor’s words confirming that.

Gus’ CA 19-9 is continually dropping. Last Tuesday it was 44, well within the normal range again.

Gus refuses to have anything new to take to hunting camp the 24th of October, so putting the port in his chest will be scheduled after Gus gets home. My fear is if he has too many negatives to come back to after hunting camp, he might just continue walking into the sunset and not come home.

Gus will have to start his chemo tablets his last day of camp to stay on schedule. There really is nothing to look forward to once he comes home except endless treatments. Gus wants to add to this that he does look forward to coming back to his wife, family, puppy, friends and hunting camp next year!

Golfing 9-13-09

Lane suggested last Sunday that the three of us go golfing in Dillon for the day. Gus always wants to golf, so we grabbed the clubs and headed out. It was a perfect day and this is the most Gus has ever allowed Lane to golf. Lane played six of the nine holes. If Lane has to drive the ball over a body of water, then Gus won’t let him play the hole. Gus had several pars for the day and Lane even made a 15 foot putt. I keep remembering back to last summer when Gus had his chemo pump hissing at him and how hard it was to concentrate on his golf swing.

Mission Accomplished

Gus did report to Dillon Thursday morning for the second attempt at a CT scan. It took a couple of tries to get the IV started, but they were able to finish the test. The nurses were very nervous to the point where one actually held her finger on top of the vein to make sure the dye stayed in the vein. Another technician held his hand while they were getting the IV successfully started.

We will not know the results of the test until we meet with the oncologist next Tuesday. We have no reason to be concerned. At this point in Gus’ walk, it is just a maintenance step.

CT Scan Gone Bad

Yesterday, Gus went to Dillon for his scheduled CT scan. The technicians had difficulty getting the IV started and once they started the dye into his veins, Gus knew things were not o.k. They stopped and realized the IV was allowing the dye to infiltrate into Gus’ arm and was not in the vein. They could not proceed with the scan and Gus came home with a swollen right arm that he could not use.

Thursday Gus had planned on going into the mountains with his horse and helping friends move cows. Now he gets to go back to Dillon and have the joy of trying again for the CT scan.

Gus and I are now getting concerned that the chemo is affecting his veins. Even his favorite lab tech in Bozeman, nicknamed Dracula, had trouble drawing blood last time. We are preparing ourselves for the fact that Gus might need to have a port put in. Gus does not want a PIC line like he had last summer because of the daily and weekly maintenance involved.

On the positive side, Gus’ CA 19-9 was 52 on August 25. It is steadily coming back into the normal range. He has also gained a few pounds so we are pleased. Gus is still pain free and getting things accomplished outside. His appetite is excellent. The only problems he is dealing with right now are the side effects of treatment, not the actual cancer.

His 10 week old puppy is now nicknamed HOUDINI. If there is the slightest weakness in her fortress, she escapes. All is forgiven, though, the minute those baby puppy eyes look into Gus’ with so much love. To Gus, she is perfect.