Transplant Tales: to China and back

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

104 A.T.
It has been 3 months since the transplant and so far so good. Eric's over all health is great. All lab test show that the liver function is fantastic. The Doctors have began to taper down some of the anti rejection medications. Eric has an appointment tomorrow with UCSF, a normal post transplant appointment.
The recent MRI shows no sign of cancer, despite previous concern. Eric did have a CT scan done on the chest. What was seen was a couple suspicious spots. However we are told the spots are to small to do anything about at the moment. They have neither confirmed or ruled out that these spots are cancer.
Either way we have pursued seeing the Oncologist to discuss options. We have learned a lot this last year that, we need to be the aggressor not the cancer.
I catch myself getting discouraged occasionally, especially when we heard it may have returned. But I have to remind myself that we need to stay focused and continue living life to the fullest. Eric still remains strong and full of life an energy. I can only imagine what goes through his mind. One thing is for sure, through this last year an even now, I have grown to truly admire Eric for his will and determination to live.
Eric, I Love You!

Friday, June 16, 2006

94 A.T.

Last night Anderson Cooper 360, aired their interview on Eric and his story. All in all, I think it was very tastefully.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/2006/06/ailing-americans-seek-chinese-organs.html

Check it out, see what you think.

It asked the same question as we did before. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

91 A.T.

We had a wonderful weekend. We took off after Eric's CT scan of him lungs, yes, another one. And went up to Lake Berryessa for a 3 day weekend. The weather was great and the lake was fairly quiet.

We took the boat out and did a little tubing. I think Eric enjoyed throwing me. He did a few circles an I hit one of the wakes and ended with about 4 feet of air. Needless to say I am a little sore. I came down pretty hard. We also got Samantha out on the donut she loved it.

Dominic was the more causes one.

All in all the weekend was well worth it and quite needed. Eric has done a number of tests in the last couple of weeks. UCSF has adjusted one of his anti rejection medications again. They have also said that they have submitted a request to our Doctor at Kaiser for another Bone scan or a PET scan. Since Eric's AFP is on the rise last weeks test showed 3460, higher than the last test. In other words they are saying the cancer is back but they haven't found it yet. I hope they do the PET scan, I think that would end the goose chase.

OH, another exciting note. CNN's Anderson Cooper will be televising the interview of Eric and myself this coming Thursday June 15th. Check it out!

Sunday, June 04, 2006

82 A.T.

Wow, we are so sorry for not writing. It's been almost 3 weeks since our last posting. Eric did go in and have his CT scans done. Chest, abdomen, and pelvic. We received a call from the DR. Informing us that nothing was seen in liver. That was a great relief. They did however see to spots on the lungs. They could not determine though if it was cancer or water spots. Eric was scheduled to go in and have an MRI as a follow up. There must have been some goof up 'cause they only did an MRI for the liver. I have it on the top of my list tomorrow to call and get him in again for the chest. So, we'll see how that goes.

We saw the Doctors at UCSF as a routine post transplant appointment. While we were talking with the Doctors we started on the discussion of recurrence. They told us that if the cancer did not return in five years. Then we could declare victory. I responded that we didn't need to wait five years. Since March 15th, everyday has been a victory!!

We took the boat out on the bay last weekend. The weather was great and had so much fun we have decided to head off to Lake Berryessa next weekend for more boating fun.

I promise that you will see atleast one posting a week. No more leaving you all hanging.