6 Week Check Up

Yesterday I had my 6 week check up with my surgeon Dr. Tandon. Its hard to believe that it has been 6 weeks since I had the orange size tumor removed from my head. It was a good check up. I took a visual field test to see how my vision is doing after the surgery. The doctor liked what he saw and cleared me to drive. I feel like my vision is better now after the surgery. I was excited to hear that. Its another step closer to finish line. He also said that I could return to work when I felt up to it. I hope within the next couple of weeks I can return for half days. By the end of next week I should be feeling all of the side affects of the radiation and chemo. I feel that will give me a good gauge to see if I can return to work. I am ready to get back into the swing of things. We talked to the doctor for about an hour and he restated how much of a challenging surgery I created for him and how much fun it was for him and the nurses to move me around on the operating table. Apparently, I was not their smallest patient. I asked him if I was going to set off the airport alarms when I go through check in because of the titanium in my head- he said that I would not. So thats unfortunate. I was happy with the appointment and a lot of positives came from it.

I have now completed 2 weeks of 6 of the radiation and chemo. So far I have been doing really good with it. I have only had a couple of headaches since the treatment started. I have been trying every morning to get up and go walking too. The oncologist says that the walking should help. Only 4 more weeks to go then I will be finished with the cooking of my head.

I have to give God all of the credit for answering my prayers so far on making this a smooth treatment . I cannot give enough thanks to my beautiful wife for taking me to treatment and putting up with me 24 / 7 for the past 6 weeks. We have sure enjoyed this time together and with our little Tyler.

I would also like to thank my mom for hauling me around to all of my appointments and treatments as well. Between the 2 of them they have just been the best support system. Thanks to all of you for all of the prayers and support.

Love,

Scott

Radiation Photos 7/15/11

Hello Everyone!!,

After today, one week of 6 weeks will be completed for my radiation treatments. Time just keeps flying by. For that I am thankful. The treatments so far have not been bad at all. Radiation lasts for only about 15 minutes from the time I walk in to the time I walk out. I have not had any side affects from either treatment so far, I am hoping and praying it stays that way. I have to send another thank you to Candace and my mom for being my taxi service through this week. Without their help I couldn't go anywhere. I have still not been cleared to drive yet. I go next Thursday to an appointment with my surgeon for my 6 week check up. He wants me to go to an optomologist to check and see if my vision is good before they clear me to drive. I am ready to get back doing my normal routine.

I had my weekly check up with my Radio Oncologist and everything is going well. There is no doubt in my mind that I can beat this stuff.

I have enclosed a few pictures of my radiation treatment and mask that I wear. I have had several questions of what my mask looks like and I figure the best way to show every one is through a picture.

The table I am laying on rotates and goes up and down along with the big machine above my head. They rotate the table four times and after each rotation they cook my head for a few minutes.

Here is the mask that keeps my head locked down to the table.

Radiation and chemo are in progress!

Well, the day has arrived! Scott began taking his chemo last night and is on his way to MD Anderson now for his first Radiation treatment.

We had a great weekend at the Mayo Ranch swimming in the pool and then we went to the lakehouse, where Scott, CJ, and Ronnie had a successful fishing trip...they caught 43 White Bass...Scott had a blast! Here are a few pictures from the weekend, and I also threw one in of his FABULOUS battle scar.

Keep the prayers coming...We love all of you.

Love,

Candace, Scott, and Tyler-Man

Radiation and Chemo Update

This will be my first post. I have to give all the credit to my beautiful, strong and devoted wife for setting this blog up. There are not enough words to describe my love for Candace. She has been such a rock for our family. Even through this tough time she puts on one of her beautiful smiles and plugs her way through this with me. Love you Candace!!!

We just had an awesome weekend in Matagorda with my family. I even felt good enough to go fishing with my pops and brother. Even though I didn't catch anything it felt so good to be able to get out and not think about all this stuff. I can't thank my dad and brother enough for taking me out, love ya'll.

Now on to the update!! My scar has been healing well and can now sleep good without feeling it. I have been feeling good the past few days. I have only had a couple of headaches because I think I have been picking up stuff that is too heavy for me. I feel like I can still pick up everything I used to but I guess taking a golf ball size brain tumor out of my head limits me just a little.

We met with the Radio Oncologist at MD Anderson last Thursday and I will begin radiation treatments along with Chemo on July 11, 2011. The radiation treatments will last for 6 weeks for 5 days a week at 20 minutes per day. I will start Chemo at the same time. I will do both for 6 weeks and then I will take a 4 week break and continue on with Chemo. I don't know yet how long I will be on Chemo but I have heard up to a year. I am ready to get the treatment started and knock this tumor down a notch.

I go tomorrow to MD Anderson to sign a consent form so the doctor can take a biopsy of my tumor, I guess they keep it of file haha!, to see if my tumor has these certain enzymes present. If it does then I qualify for a trial once my radiation and chemo are finished to go on another medication to help so the cancer slows down. So we are hoping and praying that I can get into this study. This is one of the many reasons why we chose to get treatment with MD Anderson because they seem to have more options once the standard treatment is finished.

I would like to send out a big thank you on behalf of Candace, Tyler, and I for all of the prayers and support that ya'll have given us. Believe me when I say we have felt it and appreciate it. I know God has a plan for my life and it will be the best one. We have just hit a little bump in the road and all I need to do is fight this tumor. I promise you that is exactly what I am doing.

Love,

Scott and Candace

P.S. If you want to keep the prayers coming I won't stop you!!