My email from Tuesday, Dec. 30th:
Greetings and Happy New Year-
I had my final MRI while in the U.S. last Sunday, the 21st, and had my final meetings with my oncologists recently: my medical oncologist this past Friday, the 26th, and my radiation oncologist yesterday, the 29th. The good news is that the tumor has NOT grown back. As much as I was hoping to hear that the Grade III cells have been ‘wiped out’, an MRI cannot see individual cells. Somewhat frustrating, but I still feel good and know everything will be a-okay.
I restarted my chemotherapy this past Friday and will finish tonight. My medical oncologist has me on a 5-day regiment of Temodar, this time at 400mg, for a period of 6 months. I will go for MRIs every other month and will undergo bloodwork immediately before I restart chemo. Both doctors have said my weight, blood counts and all other vital signs are excellent. The fatigue has almost disappeared though the nausea has increased.
So that is my news. I said goodbye to my parents and brother last night and am now at JFK awaiting my flight to Las Vegas. Plan to celebrate the New Years right. Then will be headed to Phoenix to see the Fiesta Bowl – Texas vs. Ohio State – and a HUGE win by Texas over a mediocre Ohio State team. And maybe some beach time after that. I will be headed back to Europe and to Serbia on January 12th. I am planning on returning in early June for a full check-up at Yale – I do have an oncologist in both London and Belgrade. I have to admit – I never planned to have been home this long, but it was great to reconnect with so many people, spend some quality time with my parents and T.J., and just chill out.
In the meantime, Happy New Year and my best to all.
Mike
December 31, 2008
December 23, 2008
The Whyte House has High-Definition
Good evening. After taking Joe Whyte to the Cablevision store this afternoon, the folks now officially have 'High-Definition' television. The new television is working great. My Mom loves the picture while my Dad is clueless. Of course the DVR function isn't working, but I will fix that after Christmas.
I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas (or Hanukkah for my Jewish friends!)
The MRI was a snap this past Sunday. I will find out the results of my treatments on Friday, 12/26 and Monday, 12/29, when I meet with my medical oncologist and radiation oncologist, respectively.
And finally on a lighter note. I think I've come up with a new nickname for my father. For those of you that know him, he is a 'creature of habit' and not susceptible to change. Hence, I've told him he is like a 'U.S. Carrier Battle Group' -- it takes a U.S. Aircraft Carrier and its supporting ships quite some time to turn in the ocean -- and I think the analogy fits. Hence, I've started to call him Carrier Battle Group Whyte -- it takes him some time to change, IF AT ALL!?! (He's still the best though: and, the best Firefighter the City of Bridgeport has ever seen; and the best High School Baseball Umpire in the State of Connecticut!)
Mike
I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas (or Hanukkah for my Jewish friends!)
The MRI was a snap this past Sunday. I will find out the results of my treatments on Friday, 12/26 and Monday, 12/29, when I meet with my medical oncologist and radiation oncologist, respectively.
And finally on a lighter note. I think I've come up with a new nickname for my father. For those of you that know him, he is a 'creature of habit' and not susceptible to change. Hence, I've told him he is like a 'U.S. Carrier Battle Group' -- it takes a U.S. Aircraft Carrier and its supporting ships quite some time to turn in the ocean -- and I think the analogy fits. Hence, I've started to call him Carrier Battle Group Whyte -- it takes him some time to change, IF AT ALL!?! (He's still the best though: and, the best Firefighter the City of Bridgeport has ever seen; and the best High School Baseball Umpire in the State of Connecticut!)
Mike
December 17, 2008
Launch Date is Set
Folks are probably like, Michael, you're still here?!?! Yes, through Christmas. In all seriousness though, I have a few dates set, and my date has been set for my return to Europe (I do need to work at some point!)
Some Dates:
Sun., 12/21: Final MRI in the U.S.; Dinner with my parents and T.J. at Morton's
Wed., 12/24: Christmas Eve at Denise & JJ's House (The Italian Feast)
Thu., 12/25: Christmas Day at my house
Fri., 12/26: Final Meeting with Dr. Jill Lacy, my medical oncologist
Mon., 12/29: Final Meeting with Dr. Jonathan Knisley, my radiation oncologist
Monday afternoon, 12/29: JetBlue flight from JFK to Las Vegas for some vacation
A lot of information, right? The story is this: The most important day is this coming Sunday, 12/21, when I return to Yale for my final MRI. During my treatment, they would not allow any MRIs because there is 'too much happening in my brain'. I had to wait 2 weeks after chemo/radiation ended for things to settle down. Upon my return to Europe, I will need to have an MRI once every two months.
What are we hoping for?? Normality! If the radiation and chemotherapy worked as planned, the remaining Grade III cells should be GONE. I plan to celebrate with dinner that night with my folks and T.J. at Morton's steakhouse (can you say cajun ribeye?) in Stamford. (And the big joke is that with this major surgery, I will have some newly gained, ultimate, UConn basketball playing abilities to take on any and all Boston College Eagles, Syracuse Orange or other alum-affiliated friends!)
I will have my two final meetings with my two oncologists before I leave. They will look at the MRI and I will also plan my chemotherapy schedule with my medical oncologist. At the onset of treatment, she was recommending at least a 6-month cycle (and possibly 12 months) of chemotherapy. I will do this in ONE FIVE-DAY CYCLE per month for at least SIX MONTHS. It is fairly simple. A 400 mg dosage each night before I go to bed....I can do this in Europe, as its in pill form.
My plan is to return to the U.S. in approximately 6 months time to have a check-up at Yale with my doctors. And as you can see, I will be leaving on the 29th for about 2 weeks of vacation. The plan is to go to Vegas for several days (and New Years Eve), then down to the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona to watch Texas crush Ohio State, then possibly some Rocky Mountain skiing (don't worry, I plan on buying a helmet this year!).
I should be flying directly back to Europe from the west coast area on or around January 12th, 2009.
If we don't speak before Christmas, I hope everyone has a terrific Christmas with your friends and family.
My best,
Michael
Some Dates:
Sun., 12/21: Final MRI in the U.S.; Dinner with my parents and T.J. at Morton's
Wed., 12/24: Christmas Eve at Denise & JJ's House (The Italian Feast)
Thu., 12/25: Christmas Day at my house
Fri., 12/26: Final Meeting with Dr. Jill Lacy, my medical oncologist
Mon., 12/29: Final Meeting with Dr. Jonathan Knisley, my radiation oncologist
Monday afternoon, 12/29: JetBlue flight from JFK to Las Vegas for some vacation
A lot of information, right? The story is this: The most important day is this coming Sunday, 12/21, when I return to Yale for my final MRI. During my treatment, they would not allow any MRIs because there is 'too much happening in my brain'. I had to wait 2 weeks after chemo/radiation ended for things to settle down. Upon my return to Europe, I will need to have an MRI once every two months.
What are we hoping for?? Normality! If the radiation and chemotherapy worked as planned, the remaining Grade III cells should be GONE. I plan to celebrate with dinner that night with my folks and T.J. at Morton's steakhouse (can you say cajun ribeye?) in Stamford. (And the big joke is that with this major surgery, I will have some newly gained, ultimate, UConn basketball playing abilities to take on any and all Boston College Eagles, Syracuse Orange or other alum-affiliated friends!)
I will have my two final meetings with my two oncologists before I leave. They will look at the MRI and I will also plan my chemotherapy schedule with my medical oncologist. At the onset of treatment, she was recommending at least a 6-month cycle (and possibly 12 months) of chemotherapy. I will do this in ONE FIVE-DAY CYCLE per month for at least SIX MONTHS. It is fairly simple. A 400 mg dosage each night before I go to bed....I can do this in Europe, as its in pill form.
My plan is to return to the U.S. in approximately 6 months time to have a check-up at Yale with my doctors. And as you can see, I will be leaving on the 29th for about 2 weeks of vacation. The plan is to go to Vegas for several days (and New Years Eve), then down to the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona to watch Texas crush Ohio State, then possibly some Rocky Mountain skiing (don't worry, I plan on buying a helmet this year!).
I should be flying directly back to Europe from the west coast area on or around January 12th, 2009.
If we don't speak before Christmas, I hope everyone has a terrific Christmas with your friends and family.
My best,
Michael
December 9, 2008
Treatments Concluded!
All Done. My chemotherapy ended on Friday, Dec. 5th, and I had my final treatment of radiation today, Tuesday, Dec. 9th.
Next Steps:
Friday, Dec. 12th - Meeting with my Medical Oncologist to discuss next 6 months
Sunday, Dec. 21st - Final MRI in the U.S. Will compare to the MRI post-surgery and see that everything is all clear and hope that no Grade III cells exist any longer! (That is the goal!)
Monday, Dec. 29th - Meeting with my Radiation Oncologist to discuss MRI results and a timeline for the next 6 months to 1 year
Mid January 2009 - Return to Europe and to work!
I will have so much time on my hands with no afternoon treatment, who knows how I will spend it. But I plan to rest up and get back to work in Europe soon.
Next Steps:
Friday, Dec. 12th - Meeting with my Medical Oncologist to discuss next 6 months
Sunday, Dec. 21st - Final MRI in the U.S. Will compare to the MRI post-surgery and see that everything is all clear and hope that no Grade III cells exist any longer! (That is the goal!)
Monday, Dec. 29th - Meeting with my Radiation Oncologist to discuss MRI results and a timeline for the next 6 months to 1 year
Mid January 2009 - Return to Europe and to work!
I will have so much time on my hands with no afternoon treatment, who knows how I will spend it. But I plan to rest up and get back to work in Europe soon.
December 7, 2008
Lasagna at T.J.'s Condo
A New England Sunday in Connecticut -- we have snow. Stayed at T.J.'s house for the night. Saw some old colleagues from Ernst & Young last night and had a great dinner at Capital Grille.
Tomorrow (Monday) is my second to last day of radiation and Tuesday, Dec. 9th, is the final day. Looking forward to that day, although after almost 30 days of going up and back to Yale, it has become like a daily business meeting, which in some way I may miss -- especially the rides with either my Dad, my Mom or T.J. They have been troopers and I sincerely thank them for it.
Uncle Jim & MaryEllen just left after spending the afternoon at T.J.'s with us and my parents. Mom cooked a great lasagna and then had a yellow cake (my favorite) for dessert. Not bad! It was their first time that they got to see T.J.'s bachelor pad - and his new 42 inch plasma television (T.J. and I are getting my parents one this week or next).
Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Be well, Michael
Tomorrow (Monday) is my second to last day of radiation and Tuesday, Dec. 9th, is the final day. Looking forward to that day, although after almost 30 days of going up and back to Yale, it has become like a daily business meeting, which in some way I may miss -- especially the rides with either my Dad, my Mom or T.J. They have been troopers and I sincerely thank them for it.
Uncle Jim & MaryEllen just left after spending the afternoon at T.J.'s with us and my parents. Mom cooked a great lasagna and then had a yellow cake (my favorite) for dessert. Not bad! It was their first time that they got to see T.J.'s bachelor pad - and his new 42 inch plasma television (T.J. and I are getting my parents one this week or next).
Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Be well, Michael
December 2, 2008
Almost There!
Just a quick update in regard to my treatments:
For my radiation treatments, after today, Dec. 2nd, I only have 5 more days to go. Tuesday, 12/16 is my final treatment at Yale. Surprisingly my head does not glow.
For my chemotherapy, after tonight, I only have 3 more nights to go.
I will see my medical oncologist on Friday for my weekly blood work and a meeting. Approximately 2 weeks after the 16th, so around the 22nd or 23rd, I will have to go for an MRI to see what the prognosis is. They cannot do it right after as my brain looks like scrambled eggs or something – so they want everything to settle in.
Am doing well. Am fatigued, not eating as much, and obviously my brother has chopped off my hair. But all in all, so far so good.
Look forward to speaking with each of you soon. Definitely am gearing up for Christmas. T.J. and I are getting our parents a new plasma television – I hope to enjoy some of it before I leave for Europe.
For my radiation treatments, after today, Dec. 2nd, I only have 5 more days to go. Tuesday, 12/16 is my final treatment at Yale. Surprisingly my head does not glow.
For my chemotherapy, after tonight, I only have 3 more nights to go.
I will see my medical oncologist on Friday for my weekly blood work and a meeting. Approximately 2 weeks after the 16th, so around the 22nd or 23rd, I will have to go for an MRI to see what the prognosis is. They cannot do it right after as my brain looks like scrambled eggs or something – so they want everything to settle in.
Am doing well. Am fatigued, not eating as much, and obviously my brother has chopped off my hair. But all in all, so far so good.
Look forward to speaking with each of you soon. Definitely am gearing up for Christmas. T.J. and I are getting our parents a new plasma television – I hope to enjoy some of it before I leave for Europe.
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