What's Peter Halle's Story? (diagnosed with cancer)

Good to see you up and about old friend!

Do ramp up gently and heal thoroughly.

If the spirit is there, the body will folllow in its own time!

 
Since I do not post here very often, this is all news to me. Peter, I am glad that the surgery went well and that you are improving. Wishing you all the best, Colin
 
CANCER is the scariest word in the English language. A word no one wants to hear. Sorry it came into your life.

Sounds like things are get better every day. Hang in there, you have some great caregivers.

Greg
 
Well, I am back at NIH for round two of chemo.  This time I will be doing three chemo drugs instead of just two.  The third one is because it was discovered that besides my huge bouncing baby tumor in my abdomen and the tumor in my left lung I also have cancer in my spine in possibly two areas.  Again, like the others because it is testicular cancer that has spread it is easily treatable.  It does reduce the overall anticipated success rate for a cure a few percentage points but with that remaining over 90% I remain positive.

Yesterday's day started at 9:00am and ended at 2:30am this morning.  We had some interruptions including a hearing test because I was exhibiting some side effects of the one drug that can affect the hearing either short or long term.  What the test did show was the effect of NOT WEARING HEARING PROTECTION FOR MOST OF MY WORKING LIFE!  No more yelling, but if you don't wear hearing protection please change your habits.  You can thank me 20 years from now.  Today without interruptions the entire treatment cycle was 10.5 hours.  I do have one more 30 minute drip coming in about 4 hours.

I did receive the test results on the tumor markers associated with my cancer this morning.  For those who don't pay attention to medical things like I didn't a couple of months ago, tumor markers measure enzymes or other chemicals usually in the blood that are given off by the cancer cells.  They can be helpful in measuring the total amount or cancer present and if a treatment is being effective.  The will not necessarily measure if a tumor has shrunken, just help track on whether or not the cancer cells are dead or dying by measuring what they are giving off.

The are two tumor marker associated with my type of testicular cancer.  The first one (which is considered the least accurate of the two) saw it's value drop from in the 1200's down to the 200's  [thumbs up] [thumbs up] [thumbs up]after just one week of treatment and then a little over a week of off time.  The other marker saw its value drop from the 1400's down to 3.6!  That is not a typo.  [thumbs up] [thumbs up] [thumbs up] [thumbs up]

That doesn't mean that the treatments will ease up or stop.  Nope.  With the addition of the third drug I will likely have one more treatment week added if my body is able.

My body feels better than it has in it least 4 months.  Next week will be tough, but I'll trade that for being to write here five years from now in a heart beat.

Keep smiling, make some sawdust (captured by a CT of course), and just have a GREAT DAY! tomorrow!

I'm smiling now.

Peter

 
Peter Halle said:
Well, I am back at NIH for round two of chemo.  This time I will be doing three chemo drugs instead of just two.  The third one is because it was discovered that besides my huge bouncing baby tumor in my abdomen and the tumor in my left lung I also have cancer in my spine in possibly two areas.  Again, like the others because it is testicular cancer that has spread it is easily treatable.  It does reduce the overall anticipated success rate for a cure a few percentage points but with that remaining over 90% I remain positive.

Yesterday's day started at 9:00am and ended at 2:30am this morning.  We had some interruptions including a hearing test because I was exhibiting some side effects of the one drug that can affect the hearing either short or long term.  What the test did show was the effect of NOT WEARING HEARING PROTECTION FOR MOST OF MY WORKING LIFE!  No more yelling, but if you don't wear hearing protection please change your habits.  You can thank me 20 years from now.  Today without interruptions the entire treatment cycle was 10.5 hours.  I do have one more 30 minute drip coming in about 4 hours.

I did receive the test results on the tumor markers associated with my cancer this morning.  For those who don't pay attention to medical things like I didn't a couple of months ago, tumor markers measure enzymes or other chemicals usually in the blood that are given off by the cancer cells.  They can be helpful in measuring the total amount or cancer present and if a treatment is being effective.  The will not necessarily measure if a tumor has shrunken, just help track on whether or not the cancer cells are dead or dying by measuring what they are giving off.

The are two tumor marker associated with my type of testicular cancer.  The first one (which is considered the least accurate of the two) saw it's value drop from in the 1200's down to the 200's  [thumbs up] [thumbs up] [thumbs up]after just one week of treatment and then a little over a week of off time.  The other marker saw its value drop from the 1400's down to 3.6!  That is not a typo.  [thumbs up] [thumbs up] [thumbs up] [thumbs up]

That doesn't mean that the treatments will ease up or stop.  Nope.  With the addition of the third drug I will likely have one more treatment week added if my body is able.

My body feels better than it has in it least 4 months.  Next week will be tough, but I'll trade that for being to write here five years from now in a heart beat.

Keep smiling, make some sawdust (captured by a CT of course), and just have a GREAT DAY! tomorrow!

I'm smiling now.

Peter
Click to expand...

Peter

That sounds like some positive news!  Remain strong and keep fighting! 
 
Thanks for the update, Peter and congrats on the positive news and progress.

Prayers continue for speedy and complete recovery.

neil
 
[attachimg=1][size=14pt]

Keep up the good fight Peter, and to supplement the chemo -
 

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Thanks for the update Peter. Keep up the good spirits and positive thoughts!
 
Peter,

Thanks for the update, it's always great to hear from you. When I read that sentence about the spread to your spine my heart sank, but it's great news that it's treatable with the chemo. If you're still over 90% with that too, then that's awesome. All the best wishes, and keep in touch.

PS - love the new avatar. Being bald really suits you! [big grin]
 
Thanks for the update and the reminder on hearing protection.
All the best with the rest of the treatment.
Kev
 
Wow, that's great progress, Peter!  There is light at the end the tunnel and it is not a train.  You will be back to your normal healthy self in no time.  Hang in there buddy.  We are with you.
 
Peter,

Not questioning your health care providers, but during this ordeal, have you had a PET Scan; or would a PET Scan not help in detecting your type of cancer?
 
Thanks for the update, Peter.  Here's hoping for your continued success at beating the monster. 

[smile]

 
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