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

roblg3 said:
Wayne, is Tinker your actual last name?  Love that!!

When I had my mason biz, my friends called me "Tinkerelli".
I had an Irish friend who when first introduced to him, he exclaimed, "Tinker! Tinker! Aye, don't ever tell an Irishman yer name is Tinker."

"Why is that?" I asked.

"Becus in Ir-r-land, a Tinker is nothin' but a bum."

I liked the man immediately.

Tinker

Oh, and I had a cousin whose first initial was "S", but let's not go there. [blink]
 
[size=14pt]
I trust Peter that, after round three, life is still moving in a positive direction.

Take care.

[big grin] [big grin]
 
I haven't posted in this thread in a while, but based on another thread I thought I would bring this one up to date.

I have now finished my fourth one-week chemo session which happened the week of Thanksgiving.  I have been home for a week and although I am experiencing some tiredness I continue to count my blessings. 

Prior to the last treatment I did have my first blood transfusion due to low red blood cell and hemoglobin counts.  That was to be expected and the bounce back was excellent.  I anticipate that in the coming week I will get another couple of pints to bolster me prior to the fifth and hopefully final treatment the week of December 15th coming home on the 21st.

I don't get too wrapped up in the test result numbers because ultimately it will be the imaging once we are done with this and the final test numbers that matter, but the test that they pay attention to has had results go down from the 1400's before we started to 3.6 after the first week to 2.3 after the second round and then down to 1.8 after round three.  The range that they are looking for as considered normal for an adult male is 1.4 to 1.6.  So I am almost there.  Ahead of schedule.  They should be doing the test for the results from the last round on Tuesday, and the final round of chemo will go on as scheduled.  Then we will wait a couple of weeks to do the imaging tests.

I can't wait for the day that I can get back into the shop and the new Peter can do a video or something else to give back to the crowd here.  I have had much time during these 13.25 hr  5 times a week sessions being hooked up to tubes to think about what I want to do.

As always thank you for the thoughts and prayers over this journey.  I assure you that I couldn't have gotten where I am am today without you guys and what you have done even if it has been as simple as posting here and forcing me to search for an answer to a question.

Looking forward to a great holiday season and a 2015 that I would never have expected.

Thank you Foggers for everything!  May your holidays be filled with joy, happiness, and great health!

Rock on!

Peter 
 
Thanks for the update, Peter and happy for the continued progress.

Here's hoping you are making sawdust in the new year and your CT vans are picking it all up!

neil
 
neilc said:
Thanks for the update, Peter and happy for the continued .

Here's hoping you are making sawdust in the new year and your CT vans are picking it all up!

neil

Ditto.

Bob
 
Thanks for the update, Peter.  It looks that you are making great strides in the right direction for which we all cheer.
Tinker
 
Way to go, Peter!!!

I have had some friends go through similar treatment, and I admire how you've handled it.

Or maybe you have super-powers?

[wink]

Either way, great news!

Here's hoping your Christmas present this year is a clean bill of health!
 
Peter

You are doing a great job of managing your treatment - you are an inspiration to us all.

Keep going, you are almost there and will soon be back at work full time.

God bless you. Thank you for demonstrating such amazing courage.

Peter
 
Keep going, Peter!  Congratulations on your progress.  Throughout all of this you have shown amazing strength and a great deal of dedication to this group.  I wish you the best.
 
Well, yesterday was the day when I was supposed to start week 5 of chemo. I have to admit that when I got a phone call very late last week letting me know that we were going to hold off I wasn't heart broken. I had come out of the last session definitely feeling the cumulative effects of the chemo and looking forward to a couple of pints of blood to boost my red blood cell count.

So yesterday was a trip up to NIH to get blood tests and a CT scan to see how the tumor had responded to all the chemo. Well, the huge mass has been reduced by 80% and the majority of the junk that was growing up around my heart and lungs and esphogas is now gone. The test results for the tumor markers weren't in yet so I'll have to wait. All good news so far and it was great to see a room of oncologists with smiles on their faces.

Now we wait until December 29 and 30 to have the PET and bone scans to see if we still have cancerous life or if we have dead rocks and possibly scar tissue. Looking forward to those tests. If there is still life then it is on to Round 5. If Elvis has left the building then it is time to call it quits and I will have little reminders of this journey inside me for the remainder unless they end up dissolving.

So, to all of you out there who have followed this I offer my heartfelt wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy and safe holiday season and may you be healthy and as fortunate as I have been in the coming year! 

Happy Happy Holidays!
 
Hi Peter

Your response to your illness sets such a good example. I will be thinking of you as you go through the next few weeks.

I am sure everyone on the FOG is looking forward to seeing a new image of you will some hair - you could grow it really long just for fun.

Take care. God bless you and your family.

Peter
 
Peter, I wish you the greatest belated Christmas present ever - a clean bill of health!

Finger and toes crossed for you!
 
Fingers crossed for a continued recovery. I really hope you beat this and come out on top. Do pass all our greetings/wishes to your family as well since they are your best and closest support on this journey.

Sincerely Michael.
 
Thanks for the update.  Glad all is going well.  Our Andy is doing good too!  Like you I can't wait until this is over, going to be another year for us :(

Keep up the fight, never ever give up!!
 
Positive news, Peter.  Here's hoping 2015 enables you to get back at your passion full time with a clean bill of health!

Thanks for the updates and for setting an example for so many others!

neil
 
Peter, you have a great outlook.  A "glass is half full" is always the better road to travel.  It seems like your glass is getting fuller and fuller with every report.  Have a great Christmas and New year. 
Tinker
 
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