April 8

To all,

Liz and I are on our way home.

Thank you all for your good wishes. They are greatly appreciated.

We had a good conversation with Dr.Metrakos and a very appreciated follow up discussion with Dr. Hartley Stern.

I have a game plan formulating.

The tumour is small and malignant. Its location creates some challenges. Where on the pancreas, ok but close to the portal vein and an artery.

Rather than operate right away, the plan is to do 5 or 6 rounds of chemo, rest 5 or 6 weeks and then operate.

The chemo would start next week and end mid June. If all goes well with the chemo, we can do our family cruise and trip to Israel June end to mid July and then have the operation July end.

I will need to eat well and exercise to build up my strength after chemo and before the operation.

I guess I need to call upon the She-Devil (my personal trainer) to get me back to exercising. Not happy about the idea, but probably best.

This is the first game plan, but as we go it might have to change.

We are moving forward and I am up for the challenge.

Lots of love and many thanks to all,

Arnie.

April 6

To all,

Yahoo, the Nepean Riders won last night.
The series is tied with the Ottawa Junior Senators at 3.
The 7th and deciding game is Wednesday April 10th at 7:30pm at the Jim Durrell Rink.

I am doing okay, but still tired. The weekend is for rest to be prepared for next week.

I am seeing Dr. Metrakos, my surgeon on Monday in Montreal at 2:15pm.
Hopefully all of the test results are in and a game plan can be formulated.

I believe my systems are getting back to normal with the stent being inserted in my bile duct.
My pains have subsided and my crankiness is pretty well gone.

To those who were concerned, my gas has lessen and probably back to normal.

Liz has said my colour is better but I have had concerns about her eyesight and hearing for some time now, so I will need to get a second opinion.

I am doing okay with taking my insulin religiously since March 27th. I am thankful to Buzz for the tutorial on how to take insulin and for Dr. Tobin for setting me up.
In hindsight, I wished I had dropped the medication I was taking and started with insulin earlier.

I have been very happy with my experiences at the Montreal General Hospital.
It will be a goal of mine to see what it will take to help Ottawa to be able to do what Montreal can do.

Once again and I will repeat myself each day, thank you to all for your thoughts and well wishes.
They are greatly appreciated.

I continue to realize more and more how blessed I am to have such loving and caring Family and Friends.

Lots of love and have a great weekend,

Arnie.

April 4 - Part 3

To all,

Oooppppsss, I meant April 4th.

That's what happens when I do not eat and I am cranky. The brain does not work as well.

Take care,

Arnie.

April 4 - Part 2

Family and Friends,

Liz and I are on our way home.

The procedure went well and the stent is in. I should start feeling better soon and get my energy level up.

Soon I will eat to reduce my crankiness level.

Home in 2 hours for hopefully a good shluf.

All the very best,

Arnie.

April 4 - Part 1

Family and Friends,

All is well, although once again the Raiders split their last 2 games and so the Ottawa Jr. Senators are up in the series 3-2.
Big home game at 7:30pm Friday night at rink 2 at the Nepean Sportsplex.

Liz and I are off to Montreal at 11:00am for my procedure to have a stent put in my bile duct.
I am definitely a bit cranky as no food/drink for me since midnight.

Hopefully after the procedure, I will have more energy and strength. If my jaundice goes away then I can begin with the Harry Rosen model application photos.
More importantly, hopefully I will have less gas, as it has been embarrassing of late.

The procedure is scheduled for 2:30pm but there might be a 1:30pm cancellation so we are going early.
It is a one hour procedure and we will be back home tonight.

I have an appointment with Dr. Metrakos on Monday April 8th at 2:15pm and hopefully we will know the game plan then.

Thank you to everyone for your love and support.
It is really, really appreciated.

I am truly blessed.

All the very best,

Lots of love.

Arnie.

April 2

Family and Friends,

Liz and I are on our way back to Ottawa with a quick lunch at Tasty Foods.

The endoscopic ultrasound went well.
I am now booked for an ERCP on Thursday April 4th at 2:30pm in Montreal. It will be to put a stent in my bile duct.

I am seeing Dr. Matrakos on Monday April 8th at 2:00pm. I believe he wants me to do some chemotherapy before my operation.

We are getting close to the final game plan which hopefully will be presented on April 8th.

Many thanks to everyone for your thoughts. They are greatly appreciated.

I am in great care and I am being cared for in a remarkable way by Family and Friends.

I am truly blessed.

All the very best,

Lots of love,

Arnie.

April 1

Family and Friends,

All is well though the Raiders split their 2 games this weekend.
Big home game tomorrow at 7:30 pm in rink 2 as the series is at 2-1 for Ottawa.
Should be an exciting game.

Liz and I are off to Montreal right after dinner today.
The endoscopic ultrasound is at 8:00am tomorrow and I have to be at admitting at 7:00am to get my green hospital card.

Dr. Tobin increased my insulin dosages yesterday and hopefully my sugar levels will go down.

I am doing well. I am down to 167 pounds and look rather fit.
Once my jaundice is gone, I told my kids I will make an application to Harry Rosen to be a model.
Maybe I will get a discount.

Many, many thanks to everyone for your beautiful and heart warming emails.

I am truly blessed to have such loving and caring Family and Friends.
This has and will continue to be a meaningful experience for me.

Hopefully, I will learn tomorrow when my ERCP will be scheduled and then when the next phase will start, implementing the solution.

Your strength is my strength and I thank you all for that.

All the very best,

Lots of love,

Arnie.