Well the trip to Dallas was a successful trip on both a personal and business level. It was great to see family and friends but hard not to be able to spend more time. The oncologist appointment went well and there was agreement that the FOLFOX treatment that was recommended by my initial oncologist is the standard of care for colon cancer patients — so it looks like I have my marching orders.

Tomorrow starts my first treatment and I am very much dreading it on one hand, and very much ready to get it underway and behind me on the other. Six months seems like a long time, but it is only 12 cycles and I can do that. So it’s one day at a time — but 12 (soon to be 11) cycles to go!

Well, I am off to Dallas next week for some business meetings. While there, I have made an appointment with an oncologist in Plano (http://www.hopetexas.com/) just to be sure that the type of treatment that is planned for me is appropriate for my situation. I’m looking forward to visiting family and friends.

Well, my appointment went well (or as well as one could expect) with the Oncologist. My treatment will essentially take up 3 days every 2 weeks for 6 months. Side effects include nausea, possible tingling and numbness in fingers and toes and, oddly enough, a hypersensitivity to cold (can’t even reach in to the refrigerator for 3 days after each treatment). The combination of drugs to be used are referred to as FOLFOX4 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOLFOX) and is designed specifically for patients with Stage III colon cancer. My treatment should be flexible enough to allow short trips for work as well as family trips this summer. Hopefully this will include Chandler Alumni!

I continue to get stronger week after week and I am finally start to gain a little weight. The family is doing great and all of my girls are the biggest help.

The next 6mos will be difficult, I have no doubt about it — but I’m ready to get through it and look back on it instead of having to look forward to it.

As always the continued thoughts and prayers and support have been absolutely wonderful.