Post NIH, Scott's visit and MC Ball Updates 3-7Nov

Well Gang I didn't follow-up as I had projected on the evening of the 2nd but did want to let the masses know what transpired with Dr. Fine and his staff on the 3rd of November.


Bottom-line, no new change to tumor as I had hoped and shared and although the PET scan taken while I was in the hospital in late September did show some oddities Dr Fine and his staff believe it's most likely related to the partial seizure I had. Oh btw they did confirm/validate based on how I described my behavior those days within the hospital I mostly likely did have a partial seizure despite how subtle it may have appeared. Additionally, they did share the tumor is the key catalyst to having seizures and now that I'm on the anti-convulsant medication (Keppra) they believe as long as I stay on it and don't stray from taking it I should continue to do well. Anti-convulsant...makes it sound as if I'm really all screwed up..but I can attest I feel fine..

Anyhow, Fine's staff shared the treatment plan will remain the same which is the serial MRI every 3 months with the addition of a PET scan done on the same timeline. The doctors did share the PET scans are helpful but the MRI's provide them the most detail on what is going on in my noodle.. If I remember correctly they seem to think the PET scan should revert back to the baseline PET done back in April prior to my surgery and which will further validate the seizure..so 3 more months..



4-5 November..

Getting to and from work this week has been difficult with Jen out in sunny Hawaii snorkeling and working on her tan. I originally thought when I was told I couldn't drive for six months it was going to be pain to get to and from work but working for Jen and her desire to help Kristine and I made the first month seem like it was no big deal. She replaced Maj Brian Rideout who I have the utmost respect for and she has her own style of leadership and has reached Rideout status in her own way. I was able to get rides amongst the medical appointments but with Jen and I on the same team my day is not as rushed because we are both work-aholics and I don't feel as rushed as I did this week to leave at certain times.

My best friend from high school (Scott Hooper) was in this area this week getting some training for his job and was able to stay another day and spend time with Kristine, kids and I. We convinced Scott to join us and freeze Friday night as we watched the Edison football team get defeated by our rival school.. It was good to reminisce with you old friend although, we can never make up for lost time it was good to see you and share old stories. I may have left Krum but I've never forgotten what you and few choice others did for me to get me to the other side. I'm proud of you and Donna for what you've each accomplished and will make a more concerted effort to keep in contact with you. I love you brother!!!

After we dropped Scott off at airport, Caraway Clan got all dressed up in formal dresses and black tie tux's to attend the Marine Corps Systems Command Ball. We also had as our guests Ken, Mary, and Michael (Jake's pal) Counts join us... I hope you folks enjoyed the evening. It's important to note for the readers their oldest son Chris is a young Marine Sergeant grunt currently serving in Afghanistan.. Chris, stay focused, keep your head down and get home soon Marine..we all miss you and are very proud of you. Ken and Mary also have a daughter Caitlin who is a senior at App State that plays field hockey. Unfortunately the same weekend I had the seizure Cait tore her ACL/MCL while playing. Cait hope your knee is healing and just make sure your not pushing it...I understand the desire to feel normal but if you want it to regain full strength let it heal appropriately. (I know I need to follow my own advice):-)

Well gang that covers it as Sunday football is preparing to start.. Go Colts.. what do the ESPN analysts know??

Scott if Jerry Jones ever sells the team I'll be back..

Always Faithful,
"The Gunny"

The Gunny's Post MCM update Nov 2nd

Hey Gang,

Well my fifth consecutive running of the Marine Corps Marathon is done. The run was held on the 31st (Halloween). I want to publicly give Thanks to Bill Rysanek a peer but more importantly a good friend who ran with me side by side the entire way and although I know I would have finished without him he was instrumental in getting us to our finishing time. He is a very strong runner and if I had listened to him before we started we probably would have broken the 4 hour mark.. official finishing time for us was 4:03:55.. finishing a marathon is an accomplishment and I'm happy knowing I did it this year within 6 months of having brain surgery and my recent "complex partial seizure".

Additionally, I want to Thank Brian (friend and mentor) and his wife Emily for their support to "The Gunny's Team" and more importantly a big congrats to Emily for completing her first marathon..,.job well done..and hope to see you out there again.. the pain eventually goes away and hope you now have the marathon bug...

As I mentioned earlier I persuaded Bill that I wanted to shoot for a 3:40 finish and for 20 miles we maintained an 8:24 min per mile pace but after 20 miles I started to feel it and the last 6 were nothing more than just hanging on and finishing..which was never in question.

I ran into GySgt Jeff Cooper, another good friend, who is currently stationed in Okinawa but I guess is attending a school here in DC standing amongst the crowd between 23 and 24 miles,..what is significant about this encounter is that I convinced Jeff and another mutual friend Jason to run the inaugural Marine Marathon in Afghanistan last year.. Jeff was funny because when we first were contemplating doing it we'd go out for a PT run of 3-4 miles and about half way through it all he would just say screw it and walk back to the base camp.. I was able to twist his arm hard enough to get Jeff to join Jason and I run it at Camp Leatherneck/and Camp Bastian. Jeff is a small person but strong as a mule when he needs to be and surprisingly enough he ran a respectable 4:04:33.. so after seeing him in the crowd and stopping just long enough to shake his hand seeing him gave me the motivation to keep pushing because I knew if I didn't beat his time from last year I'd never hear the end of it.. Anyone that knows Jeff in our Marine Corps circle understands he is a joker..and I would have never heard the end of it.. 38 seconds Jeff..you were so close but even with a tumor I still have what it takes...
Anyhow, I digress..as I mentioned I persuaded Bill to run a pace for 3:40 and if I would have just listened at the start and held back a little more in the beginning we probably would have broken the 4 hour mark..
Kristine and Maddie hopped the Metro around the Virginia and DC areas tracking me along the course..it is always fun to recognize a familiar face in the massive crowds..ladies you'll never know how much your support means.. For those who are asking what about Jake my son..well I know he was there with me in spirit, based on how cold it was, the large crowds and the length of the day we made a decision to let him stay at home and do laundry...may not seem fair but considering how he and Kristine are so much alike he would have pushed her buttons and made it no fun..btw he did a great job with the laundry...Thanks Lil Man... I love you...

I have my second quarterly appointment with Dr. Fine tomorrow and looking to forward to hearing what he has to say about my recent hospital stay and results from the PET scan plus the serial MRI I had yesterday.... I don't believe the tumor has grown, no new bleeding, or movement, but the PET scan may show otherwise so I'll update tomorrow once I know what the next steps are in my future.

Always Faithful..
The Gunny