Back from Camping and Back to Medical Things

We had a wonderful time camping. We stayed in Julian, right by Cuyamaca lake and had a rustic cabin. It was fantastic. A rustic cabin is 4 walls and a roof, with a heat source. This cabin also had a few power outlets and a space heater to keep us warm.

We saw wild turkeys, deer, vultures, squirrels, quail, blue jays, and more (we even had a mouse in our cabin that ran right by my head in the middle of the night!). Erica had lots of family to play with. Scott's family was there also (Samantha, Courtney, Sean, Shane, and Maisey-the-dog), as well as Robin's parents (Steve and Nancy). We didn't starve either. This trip marked my first time trying dutch oven cooking. I discovered that I can make a fantastic pineapple upside down cake in a dutch oven. Let's just say that we didn't starve. Click here for photos.

As for the medical stuff, I started today off with an email to my doctor asking some very important questions. I asked about PET scans, CT scans, and clinical trials. Beyond that, I have my first meeting with Kaiser Genetics today as well as a possible CT scan today.

Still Camping

Again tonight it is my privilege to do the posting for Tim's blog as Tim, Robin, and Erica are still camping.
I have been told that they are all having a great time spending time together as a family. Erica seems to have things well under control as she directs all of the others on how to relax and enjoy the wonders of nature. At the same time the great hunter that Tim has become goes out to fill his role as the food provider for this pioneer family in the wild west.

Tim has managed to bag the other kind of wild turkey that does not come in a bottle.

Gone Camping

Tonight's blog posting comes from Erica's Grandpa Fred because Erica has taken her mom and dad camping for a nice family weekend.
I am sure that we will have a posting with pictures before the end of the weekend. I am also sure that the wild turkeys are very safe with the great hunter Tim on the hunt.
We all wish for them to have a great time and come back to us refreshed and full of good memories.

A Night Off

Tonight was a good night to take a break from all of the talk and research of the battle that has consumed our family for the last month.
We started with a family dinner with Tim, Robin, Erica, Grandma, and Me. After dinner Tim and I tested our engineering talents by assembling a media center for all of Tim's entertainment components. When we finished putting everything back together Erica's Grandma and I were treated to a concert with Erica singing and Tim on the guitar from the Play Station Rock Band.
What a great break from all of the cancer talk, it was nice to see things normal again for the evening.

Tim's Loving Dad

At The End Of The Day

Today was a very important day in the race for the cure for my son Tim.

We have been trying to get the appointment with the City Of Hope for the last three weeks and today Tim made that appointment.

Although the findings were not much different it also proved that Tim has been making the right decisions on the procedures that he will be following to beat this cancer.

I have learned a lot in the last month about cancer, (more then I ever wanted to know) including what is available to fight this disease and how much information is out there if you look in the right places.

One of the important things I have learned is that people are good and want to help us in any way the they can. The demonstration of love and support has been great.

I now realize why Tim became a teacher because he seems to be teaching me something new every day about strength, commitment, love, and even how to use a blog.

I ask all of you to keep supporting us with your prayers emails and new ideas.

Tim's Dad

Blog Stats

Big News

Hi Everyone,
I'm on my way to my Kaiser 2nd opinion (see photo view from my car!).
I called COH and they have an opening tomorrow. So, today is my 2nd
opinion and tomorrow is my 3rd. That's great because it means that I
can probably start treatment soon.

Also, I spoke with my chemotherapy pharmacist. He told me that my
doctor has prescribed something that they call FOLFOX. It is
Oxaliplatin, Leucovorin, Fluorouracil, and Avastin.

Catastrophic Leave

I've had several people from CVUSD ask about donating sick days to me. Here's how that program works:

1. First I use my sick days. I went into this with approximately 28 sick days. My first day off work was March 3. I've used something like 17 days as of today.
   
2. After those days are used up, I'll go into something called Differential Pay. Basically, they take my salary and subtract out the cost of a substitute. It's really impossible to get a substitute for my job, but this is contractual and that's just how they do it. This goes on for 100 days or 5 months. Because I've been paying into American Fidelity's salary protection, they should cover the difference in my pay.
   
3. Only after the Differential Pay period is done, can I do Catastrophic Leave. For the Catastrophic Leave program, I start by applying. Once I'm approved, we'll drop off donation papers to several Chino schools. Teachers can donate up to 10 days to me. Those days are put into a pool and they can be given to up (up to 100 days). For now, I don't plan to be out that long. To use Catastrophic Leave, I'd have to be out for approximately 117 more work days. That's a long time. If I'm wrong, we'll definitely be brining the forms around.
   
4. Thank you to everyone who's asked. We really appreciate it. :)

Note to Teachers: I don't recall anyone ever telling me that we don't contribute to State Disability. Because we don't contribute, we aren't eligible for State Disability. Thankfully, I just happened to sign up for American Fidelity's Disability program. If you haven't already done so, it's a great idea to check it out. They're always at our Open Enrollment.

What Erica Knows and A Visit from Tuan

Hi Everyone,

I visited Wickman Elementary today. It was great to see everyone. One thing that came up repeatedly, was people asking how much Erica knows. I think it would be good for me to inform everyone of exactly what I've told her. About a week before my abdominal surgery (tumor removal from my sigmoid colon), she asked me about what was going on. I let her know that her daddy has a sickness called cancer and that it's going to be ok. However, I also told her that I would probably get very sick before I get well and that it's just part of the process. She also thought that it was very funny that a colonoscopy involves a doctor putting a camera into your butt and looking at your insides. I guess I can't blame her--that is pretty funny (although very important).

Here's what I have not told her. I have not told her just how serious that this condition is. I haven't told her anything about statistics and life expectancies. I'll have those conversations with her only if absolutely necessary.

I just wanted everyone to know that she knows the word cancer and knows that I have it. She is very supportive and knows that I'll get better. On an unrelated subject, my friend Tuan was in town on Saturday and we had lunch. He's a super smart scientist and works for Genentech. They're the #1 manufacturer of chemotherapy drugs. He's going to give my information to some scientists that he works with. This way they can alert me to any existing medicines or trials out there that are very promising.

Challange To All Of You

To day is a good day for all of us to ask our self if we are approaching the age of 50+ or have other risk factors how soon can we can schedule a Colonoscopy.

Our family has learned a very important lesson in the past few weeks and we would like to see everyone else have early detection.

Tim is getting everything well organized by making all of his appointments and covering all of the bases to fight this fight to win.

We all continue to work together each day to find ways to open new doors and get new ideas to move forward in our fight for the results that we need.

Have a great Holiday and a good day with family.

From Erica, Ian and Kira's Grandpa

Long Overdue Thank You's

I'm not sure where to even start with the thank you's. People have been so helpful, giving, and caring. Please know that we really appreciate everything that everyone has done for us. There is literally no way for me to adequately thank everyone. It's been overwhelming (in a good way).

Race For The Cure

Today is a good day in our race for the cure, Tim has made an appointment with City Of Hope for the first available date on April 14. They will contact him if anything earlier becomes open.

Tim, Erica, and Robin had a date to see Horton hears a who, I wish that I could have joined them. I am sure that they will have a great time at the movies.

Tim and I have run many marathons together and have always celebrated the finish, this one will be just like the first one where Tim had sore toes and could not move well for a few days but was a better person after his body healed from the race.

We will start this one together as father and son and finish the same way.

City Of Hope Appointment Set and State Appeal in the Works

After losing our 2nd appeal yesterday, Steve and I felt that it was time to get on the phone with City of Hope and get my appointment set up. I have an appointment with a Dr. Martel on April 14 at 1:30. I'm also on a cancellation list in case something opens up sooner.

As for my state appeal, Steve will send those papers today and they have something like 5 to 7 days once he starts the process.

Small Set Back

This was an expected set back, we be ready for the next appeal and not let this discourage us.
I was so proud and impressed by the presentation that you and Steven worked on together to present to Kaiser today.
I would like to recommend that you move forward to make the COH appointment and the other opinion with Kaiser orange County as soon as possible.
You two guys have inspired a lot of people, including your dad with all that you have done to fight this battle.

Kaiser Appeal UPDATE

New Information--Kaiser just called Steve. They have denied our request because they feel that they can provide me with care of the same quality. Our next and final step in this process is an appeal at the state level.

-----------------------------------------
Our appointment was great. There were approximately 6 people in the
room and several more at a remote location. The presentation was
great. We were a good team. Now we wait to hear from them. We expect a
no, but hope for a yes.

I've decided to make the presentation available. You can see it at http://web.mac.com/mr_rosenbloom/Tims_Site/Presentation_to_Kaiser.html

Also, Steve recorded audio of the meeting. I'll try to post that as well. It's about 10 minutes long and is very informative.

Tim Rosenbloom
Work: tim_rosenbloom@chino.k12.ca.us
Personal: mr_rosenbloom@mac.com
(Sent from my phone)

Oncologist Visit

Well, the news wasn't great. According to the doctor, 10 years ago, the textbook average for me would be 12-14 months life expectancy. As of now, the textbook says that I have 2 years. Obviously, I'm anything but textbook and have always been an overachiever. People do make 5 years or even beat this, which I will.

The overall Kaiser experience was great. The doctor was very up front and very patient with us. He answered every question and probably gave us about 20 minutes or more. He referred me to a fantastic social worker. She was able to provide us with information about sperm banking (just in case we want to have another baby). It turns out that Bank of America won't handle sperm. That's one deposit I won't even try to make there.

We also had a tour of the oncology area. It looks very positive and has many people hanging out. They have a kitchen and people often bring snacks for everyone to share. I had a cup of some very good, nutty coffee. It felt like a very nurturing environment.

The doctor was very forthcoming. He asked if we'd like to get a second opinion, to which we said definitely yes. He suggested that we go to a completely different Kaiser facility. So, we now have a referral for a 2nd opinion at Kaiser Orange County. I asked him about different treatments, including City of Hope and alternative therapies. He suggested that if this type of cancer were something like melanoma, he'd suggest City of Hope. He said that there are some cutting edge clinical trials for that sort of cancer and would therefore recommend City of Hope. As for colon cancer, he felt that the treatment was the treatment (it is what it is). He said that there are many drugs available, and if one doesn't work, they try another. He also said that he wouldn't spend too much time with alternative therapies, because he'd rather see me do what's proven to work. He said that they treat the cancers with chemo and when they get down to one or two that just won't go away, they look at surgical removal for that isolated piece.

Also, the doctor said that he already knew a lot about me. Apparently, my surgeon has already presented my case as a sort of case study to a room full of doctors. I'm famous.

The appointment was very tough, but I feel very positive. Most of us spend our lives wondering what's going on inside of our bodies. I know what's happening and know what I need to beat. It's plain and simple. By the way, I can't update the blog from my phone.

Meet the Family

You can check my new website to see a few pictures of the family. The URL is http://web.mac.com/mr_rosenbloom