tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34427092165288396072024-03-06T14:01:39.692-06:00Beating CancerJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-41249210164616835252008-10-17T23:27:00.002-06:002008-10-17T23:30:57.655-06:002nd Annual Jake Cartwright Benefit Softball TournamentWho: Friends, family, coworkers, church congregations, community members.<br /><br />What: Day of softball and fun to raise money for Jake and the John J. Cartwright Medical Fund.<br /><br />When: Saturday, November 8, 2008First game to begin at 8 A.M.<br /><br />Where: Lockheed Martin Recreational Association Softball Fields3400 Bryant Irvin Rd.Fort Worth, TX 76109<br /><br />Why: We love Jake: to learn more about Jake’s battle with cancer, see <a href="http://www.jakescancerupdate.blogspot.com/">http://www.jakescancerupdate.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Additional Info: Refreshments will be provided on game day for donations. Coed teams encouraged.<br /><br />Register by November 2, 2008. May register as a team, partial team, or individuals can be placed on teams.<br /><br />Payments and Donations:Checks made payable to John J. Cartwright Medical Fund, c/o Matt Blackstock, 6621 Cahoba dr, Fort Worth, Texas 76135<br /><br />Help spread the word, tell all your friends and coworkers!<br /><br />Registration contacts:<br />Matt Blackstock Cell: (817) 480-9261<br />Email: <a href="mailto:mcblackstock@gmail.com">mcblackstock@gmail.com</a><br /><br />Blake Bozarth Cell: (817) 688-2872<br />Email: <a href="mailto:Blakie85@yahoo.com">Blakie85@yahoo.com</a><br /><br />Eric Franks Cell: (682 ) 667-2926<br />Email: <a href="mailto:Eric.L.Franks@LMCO.com">Eric.L.Franks@LMCO.com</a><br /><br />Ryan Rapisand 817-763-1991 (Work)<br />817-881-2291 (Cell)<br /><a href="mailto:ryan.m.rapisand@lmco.com">ryan.m.rapisand@lmco.com</a>Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-21141479677062949672008-10-14T11:33:00.004-06:002008-10-14T11:57:55.537-06:00Sorry for the lack of postsEveryone, I am sorry that I haven't been posting. So I guess you all want to know what has been going on for that last month or two. I have had two more treatments and they sucked. I really dislike the treatment I am on. It kicks my butt pretty bad. Ive been getting pretty sick during the week following treatments. I haven't had much of an appetite since beginning these drugs, which has caused me to loose about 20lbs and has brought down my energy a good bit. All in all though I don't feel bad on a daily basis after I recover from a treatment, I just don't feel like I wish I could and do all things I want to. Though I still count my blessings that god has watched over me and gotten us this far for which I am grateful.<br /><br />Also we are planning the next Benefit Softball Tournament for early November.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-26025166107075917132008-08-16T12:31:00.002-06:002008-08-16T12:40:59.075-06:00Another one is the booksRound two is in the books and I have to say it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wasn't</span> any fun. Once again it knocked me down pretty good for about 5 days. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">I'm</span> over it now and back to feeling like myself again. I will have scans done in a week and half so we will know soon if these drugs are working. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">I'm</span> going to Denver for a week to help my cousin Ethan move there for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">LLM</span> tax law program. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">I'm</span> sad hes leaving for a year but its a great opportunity for him. Anyhow overall thing are good keep the prayers up and and Ill let you know soon what the scans say.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-16566935133991524442008-07-28T20:04:00.002-06:002008-07-28T20:12:08.215-06:00New Treatment UpdateI am 3 weeks into my new treatment. This round took a little longer to get over than most of the others I have had thus far. Though I still dont think it gets me like most people. I was down for around 5 days following this last one. I was pretty fatigued and slept a whole lot more than usual and lost my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">appetite</span> for those days as well. I have to say now I am feeling like normal again, well for the most part. After taking so many treatments of chemo the toxicity is building up in my body and causing a few strange things to happen. My finger tips have a numb sensation and that stinks and gets on my nerves also my feet hurt which feels like <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">I'm</span> walking on hot concrete all time. Its not tough to deal with looking at the overall picture of how well I feel. I hope everyone is doing good. Take care and God Bless.<br /><br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-30441663080414939082008-06-29T16:40:00.002-06:002008-06-29T16:52:44.734-06:00ResultsI met with Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Crim</span> on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Friday</span> about the results from my biopsy. It turns out the new spot that looks nothing like my old cancer is in fact the same cancer. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">I'm</span> not too <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">worried</span> about this news since <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ive</span> been dealing with it for so long now and know what to expect. I am going to begin a new treatment here in Fort Worth which is the the original drug that START wanted to use but I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">didn't</span> meet the study guidelines. Though now the Drug has partial FDA approval so with the go ahead from the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pharmaceutical</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">company</span> I get to have it now. I am going to start this treatment in a week or so. God has seen me through this far so I am confident going into this next part.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-11197729076188022102008-06-25T21:45:00.002-06:002008-06-25T21:52:25.270-06:00Had another BiopsySorry everyone for the lack of updates. A good bit has gone on since my last blog. Some good and some undetermined. As of about 6 weeks ago a new spot showed up on liver, while the old spots were still shrinking. The new spot does not look anything like the old spots which has the Dr's wondering what it is, it could be a number of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">different</span> things including cancer. So I had a biopsy today so we can figure out what it is. I am still feeling really good and have not felt a change a because of it. They have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">temporarily</span> shut down my treatment until we figure out what it is. I will either start back up in a week or so on the stuff I have been on or move onto a new drug that sounds pretty good to me cause I will be able to have my treatments up here and have the pills shipped to me so that could mean no more San Antonio trips. We will have to wait a for more days to know whats going for sure. I am confident though that it is nothing to worry about. Ill let you know as soon I know something more.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-58057128500845032342008-05-15T08:30:00.002-06:002008-05-15T08:38:06.422-06:00Im Famous!!!Well hello everyone, I am sorry it has been so long since I last blogged. I know you all tend to worry when I don't update regularly. It has been a good last few weeks though. I am still feeling great and thing are progressing really well. Last week I just finished my 6th treatment and it went good. I was approved for two more treatments which is great cause I was only supposed to have had 6. So I have another 6 weeks in the study. Oh the famous part how did I almost forget that. I was on the CBS news down in San Antonio Sunday night. They did a story over my drug and used me in the piece. Here is the link <a href="http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1127733498/bclid1125874529/bctid1549584221" target="_blank">http://link.brightcove.com<wbr>/services/link/bcpid1127733498<wbr>/bclid1125874529/bctid154958422<wbr>1</a><br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-72394155685545416512008-04-15T14:06:00.002-06:002008-04-15T14:14:07.367-06:00Prayers are still being answered!!<div align="left">I am back down in San Antonio for my 5th treatment. I had scans done this morning and when I went in for my afternoon pre-treatment check up the latest results were in. The cancer is still shrinking. I would say now that in total it has shrunk close to 60-70% since I started. It is amazing how far we have come in only 12 weeks. This would not have been possible without your prayers and support. I still have some work to do if we are going to get rid of it but I cant complain about the progress so far. I will have treatment tomorrow morning and be on the road home in the afternoon. Thanks again for you prayers keep'em up.</div>Jakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-90869791875261116372008-03-24T23:07:00.003-06:002008-03-24T23:35:55.524-06:00Something to think about.I head back to San Antonio tomorrow for my fourth round. I am still feeling great which I cant be more happy about. Though it is a strange feeling. After almost a year now of dealing with this it is hard to comprehend how far things have come. For the first time I looked back all the way at my blog. It really set in how lucky I am to be blessed by god and to have such wonderful people surrounding me. As I read some of my first posts I remembered how it was to live every day in pain and not be able to do the things I wanted. It was just weird to think this has been going on a whole year now since I first started feeling bad. I don't really know how to put into words what I feeling, I'm not sure if its a sense of relief or what it is, but its a great feeling. I got to thinking about a lot about how lucky I am. A good family friend of mine died this week many of you know who I am talking about. She died before any of us expected. My prayers are with her family that god will help them find the strength necessary to deal with it. It was her death that made me think again how easy it is for god to take anyone of us at anytime, whatever the cause. I said in an earlier blog that my goal/hope through this was to help people to build a better relationship with god, family, or whatever they need, if I did that then I did my job. I pray that I am still able to do that because her death reinforced my belief how important those things are to a good life, and that our time here is limited and valuable to those around us. So please take the time to tell those important to you love them.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-19137499216874588142008-03-12T14:03:00.002-06:002008-03-12T14:09:00.739-06:00Quick Update!Met with Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Crim</span> yesterday he was excited to hear the good news as well. All of my blood counts are holding up well. No real side effects to note that are bothering me. I am still just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ecstatic</span> about the news. I am going to start working again here really soon at Lockheed it should all be finalized by the end of the month. I am excited it will be the first time in almost 11 months I will have worked. I guess you can look at cancer fighting as a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">full time</span> job but it will be nice to have one that makes money. Other than that not much else is going on here.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-20677679681190696982008-03-06T11:06:00.003-06:002008-03-06T11:39:22.027-06:00Still SmilingI <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">don't</span> think I have quit smiling since Tuesday afternoon. I got to see my scans yesterday morning when I met with Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Patnaik</span> before I started my chemo. It was a cool trip I was the talk of START. Everyone new before I even got to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">clinic</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Wednesday</span> morning and they all wanted to see pictures of the changes. It is almost impossible to put into words the changes my liver and other areas went through in only 6 weeks. Its no wonder I was hurting pretty bad before starting this drug, my liver was taking up the majority of area in my my chest and was probably 1/3 larger than its normal size. Now its the size of a normal liver again and you can see a number of large clear areas in it which before it was nearly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">completely</span> cover in spots. There were also 5 other spots else where in my chest area 4 of those are gone and the other is nearly gone. It is great news and I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">extremely</span> happy but there is still work to be done <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">cause</span> there still a number of large and small spots still on the liver but it looks so much better than before, and I feel a million times better. I got to come back last night so my stays in San Antonio are getting shorter the better I get, which makes me happy. Oh other good news...I get to start running , working out, and PLAY SOCCER again, its been way to long. All I have to say is GOD is GOOD, keep on praying cause he is listening. Thank you and I love you all.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-47767651870078790222008-03-04T16:27:00.003-06:002008-03-04T16:45:18.205-06:00Just a little bit of Good news!!!I had my scans done early this afternoon and before I had time to settle back into the hotel room my phone was already ringing. It was Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Patnaik</span> calling to see if I wanted my results. I was like this has to be good if she is calling only 30 minutes after I left her office. So I said "yeah sure but it better be good news". She replied "oh it is". It turns out this drug is working awesome. The cancer has shrunk by 30%. Its hard to believe that it is this good after just 2 treatments. Thank you all for your prayers because God surely did answer them. I have treatment tomorrow morning and I will update again tomorrow afterwards with a more complete description of what she says then.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-41691278516024548552008-03-02T20:50:00.002-06:002008-03-02T20:59:34.684-06:00Back to S.A.Its back to San Antonio tomorrow for round three. I am really excited yet nervous about this trip. I get scans done on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tuesday</span> to show if this drug is working as well as we think it is. i hopefully will know something by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wednesday</span> or Thursday at the latest. I am still feeling wonderful and ready to get this round out of the way. I had an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">awesome</span> birthday <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">couldn't</span> have asked for a nicer day. We had a big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">crawfish</span> boil and had a great time. Not much else to say Ill update again as soon as I get the results from the scans. Everyone say an extra prayer or 10 for some good results.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-91383728904404779792008-02-19T21:30:00.003-06:002008-02-19T21:37:15.635-06:00Still kickin A**Its been a week now since the last treatment and the side effects were much more tolerable this time. I still had few but all in all I think my body is just in a lot better condition to with it now than when we began. I met with Dr. Crim today and he is impressed with how well I have progressed since he last saw me right before I started. He said he could see also see signs that point toward this drug doing some real good besides the obvious, me feeling good. I am getting very excited about this weekend since I am turning the big 25. It will be great to see a lot of family and friends and hang out. Thats all for now take care.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-80114281497801671502008-02-14T21:50:00.002-06:002008-02-14T22:02:20.232-06:00Round 2 is doneI just got back from San Antonio again and got my second round of treatment to begin this second cycle. I am feeling better following this round than I did after the first I hope that keeps up. I took me about a week to get fully over it the last time. But a week is a small sacrifice to feel as good as did the last 2 weeks. I cant even put into words how good this study has me feeling. My liver on paper and in physical exams appears back to normal at least functionally. It is back to normal size and my liver function which was not good is back to proper working order. Dr. Patniak was almost brought to tears on Wed. at how well I seem to be responding. I will have scans in 3 weeks which will tell for sure how well its working. I also no longer have to go down there every single week. They are letting me get all my labs drawn and have my weekly exams done up here by Dr. Crim. I am really excited about that. All in all I just feel truely blessed to feel so good again and to have found Dr's willing think outside the box of convential treatment and hopefully have me on the right path. I hope everyone is doing good as well.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-14556484191025781022008-02-06T22:46:00.000-06:002008-02-06T23:14:15.900-06:00Best week in a long time!!!Another trip down to San Antonio is in the books. My white blood cell counts are still down and we aren’t sure if they will be high enough for me to get my normal treatment next week. For those of you who don’t know a lot about it, chemo attacks all the cells in body both good and bad it cant tell the difference. My drugs that I’m on have lowered the white cells which are your immunity cells they help to fight off bacteria and sickness that kind of stuff. If I get treated before the counts have come back up to safe a safe level it could be very dangerous. So we just have to wait and see on that.<br /><br />However we did get some pretty good news on this trip. While Dr. Patnaik was examining me she noticed that the size of my liver has decrease significantly. I hadn’t said anything about it but my liver had become inflamed and enlarged due to the tumors in it, and for the last month had been causing me a lot pain. But since last Thursday I have been feeling better than I have since before I left for Europe, which is saying a lot. So we think the drug is working but we wont know for sure until we do more scans in a month or so.<br /><br />A little story about how god listens and shows his mercy. About 3 weeks ago I was laying in bed hurting pretty bad and just feeling down, which doesn’t happen often at all, I prayed and turned over all my worries and asked god to take the pain away. Two days later I was accepted into this study, and now I am back to feeling great. Just ask and it will be given, maybe not right but as he sees fit.<br /><br />God Bless<br /><br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-37975015282478465302008-01-31T11:29:00.000-06:002008-01-31T11:38:42.924-06:00Starting to pick back up<div align="left">Its been a week now since my first treatment on my new drugs. It wasnt the best week of my life thats for sure. I was pretty fatigued from it and slept alot, there were some other not so fun side effects but those are starting to go away. I had another appointment back down in San Antonio yesterday it was just a check up for labs and to go over every little thing I feel while Im on this drug. My white blood cells were low but thats ussual when on tougher types of chemo's. I am really starting to feel alot better though. I have to go back down to San Antonio next week for another check up, I think I will be pretty tired of driving down there before to long, so if anyone wants to buy me a plane that would be awesome. I hope everyone is doing well.</div><br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-28522420719920591952008-01-23T22:04:00.000-06:002008-01-23T22:15:05.592-06:00Quick Update!!I started on my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">regimen</span> of this chemo this morning. Its not a walk in the park but its better than I thought it would be. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">haven't</span> had any bad side effects just sleeping a good bit, which I do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">a lot</span> anyway so no big deal, I hope it stays this way. I was there most of the day, I think they took a whole gallon of blood from me today. These studies are are very meticulous about how they do thing things and its on a strict schedule. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">don't</span> mind it I really like all the nurses, and my Doctor at the clinic is Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Patnaik</span> and she is wonderful, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">truly</span> feel that if there is a place to help me this is it, I feel its the right place. So tomorrow I get more blood drawn, a another skin <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">biopsy</span> (I still have no clue why), and I get the Oral chemo drug (the one we are so excited about). Hopefully I will be on my way back home by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">noonish</span> but we will see.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-21422559774732933462008-01-22T16:12:00.000-06:002008-01-22T16:16:27.036-06:00Im in the Study!!!After two days of being a pin cushion for a number of tests, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I'm</span> in the study. I should be starting tomorrow barring any <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">unforeseen</span> setbacks. I am pretty excited about it as are the doctors to the potential of these drugs. Thank god for leading us to opportunity and gracing me with the continued health to be accepted.<br /><br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-27874966518604669592008-01-19T19:49:00.000-06:002008-01-19T20:00:05.504-06:00We have good news!!!I got a great phone call late Friday afternoon from START, the cancer research center in San Antonio. A few weeks ago Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Crim</span> and I had decided that one of the studies at START was best possible treatment for me at this given time. It includes drugs that he was going to use in my next treatment but more importantly drugs that he could not get his hands on that are potentially a great fit for my cancer. We contacted START at that time but they told us <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">unfortunately</span> there were no openings and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didn't</span> expect a spot to become <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">available</span> until late Feb. That was until yesterday when they called to see if I could be down there on Monday to meet with Dr.s and have a number of tests and scans run to see if I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">eligible</span> based on my health. If everything checks out I could start as early Wed. It is all sort of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">surreal</span> not thinking you going to get a call for a few months then all of a sudden they want you down there ASAP. So Ill head down there <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Monday</span> morning with my dad and hope I get approved. I am so grateful to god for providing me this opportunity sooner than expected, it shows he does answer prayers.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-65904676411029284282008-01-04T19:56:00.001-06:002008-01-04T20:06:08.153-06:00Done with my Travels!!I think I am finally done traveling, at least for a while. I have blessed to have seen the things I have over the last two months. I want to take a minute to thank those that mad it possible, My Uncle Kip, thank you for Europe. Sarah thanks for you New York, and the Franks Family thank you for Hawaii. I had more fun than could ever be imagined and it is impossible to ever show my full gratitude for these opportunities.<br /><br />On the cancer front its <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">business</span> as usual I had chemo today and met with Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Crim</span> to go over the results of the CT scan I had a few days ago. The cancer has slowed some, but he thinks we can do better with more aggressive drugs. So we decided to meet again in about a week and a half to go over a couple <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">different</span> options and see which one we think will be best for me. I will know more in few days so lets pray we find one that works. I hope <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">everyone</span> had a great holiday season.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-22364480336892665012007-12-26T12:46:00.001-06:002007-12-26T13:26:24.527-06:00Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!Sorry everybody it has taken me way to long to post another update. So I guess I have to catch everyone up on whats been up in my world. I've had another two treatments of chemo since the last time I updated them and am still handling this Drug quite well. I am still feeling really good so that makes me happy. I went to New York with my sister few weeks ago and it was wonderful. Cold but wonderful. We woke up the first morning we were there and 6 inches of snow were on the ground. It had been a long time since I had seen that much snow. We had a great time wandering around the city and just hanging out. We made it to a great Broadway show called Spring Awakening. All in all it was a great great time. As for Christmas we did our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Grammy's</span></span> house where she cooks her amazing tacos. Everyone should get the chance to try her tacos you would be amazed. It was a great time spent with family and my nephews first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Christmas</span>. It was great. I was up early on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Christmas</span> morning to fly out to Hawaii with the Franks Family. The flight was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">awesome</span> because a lady traded me her first class seat for my coach seat so she could sit next to her husband. God sure does hook me up with great gifts. We arrived yesterday evening and it is gorgeous here. We are staying on the North Shore of Oahu and get to listen to waves crashing on the beach just steps from the back porch. I hope everyone had a great Blessed Christmas and has a Happy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">New Year</span> too! Wait...I almost Forgot I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">beginning</span> to get pictures online go to <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/cartwrightjake">http://picasaweb.google.com/cartwrightjake</a> and check them out!!!<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-63493675745809678712007-12-07T19:29:00.000-06:002007-12-07T19:54:38.918-06:00Greatest trip ever..but so good to be home!!!I am back home and it is great to be here. The trip was better than I ever could have imagined. I went to London where we saw all the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tourist</span> stuff like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. From there we went through Wales and over to Dublin via the high speed ferries across the the Irish Sea. There we just hung out and saw a few sights. From there we went o Manchester England where I got to take the tour of Old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Trafford</span>, or for those who <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">aren't</span> soccer <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">savvy</span> the home of Manchester United my favorite team. Form there we went to Edinburgh Scotland, where we saw Edinburgh castle, and some other palace. After there it was back to London to catch a plane over to Barcelona. There we got a little much needed rest and caught a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Barcelona</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">FC</span> game, it was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">sooo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">awesome</span>. From there it we went down to Valencia to catch a little sun on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mediterranean</span> Sea it was a very beautiful town. The in was on to France by way of the sleeper train which was an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">experience</span> in itself. We spent about 20 minutes in Paris before heading to Bayeux home to Omaha Beach and the American <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">cemetery</span> for those who died in the D-Day invasions. This was probably my favorite part of the whole trip it was so nice there and just a powerful place. From there we went on into the Netherlands just to say we went to another country, and then on into Germany. We spent 3 days in Trier at a Family friends house that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">was</span> built in 1729 it was very beautiful but cold. We saw <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">alot</span> of Ancient Roman ruins in the city and went to wonderful <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Christmas</span> festival. The it was on to Frankfurt for the final two night nothing really to note about there we were pretty tired by that point. After the 11 hour flight back I was so ready to back to see all my family and friends. I am working getting all the pictures downloaded and onto a page that everyone can go to and see them.<br /><br />I had another round of chemo today and will have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">another one</span> next week. I will have some scans as well right after the first of the year. So maybe we will have some news around that time.<br /><br />I hope everyone is doing great, and is having a wonderful holiday season.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-27716743232907781932007-11-30T04:23:00.000-06:002007-11-30T04:32:51.895-06:00We made it to GermanyWe made it to our final country. We have been having so much fun. Since leaving Valencia we went back to Barcelona and caught an overnight train into Paris. The overnight train was fun with the sleeper cabins. Once we got to paris at 9am the next morning we caguht another train out of paris to Bayeux, France, in Normandy. We stayed in a nice little hotel about 7km from the d-day beaches. We caught a taxi out to the american cemetary overlooking Omaha Beach, it was a powerful sight seeing all those white crosses prefectly lined up. We walked down to the beach and saw some german fortifications that were really neat. WAlking back up from the beach was tough I cant imagine running upo it with people shooting at you. The next day we went back to paris and hopped on a train through Brussels and on into the Nethelands, Amsterdam, it was really nice there with all their canals running through the city it was a nice mix of old and new. The following morning we hopped on another train and headed for Treir, Germany where one of my sisters friends has a 1700's house that is amazing. We will spend two more night here then on to Frankfurt for two nights then back home to Texas. It has been such a great exprience and I thank god for this opportunity. See you all in a few day.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442709216528839607.post-27445640901738848302007-11-25T13:37:00.000-06:002007-11-25T13:42:39.921-06:00In ValenciaWe arrived in Valencia, Spain this afternoon after 2 days in Barcelona. Our hotel is an apartment which we got a heck of deal on and is cheaper and nicer then any place we have stayed thus far. It is beautiful here in spain and cant wait now to move and see what the rest of Europe is like. I got to go to a FC Barcelona game last night and it was the highlight for me so far getting to watch one of the best soccer teams in the world win 3-0. We are having a grand ole time moving around and seeing as much as can be seen in a few weeks. We leave spain tomorrow on the overnight train into Paris. It should be cool cause we have a sleeper cabin. We are then hearding directly up to Caen in Normandy to see the D-Day beaches and musuems, I cant wait. Then back to paris and on to Belgum and the Netherlands. Hope everything is great back home.<br /><br />God Bless<br />JakeJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00829505501037791101noreply@blogger.com3