Made my day!

I Just received the news on a 2nd high resolution catscan. This one was done in preparation for the clinical trial study I begin this Friday. The initial Catscan was done last June showing the extent of the fibrosis. This one, which is a little over 6 months, showed no change. This could be significant or mean very little, but it is definitely good news. Perhaps whatever triggered the disease has been removed and no longer an irritant. I hope that's the case.

Now that we know what we have, we can map out our plan. I met with the lung transplant team at the U this week and it appears if that ever becomes necessary, it won't be at the U as they have an age limit. Probably it will be done on the west coast somewhere, L.A. or Seattle, maybe San Francisco. What is apparent is that I want it to be a last resort and will do everything to keep things where they are.

I am going to participate in a new clinical trial with a new drug which has shown some promise in it's early stages. There are only 150 people worldwide who will be in the 72 month study.

The only other thing I can do is follow a good exercise routine, which I like to do anyway, and keep positive, which I am anyway.

It helps a ton that I have THE BEST family and friends in the world! Much to be thankful for!

Dwight

The Plan

Welcome Home!

Hey Mom & Dad! We missed you guys over Christmas, but know that you had a great time with the family in St. George. It's better you were there anyway with the air quality in Salt Lake as bad as it was last week. I have a feeling you'll be down there quite a bit over the next 3 months or so. What a blessing it is for you to have family in a warmer climate with perfect air quality only 3 and a half hours away! Funny how the Lord works like that isn't it?

I just want to say that even though the news didn't come back the way we wanted it to last week, I have a calm feeling about all of this. I know that this is actually going to make our family EVEN STRONGER. You're the man Dad, and I have no doubt you'll give this disease the fight of the century! And YOU KNOW I have your back at all times. You've always had mine.

And Mom... We're right there with you too!

We love you guys!

NOW WE KNOW THE ENEMY

WHAT A ROLLER COASTER RIDE. ALOT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. AT LEAST NOW WE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND PRAY FOR. I KEEP GRASPING AT THE THOUGHT THAT DWIGHT WILL DO EVERYTHING TO STAY HEALTHY. HE'S BEEN MY HERO FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS AND I REFUSE TO GIVE UP ON HIM. EVERY DAY FROM HERE ON IS GOING TO GREAT BECAUSE HE IS IN MY LIFE.

THROUGH ALL THIS, YOU REALIZE WHAT AMAZING CHILDREN YOU HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO RAISE. OUR FAMILY IS RICH IN LOVE & HAPPY EXPERIENCES. SO NEVER FEEL SAD ABOUT US. WE HAVE IT ALL!!!

DWIGHT ALWAYS WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU SO PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS COMING. IT HELPS ALOT. LOVE TO ALL OUR FAMILY & FRIENDS - CHRIS

And the Envelope please....

I have just heard from the Doctor regarding the conclusion reached by the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.

After examining the tissue samples sent from the "U", they have concluded, along with our Doctor's, that I have "UIP" (Usual Interstitial Pneumonia). This is not what I wanted to hear as this condition has no known cure or treatment so it is just a question of how fast it will spread throughout the lungs. After the false alarm last week which gave so much promise, this one takes me back to square one.

There are a lot of positives though. I am in pretty good condition which will help slow the process. My attitute is upbeat and I am determined to make the best of what I have. Great support from my awesome wife, Chris. My two sons, Bryan and Carter, and my daughter, Jani. It can't get any better! and friends, wow; the best. My little grandkids constantly tell me I am getting better; and when I hear that, I am!

I just got off of our good friends, Dee and Janet Reynolds, son's blog (jasonslifeisgood.blogspot.com) and things are put into perspective. Jason is undergoing major surgery with all kinds of challenges and I have nothing! I am in no pain. I can go about most of my normal activities as usual. Then I look at Jason who is in an inferno of constant pain with challenges I can't even begin to imagine - yet He manages to smile and say life is good. He is a giant of a man and an inspiration to me.

Another aspect which I can't overlook is the ongoing research for this disease that is ongoing and who knows what the future might bring. The University has some trial studies in which I plan to participate. It is so woefully underfunded given the extent of this disease across the country. Approximately 200,000 cases in the USA with 40,000 deaths a year ( similar to breast cancer) but not nearly the funding that most other diseases receive. I can see why. I hadn't even heard of the disease until I was diagnosed with it! O well, as they say in portuguese, "Pois 'er".

I do plan on enjoying life as always and invite you to enjoy it with me. We still have a lot of good times ahead.

Merry Christmas,

Dwight

Not so fast!

I just returned from the Doctor's office and they want to hold off on their definitive statement as to the classification. The Pathologist wants a second opinion regarding the NSIP classification consequently the samples are also being sent to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.

Apparently there remains a lot of questions with this disease and it is not unusual find a lot of grey area's and overlapping symptoms. The Doctor would say that I do not have the "worst of the worst" with no hope or cure so that was good news. They need a little more time to catagorize the type of fibrosis and the subsequent treatment. I should have more information after the Holidays and that's O-K because I have decided to not worry about it and ENJOY a beautiful Christmas with friends and family. Why not!

Merry Christmas,

Dwight