Ken Kallman Update

Jeri and I are enjoying the wonderful (even though late) weather. It’s been a long, cold winter and spring.

You may remember that I have been waiting to hear if I am accepted or not for the clinical trial for Zevalin. I heard a couple of days ago that I have NOT been accepted. Although I have not yet met with my oncologist, I have been told that I was turned down because of the damage to two vertebrae; C7 and T1. I don’t know what that has to do with the whole thing, but apparently it disqualified me from the trial.

I seem to be steadily gaining strength and certainly am eating and feeling well. There are some after effects of both the cancer and the chemo which will hopefully continue to improve. Like most cancer survivors, I will be watched closely for the next several years.

We were hoping that I would be accepted. It seems we know so many who have heard that their cancer is in remission and later learn that it has returned. It is hoped that this trial will show that Zavalin can keep this from happening. Of course the trial will proceed without me. From day one we weren’t sure if it would be best to be in the trial or not as there is potential for quite a few side effects. We prayed for God’s will and are at peace with the decision.

Today, May 6, 2008 , I heard the good word, “remission”. Jeri and I are very happy and thankful; thankful to God for being with us through this journey and for His healing. Obviously, we are also thankful for the medical world; research, knowledge, treatment and very caring people. But we say, to God be the Glory, great things He has done.

I am very appreciative to so many that have prayed for me during the last four months. This seems like a good time to again ask, “What do people do without the Lord?” Years ago, I heard and learned the first half of Romans 5:15 in the King James Version, “Rejoice with those who rejoice”. The New Living Bible says, “Be happy with those who are happy” and The Message says, “Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy”. Well, you’ve got a couple of rejoicing, happy friends and you are encouraged and welcome to join us in the celebration!

You may already know that I have volunteered to participate in an international clinical trial. The study will determine if Zevalin, a drug that is already being used for other cancers, will be successful in preventing the return of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after remission. I have not yet heard whether or not I’ve been accepted for the trial. The results of my tests are being sent in to be used in determining if I’m accepted. I don’t know the full extent that the “study” will have on me, but I know it involves part of five consecutive days to begin with, and that I will need to have lab work done weekly for 12 weeks. Also, it is likely I will need transfusions during the study.

I had my 6^th and hopefully final chemo treatment yesterday. I’m feeling pretty good this morning probably partially because of the prednisone and other meds but mostly because God is gracious and full of compassion. I appreciate your prayers and expressions of concern.

On April 30 I will begin the procedures (tests/scans) that will lead to hearing the good word on May 6 from my oncologist, “remission!” The oncologist is quite positive and so are we. However, if the cancer is not in remission, I will receive two more treatments three weeks apart followed by the tests/scans again.

You can pray specifically now for…

Continued healing

Strength for each day

In the care of His grace,

Ken

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Well, ten days have passed since chemo #5. I’m learning that chemo seems an accumulative affect. At least for me, the days following each chemo treatment have been different. It takes longer after each successive treatment for me to feel “normal” again. (Maybe “new normal” would be a better term.)

Yesterday, rather than feeling better than the previous day which is the usual pattern, I felt quite weak, even shaky. I called the cancer center, knowing that I needed to have a blood test. After several hours we found out that my hemoglobin (9.6) and white count (.5) are low. I received a shot for the low hemoglobin and am now taking an antibiotic to preclude catching something because of the low white count. Both of these low counts are expected results of chemo.

Although I wasn’t getting out much previously, I have now been encouraged to stay close to home and especially avoid situations of close proximity to people; especially those with colds, etc. Please pass the Purell!

The overall process is going well. I have one more round of chemo on April 10/11 and approximately three weeks later will have the various scans and tests that hopefully produce the good news; remission! I have volunteered for a clinical trial which if selected would take place approximately three weeks after the scans and tests.

Thanks to those who have prayed for me. I appreciate the cards and other expressions of concern and support. God is good!

Ken

Dear family & friends,

I had my fourth chemo treatment yesterday, Thursday, February 28, and now that I know the routine I can say that everything went well. It is a long day beginning with a blood draw and then a visit with the oncologist followed by approximately five hours of receiving various chemicals and drugs through the port in my chest. Jeri and I enjoy the comfort of a small private room during the treatment. Later today I return to Park-Nicollet’s Cancer Center for a shot (Neulasta), given in the stomach.

So that’s the chemo “drill”. Three weeks apart. Two more treatments follow for a total of six. Approximately three weeks after the sixth chemo they will run a battery of scans and tests to determine if the cancer is in remission or not. The oncologist is very confident that it will be and so are we!

Thankfully, the pain in the left arm and neck area is very minimal these days. I continue to have weakness in the left fingers of the left hand. The problems in the left arm & hand were caused by the tumor on my spine in the neck impinging on the nerves. I have been instructed to not lift more than 25 lbs. to avoid further damage to the nerves in my neck. (Jeri heard 20, I heard 25. Who has the better hearing? J).

Each chemo treatment is followed by side effects from the chemo and the side effects are somewhat different each cycle; both in type and timing. Although not appreciated, welcome or comfortable, I would say my side effects have been minimal thus far. Praise God!

I appreciate your concern and prayers.

In the care of His grace,

Ken

Dear Family & Friends,

This seems to be the quickest way to update those who might want to be updated. J

The consultation with the spine surgeon went well yesterday. No surgery needed at this time although T1 is 50 – 65 % compressed. If they measured my height correctly, and I’ve no reason to think they didn’t, I’ve lost ½” of height. I’m told that the damaged bone will regenerate but the ½” is gone forever!

I am scheduled for an E.M.G. (nerve test) next Tuesday, 2/19. Also, at some later point I’ll have another diagnostic procedure for the nerves in my neck/arm.

The last chemo treatment (Thursday, 2/7) went well and the after effects of it were not as bad as for #1 and #2.

I appreciate your prayers and expressions of kindness and concern.

In the care of His grace,
Ken

(Thursday, February 07, 2008 – afternoon.)

We just got back from chemo, etc. It went very well. The oncologist is very pleased with my progress. He reiterated that the cancer is gone from my neck and spine. However, it will take another bone marrow test to show what’s going on with the marrow. I won’t have that test until April.

I am scheduled for a consultation with a spine surgeon next Tuesday, 2/12 (rescheduled from 2.14). Main objective is to determine what, if anything needs to be done to/with the vertebrae since the cancer ate some bone at C7 and T1. As a precaution, I’ve been told that I can’t lift over 5 lbs until I meet with the surgeon.

Jeri and I are very happy and thankful for the progress that has already occurred. Following the first two chemo treatments, I felt “less than adequate” for several days and expect that will occur this time as well. Thanks for your love, concern and most of all for your prayers.

In the care of His grace,

Ken

Hallelujah! I just had good report from the Oncologist following yesterday’s MRI and CT scan. The tumor on my spine has shrunk (almost gone?) but the cancer ate some of the vertebrae so I’m not supposed to lift, etc. (After I just got in from shoveling snow. Oops!) I will probably see a neurologist soon to see if there is something that needs to be done on the spine as the collapsed vertebrae are now pushing on the nerves (to my arm).

Also, the cancer in the lymph nodes (neck) have responded very well to chemo.

He is very pleased with my response to chemo after just two treatments. He expects that the 6 scheduled treatments will result in remission. The scans do not show how the cancer in my bone marrow is doing. That will take another bone marrow test. Ouch!

I will see the oncologist on Thursday and have my third chemo treatment.
God is good – all the time!
In the care of His grace,

Ken

01/17/2008
2nd round of chemo today and it went great.
Dad had the chemo treatment and the Rituxan treatment today.
He was at the hospital from 8:30 until around 3:00. He felt great during the treatments and was able to eat lunch without any trouble.

01/08/2008
Haven't updated for awhile. I guess that is because there isn't much new.
It actually took Dad about 10 days after his first Chemo to start feeling good.
We got him out of the house on New Years' Eve for a movie and then to a bowling alley where he ate and watched the rest of us bowl. It was around the 2nd of January that he starting feeling better. He still gets tired easily, but in the last week or so he has had a lot more energy and is getting out of the house more.

As of last night, he is starting to lose his beautiful head of hair. Who knows how fast it will go, but it has started to fall out.

His next Chemo is scheduled for Thursday, January 17th. He is a little worried about how he is going to feel after the Chemo.

You can pray for:
-continued healing
-general strength
-good chemo treatment/sickness after the chemo
-Mom, her emotional wellness and her aches and pains with Fibromyalgia .

12/26/2007 (Wednesday)
AM - Dad should be coming home today!!! He is scheduled for a bone scan at 10:30AM which will take about 45 minutes. After that, he is free to come home. How quickly, who knows, but the family is planning to be together for Christmas celebration at his house today.

Yesterday, his Rituxan treatment went superb. They administer that treatment in an IV and the flow rate of this drug depends solely on how Dad reacts to the drug entering his body. Some people get sick or have allergic reactions. They told us that this could take up to 8 hours for him to get. Because he was receiving it so well, it only took about 3 hours. Praise God!! He didn't feel sick or have any other side effects at all.

We all joined together last night and had pizza for a late supper in Dad's hospital. It was a good time to see him so awake and feeling good. The pain in his arm and neck, have been gone ever since the chemotherapy on Monday morning.

12/25/2007 (Tuesday)
AM - Dad had a good night last night. When he was heading to bed, he started to fell bad, probably from the chemo. He was given an IV to counteract that and it worked. He slept great and is in a great mood this morning. The family is planning on spending as much time with him today as he feels like us spending time with him. He will be starting the Rituxan treatment today. We don't if that will make him feel crappy or not. Time will tell. The plan is for him to be coming home tomorrow sometime. The Kallman family is waiting to celebrate Christmas until he is home and feeling good so we can all be together.

12/24/2007 (Monday)
Not much new today. The official results from the biopsy are in, and it is confirmed that Dad has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphona. Very treatable, and he got his first dose of Chemotherapy today. He also had a bone marrow draw today and we should know the results of that by the end of the week. We should also know the 'stage' of the cancer by the end of the week. He is still having the Rituxan treatment tomorrow sometime. The last we heard, he is scheduled for a bone scan on Wednesday. They are trying to get that done in the morning so he can come home at a decent hour on Wednesday.

12/23/2007 (Sunday)
This morning Dad had surgery to remove the tumor that is on the left side of his neck, under his jaw line. The surgery went good. They removed most of the tumor. They couldn't remove it all, because of the way it was attached to surrounding tissue. That's OK though, and usually the way that happens. They got enough of it to get good biopsy results. The official results will be known on Monday afternoon. Even though the official results are not ready, the Oncologist is pretty certain that Dad has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This is actually good news. This form of Lymphoma is very treatable.

Monday's plan as of now:
-Bone Marrow draw (for further testing to see where the cancer has gone)
-A heart test (this is needed before any Chemotherapy can be started)
-Chemotherapy (yes, he will have his first dose of Chemo on Monday)

There is one more IV treatment (Rituxan) that he is planning on getting on Tuesday. The plan right now is that after that is done, he could go home; probably late in the day on Tuesday (Christmas).

Dad seemed to be a little more at peace today. Even though the news of cancer isn't good, it is nice to know what we are actually dealing with and see a plan for the near future. The cancer seems to be very early on, so the prognosis is good. Probably 4 1/2 months of chemo.

12/22/2007 (Saturday)
8AM - We don't know much at this point. He has a CT scan scheduled for 9AM. This will scan Ken's body for any other growths and let the doctors know their next step.

5PM - Dad's CT scan had great results. There are about 3-5 small growths in his shoulder that look to be suspicious. Other than that, the rest of his abdomen and chest are clear. Praise God!! He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning at 7AM to remove the growth in his neck under his jaw line. They will test that to see if it is malignant. Monday he is scheduled for a bone scan of the affected spine area. There for sure is a growth in his 7th and 8th vertebrae. This is the transition point from the cervical area to the thoracic area of your spine.

God is present -
Dad has seen God in many ways in the short time he has been at the hospital. A couple of those are. . .
1. This morning at 3AM when he was walking the halls, he ran into a nurse that he knew from Northern Pines. They were able to talk for awhile and Dad had company while the rest of us were home sleeping.
2. The Oncologist that came to visit Dad today, is a good friend of my cousin. In fact, Dr. Leach was in her wedding as a groomsmen.

At this point it is still uncertain what the growths are, but they are pretty confident that it is Lymphoma. We will know for sure tomorrow after surgery.

12/21/2007 (Friday)
For a couple weeks, Ken has had pain in his left arm and in his upper back/neck. This morning, he went in for an MRI of the area. This test showed something in the area of his neck; enough so, that at 6PM he was at Methodist Hospital getting his 2nd MRI. This MRI ruled out infection, and showed that there is a growth/tumor of some kind on his neck. It is located between his 7th and 8th vertebrae. They admitted him into Methodist for the night for some pain relief and further testing.

Ken Kallman's Blog by Randy Kallman (unless otherwise noted) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Diagnosis: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma click here to learn more
email ken: ken@npines.org