I just got back from the oncologist's office.  First he said that I looked better, healthier, than I was when he saw me last week.  Then he told me that I had gained 6 pounds since then.  I told him that my swallowing problems have gone and that I was back to eating normally.  "This is good", was his reply.  He felt the area above the left collarbone, the site of the enlarged node that initially indicated the problem.  He said that aside from the scar tissue from the biopsy that he could feel nothing - the tumor there is gone.  He ordered a CAT scan for 5/21, after the second treatment rather than waiting for after the third, as was the original plan.  He asked if I still had a cough and I told him yes but that it is significantly less than it was.  He indicated that this was good, as well.  The second chemotherapy treatment is scheduled for 10am on 5/9.  We are winning, and on 5/21 we will know by how much.  We're not finished, surely not by a long shot, but we are winning.  Thanks for all the help.

That is great news !

Thank you.  Still a good long way to go, but I feel that I am no longer the hunted but that I am now the hunter.  As I said from the beginning,

"Watch Me Win!!!"

Good news..I am pulling for you !

Glad to see you're doing better!

S

This thing made a BIG mistake thinking it could take me on.  I am undefeated, and I plan to stay that way for a long, LONG time.  Thanks, Sloane.

Thanks, Chrissy.  I appreciate it.

Thanks great news Carl!  Keep fightin!

Thanks, Ziggs.  The fight is in my hands, and I like those odds.  Like a good friend told me this weekend, "It better bring its lunch 'cause you ain't goin' anywhere."

Congrats man...keep the gloves up and don't stop fightin!!

We are going to have a party when you are done and invite all the different Tiffaknees from this board!!

and I do try to stay in touch with them !!!

Thanks, Jay.  This thing does not have enough game to come into my house.

I appreciate it, Bizzaro.  The mental thing is the most important thing, and I know that I cannot be defeated there.  Thanks.

There will certainly be a victory party, my friends.

WOW! That's great! You're headed in the right direction!

Thanks, Ellyse.  Another blood test before yesterday's second chemo session came back strong again.  If this were a baseball game the score would be 12-6 in my favor.  And all the momentum is on my side.  Thank you all for the support.  Still early, but I like the way that things are playing out so far.