Hi y'all. Been along time since I updated my blog. My last adventure was last week when we had to go up to Tampa General again. Apparently my stints had a mechanical malfunction and I became "backed up" again..very jaundice but not really due to the cancer growing. My scans came back pretty good. Doctor said the treatment at least kept it at bay. Small successes in that it may have shrunk a little and the fact that I did gain 6 pounds. The procedure they did to unplug me really has set me back. I now have an external tube and bag for another week but they will be able to internalize them in a couple of weeks hopefully when I get less jaundiced. I am very tired and in some pain. The pain meds are helping me but I am sleeping alot. When all is said and done, they are thinking of starting me on chemo through IV this time..one day a week, 2 weeks on and one week off. Don't know for how long. But he feels that this is the "work horse" that may help. That is it for now. Thanks for the support and prayers. Until next time...Jim

Hi all, Just a quick update again. The last 2 days have not been good. Right after the cat scan, I went down hill like a rock. Allot of pain, jaundice symptoms again-just like when this all started in Dec. I was concerned so Deb and I drove to Tampa right after Easter dinner and spent the night in a hotel so we could go see the Doc asap.They feel I may be starting to block up again in my ducts so if I get numerous fevers (infections) then I need to go back and probably do the tubes again. I'm having a pet scan Wed and then meet with the oncologist the 13th. I'll let you know after that. Hi to all, congrats on your nice weather. Thanks for the support. Rutts

Hi all, Just a quick note. I had the first scan yesterday and the next on April 7th. I won't have any results till 4/13. Will keep you advised. Thanks for the prayers and support. Jim

Hello everyone. Sorry for the delay for new news but there has been none. BUT, I need your help-I am having 2 scans this week to see if the radiation and chemo has helped. I need your prayers that the treatments have worked. I feel good so that is a good sign. I have gained 4 pounds and never thought that was a good thing but when you have lost 20 pounds, a gain of 4 is good. I'll post the results as soon as I get them. Thanks again for your support and pray, pray, pray. Rutt

Hi all, sorry for the delay in the updates. Things are back to normal today-the last of the company have left and were starting to get back to normal after the wedding. The wedding was great. Weather cleared out nicely, no rain, a little cool after sunset but ok. Matt and Neisha Ruttenberg (sounds wierd) are in Antigua on their honeymoon and will be back Monday.
I'm still feeling fine and just waiting to do the 2 scans on 3/31 and 4/7 then the doctors will tell me the good, bad or ugly. Last chemo and radiation was last Wed before the wedding so we are in what they call the "cool down period" then the scans.
We finally sold the house on Bradley woods in Stow and they are closing today so that will be one less worry. Thanks to ALL who helped with the moving and storage-we couldn't have done it with out you.
Thanks again for all the support with cards, e-mails, and prayers. It seems to be working. Back at ya soon, Rutts

Hi all, I hope everyone is feeling better now that we have had some better weather. Well, I just had my last radiation and chemo for now (or forever I hope. Now, we wait 3 weeks to get the cat and pet scans to see how good we did- then make new game plans. Off to Matt's wedding this weekend at Anna Maria Island but Bradenton then back to the house on Monday. That's it for now. Thanks again for all the support and prayers. I'll check back after the scans. Hi to all, Rutt

Hi everybody. Happy March. It just sounds like spring. Here is another addition to the blog. I am starting the last 8 sessions of the radiation and chemo on Monday. I will be finished 2 days before we go to Matt's wedding. After the treatments are finished, the docs said we wait 3 to 6 weeks to let everything "cool down" then we will do a pet scan and a cat scan. Doesn't anybody do a human scan or Jim scan anymore? Based on how the scans turn out, we will decide what to do next. Keep your fingers crossed. I'm still feeling great and not much pain or meds, just the chemo pills etc. Well that's it for now, short and sweet. I hope you all are doin fine-hang in there,spring is just around the corner. If you would like me to respond-leave your e-mail, Ok, Thanks again for all of your support and prayers. Regards, Rutt