GREAT!!!

If you ask Rollie how he is doing, his response (along with his great smile) is always "GREAT".  Love that attitude!!!!  His final radiation treatment was on November 22nd, followed up by a nice Thanksgiving with the whole family in Fraser.

Rollie's blood work at the conclusion of his first round of treatments came back really good.  His white blood count and platelets were both down just a little bit, but all in all, the doctors were quite pleased with his progress.  He now has a four week break before the next round of oral chemo.  This will consist of a double dose of chemo for five days each month, followed by a 28 day rest period, for the next six months.

Rollie is still getting out and walking even in the slightly above zero temperatures they have been having in the Fraser Valley.  Carol and Rollie are looking forward to heading to Arizona after spending time with Kevin, Eileen, and Katie in Tellruride around Christmas. Rollie is especially looking forward to playing a lot of golf while there, and just getting out and walking in the warmer temperatures.  It will be a nice change for both of  them this winter!

It is amazing, all the cards, calls, emails and prayers that arrive on a daily basis.  What a morale booster it has been for both Rollie and Carol! 

Thank you to everyone,

The Cahalane's

Halfway There

Rollie is more than halfway through the first round of treatment! His blood counts are close to normal, and he is tolerating the chemo and radiation very well, with no real side-effects. Last week he was able to spend a day with Dave and hit several golf balls which were the best he had hit in several months.  Kevin made a suprise visit over the weekend and is staying for a few days to spend time with Rollie and Carol. It was nice to have all five of the Cahalane boys together over the weekend (Fletcher being the fifth!). 

Thanks to everyone for their love and prayers,

The Cahalanes

Rollie is Rallying!!!

Eight radiation, and ten chemotherapy  treatments will not keep a good man down!  Week one of treatment has shown that Rollie is ready to win this fight due to his and Carol’s positive outlook. Rollie looks as good as ever, is feeling good, and is rolling with the punches as only Rollie could do. They have been visiting with many friends as always, and have also taken time out for walks to enjoy the temperate fall we have been having recently.  The Cahalane “clan” is looking forwards to being together in Winter Park for Thanksgiving just after Rollie’s first round of treatment, and we will celebrate and give special thanks to our family.

Our hearts go out to the White family, whom has recently been faced with a cancer diagnosis.  Please know that you will be in our daily prayers alongside Rollie.

The Cahalane’s

Positive Thinking!

POSITIVE THINKING CAN PRODUCE POSITIVE RESULTS!

Anyone who has seen or heard from Rollie recently can attest to the fact that he is a survivor, and a good one at that.  Anyone who lives with a brain tumor and a craniotomy is a survivor.  Rollie's upbeat attitude and positive thinking proves that.  Rollie looks as good as ever, is as sharp as tack, and is the same old Rollie that we all love and know.

Treatment (chemo and radiation) will begin early next week, and will be for five weeks instead of six weeks due to a need for a higher dose and concentration of radiation at the site for this particular type of tumor. Thanksgiving will take on a whole new meaning this year, as it will every single day between now and then, and every day thereafter. 

We have a note on our family chalkboard: "Every Day: A Prayer for Papa".  We thank you for keeping  Rollie and Carol in your prayers each day.


The Cahalanes

A New Arrival!

Rollie is at home in WP and is getting stronger every day.  It is remarkable how great he looks and how sharp he is after having brain surgery a little over two weeks ago! Rollie has a very upbeat and positive attitude which is aiding greatly in his recovery. He is out walking each day and actually walked down to the ball fields to checkout the firefighter command center for the wildfire that is burning west of Fraser (fortunately, the fire is not threatening their home).  We will be meeting with Oncology this Thursday to come up with a "plan of attack" and a treatment schedule. We will keep you up to date as we know more.

Rollie and Carol have been blessed with a new grandson.  The chain has been broken and the Cahalane family name will be carried on! Fletcher Hamilton Cahalane was born this past Sunday, October 3rd in Estes Park.  Rollie was one of his first visitors and was a very proud Papa!

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers,

The Cahalanes

Thank You

First off, on behalf of the entire Cahalane family we want to thank everyone for their gracious support, prayers, flowers, cards, and everything else our wonderful family and friends have done for Rollie and the family.  It has really meant a lot to all of us, and especially to Rollie.

Watching Rollie's golf game really go downhill this summer should have been our first clue something was wrong.  About mid-September we noticed that he was generally just a little bit off, and that the great Rollie smile was just not the same.  On Wednesday, September 15th, we took him to the Swedish Medical Center ER where a Cat Scan  revealed a mass on the right frontal side of his brain.  A subsequent MRI concluded that it was a tumor with a smaller "sister" tumor.  The following Satruday they removed both tumors, the larger one being 4cm in diameter. They were able to remove 99% of the tumors and Rollie came through the surgery great.  For dinner on Sunday in the ICU he requested chicken fried steak and a beer, but the nurses wouldn't oblige.  That's when we knew that his cranium was functioning just fine!

The tumor has turned out to be a "GBM" (Glioblastoma Multiforme) tumor and he will start radiation and chemo treatment soon.  We will keep you posted as we know more.  Rollie and Carol are back home in Winter Park as of September 23rd and they are both extremely happy to be home.  Rollie and Craig were actually able to have a Budweiser together upon his return (he is allowed one every now and then).

Once again, thank you to everyone.

The Cahalane Family