I noticed recently that the lawyer commercials have changed over the years. They were once dominated by Larry H Parker and Jacoby and Meyers. Now its Joseph Emrani and a assortment of firms soliciting clients for various ailments.
It is now been two weeks since my last round of chemo pills. Now I wait for the chemo drugs to filter out of my system. The past few days I have been feeling better but still feel the affects of the drugs. I still tremble when attempting to write, Fuzzyness in the finger tips, slight tinge of the taste buds, and fatigue.
June will be my appointment with the oncologist to compare the scheduled tests with my baseline. Those tests include a CT Scan and colonoscopy.
Today I met with the surgeon. Interesting info. He removed 40% of my colon. Essentially everything is functioning well with a few adjustments in the bowel process that are permanent.
He did mention that the tingling in the hands will probably diminish with time but never go away completely as a result of chemo.
i did just get through watching an episode of Charlie Rose on cancer treatment. Immunology Therapy appears to be the next frontier. Apparently with colon cancer they are experimenting with applying it after chemo.
As with the lawyer commercials, cancer treatment will evolve. (didn't think I would be able to tie those two together!)
Friday, March 10, 2017
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Insomnia
Round 8 is being distinguished as the Insomnia round. Tomorrow I approach the completion of the first week. I'm drowning myself in room temp lemonade and powerade, managing the hourly output discharge And trying to alter my sleep pattern. No such luck. It is 3:30am.
I was talking to a friend recently about our heart conditions, he had stents, I had bypass. Someone we know our age recently had a heart attack. Both of us were tempted to send a "welcome to the club" message, but thought better of it. A little on the morbid side and the many that have not the privilege of the experience may object. But I learned today that someone else I know will be undergoing heart surgery. We are at the age where this is no longer an anomaly. It is a trend. So how is your health status?
I can only offer support and answer any questions about the recovery. My aunt is sad in that many of her friends have passed on and with each funeral, you can see the effect deepening. I'm beginning to get a glimpse in understanding her feelings. I can list on one hand friends that were dear to me who passed on, but as we age, our list grows. I'm not sure what this implies to my life currently, but food for thought.
Of course, the opposite of all this is grandchildren. They provide joy, and optimism for the future.
I was talking to a friend recently about our heart conditions, he had stents, I had bypass. Someone we know our age recently had a heart attack. Both of us were tempted to send a "welcome to the club" message, but thought better of it. A little on the morbid side and the many that have not the privilege of the experience may object. But I learned today that someone else I know will be undergoing heart surgery. We are at the age where this is no longer an anomaly. It is a trend. So how is your health status?
I can only offer support and answer any questions about the recovery. My aunt is sad in that many of her friends have passed on and with each funeral, you can see the effect deepening. I'm beginning to get a glimpse in understanding her feelings. I can list on one hand friends that were dear to me who passed on, but as we age, our list grows. I'm not sure what this implies to my life currently, but food for thought.
Of course, the opposite of all this is grandchildren. They provide joy, and optimism for the future.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Temperature Control
In previous posts, I have shared the adverse reaction to coldness due to the Chemo drugs. It occurred to me that I have made more adjustments than I thought.
House temperature: keeping the house consistent is a dilemma due to the original floor furnace. So I rely on the blanket, down comforter and electric blanket combination. This gives me flexibility in adjusting to both the outside environment and internal body fluctuations.
Auto: The van has been stocked with various blankets, pillows, and drinks to keep me comfortable. They also provide a great deal of comfort for Gayle when I drive.
Aparrel: hats, extra jackets for layering, long pants, no slippers, and that is just to get the newspaper from the driveway. Digital just does not do it for me. The morning newspaper and coffee are still a habit.
Drinks: It is always a challenge to not only determine which types of fluids are working. They seem to change with each round but red powerade seems to be the consistent favorite. The problem comes when determining the temperature of the liquid. Most of the time I leave it out on the coffee table at room temperature. But if it is still too cold, I will tuck them under the bed covers next to me to warm up. I have gotten used to asking for tap water at restaurants as requesting water with no ice is still too cold.
Hygiene: it seems a little wasteful, but I often have to run the water until it warms up before I can wash my hands. At least our bathroom is close to the water heater and the warm water comes quickly vs the kitchen.
Refridegeration: when it comes to refrigerators, especially at stores, chemo brain fog kicks in. I usually forget about the fuzzy chill until I open the fridge or freezer door at Costco. I avoid Nijiya stores as their ambient temp in the store is on the colder side. Don't even ask about the kitchen fridge as I wear shorts at home.
I'm still looking forward to that ice cold Coke later this year.
House temperature: keeping the house consistent is a dilemma due to the original floor furnace. So I rely on the blanket, down comforter and electric blanket combination. This gives me flexibility in adjusting to both the outside environment and internal body fluctuations.
Auto: The van has been stocked with various blankets, pillows, and drinks to keep me comfortable. They also provide a great deal of comfort for Gayle when I drive.
Aparrel: hats, extra jackets for layering, long pants, no slippers, and that is just to get the newspaper from the driveway. Digital just does not do it for me. The morning newspaper and coffee are still a habit.
Drinks: It is always a challenge to not only determine which types of fluids are working. They seem to change with each round but red powerade seems to be the consistent favorite. The problem comes when determining the temperature of the liquid. Most of the time I leave it out on the coffee table at room temperature. But if it is still too cold, I will tuck them under the bed covers next to me to warm up. I have gotten used to asking for tap water at restaurants as requesting water with no ice is still too cold.
Hygiene: it seems a little wasteful, but I often have to run the water until it warms up before I can wash my hands. At least our bathroom is close to the water heater and the warm water comes quickly vs the kitchen.
Refridegeration: when it comes to refrigerators, especially at stores, chemo brain fog kicks in. I usually forget about the fuzzy chill until I open the fridge or freezer door at Costco. I avoid Nijiya stores as their ambient temp in the store is on the colder side. Don't even ask about the kitchen fridge as I wear shorts at home.
I'm still looking forward to that ice cold Coke later this year.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Light at the end of the tunnel
Today platelets were low, but up from last week. Therefore round 8 was approved to proceed. It just means that I need to be especially careful to not be exposed to infections and germs for the next 3 to 4 weeks. We meet with the Oncologist in two weeks to see what is in store for the completion of my treatments.
A friend who is living in Japan has been reading the blog and has sent a variety of masks to lighten up the mood. Apparently Japan is the land of surgical masks for consumer consumption. I can now be fashionable in my choice of masks. Plaid, mickey mouse, unknown and charcoal. Thanks Joyce!!!
This weeks choice of liquids are of the semi sweet kind. It's been organic lemonade from Costco.
Breakfast has been TJs cereal and unsweetened soy milk and of course a mug of Peets Arabian Mocha Java.
After talking with Gayle the other night, some subjects came up. The prospect of me not being around (always a possibility whether or not the cancer is cleared). Retirement, Heath Benefits, IRA accounts, wills, medical wishes (DNRs), etc. Sobering stuff. Some have been in the works, others need to be accelerated for peace of mind.
Speaking of the future, Jeff and the family are moving into their new home in Allen, Texas this week.
The house has 4 bedrooms, one designated for visiting grandparents. Of course this grandpa has claimed a spot on the floor in the boy's room.
By the way, you can tell have finally figured out how to upload pictures to the blog.
A friend who is living in Japan has been reading the blog and has sent a variety of masks to lighten up the mood. Apparently Japan is the land of surgical masks for consumer consumption. I can now be fashionable in my choice of masks. Plaid, mickey mouse, unknown and charcoal. Thanks Joyce!!!
This weeks choice of liquids are of the semi sweet kind. It's been organic lemonade from Costco.
Breakfast has been TJs cereal and unsweetened soy milk and of course a mug of Peets Arabian Mocha Java.
After talking with Gayle the other night, some subjects came up. The prospect of me not being around (always a possibility whether or not the cancer is cleared). Retirement, Heath Benefits, IRA accounts, wills, medical wishes (DNRs), etc. Sobering stuff. Some have been in the works, others need to be accelerated for peace of mind.
Speaking of the future, Jeff and the family are moving into their new home in Allen, Texas this week.
The house has 4 bedrooms, one designated for visiting grandparents. Of course this grandpa has claimed a spot on the floor in the boy's room.
By the way, you can tell have finally figured out how to upload pictures to the blog.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Bummed
Round 8 was postponed again, making this a two week wait due to my platelets being low again. It was explained to me that low platelets make me more susceptible to infection and reduces my ability for my blood to clot. I have to avoid getting cut, and exposure to germs. I was so looking forward to starting my last round.
This setback is another reminder from my wife that nothing is ever normal with me. But putting it in perspective, it does not adversely affect the long term plan for treating the cancer.
This setback is another reminder from my wife that nothing is ever normal with me. But putting it in perspective, it does not adversely affect the long term plan for treating the cancer.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Secret Weapon
We send a monthly package to the grand kids and for some reason Camden always thinks its from me and not Grandma. Grandma always makes sure there are things like books and developmental stuff along with the treats. The Secret Weapon is Honeyballs. I've always kept a stash in the cars and doled them out when needed.
False Start
Round 8 of Chemo was scheduled for yesterday. It was met with anxiousness and trepidation. There was a feeling that something was not going to happen. Preliminary blood tests showed low platelets causing them to postpone Chemo one more week.
It was explained that chemo reduces the production of platelets and that if they proceeded it would lower them to a critical level. The conclusion is that I am highly susceptible to infections and germs.
Therefore I am limited to exposure to the outside world for a bit.
I am getting used to wearing a surgical mask when I do go out. The adjustment is getting used to the looks from others and the fogging up of my glasses when I talk. The most frustrating part of this is the postponement of another week taking my treatment well into Feb. when it was originally scheduled for the end of Jan.
As an added positive note, I put in for my National Park Pass for seniors and one for Canadian National Parks. The Canadian is for one year, but was free. It's about time to start taking advantage of my age. It's a sign of optimism. Once I finish round 8, I go in for a review, then a series of tests to confirm my condition (blood, CT scan, colonoscopy, etc.) Chemo is only stage 2 in my process of dealing with the colon cancer.
It was explained that chemo reduces the production of platelets and that if they proceeded it would lower them to a critical level. The conclusion is that I am highly susceptible to infections and germs.
Therefore I am limited to exposure to the outside world for a bit.
I am getting used to wearing a surgical mask when I do go out. The adjustment is getting used to the looks from others and the fogging up of my glasses when I talk. The most frustrating part of this is the postponement of another week taking my treatment well into Feb. when it was originally scheduled for the end of Jan.
As an added positive note, I put in for my National Park Pass for seniors and one for Canadian National Parks. The Canadian is for one year, but was free. It's about time to start taking advantage of my age. It's a sign of optimism. Once I finish round 8, I go in for a review, then a series of tests to confirm my condition (blood, CT scan, colonoscopy, etc.) Chemo is only stage 2 in my process of dealing with the colon cancer.
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