Saturday, April 12, 2008

Cholesterol, no problems.

Rob came home this weekend. So it was really nice for all of us to be together. The weather has played it's part. Really nice spring days. Here come the allergies!

It's great having the weekends without treatment(s). It gives my body a chance to play catch up. To look at this in it's most basic form, it's letting the damaged bad cells die and the damaged good cells regenerate (get well). I'm starting to feel the effects of the radiation on my swallowing. I still have a good appetite but I really have to consciously chew my food more as it hurts going down. I just have to get used to not scarfing down my food. This is all not unexpected.

I had a yearning for KFC for dinner. Don't ask why! I have concluded that if the cancer doesn't kill me my cholesterol will !!!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Radiation Round 13 (On a Friday!)

Quick and painless. I consider it lucky to have my 13th radiation treatment on a Friday. Lucky because it's Friday with weekends off. Lucky because Rob is coming home today for the weekend. Lucky because the weather is spectacular (70's F /20's C). Lucky because I'm feeling really well so far today. Slight fatigue and a slight sore throat. It's like thanksgiving every day. Thankful for my wife and kids. Thankful for my family and friends. Thankful and grateful to strangers that have kept me in their thoughts and prayers. Mostly, I'm thankful for the people I meet going through very similar ordeals. People (complete strangers) that I talk to and listen to. Yes, even me listening!

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting a lady, during my chemo treatment, who was being treated for colon cancer. I do not know anything else about her other than the fact that when I looked into her eyes she seemed so sad and afraid. She had an IV in her arm and I showed her my Portacath and explained a bit about it to her. Her nurse was thrilled and grateful to me for the explanation and the show and tell. I have no way of knowing if she would be able to receive a Portacath from her insurance carrier or even be able to afford the procedure herself. I'm not trying to make assumptions here but one can only hope that she gets the treatment and procedures she deserves. I, once again, am thankful to have talked to her. I am also very grateful and thankful to my company (UPS) for the financial position that I, and my family, are in and for the incredible medical coverage that I have. I also want to believe they got a first rate employee in the deal.

My fervent hope and desire is that I win this battle/war and am able to make a difference in other peoples lives.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Radiation Round 12 & Chemo Round 3

Well, I was doing so good up until this evening.

Radiation went well and then I went over to the infusion center for my 3rd chemo session. When I signed in they had assigned me Mary (the nurse who I think the world of and who we all love dearly, for the care and support she gives me). Mary was the nurse I had for my 1st chemo session. They also assigned me a really nice room (cubicle). Now these two factors made for the start of a very good day. The treatments went smoothly and the fact that they were able to use my brand spanking new Portacath was beyond description. Just awesome.

Russ took Diana, Mike and Me to Outback Steakhouse for a really nice dinner before we took her to the airport. Yes, Russ finally went back to London after spending 3 wonderful weeks with us. I honestly can say that I have never struggled so much to say goodbye to her. She was a godsend to all of us during this very difficult time. Words cannot adequately describe how I and especially Diana, feel about her so I will just end with this tidbit.

Russ is really not a "dog person". Totally different, when it comes to animals (dogs), than Phil or me. Well, she really bonded with Max. I'll let the picture speak for itself!

We miss you already Russ.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Radiation Round 11 with a twist

This morning I had a Portacath implanted into my left chest just below the collar bone. The operation took about one hour. The Portacath allows them to access my vein (blood supply) without having to repeatedly install IV lines for my treatments or blood tests. I won't go into detail about what exactly a Portacath is. Just Google "Port-a-cath".

After getting out of the recovery room I went for radiation round 11. It was a little slower today as they had to fit me into the schedule. It was a tad uncomfortable as they did the Wednesday xray as well as the treatment. Keeping my arms above my head on the treatment table was not too pleasant.

The pain from the operation is not too bad as the meds are working as advertised. Awesome stuff. All in all, I'm feeling pretty good.

Chemo round 3 is rescheduled for tomorrow.

Al (Goldfish) Goldstein stayed with us last night. He was on a PHL layover. So he rented a car and came down to see us. Stayed for dinner and slept over. For those that don't know, Al and my friendship go back 40 years or so. We both fly for UPS. It was good to see him and catch up with what was happening at work.

Sorry about the grammar, spelling and syntax. Bloody Percoset.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Diana


Through this whole ordeal I sometimes tend to forget the impact that this all has had on people around me and close to me. I cannot help but think about how Diana (Lil / Aunt Edna) must be feeling through all this. Well, I can tell you in all honesty, that if it wasn't for her dotting, caring, nagging etc etc I know that I simply could not have managed by myself. She has been my strength, my crutch, my nurse (not in that sense), my confidant, a shoulder to cry on and the list would go on endlessly. She has held me up and faced this challenge very stoically. But I know that she has faced this with me with determination and resolve. I know at times it seems like an impossible road ahead but when I look at her and the kids I realize just how important this whole battle/war is and how we must and will prevail.


I , at times, have difficulty putting how I feel into coherent words. Through all this, my love and respect for her has grown exponentially. I love you Lil.

Radiation Round 10

The treatment went expeditiously today. Spoke to Suki (Dr. Brenner's PA) about some slight discomfort swallowing. They prescribed me a cocktail of Lidocain, Maalox and Benedryl. How weird. Just tasted it. Bloody awful.

Off to Hopewell house for morning yoga and meditation. I'll let you all know how it was.

It was fantastic. The yoga, that is. During one of the breathing/stretching exercises someone farted. Just a small one but enough to cause Russ and me to start giggling. We managed to gain control pretty quickly but those that know me (Mike) know that something like that always tends to crack me up. Yea, yea, yea. Very infantile and sophomoric. Couldn't help it.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Radiation Round 9


Today went a little slower than usual. The machine was "ill' for a few minutes! None the less, pretty quick by most standards. I met today with Dr. Mark Brenner (our usual Monday meeting). Everything was fine and he was pleased with how I looked and felt.


I went home and picked up Russ and Diana and we went to the barn raising at the Hopewell House. It was really cool to see these Amish gentlemen putting the barn up like it was a huge Lego building. Very cool to see and watch. We also talked to a few people that we had met at orientation evening.


We then left for Diana's office where they were throwing a pizza and wing party for me. One of the office ladies husband is a Fire Station Captain and an expert chicken wing maker. Ernie, you outdid yourself. Great batch of wings. We had a great time and, as usual, I stuffed myself. I feel a serious nap coming on.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Sunday visit

The picture above was taken in March 2006 in Hwange, Zimbabwe. It was one of our numerous reunions we have had over the years. From left to right: Dixon (our guide), Adrian (Skin) Suskin (me), Mervyn (Jack) Trappler, Stan (Bengoo) Peimer, Ilan (Ivan) Elkaim, Hylton (Silvi) Solomon, Mervyn (Bunda) Bernet and Mervyn (Lemon) Spiro. Missing was Trevor (Mitch) Lobel. We have all known each other and kept in close contact for the past 43 odd years. We all grew up together in what was then Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). These are my lifelong good buddies (brothers).

We had a visit today from one of the above criminals! Ilan (Elkaim) came for dinner and stayed the night. We did a lot of catching up over a really good dinner prepared by Russ and Diana.

To all my Canadian Family and Friends

Hope your winter wasn't too bad!

The Official Canadian Temperature Conversion Chart

50º F (10 C) Californians shiver uncontrollably. Canadians plant gardens.

35º F (1.6 C) Italian cars won't start. Canadians drive with the windows down.

32º F (0 C) American water freezes. Canadian water gets thicker.

0º F (-17.9 C) New York City landlords finally turn on the heat. Canadians have the last cookout of the season.

-60º F (-51 C) Mt.. St. Helens freezes. Canadian Girl Guides sell cookies door-to-door.

-100º F (-73 C) Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Canadians pull down their ear flaps.

-173º F (-114 C) Ethyl alcohol freezes. Canadians get frustrated when they can't thaw the keg.

-460º F (-273 C) Absolute zero; all atomic motion stops. Canadians start saying "Cold eh?"

-500º F (-295 C) Hell freezes over. The Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup.

Thanks Liam you hoser eh.