Friday, May 2, 2008

The Party

No, not the Peter Sellers movie. The actual party we are throwing the weekend of June 14th or 15th. We are planning a barbecue (braai, as it's called in Africa) from approximately 11:30am til 3:30pm. We would like to have it on the 14th with the 15th as the weather back-up date. No invites, but obviously for planning purposes, we will need to know ahead of time who will be coming. This is all very preliminary. More will come out as the planning evolves.

Radiation Round 25

Round 25 was delayed as I actually slept in. Well, sort of. I was supposed to go in at my usual time of 9:15am but finally went in at 11:30am. It was quick and easy with just 10 more rounds to go. Yeehaa.

Let me explain the lateness by saying, for each action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I think it goes something like that. The action I am referring to is constipation. Yes, that delightful subject. With all the pain meds and other meds I got a little plugged up. The equal and opposite reaction being what they give you to alleviate this problem. I think you get the picture. I also think I may have overdone the relief meds!!! It was not the best of nights and hence the delayed start to an otherwise lovely sunny weather day. However, don't come to Baltimore right now if you suffer from allergies. It sucks outside from that aspect. Welcome to spring.

Let me describe the radiation sunburn on my front and back. I have sunburn on my front and back and it hurts. What else can I say. This whole process is like getting cooked from the inside out. My throat still hurts and the swallowing and eating is still tough. I am just looking at the light at the end of the tunnel knowing we are getting near the end of this particular battle.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

*****HOW TO COMMENT*****

So many people have asked how to comment so here goes. Go to:

http://asuskin.blogspot.com

no sign in necessary!

click on "comment" under the title you want to comment in. It's near the end of the verbiage in that particular title.

Leave your comment under where it says "Leave your comment". Sign your name at the end of your comment.

Then scroll down!!!

In the "word verification" window type in the given word exactly as shown.

Choose anonymous under the "choose an identity" section.

Then hit the "Publish your comment" button. As soon as I get the email requesting your comment be published I will do it right away. It may take a while until it shows on the blog so please be patient and check back.

That's as easy as I can make it. Don't use any other sign in identity unless you have a Google/Blogger identity. It just gets too complicated. Just remember, I do love reading each and every comment. The more the merrier

If you forget how to comment then just reread this title *****HOW TO COMMENT*****

Radiation Round 24

Round 24 went well today. As quick and painless as usual. I had a great meeting with Dr. Brenner. He explained so much about the IMRT radiation treatment. It sounds amazing. 11 more to go!

So far today, the swallowing and pain has eased up a bit. But constipation rules.

This evening we went to music night at Mike's school. He is second chair in the first violins of the school orchestra. They were pretty good but we had to leave early as I started to get a stomach ache. You can see what's coming.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Radiation Round 23 & Chemo Round 6

Believe it or not, this was my last chemo in this round of treatment. Whoopee. Mary was her usual fantastic self and cubicle/room 7A was as comfortable as ever. Phil came in for the day from New York. It was great for her to sit through a treatment with me. She met Mary, Dr. Erlich and the rest of his staff and got to sample those yummy sandwiches and potato soup. We also got to do some medication adjustments to help me during this tough time.

We then went to radiation and round 23 went fairly quickly.

Here is the game plan for the next few weeks. I will continue on with my radiation treatments at the new facility until May 16th. That will take me to a total of 35 rounds of radiation. I will also continue to receive the targeted cancer drug called Avastin. This will happen next Wednesday and then continuing on every two weeks. It will be administered the same way it has been all along. Via my trusty Portacath. Around about June 13th (Friday 13th I might add) I will have a PET/CT scan. They will then re stage where we are with the cancer.

Sometime the weekend of June 14th/15th we are going to have a party here at our home. We plan to celebrate a number of things. Firstly, fathers day, Secondly, Diana and my anniversary (23rd, but who is counting). And thirdly, the completion of this first battle in the war. Who knows what the results will be. We only hope for the best and know whatever we are dealt with we will deal with.



Enjoy this beautiful Zimbabwe sunset taken by me at the Hwange National Park in August 2007. Maybe better times ahead.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Radiation Round 22

Round 22 took a little longer than what I was used to. The previous 21 treatments came from the top and bottom only. The next 14 treatments (including today) come from seven different positions on the right side only. So instead of 5 minutes it now takes 10 minutes. No big deal. I will now meet with Dr. Brenner every Thursday morning after treatment.

Yoga was uneventful. It's amazing to think what makes it eventful is somebody farting!

It was a good afternoon as far as football (er soccer) was concerned. Man Utd beat Barcelona in the Champions league semi final. Can't wait for the final.

Swallowing,acid reflux, nausea etc etc is much the same. A little better than yesterday.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Those with little want to give so much

Today Diana and I were totally taken aback by what our housekeeper did. Firstly, our command of the Spanish language and her command of the English language are on an equal footing. Not great. However, we do manage to communicate quite adequately. Secondly, she is a woman of very modest means but a huge heart. When she received her pay she handed Diana one of the notes back and said that was all she wanted for taking care of our home. She is obviously a very perceptive woman and finally put the pieces together about my health condition. Diana gave her a huge hug and told her that she would not take any thing back. Diana thanked her once again. What we noticed the most was how someone with very modest means would be willing to give up 20% of her earnings out of the goodness of her heart. I can tell you this. Starting next week she will be getting even more for taking such good care of our home.

So far today, not the greatest of days. Swallowing troubles, pain and nausea. What a combo

I am going this afternoon to the Owings Mills radiation facility for the "final fitting" before my treatments start up. Not exactly sure what they will be doing. I should be starting radiation round 22 tomorrow.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Weekend update

Sounds like something from Saturday Night Live. Well, Man Utd lost to Chelsea 2-1 but they are still on top of the premiership table. Mugabe did not manage to overturn the parliamentary votes and when they finally publish the presidential count I'll bet he lost that to. It was great to have my niece Lily here with us even though it was brief.

It's been a rough weekend for me. The swallowing issue is really difficult and now I have to be very careful what I consume. Too acidic and I don't have to tell you what it does to me. I am really trying but my appetite has waned somewhat. I have had headaches on and off this weekend which is a relatively new development. We will discuss this with the Doctors on Monday. I am also generally achy from the radiation treatments and the naps are getting longer. All in all, not the best of weekends. But to put a positive spin on all of this, I am pretty much 3/4 of the way through the initial treatment.