Radiation Round 33

One down, two to go. That's right, two more radiations to go. I am focusing on the finish line like most of you have suggested in your comments. I am going to focus on the last radiation treatment as the bottom of the barrel. The low point. It can only start to improve.

In the meantime the liquid diet is difficult. I have a very good visual appetite but as soon as I start swallowing it gets really hard. I have to figure this out.

Radiation Round 32

Sorry about the delay in posting. It's all catching up now. Round 32 was a little longer than usual as they had to do their weekly positioning xray. The rest went quickly. Three more to go

I have lost a couple more pounds but I am drinking the carnation instant breakfasts and Ensures. So that should help with the vitamins etc.

No change to the swallowing and the fatigue is very much there.

Radiation Round 31

Rob is coming home tonight. It will be great to have her here with us. She will study here at home for her exams next week.

I just spoke to one of my good friends who is still living in Zimbabwe. He went out last night to pick up a dozen rolls. Yes, plain old bread rolls. It cost him ZW$500,000,000. No joke. He was lucky enough to find a place with rolls. I'm not sure what the exchange rate was yesterday but probably somewhere around US$3 equivalent.

One down four to go. That's how I am looking at this week. The swallowing is simply awful. No mater what I eat it burns like hell going down. I have to get some relief soon! My energy level is down right now and those short afternoon naps have turned into pretty long snoozes. Please forgive my brevity. I will write more later.

Weekend Update

This weekend we had a visit from an old friend(s). Spike and Aviva, from Toronto, spent a brief but enjoyable 24 hours with us. Aviva did an amazing job cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Meat pies, Sheppard's pie, chicken etc etc. What a food production.

The swallowing is still really tough and the acid reflux seems to be getting worse. May have to chat with someone on Monday about getting some relief!

Sunday morning was a good football (soccer) morning. Man Utd beat Wigan 2-0 to secure the premiership title. Now it's on to Europe for the Champions League title game May 21st.

Lastly, I would just like to wish my (our) Mom a very happy, special and wonderful mother's day. We love you. Especially your baby!!!

Radiation Round 30

Round 30 went smoothly today. Let me just elaborate a bit. Every day, with regards the radiation, I mention quick, easy, smoothly, in , out etc etc. Well the actual treatment is exactly all of the previously mentioned words. It has been the cumulative effects that are now catching up with me. The swallowing is bloody awful and difficult. The fatigue is there big time. The external sunburn is very evident on my back more so than my front. I can only imagine what the internal sunburn must look like!

So, after saying all that, I only have 5 more radiation rounds to endure. Once the treatments end it probably and realistically will take another 4 weeks for the residual radiation to leave me. Can't wait.

To a few that I have spoken to on the phone. You say I sound great. I guess I do but I can tell you that it's been a pretty rough week or so. To those that I have not spoken to in a while. Thanks for keeping up with the blog. With the fatigue the way it is it can be challenging talking on the phone. Thanks for understanding.

Radiation Round 29

This morning I went for a lower abdominal ultra sound. Everything appears to be normal and the pain is subsiding. Good.

Round 29 went smoothly. Six more rounds to go. The swallowing is not getting any better for now. But at least it will improve down the road.

I was at the infusion center for another round of hydration and I think that should do the trick. What I did not know was when you reach a certain level of de-hydration most of the time only IV fluids will take care of the problem. I was also made acutely aware of the link between your blood pressure and your state of hydration. When I went in yesterday for the first round of hydration my blood pressure was 70/40. Not good at all. This morning my blood pressure was 110/70. Normal for me is 120/80. What a difference fluids and a day make.

Radiation Round 28 & Avastin Round 4

This morning Diana and I went to the infusion center for my Avastin treatment. When Mary saw me she asked how I felt. I said not great and she concurred just by the way I looked (no jokes please). She checked my blood pressure right away and it was very low. They could tell that I was very dehydrated. She immediately started me on IV liquids and within about an hour things were more or less back to normal. My blood work came back normal so they were able to give me the Avastin.

After the infusion center we went for radiation round 28. Just like the burger joint.....In and out.

Tomorrow the plan is for me to get and ultrasound of my lower abdomen first thing in the morning. The pain seems to have gotten better but they want to make sure there are no other problems. I will then do radiation and afterwards go back to the infusion center for another round of hydration. I guess I should have drunk more!!!

Radiation Round 27

I'm on hold for round 27. Seems like the machine is down. They will call as soon as it's running. Hopefully they will get me in.

I did get in after lunch today. Quick and easy and good to know only 8 left.

I went to the infusion center (hospital) this morning to see Brittaney. It was about how I was feeling in general and my pain in the stomach (appendix area). She wanted me to have a ct scan of my lower abdomen but after I saw what you had to drink (for the test) I had to squash that idea!

Just prior to the radiation treatment I dropped my Mom off at the airport for her return home to Boca. She was with us for 3 weeks and obviously it was tough to see her leave. I know it was also tough for her to leave as she can see that I am not in the best of shape or spirits since this all started. These past few days have been really tough physically and mentally for me.

I am supposed to go the infusion center tomorrow morning at 9 am for my Avastin. They will do a thorough check up on me before anything happens so maybe we will get to the bottom of this.

Radiation Round 26

Round 26 was, once again, quick and easy. It's the lingering and cumulative effects that are really tough right now. Hey, just nine more to go.

The swallowing is still tough and I know I am not drinking or eating enough. I know I subscribed to the statement "those that eat well do well". But I am really trying. Food is medicine. I know that. But it doesn't make it any easier with all this.

I spoke to Brittaney, one of Dr. Erlich's assistants, to mention and discuss a few problems with her. If my food and water intake doesn't increase I may have to go to the infusion center tomorrow.

Oh yea. We opened our pool for the summer. It is truly amazing how quickly the water comes into pristine swimming shape. I will try and think of my body along those lines.

Weekend Update

Not too much going on this weekend. But it's always nice with no treatments scheduled. Things seem to be getting back to normal with regards my stomach ordeal. The swallowing and all the other stuff is status quo. I can only hope that things will start improving soon. I have had better weekends!!!.

Rob was home briefly and Mike had his Junior Prom Dance on Saturday night. It sounds like he had a really nice time.