Comments, emails and phone calls

Let me say, once again, how very much I appreciate all those comments, emails and phone calls. This blog has been a real G_dsend for me and my family. The ability to keep you all informed globally has been hugely helpful and therapeutic for me. The fact that so many of you care and keep up with the blog is incredible. Rest assured that even though I may not answer all the comments posted or am somewhat tardy in replying to the emails and phone calls, I nonetheless take it all in. Like I said on a number of occasions, the kind words and the love and support are incredibly important to me and my family. I am forever in your debt.

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 1 (Round 4)

DING! After a pretty shitty nights sleep it's chemo 1 (round 4). My last chemo treatment was about 6 months ago. What a reprieve!



My Oncangel (Mary) put me through my paces and my ever so faithful side kick and left/right hand lady, Diana, was there with me. It took about 5 hours today. A little longer than usual, but all things considered, it was the first day (round). It usually takes about 4 hours because of the blood work and the pre meds. The next couple of days I have to follow up the chemo with 2 shots of Neupogen. No, it's not some exotic booze cocktail. It's primarily to keep my white blood count from crashing.

Now, how do I feel you ask? Pretty good so far!!! I haven't experienced that sensitivity to cold yet but, believe it or not, I'm taking precautions. I'm also under those watchful eyes of Diana and Mike. The sleeping has been crappy but that's partly because I am on a 3 day regimen of steroids to help with the chemo side effects. Like I mentioned before. For every boo boo they have a band aid.

Carpe Diem.

This is why I love the bush

Carpe Diem.

You gotta do what you have to do!

This is called "The African Laxative" picture. No, it's not Diana. Can you spot the lioness? I don't even know if this is a real or photoshopped picture!!!

Yes, that's me. Must have been all that fine African food!!!

A dung beetle rolling away the evidence.

Carpe Diem.

The unknown

No, this is not about a Stephen King novel. It's one of my fears! One of the things that I have found very difficult to deal with throughout this ordeal is the anticipation of the unknown. How will the chemo affect me? Will the chemo do it's job and get rid of the cancer in my body? Will this go on indefinitely? Will I, once again, look sick? You get the point. I guess the best thing is to deal with this "in the now". I also need to follow my mantra of "Carpe Diem". Yea, I know! Don't dwell on what could be, should be or would be. Easier said than done, right?

It looks like Wednesday is going to be my chemo start day. I am still waiting to hear about my lung tap surgery day. Hopefully soon. The coughing is quite uncomfortable.

Let me just say a huge thank you to all of you faithful blog readers, part time and occasional blog readers and those who sent emails and notes. You must understand how incredibly uplifting it is to feel the love and support from all of you. Obviously, not to exclude my family, this war is dedicated to you all.

Carpe Diem.

Weekend update

Other than the cold and ice, we have had good news this weekend. Man U beat Everton 1-0 to go 5 points up in the table. But best of all was Kukpot Charlie (alias Mike the chef) getting accepted into the University of Maryland at College Park. Yes, the same school that Rob is currently at. We are really excited for him and he is thrilled. Nice one. It has to be Diana's genes!!!

This is for Emily. If you need the following decoded or deciphered, call me (he he). Sunday morning we watched the Chelsea vs. Liverpool game. To all you Liverpool fans out there, I have 2 words for you all. Bloody lucky! Man U is still in front with a game in hand. By the way, Lampard's red card was pure bulls&%t. Never thought I would say that.

Sunday evening we watched the Super Bowl at some friends. I must admit, it was quite an entertaining game. Once again, there were some really funny ads and Springsteen was amazing at half time.

Carpe Diem.

The Game Plan

This coming Wednesday (February 4th) I start my new round of chemotherapy. It will be every 2 weeks. It looks like Mary just can't get ride of me! Of the 3 drugs I will be getting I have only previously had Avastin. I didn't seem to do too badly with it. The Alimta I apparently should do fine with. But there are interesting side effects with the Oxaliplatin. For the 3 to 5 days following treatment I should have a strong sensitivity to cold. No, this is not a joke. I will not be able to eat or drink anything cold. Just room temperature, warm or hot! Even when I reach into the fridge I will have to wear gloves. The sensation you get is like being electrically shocked. Going out in the cold is another matter. I will just have to be careful breathing in the cold air. Or move!!! I call this the "wet paint" syndrome. Whenever you see a sign that says 'wet paint" don't you feel the need to see if it's really wet? Well, I'm sure I will be testing the cold equals shock theory. I just hope it's not too bad.

In conjunction with the chemo I will also have to have shots twice a week to keep my blood counts in the normal range. This chemo regimen may knock the crap out of the blood counts. I am also going to be getting vitamin B12 shots and have to take other oral multi vitamins.

You know, this all sounds so shit but the alternative is not appealing at all! If this does it's job and puts me in remission then sign me up. By no means am I a brave person. I just want to be rid of all this and get on with my life. There isn't a big choice.

Carpe Diem.

Meeting with Dr. Erlich

The good news is, I'm off the Sutent. The not as good news is, I will be starting a new regimen of chemotherapy starting next week. Dr. Erlich explained a lot of things to us and answered a lot of our questions. For all you doctors and aspiring doctors out there, the chemo cocktail will be:
Avastin, Oxaliplatin and Alimta every 2 weeks.
Throw in a couple of other shots and various drugs and there you have it!

Also, I will have another lung tap next week to remove the fluid from the pleura. Dr. Skaryak will determine, at that time, whether to do a procedure to seal the gap that the fluid has left or install a small catheter to drain the fluid over time. Sorry if this is gross or I'm not explaining it very well. I'm just a pilot!

There was no alarm in Dr. Erlich's voice nor was there any doom and gloom talk. They are treating this as a chronic disease albeit cancer. It's merely the word cancer that flips everyone out, including myself. We will eventually find the combo that gets ride of this crap once and for all.

Carpe Diem.

Facebook

What have I done? Much to the dismay of our kids I signed up on Facebook. Wow! Talking about overwhelming. I woke up this morning to check my usual 3 emails and there were a s%#t load of messages. I'm gobsmacked! This is all new to me so I will try and answer all the messages, wall posts, finger painting etc. etc. in the near future.

Carpe Diem.

Monday with Mary

I had my monthly port flush and blood work done today. Yes, it was with Mary. It was good to see her again. My vital signs were good and my weight is stable. Unfortunately, I may be visiting with her more than I bargained for. I will get the blood work results and see Dr. Erlich on Wednesday. At that time I will get the game plan. I'm not going to speculate as to what lies ahead, suffice to say that another round of chemo is quite likely!

Carpe Diem.