Weekend update

Well, it was a pretty tame weekend. I got lots of rest so that I would be physically and mentally ready for the next chemo round on Monday. Rob was home for the weekend so of course we watched a Man U game. They beat Derby 4-1 in a FA cup clash.

Carpe Diem.

Snore war

Hey, not only did I win but the words rhyme. Last night, I guess I was sufficiently loud enough in my snoring, that I drove Diana off to another bedroom. Earplugs and all. Maybe I'm onto something here! The good thing is I was either drugged up or quite relaxed. I think it was a combination of the two. I'm still in a bit of pain and discomfort from the lung tap procedure so I'm taking some pretty good pain relief meds. Ah, the good old cause and effect. Pain relief and able to relax (sleep) equals pretty darn good constipation. I'll take the pain relief.

Monday is my next chemo session and I guess I will be getting some more info on Dr. Erlich and his departure. In the mean time, one of the other oncologists in the same practice will be taking care of me through this current chemo regimen. Nothing changes for at least the next 6 weeks (3 sessions). I will also see Dr. Skaryak on Monday after chemo. We have lots of questions for her!!!

I haven't been feeling the greatest over the past couple of days. I need to get physically and mentally strong for Monday. The fact that Rob is coming home today and will be here over the weekend, will be a huge tonic for me.

Carpe Diem.

Those body blows just keeping coming

This is like an ugly boxing match. Just as soon as one blow is absorbed another comes along. Last night one of the RN's that works with Dr. Erlich called to inform us that Dr. Erlich had just resigned from his Sinai Hospital practice. This was really not what we wanted to hear at this moment in time. There isn't much more information available right now, suffice to say, wherever Dr. Erlich ends up practicing, we will follow him there. I will elaborate more on this situation at the appropriate time. It's just not now.

I had my blood work done with Mary at the infusion center yesterday. The only recent good news was that all is ok with the blood counts. So for this week no more Neupogen shots. My next chemo treatment is scheduled for Monday February 16th.

Carpe Diem.

Weekend update and what a weekend!

There is nothing like anticipating one thing and having something else done.

Diana and I went into Sinai hospital around Friday lunch time expecting to get another fairly straight forward lung tap, maybe some talc powder and a temporary chest tube drain done. We essentially did get all the previously mentioned procedures but our timeline was slightly off. Only by 2 days. What should have given things away was during the pre-op questions and answers was the fact they at I was going to get a general anesthetic. The fact that Dr. Skaryak told us they would probably be removing the chest tube drain on Sunday, was the other dead giveaway. Boy, there is no pulling the wool over our eyes. I guess, ultimately, we heard what we wanted to hear and no, we don't make these mistakes often.

So fast forward 48 hours. The constant waking up for various tests etc. was unbelievably fatiguing. Toss in the lack of good food and the ever constipating medications and you can see this is a disaster waiting to happen. Now combine that with the cosmic pain relief medication and I may have almost come unglued!!! It was bloody awful.

I guess the good thing was that the intended procedures went well. The lung tap drained another 1.1 litres of fluid from the lung and the talc was able to seal the pleura to the lung lining. For the 2 days, the chest tube drain did it's job. So all in all, things went well except for our little timetable misunderstanding. Now it's recovery time - at home. Phew.

Carpe Diem.

Bit of a stuff up!

I will update the blog as soon as I can. I was in hospital for the last 3 days!!!

Carpe Diem.

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.