Chemo 21 (Round 7)

Off to chemo. Busy day as I also have an appointment with the heart Doc. I'm feeling well.

Speaking of feeling well, all the blood work was good and so were the vital signs. The good poison dispensing went smoothly and I was out of there only half an hour late for the heart doc. The heart doc visit was good with a "normal" EKG.

What more could I want...............? A visit to Boca to see my mom. Off tomorrow morning for 2 nights.

Carpe Diem.

MRI Brain Scan

I had a routine MRI brain scan done today. I say routine, as the most likely place for lung cancer to spread is the brain. So they need to keep and eye on my brain. I'm feeling well and am asymptomatic for any noggin problems. It's just a precaution. If they find a brain I will let you all know.

Carpe Diem.

The Wall !!!

To all my faithful readers, sorry ! I've hit "the wall". I will return soon..................

Carpe Diem.

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful that I have the means and the ability to give to those less fortunate. Pay it forward.

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 20 (Round 7)

And we keep going.

All is well with the blood work, vitals and weight. I will closely monitor this 21 day cycle to see how I feel and what problems I note.

I met with Dr. Schraeder and this is what we discussed.

1. We will continue the current treatment and dosage of the Alimta and Avastin every 21 days. If I note an
    increase in lousy days he will then consider lowering the Alimta dosage.

2. I was checked for the EML4-ALK genetic mutation just over a year ago. I was negative for the test 

    which means that I am not a candidate for this new drug. Oh well. Only about 5% of people 

    tested are ever positive. Pretty tough odds.

3. I will get a MRI brain scan done in the very near future.

Carpe Diem.

4A

Living the high life with Stage 4A lung cancer.

Carpe Diem.

Consult with Dr. Erlich

I had a good meeting and consult with my original oncologist and friend, Dr. Erlich.

Three suggestions to Dr. Schreader were as follows.
1. Lower my Alimta dosage if I continue to have more lousy days during the 21 day cycle.
2. Have me checked for the EML4-ALK genetic mutation. 
    This would tell if I am able to receive a twice a day pill instead of the IV Infusions.
3. Get a follow up MRI brain scan done. My last scan was over a year and a half ago. With my type of    
    cancer the most likely spread would be to the brain which would be more difficult to treat.

Carpe Diem.

11-11-11

Thank you Veterans.

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 19 (Round 7)

Is anyone paying attention to the title of the post ? Way too many treatments !

All is well. Bloodwork, vitals and weight are all good and stable. But I am still going to try and negotiate some sort of break in the treatment without putting myself in jeopardy.

Carpe Diem.

Well, what happened Rob ?

" October 18-I arrived in Joburg after a long flight from Dulles with a stop in Dakar, Senegal. Got picked up at the airport by the team driver. There was one other player and the kit manager with us. We took about a 2 hour drive to Potchefstroom, where we would be staying and training.

October 19-Today, all the other players would be arriving, so we didn't have any training. We got our kit, which consisted of two shirts, two jackets and pants that we would have to wear around the grounds when we were not training (blue and green). We also got our training shorts, three quarter pants, shirts and socks for when we played. So this day, I just explored the nearby fields, got to eat, sleep and watch some TV to try and adjust to the time. I got to meet everyone, including my new roommate at dinner and at our team meeting afterwards. The coach hugged me! It was kind of adorable. Every day, we would eat our three meals all together as a team (38 girls plus about 8 staff). For breakfast, there would always be a protein like eggs plus toast and cereal. And for each meal that would have fresh fruit and coffee and tea and juice and water. For lunches and dinners, typically a lean protein, often chicken, always with pasta or rice, plus mash or grilled veg. Typically pretty good!

October 20-Today, we also didn't have much to do soccer wise. We travelled around in small groups taking our medical examinations, balance and stability tests and things like that. We also had a team sports psychology session at night after dinner. The good news is that I am healthy! It was a pretty good day, relaxed, and I got to know some of the girls better which was nice. They all really enjoyed my accent, and likened to calling me Jay Z because we have similar accents (supposedly). My roommate Mary was really nice and outgoing so it helped me to meet the other girls on the team.

October 21-This was the beginning of the really hard work. Today we had fitness testing starting bright and early 8 in the morning and it ran until about 1:30 of the afternoon (think of the longest, hardest gym session you have ever done, pushed to your max out on each exercise with everyone watching). We had our head physio Warren and a sports science team from the complex we stayed at testing everything: height, weight, body fat, jump tests for leg power and jump height, hip flexibility, push ups in 1 minute (I did 30!), sit ups in two minutes (full sit ups, I did around 70), pull ups (I actually did 6!), speed, agility, overhead throws and finally the dreaded yo yo intermittent recovery test. This requires endurance and sprinting. You run to a 20 yard cone and back before the certain beep, and then you get 10 seconds recovery, but the beeps get closer and closer together so you have to get faster as youre getting more tired. Really tough and I struggled, especially in the altitude (about 4000 feet above sea level). I did pretty well (above average) in push ups and pull ups, my sit ups were pretty good as well, but I need to work on speed, agility and the yo yo test specifically. The head physio gave us a strength and conditioning program to follow. When that was all done, a short break to eat and watch the South African womens cricket take on England. Short side story, I met a girl on the England team who actually went to my university! Small world. Then at 4:30, we had soccer training. Quick warm up, some ball touches, passing, possession 4v4 and shooting. I did okay, nothing spectacular. Then before dinner, the dreaded ice baths. Ice baths/cold baths for 4 minutes, then nice hot pool, then back to cold for 4, then end with hot. We couldnt even fit a sports psychology session in because it was such a long day!

October 22-Today was relaxed. We were going to play an intersquad game in the afternoon. Rookie players vs the team veterans. I started at forward, but didnt get much of a look at goal. Did a lot of running of the ball, and once again the altitude was killing me. I only played a half so that the coaches could get a look at everyone. The veterans only won 2-1 in the end. Pretty good performance from us rookies! The coaches later had a meeting with just the new players and said that they were impressed with us and that it wasnt easy to come into a new team where everyone knows each other, etc. They said everyone would get their chance eventually, so this made me feel a bit better. The next camp and game is against Zimbabwe in December. I wont know if I get called up for it until December, but even if I dont, its not the end for me. I need to train, follow the program, and find a team to play with regularly. I will get my chance and hopefully I can force my way onto the team! 

October 23-We all headed our separate ways. We took the team bus to the airport which was cool. Also, cameras had been following us the last few days so I am hoping to find some pictures or video since I didnt get to keep ANY of my kit (sad face). It was a great experience, I got to see what it was like to be a pro athlete and I know how much work it will take to break it, but I got my chance and I intend to take it, and work hard when I am not there so I can impress them all next time! I got on a plane to Capetown and hung out with Ryan and Dean, and we went for dinner with Merle and Tony who were my wonderful hosts. I stayed at their place.

October 24-Hung out with Yaron, pretty much relaxed after my tough week. Went to a nice Italian dinner with the family. Delicious food.!

October 25-Got to see the Football For Hope/Grassroots Soccer program through Yarons American girlfriend Kristin who worked there. A really cool experience to see and I got to play some soccer with the employees and some kids. They loved my iphone and watch! We had another delicious dinner at the home, and I got to see Trev and Ilana (and Talia and baby Harry too!) Harry likes to hit me, but thats ok.

October 26-Played some more FIFA and went to lunch with Yaron and Kristin. Then at night, went to the Kings of Leon concert in Capetown with Ryan and his girlfriend Zara. We were in Golden Circle, so on the ground right up front by the stage! It was really awesome, they were good live.

October 27-Today I had to leave, so I packed up, Yaron and I played some FIFA-did I mention I beat him quite often? I also beat him in a good game of ping pong-before he dropped me at the airport. I got to see Silvi briefly as well which was nice. Overally, my visit to Capetown was wonderful and relaxing and it was so nice to see the boys and everyone. Special thanks to Merle and Tony for housing and taking care of me so wonderfully, and to Yaron for taking me around! "

Thanks Rob. Well done.

Carpe Diem.