Thanks

To all the faithful blog readers and, of course, everyone else, thank you.

Thanks for keeping up with my daily exploits even though not much is going on right now. The swallowing pain has been simply awful and eating has become a real chore. I can't stand carnation breakfast drinks, Ensures and Boosts. But guess what? That's all I can tolerate right now and at least it gives me the much needed calories, vitamins etc. I can't wait for the improvement to start. I am tired of writing about how painful things are. I want to start writing about that great fish dinner I had as McCormick & Shmick. Soon I hope.

This evening Rob left on her much anticipated Europe trip. I know that she was a little apprehensive about leaving me and all of us but she understands that things will improve. I know she will see the new and improved version of me when she returns in just under two weeks.

Mike still has a couple of weeks of school left. He is hoping to get a job at the tennis club this summer. Maybe he will take a friend and go visit my mom in Florida.

Diana has been incredible. My strength and support. Hopefully sometime in the not too distant future her and I can get away for a well deserved break!

Avastin Round 5

Today was Avastin round 5 at the infusion center with Mary. Everything went well and smoothly. We discussed the swallowing pain and I will just need to up the pain meds till this calms down! I hope it's soon.

It was a wonderful football day as Man Utd won the Champions league trophy by defeating Chelsea. Ninety minutes regulation time, 30 minutes overtime and then a penalty shoot out. Amazing!

Rob's home

Rob has finished her finals and is now home with us. She completed her freshman year at University Of Maryland College Park. It's good to have her home, for now, but Thursday she leaves on a European vacation with a couple of college friends.

My good friend Ilan just sent me these two currency notes from Zimbabwe. It's hard to even figure out the amounts!!!

Monday and nothing going on!

Wow. No treatments. It's funny waking up and knowing that there are no treatments or hospital or Doctor visits scheduled.

I know that this sounds like a stuck record but the swallowing pain is not easing up. I'm really having a rough time with this. As I said, my visual appetite is good but everything I eat (I mean everything) hurts like hell going down. I hope this passes soon!

Weekend Update

Not much going on this weekend. Rob is at school studying for her finals on Monday and Tuesday. We will pick her up Tuesday.

The puzzle was finally finished mainly thanks to Mike. He pretty much did most of it I have to admit.
The swallowing pain is still unbearable. I am not having a good time with this.

Ring Side Seat

Hi everyone, it's Diana (the wife). Well, it finally came-the last day of radiation!!! The cumulative effects of 7 weeks of radiation and 6 weeks of chemo are manifesting themselves fully now. To watch helplessly as Adrian endures the pain and suffering of treatment has not been easy for the family- I can't imagine being the patient! I am extraordinarily proud of him for not giving up on us and facing this disease with determination, strength and resolve. Soon, he will be able to eat and taste food again and re-gain those lost pounds. I may have to hone my culinary skills. I can't remember what life was like pre March 5, but I know it will never be the same again.

Radiation Round 35 - Last Round

Well, I never thought it would get here. The last radiation went smoothly. Overall, the treatments went well. I never did miss a session. Now I deal with the aftermath and the residual radiation. I have been told that it can be up to 4 weeks until things return to normal. I hope mine is quicker.

Radiation Round 34

Round 34 went smoothly today. Guess what. Tomorrow is round 35. The last round. Can't tell you how much I have been looking forward to completing the radiation treatments.

I met with Dr. Brenner today. He has put me on an anti-fungal medicine just in case a fungus is hindering my swallowing as well. My weight is 148lbs. Down about 12 lbs. from my starting weight. Not bad, all things considered. My blood pressure was 110/70. Very good. So at least I am staying hydrated.

The last two days have been wonderful weather wise. I am able to get out and go for great walks in the hood.

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.