May 4, 2011 - Wednesday
Yesterday (May 3) I had my follow-up with Dr. Newton, my surgeon. The last time I saw him I had not started the chemo treatments yet. He did a quick check of the incision scars, pushed around on my belly (they always do that...don't know why)and said that I looked great, just amazing. I told him I did feel great and had experience mild side effects from the chemo. I told him that this has been a truly life changing experience and I thanked him for his work. He said it made his day to see my very positive progress (I guess many of his patients have greater challenges).
Wednesday - 9:00 am Meet with Dr. Baltz before I start Round 5. Like Newton, he said he was very pleased with my progress and my ability to tolerate the treatments to date. He said it should be like this for the remaining sessions provided I don't catch some bug and get sick.
9:45 am - Round 5 begins with the ever pleasant spearing. Just a sting this time, maybe I'm getting used to it? I hope not...just lucky today. Kind of a full house in the clinic today. All familiar faces...unfortunate circumstances to meet these very nice people.
Same routine, started with the steroids. Today though, I think Wendy had the drip turned up to free flow because before I knew it those bags were empty. Maybe I'm getting used to the routine? I hope not...I think the increased flow rate gave me a little nausea, though she said it shouldn't (but I think it did). Maybe I was a little hungry, though eating was not a topic high on my list as I sit there.
12:50 pm - Done in the clinic. I am reunited with my "buddy". As soon as he saw me, I could hear his little pump cycling with excitement. Two nights away from the clinic!!! What a lucky little infusion pump he was today!!! He stays right by my side....so loyal.
Like last session, I decided not to go right back to the office from the clinic. The session really wears me out and I came home and promptly took an hour nap. Still tired though. Oh, on an unrelated note, my son Tommy and his wife Chloe are enroute to Texas from Virginia where Chloe just graduated from college.
7:10 pm - Well, a little more temperature sensitive this go-round. Its a little cool out today, which is nice, so I've been trying to water the lawn during this dry spell. As I moved the water hose around, the cold water running through the hose drops the temperature of the hose I couldn't touch it. AGHHHHH....what next??
10:30 pm - Made it through Day 1 of Round 5. I was tired and wasn't able to help Donna as much as I wanted to, but we did get the house ready for Tommy and Chloe coming in tonight. Having them here will help get through the final 7 treatments. Kind of an eye opener for them as well...the fragility of life...the need to take in all you can...while you can. I look back and regret not spending more time with my parents as my kids grew up. My dad was pretty neat. He liked being a papaw...but we didn't get back to El Paso as often as I wanted...
So, waiting up until they pull in...then the end of day 1. Ready for this to move on...
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