July 30, 2011 - Eleven down....one to go

Saturday night of Round 11. I can't believe I only have one more treatment to endure. What an experience. On Wednesday I went in for my appointment with Dr. Baltz (every other treatment). After a quick once over, I asked him how long I would have to keep the infusing port in my chest after my last treatment. He asked which number I was on and I said "today is number 11." He looked at my chart and asked "are you sure? I count only 9 done. You have this one and two more." I told him to count again...if there was ANYTHING I was more sure of it was how many of these treatments I had completed. He still only counted 9 but said it looked like Wendy had not recorded one. He went out of the exam room and came back to say "you were right, this will be number 11." Hallelujah! (I knew I was right. I said under my breath)

So I asked again how long I had to keep the port in since Wendy had said he usually liked to keep it in for about 3 months or more afterward. Which in my last post really bummed me out. BUT...he said, no, not in my case. "I told you you only had to do this for 6 mos. I do ask patients whom I suspect will have a recurrence. But not with you." After my last round, I will do one more lab work up and if my CBCs are up like always he said he would write the order for me to have the port removed. He then said "alright....I'll see you in three months!" I'll see him every 3 months for the next year or two (I think he said), then every 6 mos for the next couple years then if all is okay, he'll 'discharge' me!!!

So that was the greatest news. The neuropathy in my feet worsened over the past few weeks. No sensation in the toes anymore. It is very difficult and painful to walk. When travelling, walking through the airport between terminals takes extra effort. You don't realize how important your toes are until you cant feel them working for you!! I guess I am too proud or stubborn to ask for a ride on the people carts. Anyway, Dr. Baltz filled out the paper work for a temporary handicap placard for the car so I can park closer to shopping, etc. I told him I really appreciated it very much. Dr. Baltz is great guy.

I can finally see the light at the end of this long tunnel. And I am reasonably sure its not a train coming the other way. This has been an absolutely life changing event. I don't 'sweat the small stuff' anymore. Life is too short. I love my family more now, I guess I had taken them for granted over the years. But the spectre of dying sooner than I had expected made me realize how important they really are to me. Our younger son Scott is doing missionary work for our church up in Washington State. We did not tell him about the cancer or the treatments...didn't want him to worry. He'll probably be really mad when he comes home in December. I can't wait to see him.

My first grandchild will be born around the time of my last treatment (probably before, according to my daughter). People ask me if I am going to celebrate finishing my treatments....the Lord is giving me a great gift in this child. I am grateful to be alive to see this event and especially to see my son come home from his mission.

I have met some very remarkable individuals during this ordeal. Most, if not all, fighting a more difficult battle than mine. I was lucky. I hope the Dr made the right prognosis and this will be behind me. I won't forget those individuals that have just started this trial as I wrap up my own. I've learned that I need to take care of this old body of mine. Be kinder to it. Eat better. Get a check up regularly...head off anything that may pop up. And it will pop up. But at least now, if something happens in the future with my health, I know I have the courage to fight it and know I have to endure to the end.

Looking forward to Round 12 and done....

June 14, 2011 - Thursday...like any other day

A remarkably unremarkable day!! But that's good. I felt great all day today. If I wasn't toting my 'buddy' around with me today I could almost forget I was on Round 10. Had a full and productive day at work...clear headed...feisty!! I have started taking sublingual B12 lozenges in hopes that it will lessen the neuropathy. The numbness is another reminder that things aren't the way they used to be.

On Thursdays all I want to do is work, go home, have dinner and go to sleep. Not because I am tired, I just want this day to become tomorrow and I can end Round 10. I am so close to the completion of this ordeal, I just hope nothing else has happened that will cause me to extend these treatments. I feel really good. My appetite has returned (unfortunately...I have gained back 6 lbs).

Travelling again next week...it makes the time go by. On to Round 11. Thanks to all for the good wishes!! Good friends make this bearable.

July 13, 2011 - Wednesday - Round 10 Begins

Today was the second Round without the Oxiplaitin. FANTASTIC!!! The morning started out with the anticipated anxiety of getting the big poke! With the assistance of a bit a modern chemistry, I was a bit 'relaxed' for the procedure. It still hurt like the dickens, but I survived. Before being called back for the procedure, I chatted with a few folks in the waiting room. One woman I had seen quite often...really looked like her sessions were a bit of a challenge, but she was keeping a positive outlook. There was another woman with her husband there today. It was her first visit. Yesterday they inserted the infusion port. She and her husband had that very worried, lost look. I am sure that's how I looked on my first day. We tried to give her all the encouragement we could. I know I needed it (and still do)to get through this. She has the same doctor as me, so I told them how wonderful he was. She was called in before me. Her husband thanked us for sharing our thoughts with her. Hope I see them next week to see how she's doing.

Well, picked up my 'buddy' again for a couple overnight stays with me. He's still a bit of a nuisance, but I am down to only two more times. Hurrah!! I asked Wendy today, as she PIERCED my chest, how long after the last round would it be until I could get the infusion port removed....sigh, she said typically the doctor leaves it in for an additional 3 months while have a couple follow up CT scans to make sure nothing new has cropped up and if I have to have more treatments, I already have the port installed. (Donna said 'no way!! when you're done you need to get it removed!' I guess its easy for the person who doesn't have to go through the removal and possible re-installation to talk. I'll visit with the doctor on Round 11.

I went back to work after picking up my 'buddy' and had a pretty normal, busy day. I felt great all day. Light dinner tonight and still going strong. The neuropathy is awful. Feet are really numb. Toes especially. Hands just a bit, but I can tell its not the same as pre-treatment. It is really hard to walk nowadays without a great deal of discomfort. Such a strange sensation (or lack of!!) not feeling socks being put on...trying to put on flip flops, I can't feel the little piece going between the toes...really miserable...BUT...I can't really complain, I have been VERY VERY blessed to make it this far through the treatments.

Off to bed....full day tomorrow. C'mon 'buddy'!!!

July 3, 2011 - Sunday Tremendous Weekend!

Wow....that's all I can say! Round 9 was my first treatment without the Oxiplaitin drug. The doctor decided I'd had enough and could eliminate that one. That meant on Wednesday no side effects. Thursday went to work and felt great all day!! Friday it was time to drop my "buddy" off again and NO SHOT!! I was able to see my friend Rudy as he went in to turn in his "buddy" for the last time. He was done. I was so happy for him and his wife Bernie. Over the six months we became really good friends and I hope to keep up with his progress over the years. There is a bond that is made when you share trials with others on the same path with you. He really kept me going.

Saturday was great...no nausea. Spent good times with my son Tommy working on one of our cars. Ran errands with Donna most of the day without really feeling too bad at all. Food tasted almost normal...almost. But I have to be careful not to get to used to eating like I used to. I need to keep my weight down and drop some more to stay off my blood pressure medication!!!

Sunday I got back on the treadmill....first time in 6 months. I pushed through 1 mile. I thought about just doing a 1/2 mile, but when I saw the little distance dots on the treadmill go by, I decided to suck it up and keep going. With each step my determination grew. I have to admit though, when I finished that mile, my legs were like rubber, and for the rest of the day I am pretty well shot. But getting back on the treadmill was a major milestone for me.

I am nearing the end of this journey. My life is changed forever. I don't sweat the small stuff like I used to. My family is more important to me now than ever before. Looking forward to continued improvements.