Well, made it to Round 6...6 to go. As much as I think I know what to expect each round, they're different in some way each time. I stayed home on Wednesday after the treatment and napped off and on the rest of the day which really helped. But I was queasy that evening and both Thursday and Friday. Yuk!! I did discover something that helped with the metallic taste of food. PICKLES!! I could actually enjoy eating Claussen's Refrigerator Pickle Spears (I let them warm up a little so I could eat them). But it was great.
Friday - 8:30 pm Had to try and lay down. Nausea pills don't seem to have the power this time around. Just feeling lousy. Milestone day at work today made me feel better, but I still had to go home at noon. Ugh... I am determined to feel good this weekend so I can get ready to travel again next week. Two weeks ago I was in Anchorage, AK. Weird, the cool air temps made my hands and feet hurt. Well, next week I probably won't have that problem as I head to San Juan, Puerto Rico. I have been looking forward to this trip all spring. I'm a little anxious about the flight, being in the close quarters. Doctor wants me to be careful too.
I started walking on the treadmill again, trying to stay in shape. They say exercise helps in the treatment of illnesses so I'm gonna give it a try. Its been a while so the first time the other morning had me aching that evening!! But I did a mile, that was my goal...nothing less. I'll walk the beaches in PR. Okay, going to try and lay still and fall asleep....
Friday, May 20, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
May 7, 2011 - Saturday
Where did Friday go? Finished up Round 5 by dropping off my 'buddy' back at the clinic. So long for 10 days. The day turned lousy about noon on Friday. Usually it gets bad on Saturday, but this round it hit early. Friday morning, I was done. I was ready to go into the clinic, turn in the infusion pump and call it quits. Done. Each Round doesn't end each Friday when you disconnect. The side effects linger into the next Round and the next. I am pretty sure it will be with me once I finish the treatments in August. Once you have gone through this you are never the same. You may be cancer free at the end, but you will forever be on guard. Probably the most insidious part of cancer, it may never recur, but mentally you are always on the edge.
Saturday - 9:00 am Family (sans Dad) headed off to Dallas to go to Deanna's baby shower. I wanted to go, but 3 1/2 hours in a car was not very inviting. So, I stayed behind to tend to the livestock at home. Its quiet, and I don't really have to do anything if I don't want to, right? As the day passes, I am feeling (physically) better.
5:00 pm Hmmm...ready for another nap. Thought about washing the cars....nah....I have a son living back at home that can do that...maybe.
8:45 pm Its been a long day....just ate a light dinner...time to feed the critters and head to bed. I'll try to teach tomorrow at church...we'll see. Good night.
Saturday - 9:00 am Family (sans Dad) headed off to Dallas to go to Deanna's baby shower. I wanted to go, but 3 1/2 hours in a car was not very inviting. So, I stayed behind to tend to the livestock at home. Its quiet, and I don't really have to do anything if I don't want to, right? As the day passes, I am feeling (physically) better.
5:00 pm Hmmm...ready for another nap. Thought about washing the cars....nah....I have a son living back at home that can do that...maybe.
8:45 pm Its been a long day....just ate a light dinner...time to feed the critters and head to bed. I'll try to teach tomorrow at church...we'll see. Good night.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
May 5, 2011 - Thursday
Anxiety filled day....don't know why. We have a lot going on at work and my brain doesn't function like I need it to. Can't concentrate. It's 11:58 pm and all I can think about is killing my 'buddy'. Whirrr click! Whirrr click! Enough already!!
Today was a pretty okay day. (other than my desire to kill 'buddy') Thursdays are all the same. Its waking up in the morning with this thing attached to me. Goes with me everywhere. I stopped for gas today after work. I had my 'buddy' next to me on the passenger seat of the car. I turned the car off, opened the door to start filing the tank. Then I heard something drop on the cement and drag along behind me. I totally forgot 'him' on the seat and jumped out of the car. What a pain!!
Can't drink anything cold, or worse today, anything even cool. Makes my throat feel....whats the word....funky? Like there is something caught in my lower part of the throat. Feels weird and makes me not want to eat or drink. Hot tea (herbal) works very well.
Five down....seven to go. I'll be insane by number 12, I just know it. Going to Alaska on Monday for a few days of work. That will take my mind off things I hope. Puerto Rico the end of the month. Hurrah!!
Can't sleep.....arghhhhh
Today was a pretty okay day. (other than my desire to kill 'buddy') Thursdays are all the same. Its waking up in the morning with this thing attached to me. Goes with me everywhere. I stopped for gas today after work. I had my 'buddy' next to me on the passenger seat of the car. I turned the car off, opened the door to start filing the tank. Then I heard something drop on the cement and drag along behind me. I totally forgot 'him' on the seat and jumped out of the car. What a pain!!
Can't drink anything cold, or worse today, anything even cool. Makes my throat feel....whats the word....funky? Like there is something caught in my lower part of the throat. Feels weird and makes me not want to eat or drink. Hot tea (herbal) works very well.
Five down....seven to go. I'll be insane by number 12, I just know it. Going to Alaska on Monday for a few days of work. That will take my mind off things I hope. Puerto Rico the end of the month. Hurrah!!
Can't sleep.....arghhhhh
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
May 4, 2011 - Round 5....Really? Only 5???
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...
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...
Sunday, April 24, 2011
April 24, 2011 - Sunday....the sun came out today
Today I woke up and felt much better. It's Easter Sunday and there is no better day to feel so good. I stayed home today while Donna and Katherine went to church to teach our little ones. Donna made up little Easter treat bags for the kids, and reported when she got home that they were quite pleased. Who wouldn't be for a bag of chocolate candy!!
I felt good enough today to try and get some of the things I couldn't do for Donna yesterday done today. I made dinner....slow cooked ribs, fresh green beans with potatoes.... While on this subject, there is one thing that really frustrates me about being on chemo...(well, there are alot, but here's one) I can't pick up anything cold!! I took the ribs from the refrigerator and tried to cut them up, but the meat was cold and my hands just couldn't touch the meat!! The pain is unreal...hard to describe. Part of the recipe for the green beans was to cut up bacon into small pieces...I couldn't hold down the cold bacon!!! I had to wrap my hand with a paper towel so I could hold it...I had to snap the green beans...they had been in the fridge all night....COULDN'T TOUCH THEM!!!! Frustrating!!
Working in the kitchen....I can't walk on the tile floor barefoot. I have to wear socks, slippers, or flip flops. The cold tile hurt the bottoms of my feet!! I have to brush my teeth with warm water!!
I know this is only temporary and everything will go back to normal after I finish the treatments. But oh my gosh, it really gets to you when you cannot do simple tasks. I am encouraged that I feel good on Sunday and looking forward to having a good Monday and productive week! We have a very important meetings later in the week and then Donna and I go to Virginia for Chloe's graduation and then their move back here to Houston. So here's to my off week. See you in 10 days...
I felt good enough today to try and get some of the things I couldn't do for Donna yesterday done today. I made dinner....slow cooked ribs, fresh green beans with potatoes.... While on this subject, there is one thing that really frustrates me about being on chemo...(well, there are alot, but here's one) I can't pick up anything cold!! I took the ribs from the refrigerator and tried to cut them up, but the meat was cold and my hands just couldn't touch the meat!! The pain is unreal...hard to describe. Part of the recipe for the green beans was to cut up bacon into small pieces...I couldn't hold down the cold bacon!!! I had to wrap my hand with a paper towel so I could hold it...I had to snap the green beans...they had been in the fridge all night....COULDN'T TOUCH THEM!!!! Frustrating!!
Working in the kitchen....I can't walk on the tile floor barefoot. I have to wear socks, slippers, or flip flops. The cold tile hurt the bottoms of my feet!! I have to brush my teeth with warm water!!
I know this is only temporary and everything will go back to normal after I finish the treatments. But oh my gosh, it really gets to you when you cannot do simple tasks. I am encouraged that I feel good on Sunday and looking forward to having a good Monday and productive week! We have a very important meetings later in the week and then Donna and I go to Virginia for Chloe's graduation and then their move back here to Houston. So here's to my off week. See you in 10 days...
Saturday, April 23, 2011
April 23, 2011 - Round 4, Saturday....go away
It started Friday afternoon...made it until about 4:00 at work and I had to go. It didn't get any better into the evening. I tried to plan ahead, remembering each previous Friday/Saturday ordeals. But each 'after treatment' has its own challenges. I haven't figured it out yet.
Saturday, ugh... Got up early to tinker a bit with my car. I didn't feel like doing anything to it, just getting outside and walking around, planning for its restoration... Today, our cul-de-sac had its annual Easter Egg hunt for all the kids. We don't have any little ones anymore, but it was fun to watch the kids. We have such awesome parents that take the time to make this so much fun for the kids. We are the 'old couple' on the block, but that's okay, I got a grandson on the way!!
Much of today has been pretty lousy...not terrible....just lousy. I feel bad that Donna has been doing so much today getting ready for our son and his wife coming home next week, and I can't get out of my chair without feeling sick.
8:00 pm - Ate a light dinner earlier and that seems to be going okay, maybe it'll be a quieter evening. I really have to get this routine figured out as I start travelling again for my job. Many thanks out to my friends for the support and encouragement. It's my OFF WEEK!! WOOO HOOO! ugh...'don't get cocky kid!'...
Saturday, ugh... Got up early to tinker a bit with my car. I didn't feel like doing anything to it, just getting outside and walking around, planning for its restoration... Today, our cul-de-sac had its annual Easter Egg hunt for all the kids. We don't have any little ones anymore, but it was fun to watch the kids. We have such awesome parents that take the time to make this so much fun for the kids. We are the 'old couple' on the block, but that's okay, I got a grandson on the way!!
Much of today has been pretty lousy...not terrible....just lousy. I feel bad that Donna has been doing so much today getting ready for our son and his wife coming home next week, and I can't get out of my chair without feeling sick.
8:00 pm - Ate a light dinner earlier and that seems to be going okay, maybe it'll be a quieter evening. I really have to get this routine figured out as I start travelling again for my job. Many thanks out to my friends for the support and encouragement. It's my OFF WEEK!! WOOO HOOO! ugh...'don't get cocky kid!'...
Thursday, April 21, 2011
April 21, 2011 - Round 4, A Good Day...really
Wednesday, 9:30 am - I rehearsed all night how to handle Wendy driving the foot-long lance through my chest....okay, I'm a baby...it wasn't that bad this time. Still, I took the deep breath...it still hurt. I made sure the night before I got lots of rest and it made a difference starting out the treatments feeling good. Have to admit I did doze off several times in the comfy chair. Before I knew it, 3 hours were gone and I was done....well, except for taking my 'buddy' home. He looked so happy to see me. He started with an enthusiastic 'whirrr click!'.
I decided not to go back in to work after the treatment and went home. What a difference!! When I got home I actually took a nap! Several in fact. And yes, I did peek at some emails. So it was a quiet day...
Thursday - A great day! Well...a very good day...its never a great day when you're wearing a fanny pack. I was surprised at the energy I had all day. No nausea and reasonable energy level. I am extremely fortunate. I am also grateful for the great friends and loving family that keep me going. I had a bout of depression last round but I am vowing to not let that happen again. Looking forward to a quiet evening then taking my 'buddy' back in the morning. I'll wrap up tomorrow...
I decided not to go back in to work after the treatment and went home. What a difference!! When I got home I actually took a nap! Several in fact. And yes, I did peek at some emails. So it was a quiet day...
Thursday - A great day! Well...a very good day...its never a great day when you're wearing a fanny pack. I was surprised at the energy I had all day. No nausea and reasonable energy level. I am extremely fortunate. I am also grateful for the great friends and loving family that keep me going. I had a bout of depression last round but I am vowing to not let that happen again. Looking forward to a quiet evening then taking my 'buddy' back in the morning. I'll wrap up tomorrow...
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