Still Kicking

I had another CT scan about a month or so ago. My Oncologist said that things continue to look good in the lungs. Scar tissue, decrease in size of the affected lobe and corresponding increase in size of the opposite lobe.
It's been a 12 1/2 months since I finished my CHEMO and RADIATION. I'm back up to my "pre-treatment" weight. How much is that, you ask? Too much, I say.
Always remember, PRAYER WORKS, don't give up hope, and be kind to your care-givers.

Today I got the results of my last CT Scan...................
It was a GOOD report!! Doctor says everything looks like it is supposed to look.
I know that my Bride has been on pins and needles awaiting this report and now she can rest a bit easier.
Over the weekend we bid farewell to the Bride's first husband's sister and my step-son's best-est aunt. Duger was like the older sister that she never had and a second Mom for him. She "adopted" me into the fold too. She was a wonderful and great lady. She will be missed by all that knew her.

Wal-Mart - Don't ask me what I really think......

Those of you who have read this thing from the beginning know of my disdain for WallyWorld.
They have proven, once again, that they are NOT worthy of my money. Bride and I went shopping Sunday before last, gathering a smidge more than $200 worth of groceries (mostly) and a few other things. When we went to the register we told the clerk that we wanted to put $100 on this card and made certain that she heard and appeared to understand. NOT !!! She ran the whole kit and kaboodle in on the card. I asked if she had heard what we requested and she told the Bride that she (the Bride) had to put the amount in......we've done this enough to know better. We went to Customer "Service" to get this straightened out but the best they would do is tell us that we would be able to get a credit on our account in 10 to 14 days. NO WAY!!! I was steaming by now and told them to refund me in CASH. They did this but not liking it. If their service department hadn't already completed the oil change I would have canceled that too.
We went to Harris Teeter to start over on our grocery shopping. I will try very, very hard NOT to visit Wal-Mart again.

We are in for some thunderboomers this afternoon/evening. We need the rain, or so I've been told. I don't really want it to rain because then the grass will grow and it will have to be cut......
I long for a green concrete lawn.

Today. Why today??? Why not?

Several have asked what's going on since I don't update very often.
Let's see, my Bride murdered her motorcycle, breaking her arm in the
process. Of course it goes without saying that her pride was injured,
probably more than anything else. I think that I can safely say that
she has given up riding the motorcycles.
As for me, I think I'm doing fine. My oncologist told me that I could
have my porta-cath removed (May 6th !!). I actually take that as a
good sign. Clinical trial is moving along. I have "graduated" from having
injections each week to a 6 week schedule. Feeling good, still working
5 days a week. I have realized that I am old enuff to retire but have no
idea what I would do if I did.
Today was my Bride's birthday and we went out for dinner. She gets to pick
where when it's her birthday. Next week is our anniversary. She gets to pick
where when it's her anniversary too.
Weather is beginning to remain warm. Skies have been clear lately. Hope they
will stay that way. I actually want to ride my bike to work a couple of times.
Here's hoping that everyone has a great week and if I don't update very often,
a wonderful summer.

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Valentine's Day

Yesterday was Valentine's (candy, flowers, etc) Day. My wonderful Bride
spent the day at a Trauma Symposium and I spend the day on call (& shopping).
I bought very little but did a lot of window shopping. Found lots of things
that I really would like to have.
We went to a "Valentine's" Dinner @ our Church. Cost the guys $15.00 and the
gals ate for free. They had a game that was kinda like "The Newlywed Game",
we won. The lady sitting next to me said they had been married the longest
time and we had been married the shortest time.......I told her that I did
not have as much to remember.....We got a huge basket filled with chocolate
stuff and cookies and mugs and other goodies. The food was also great. We
both ate the chicken breast and decided to pass on the prime rib. I just
can't eat a piece of meat the looks more alive than I am.
Time to get ready for Church, then I'm going to take my Bride shopping for
some printer paper that she is looking for....It has pre-printed backgrounds
with beach/ocean theme (dolphins in particular). Any one know where to find
such???

CT Results

Had a CT scan on Monday of this week and got the results from my Radiation Oncologist yesterday.
After he looked over the report from the guys who read these things he told me to take my Bride out for a small celebration.
Everything looks much better in the lung. Lesion has shrunk (could be scar tissue from the radiation treatments per the RO) considerably. Nothing in the head (never doubted that, never was anything there to begin with), abdomen, pelvis or bone and nothing new in the chest area. Mediastinal nodes are now non-remarkable.
We went out to dinner......my waiter asked if I wanted ICE in my requested "room temperature" water......hated to tell him NO.
Things are looking up........

New Year !

Well, it a new year and things are moving along.
Had very welcome visits from the daughters and
grand kids over the holidays. Always good to see
all of them.
Nothing much new with me. Had my porta-cath flushed
the other day. $188.00 !!!

Finished with Radiation

Well, now I've completed the radiation treatment schedule. Actually finished
last Wednesday.
Still having pain in the esophagus but I've been assured that will diminish
and go away in time. Still, it's tough to eat solid food. BOOST, ENSURE, etc.
are the worst tasting things I can think of, right now.
Have a follow-up radiation oncologist appointment on Wednesday and a follow-up medical oncologist appointment next week.
Thanksgiving weekend did me in. I "caught" a respiratory infection of some sort and had to go on a "Z-PACK" treatment for a few days.
Took two weeks vacation and finally went back to work today. Not as bad as I thought it would be. Still, I'm a bit tired. All in all, it was a good day.
Have fun, get the Christmas gift shopping done early and then relax.

Yesterday, Tuesday, December 4, 2008

Reached another milestone on my journey.
I have had my final, scheduled, CHEMO treatment !
There is a follow-up visit with the Medical Oncologist
for Dec. 23. Still have to have my porta-cath flushed
on a monthly basis. Those things are on my priority
list, but not as high as the treatments.
Speaking of treatment, today is day number four (4)in
the radiation countdown. I know the photos above are for
day 6, but they are so cute I had to use them.
Mr. "J" is getting into the countdown really good, per
the Eldest Daughter, and Miss "M" has her own way with
how things should be (or was Mom too quick on the trigger?).
Love the daily updates!!! Thanks.

TEN More Treatments Scheduled

As of yesterday, I had just TEN radiation treatments left on the schedule.
My Daughter and the Grandkids are sending me "countdown" photos
each day. These photos have the kids posed with "today's" number.
It's so cute! Although they don't have a total grasp of what's
going on, "MR. J" does realize that Grandpa is sick and has to
take medicine everyday and the numbers represent how many more
time I have to take it. Both of the grandkids look great in this
photo and I look forward to receiving a new one each day.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Another Day . . .

Met with my Radiation Oncologist today. He's says that I'm actually doing better than I think I am. I hope so, 'cause I've been feeling pretty lousy lately.
Treatments continue, each day. Have been eating a bit more and drinking a bit more.
Bride (the NURSE) says that as long as I pee at least every 8 hours she won't get too worried about dehydration. Doc says I should quit loosing weight (hard to do when ya don't eat).

Ruff weekend.......

Had a pretty lousy weekend (should have know that would happen). Couldn't eat, drink or be merry! {{Glenn, the Capt. Morgan sounds good but will have to wait about a month}}.
If I take my narcotic pain relief I go to sleep and if I take the other one it deadens my esophagus and it feels like the food hangs in my throat.
Today I actually ate a chicken (UGH) sandwich plus some more chicken!! Drinking water is not an option that I like (see earlier posts) but it's better than becoming dehydrated.
The way my Bride has it figured I should be through with radiation and, possibly, chemo on December 9th. Keep your fingers and toes crossed. I am, especially, ready to get out from under the radiation treatments. After the chemo my taste buds might get back some of their function too.
I wish everyone a wonderful week!!!!!

The Blog is Back!!

OK, so I lied a little bit. I couldn't stand not making all of you suffer by reading my trash, so here goes.....

If there is one thing that I have learned through all of this is CHEMO will, more than likely, make one constipated. Radiation treatment in the area of esophagus will diffidently cause one's esophagus to hurt.
The constipation is relieved by taking frequent (twice daily) doses of Sennocot and another preparation know as "stool softener". DON'T LEAVE YET, IT GETS BETTER !!!!
The esophageal pain is relieved in several ways.....the first attempt was with hydrocodone with acetaminophen. This succeeded in putting me to sleep when taken at the recommended dosage. Cutting back on the dose didn't help at all. No pain relief.
My wonderful, wonderful Bride put on her thinking cap and came up with a suggestion that we floated by the radiation oncologist yesterday. He said that he used this particular ingredient in a mixture to help with the pain (why didn't he give it to me the first time I asked?). This stuff is good!! Xylocaine, Malox (Cherry flavored) and benedryl. Numbs almost everything from the lips down. We left the pharmacy and went to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner (I had not eaten anything to speak of in about 3 days). I ate the almost the whole meal!!! Who would have thunk??
Today I ate most of three meals. I had been on a weight loss trip, almost 30 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks. My Bride is amazing!!!! I can eat, drink and be merry again.
Depression is no fun either......don't let it happen to you. I was getting or had gotten that way. Pain, even minor, that is constant, will lead you in that direction.

OK, I'm back on my soap box. Get ready to put up with my rants and raves. I think I have found my second wind.

Things end, eventually....

This will probably be my last entry, at least for a long while.
It appears that I am not reaching one of those who I really need
to contact. Not that they aren't aware of what's going on, just
trying to ignore it.
My love and thanks to all who have contributed your comments here
and via email.
Life goes on and on and things aren't what we always want them to
be but we do have to play with the hand we are dealt.

Older Daughter had a question.....

She wanted to know if I still talked to the Doctor after the Nurse on Friday....

Here's my reply:

Nope, after Miss High and Mighty finished her little speech, on what was going on and why, I was really way too "PISSED" (pardon the crudeness) to talk to anyone. I just have come to EXPECT and DEMAND customer service/patient care at an acceptable level and this HAS NOT BEEN FORTHCOMING at this particular practice. The major problem is that they are the ONLY radiation oncology practice in my town.

Sometimes you just have to take what you get, even though it is hard to accept.

The bright spot in my treatment regimen is my MEDICAL ONCOLOGY practice. Those are TRULY GREAT medical practitioners. I am not certain you can find any group more caring and professional, anywhere.

Some nurses SUCK (no Dear, not you).......

Yesterday while I was at radiation the tech asked how I was doing. I mentioned my discomfort when swallowing. She suggested that I see the Doc after my treatment. I was agreeable with that, I wanted some relief.
After my treatment I was directed to the desk at the end of the hallway to see the Doc.
I was met by a nurse who seemed to know a great deal about my difficulty and proceeded to tell me all the things that I should and should not do. What I should and should not eat, and on and on and on. When she finished she asked, "Do you still want to see the Doctor? He will just tell you the same things that I just did."
This is not exactly what I had been told to expect by my radiation oncologist. He had assured me that he could keep me "comfortable" during this radiation treatment.
Guess I misjudged him and the practice. Sometimes you just have to ask yourself if you have made wise choices and this one of those times when I am beginning to have my doubts about the practice I chose to have my radiation treatment.

Ok, it's starting to be uncomfortable

This is the 2nd week of radiation treatments and it's beginning to be a bit uncomfortable. Swallowing feels kind of like there's a small restriction. Not really painful, just uncomfortable. Heartburn is increasing also. Taking an OTC pill for that and it seems to be working. The doctor said what he would prescribe is the same thing and it would just cost more.
Trying to decide which liquid meal to have tonight.....even though liquids go down just like solids. Same feeling. The one thing that I remember from the doc is that I have eat, even if I don't want to. Hmmmmmm, Slim-Fast or some other meal in a can.....kinda like me and water, at first. Didn't like water but I have acquired a liking to that clear liquid.

Thought for the day

Here's another one from my friend, Glenn . . .

'It doesn't matter how big a ranch you own or how many cows you brand, the size of your funeral is still gonna depend on the weather.'

~ Harry Truman.

Double Whammy Day

Tuesdays are "Double Whammy Day", Chemo and Radiation.
The chemo nurses have me on a tight schedule 'cause I
get out of there after 3 to 3.5 hours just in time to
get to the radiation treatment on time.
All seems to be going well, the chemo has not been too
rough this time around. Actually it is not bad at all,
so far. I did have a bout of nausea for a couple of days
but I think it more from something that I ate.
The oncology nurses are top notch!!! It takes a very
special kind of person to do their job. I'm not too sure
that I could handle it. I would definitely recommend this
oncology practice to anyone in need of their special brand
of service. Of course this practice came highly recommended
to me.
Talked to the radiation oncologist yesterday. He seems pleased
with how things are going and keeps telling me that he will
strive to keep me "comfortable".....that portends discomfort,
right?? Hmmmmm, could be he's trying to tell me something. I
already know that this radiation thing can be uncomfortable(?).
Well, another day has come and gone. Have a great week.
Hug the Bride (or Groom), kiss the kids and thank God for all
of the blessings that you have received.

Glow worm?

Today was my third radiation treatment. Nope, I'm not "glow-in-dark", yet. I think I counted five different "shots" each about eight seconds. Today seemed to just rush by much faster than the first two. My Bride was in the waiting area today and was impressed at the amount of time it didn't take.
Yesterday I began my new regimen of CHEMO. Now I'm taking two drugs (one new, one old).
The whole thing was about 3 hours. Low doses but one of them is really slowly dripped. We did manager to cut a few minutes off of it because we were going to run into my radiology appointment time.
Haven't noticed much in the way of side effects from either treatment type. I'm sure something will be coming along some day soon. I'm just hoping that it's not much. My guess is that I will lose my hair this time. One of my chemo drugs is good at causing this. Artificially acquired alopecia.
I once worked with a guy that had alopecia. He didn't have a hair. Well, he did have one, sometimes, on the top of his head. No eyebrows, eyelashes, facial hair, arm hair, etc. I do cut my hair short but not that short.
We have a female friend who has offered the use of one of her wigs in the event that I do lose it all.....her head is smaller than mine and she isn't a blond, which I've always wanted to be. Why?? Because I can probably have some comebacks for all of those blond jokes.
I have gotten verbose so 'tis time to quit for today. Until later, remember to hug your spouse and kids. Every night before bed tell them how much you love them. Give your thanks to God above for all that you have.


PS: EATJR, if you're reading this; I never have been able find the article you recommended.

Thought for today (and any other day)

This is from my friend, Glenn. He and I worked together for a few years and I learned a great deal from him. He is one of those who matters.


There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore and who always will. So, don't worry about people from your past because there is a reason they didn't make it to your future.

- unknown

Radiation begins

Tomorrow morning, bright and early I might add, I will be getting my first
radiation treatment.
I was told be be at the office at about 6:30 AM for a treatment fifteen
minutes later.
While I'm usually at work earlier than that, it just seems strange to be at
a doctor's office that early.
I've been told it will all last about 15 minutes or so. That includes getting
positioned on the table and the treatment so I should be at work by shortly
after seven.
Of course I do have my apprehensions about this phase of my treatments. I will
just have to wait and see what happens.

Taco Soup Reprise

Yesterday/day before "The older daughter" posted her story about Taco Soup. This inspired my Bride to do the same on a very cool and rainy Saturday. I think she used a recipe that she got from Eric, her son. Of course recipes are made to be tampered with so she used some ground turkey as well as ground beef. This was a huge pot of soup. I ate two bowls and she ate one and it didn't look as though any soup was missing from the pot. Great job!!
In the lull between treatments I have a taste for food and a semi-voracious appetite so I think I'm going to take advantage of the situation and eat!!
During the radiation segment I know that swallowing can get difficult so I want to get a few pounds added ahead of time. These guys don't want me to loose much weight right now.
Today is another grey, cool, damp one. Tomorrow and the early part of the week are supposed to bright and sunny!!! Once again, have a wonderful week, kiss your spouse, hug & kiss the kids and remind them all just how much you love them.

CT Time

Got a call from the Radiation Oncology office this morning.....can you get a CT scan this afternoon??? Well, let's see what I can rearrange on short notice. Yes, I can do that, after 3:00 PM. Gee, you can't make it any earlier? No, after 3:00. Ok, that will work, just go right in and they will do you shortly after you arrive.
That's the way to schedule stuff (but I do prefer more notice). In, out, gone.
This one has contrast (IV stuff), they never do tell me what it is, they just want to know what I'm allergic to. Besides work???
Not a bad experience this time. These people are dealing with oncology patients everyday so they know what needs to be done. The Zimmer Cancer Center has really good people.
Looking forward to a fairly quiet weekend. I do have to get the oil changed in the buggy. Weather is going to be too wet to ride the motorcycles. Always seems to do that when I'm in the mood to ride. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait for a sunny day.
Have a great weekend!!!