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!!!

Time to share

My "older daughter" has shared my plight on her blog. I know that it was difficult for her to do. It is now time for me to share my daughter's blog with you. Her outlook on raising her two children and the happenings in that endeavor are sometimes hilarious and sometimes thought provoking but always interesting. Of course her hubby is a good guy who gets involved in all of this too, so it's a family affair. "Mom's Magic" is a good read. Visit her blog after you leave mine.

Radiation Treatments or how to glow in the dark without really trying

Radiation visit today. Just an office visit. Met a real looser of a nurse, will not be seeing her again.
Friday afternoon will have another "planning" session. Shortly thereafter will have another CT scan laying in a mold that they will make for me (of me??). Then the oncologist will figure out where his target(s) are and how he's gonna attack them.
I know that there will be pain and discomfort involved, just keep your fingers crossed that I can handle it.
Until next time; Smile, it makes everyone wonder what you're up to.

GOOD NEWS !!

Went to the oncologist today for the results of the CT that I had on 10/01.
Lesion in the lung has SHRUNK!! One of the nodes in the mediastinum has almost cleared up.
Go tomorrow morning to the radiation oncologist to schedule the radiation treatments. When that is done a call to the oncologist to set up the remaining chemo treatments.
To us, that is good news......

Middle of the night stuff......

Today is Sunday and it's o'dark thirty in the morning, well it was when I got up.
It's really a pain to wake up in the wee hours of the morning and think about work.
Things just pop into (and out of) my thoughts at those hours. Can't get back to sleep.
Too late to take one of those little pills that the Doc prescribed. "You should have 6 to 8 hours to devote to sleep" when you take these things. Why is it that people think about work when they wake in the middle of the night?
I think I have this thing figured out though, when the Bride arises I'll go back to bed. That way I won't wake her or keep her awake and I can get some zzzz's.
I don't dream or think about exotic vacations that I'd love to go on. Nope, I have to think about work instead of balmy beaches, hammocks between palm trees and cool breezes. Why not dream about that cruise I've always wanted to go on? I day dream about it, what's wrong with a nighttime dream?
I hope each of you had a great night's sleep! I'm awaiting, patiently, for my Bride to get up so I can go back to bed.
Have a great day!

B-B-Q and other foods

A friend left a comment about his father's bout with tasteless food saying that his Dad ate BBQ 'cause it was tasty. I can understand that!!! I love BBQ, but in my younger days I was spoiled by a little place outside of Darlington, SC. The place was "Skeet's BBQ". He cooked it himself for years and years then, I think his son might have supervised the pigs. Any way, that was the best vinegar based bbq that I have ever had. This place was open only two days a week and was always packed. First time I went it was around $6 for all you could eat. When last we went it was more like $10, not bad over a period of nearly 30 years.
Tasty food, served hot, served quickly (not fast food), served pleasantly. That's what we all want once in a while. With the economy like it is just no telling how long we (any of us) can afford the night out once or twice a week.

Have happy thoughts all day and keep a smile on your face (the smile will make others wonder what you're up to).

CT Scan Today

Just another day in the neighborhood, pretty much. Had to get a CT Scan this afternoon. The Tech told me the injection of contrast could make me feel warm, I could taste it, etc., etc. I did get warm. That was it. This all lasted about 20 minutes. Great customer service (Ya know what I think about customer service or lack thereof)!!
Our day started out with a bomb scare at one of our locations. Seems the exterminator left one of his gadgets there and it was something "new" to the people arriving for work. Hey, better safe than sorry. Right?
Bride was feeling better today.
Have a great Thursday, Friday, and weekend!!!