Week end

I felt pretty crappy Saturday and Sunday.  Being 90 out dose not help much.  Symptoms the same as the last treatments.  I feel a little better this morning and slept much better.  Only woke up once and it didn't take hours to fall back asleep.  I weighed 197 this morning, same as when I started.  I have tried to eat three decent meals everyday even if I didn't feel like it.  I can't wait for 3 or 4 weeks to pass to see how I feel.  I need to start getting some more exercise too.

Day 63

Hooray!  The last chemo treatment is today at 11:00.  The new issue this week has been allergy symptoms.  I have been having watery eyes, running nose, etc.  I looked it up and it is a side effect of the chemo.  I have never really had that before the chemo unless I had a cold.  Some posters on a blog I read said the symptoms remained for quite awhile after their chemo ended.  I hope it goes away soon.  Every  day I get up and the crusty gunk in my eyes makes it hard to open them and kinda hard to see well at first.

Relay for Life

Here's me and Elvis just before he snuck out to grab a cheeseburger.

The little flags in front of the stage.

It was pretty good weather wise.  A little hot and humid to be walking but way better than the last week.  I wanted to stay until the Luminary Ceremony but was getting too tired.  Went home and laid down.  I was sound asleep by 9:30.  Next year I hope tp be there the whole 24 hours.

Bay County Relay for Life

Today and Sunday at the Bay County Fairgrounds.  I raised $600 for them thanks to many generous friends, relatives and co-workers.  I will get some pictures and post them.

Day 56

Everything went at the doctor's.  Last chemo will be next Friday at 11:00.  Then the two weeks of recovery and I am home free!  I don't need to go back to the doctor until the middle of September.  Then the 5 years of taking Tomoxifen starts.  That has it's own set of side effects but I am hoping it will be no big deal.

Day 53

It was great to see the family over the weekend.  I felt pretty good the whole time.  Newest issue is some sores in my mouth.  Feels like i bit my tongue a few times.   A few drops of oral gel does the trick.  I go to the doctor today.  It is a week early because he is out of town next week.  We should get the appointment set up for the LAST (hooray) chemo treatment .  It should a week from Friday.

Day 49

This week a new issue has popped up.  Leg cramps at night.  It has happened three nights.  I used to get them but it stopped when I started taking calcium everyday.  Not the end of the world but it sucks to wake up in pain.

We are going to East Lansing today.  I will be nice to see the family.

Up to day 48

Friday, the day of the chemo was fine.  Saturday was pretty good.  We went downtown for the Be Cool car show and walked around, probably 12 blocks.   Sunday it hit me, after getting a few things done in the morning I felt pretty horrible the rest of the day.  It was the worst day so far  Mostly laid around and watched TV after that.  I have felt a little better each day this week.  Same as before, a headache every morning, very tired all day, can't sleep worth a crap.  I wake up at least twice every night.  This session also caused constipation, just to add to the fun.  I am so glad I have just one more treatment.  It seems I have forgotten what to feel GOOD actually feels like.  It will be nice to get to that point.

Betty Ford: Her fight against breast cancer | The Desert Sun | MyDesert.com

Betty Ford: Her fight against breast cancer | The Desert Sun | MyDesert.com

Treatment #3

Ah, a bright, warm summer day.  Perfect for another chemo treatment.

Half done

Went to the oncologist today.  Everything is looking good.  Next chemo scheduled for Friday at 1:00 PM.  That will be number 3 of 4.  Still when you add the three week recovery time it means I am half way through this.

Days 38, 39

I did not feel real well all weekend.  You would think that as you get farther from the treatment you would feel progressively better.  I felt much better last weekend than this.  My back was stiff, don't know why, I did not do any heavy lifting or anything that would have bothered it.  Did a little work outside Saturday but by 10:00 AM I had to stop and go lay down.  The heat didn't help.  I did not do much Sunday either.  I go to the oncologist on Wednesday and the third (of 4) treatments should be Thursday or Friday.  Thursday marks the half way point through the chemo process.  It seems to be taking forever.  I am still glad I have it easy.  A lot of others have had to go through much worse.

A good week

So far, this week has been fine.  I feel pretty good.  Even two days with no headaches!    I get a little pain now and then.  They told me I could get bone pain from that shot that increases the white blood cells.  It is usually short lived so no big deal.

Day 31

I felt pretty good all weekend.  Only effects just that headache I seem to have each morning and of course a little tired.  I am pretty use to that so it feels "normal."  I can't wait until this is all done.  It will be a welcome change to feel really good.

Greg and I went to Comerica to watch the Tigers and they retired Sparky Anderson's number.  It was a good game . Kind hot and sunny and of course we forgot the sunscreen in the car.  Luckily I was wearing a hat to protect my near-bald head.  Our seats were about 25 feet from his new number on the wall.

I admired Sparky for his work for charity, especially with kids.  He was a good guy.

Day 28 and 29

I felt pretty good yesterday.  We went to Lansing to see Mom on her Birthday (#79!)  Had a nice visit, went for a short walk around the neighborhood.   I think MSU might be doing some experiments with aggressive mosquitoes.   A swarm attacked us on the walk.  Looked like the Japanese coming into Pearl Harbor!   We all got bit a number of times.  I was thinking if a mosquito bites me while I am in chemo, and if that mosquito had cancer, would she get cured?

After the walk we went to PF Chang's for dinner.  Mark joined us there.  Got home fairly late.

Did not feel like doing much today.  Mostly lied around and watched TV.

Day 27

Here is picture I took on a walk Monday.  Camping was pretty nice.  I felt pretty good.  I wish I could say it stayed that way.  When we got home yesterday I had a headache that would not go away.  I feel better this morning.   I can tell the chemo is killing off the cells in my mouth.  I seem to have lost most sense of taste and it makes everything taste weird.  It makes water taste funny.  

Days 22, 23

We are going camping for a few days at Metamora-Hadley Rec Area near Lapeer.  I didn't want to venture too far from home.  I felt pretty yucky yesterday morning but I was OK after noon or so.  We went for a short walk and that was enough to make me tired.  Gonna try to get in some canoeing today.  It is very peaceful here, lots of birds singing and frogs croaking all night.  I slept pretty good, much better than Saturday night.  I think the fresh air helps.

Day 21

Went to the hospital for my second chemo infusion.  Pretty much the same as the first except I slept right through most of it.  That is a trick I learned from my grandfather Hector Meerschaert.  I took him to the dentist and the dentist told me Heck was his best patient.  He said hello, laid back in the chair and fell asleep throughout the procedures, no matter what they were.  When he was done he would say "All done, Heck"  and grandpa woke right up.

I fell pretty good this morning.  I am counting on the anti-nausea medicine to do it's thing.  I have a slight headache just like last time.  I am losing a bit more hair everyday.  We will see how the day goes.

day 20

I finally ran all the trimmings from the old bushes through the chipper-shredder.   I hope I have time in the morning to mow the lawn, till the garden and finish moving around the wood chips.  Chemo is at 2:00 and who knows what I will want to do after that.  As they say, make hay while the sun shines.

Picked Greg up at the airport (DTW)  He will be here until Monday the 27th.

Dad and me. I am guessing 1958.

Day 17

Not sure why it happened today but 10-20% of my hair decided to fall out last night.  After the chemo on Friday I will probably look like a cue ball!

I am hoping that means I will get out of shaving for awhile.  Every cloud has a silver lining!

Day 16

We went to see Dr. Abramson, the oncologist.  He said my blood cell counts are good.  Weight the same as last time, temp, blood pressure, pulse all good.  Next Chemo is set for Friday.  I was due for Thursday but asked him work around Greg's flight coming into Metro on Thursday.  Rather than having to rush back he said it makes more sense to just move it to Friday.  I am hoping the treatment goes well and I will get to do some fun things while Greg is here.

Here is what insane people do in the middle of chemo treatments

Here is what the bushes in the front of the house looked like on Saturday morning:

Here is what they look like now:

Only took about 14 hours of hard labor to accomplish this.  I saved the lilacs and planted them elsewhere.  They grow too big to be in front of the porch.  I still have to run the trimmings through the chipper-shredder. Ran out of ambition before I got that done.  Maybe after work tomorrow if I feel like it.

Days 13 and 14

Much cooler!  A welcome relief.  It was actually kind cold.  I was buying gas in Grayling and a lady had on her winter parka.  I commented we went from spring to summer to fall, all in one week!  Typical Michigan weather.  I am feeling fine now.  I seem to be near 100% but still get tired.  I was riding with Ben, a co-worker, on Friday going from Caro to Fenton and it was all I could do to stay awake.   I went to Bay Regional Med Center to get my blood tests on Thursday.  I lucked out as I was in and out of there in 10 minutes.  Some days it takes an hour.  Saw my regular doc Thursday also.  He said everything is looking good.   I go to the oncologist Monday. Should get the next treatment scheduled for Thursday or Friday.  I am hoping to get some stuff done in the yard to day and tomorrow.  Weather looks good, cool and dry.  I am not sure if I will be able to do much after the next chemo.

Days 11 and 12

Dang it is hot!  In the 90's both days.  I was just looking at the Weather,com site and it is 88 here, 93 in St. Louis and 85 in Apopka.  That just doesn't seem right.   Spent at least 8 hours on roof tops both yesterday and today.  I try to drink lots of water and it wasn't too bad.  I was falling asleep on the way home yesterday.  Good thing I wasn't driving.  That heat takes a lot out of you.  It suppose to be 67 Thursday so that will be a welcome change.  Going for a another blood draw tomorrow so they can see how the white blood cells are doing.

Day 10

Despite trying to eat right I lost 4 lbs.  I did do a fair deal of work outside over the week end so it might be just the water I lost.    I can tell the chemo is affecting the cells in my mouth (and hopefully killing any rouge cancer cells too).  I can feel the difference, especially on the roof of my mouth and gums.  Not a big deal.  Just different.

Mindless Eating -- Food Psychologist Explains The Mindless Way People Overeat

Mindless Eating -- Food Psychologist Explains The Mindless Way People Overeat

So if you want to lose or help maintain your current weight easier, just throw away your big plates and use smaller ones.

Eating dirt can be good for the belly, researchers find

Eating dirt can be good for the belly, researchers find

Interesting.  I can't help but wonder which book will sell more copies, Craving Earth: Understanding Pica -- the Urge to Eat Clay, Starch, Ice, and Chalk or Kwame Kilpatrick's book.  

Day 9

I just love our health care system.  When they put the port in for the chemo I was told one benefit was that when I need to get blood drawn they could just use the port.  Went to the lab at the hospital to get the tests done I was told only an RN or doctor could access the port.  The labs techs can't.  Reason given was they do not want to risk infecting the port.  That is all good but I wonder if they can't access the port without that risk , How safe is the hole they put in my arm?

Other than that it was a good day.  Only effects left from the first chemo seem to be a slight head ache every morning and being a little more tired.  It does seem to kill your appetite but I have made sure to eat at least three good meals a day and get 8 hours of sleep each night.

Day 8

Pretty good day.  Trip to Alpena was fine, just a little tired on the way back.

Dust storm

Very windy yesterday.  I took this picture in Western Saginaw county.  Dust blowing up across the fields.  It was like the dust bowl days of the 30's.  You remember those.  Oh wait, I wasn't born until 56.  Must have seen it on TV.  At some points the visibility was near zero.  Must have sucked for those farmers and their families.

day 7

Yesterday was a pretty good day.  Not as tired.  Working on roof tops is a bit easier at 70 than 90.  I get to drive to Alpena today so that will be a test.  I have a coworker, Ben, going with me so If I get tired he can drive.

Day 6

I feel a little better each day.  I guess that will be the case until the next treatment (June 16).  I actually wish it were sooner.  The sooner I would be done!   Only woke up once last night, that was nice.  Still had a slight head ache when I got up.  I wish that would stop but it isn't that big a deal.  It was 88 yesterday so that didn't help, only in the 70's today.  Should be e decent day.

The new daily norm (Day 5)

There seems to be a pattern here.  Each night I wake up a few times.  Not a big deal but not as nice as 8 straight hours of sleep.  Each morning I have a slight head ache, nothing two tylenols won't cure.  I always feel a little sick, not really queasy but close to it.  The main issue is being tired all the time.  I think it best to just ignore that and try to do a normal days activities.  I worked yesterday and it wasn't too bad to make it through the day.  I know, who works on Memorial Day?  Actually lots of people.  Those who work in restaurants, gas stations, stores, the police, fire, hospitals, lots of people.  They should make a special holiday just for people who work holidays.

YouTube - Military Taps

YouTube - Military Taps

In honor of all of those who gave their lives for this country.  I hope that some day people learn to live together without war.

walk

We went for a walk in the Bay City State Recreation Area.  5 miles!  Time for a nap now.

Feel a little worse today

I woke up a few times too many last night.  Had a slight headache this morning and feel somewhat crappy.  My temperature went up a little.  It was 100 but that was with the Sponge Bob thermometer.  Checked again with the real thermometer and it was just under 99.  I will keep an eye on it.  If it gets to 100.5 I am supposed to call the doctor.  Most likely an antibiotic would be prescribed.  I am getting tired of just sitting around the house.  We are planning to take a walk in a little bit.  I think that might help me feel better.

"Chia Head"

Glenn Rivera - Multimedia - SNL SNIPS: "Chia Head"

So far no hair loss.  I saw this the other day and it reains the best option so far...

Friday

Yesterday went quite well.  No problems with nausea.  Had a slight headache.  Felt a little tired and it is hard to describe but it makes you feel different.  Not really sick but not really not sick.  Had to go to the hospital to get a shot.  It is suppose to raise your white blood counts to make up for the ones killed by the chemo.

So far I have lost no hair.  I have been thinking of what to do when it happens.  So far this looks to be the best solution.

Last night

I slept pretty well.  The nurse said the steroids can can insomnia but I did OK.  Woke up at 2:00 AM.  My mouth so really dry, had to get up a drink some more water.  Woke up again at 6:30 and I feel pretty good so far.

Pictures from yesterday

Here is the view out the window of the room I got the chemo.  It is Val, Greg and Kim's high school.  Good thing they did not use the other side of the building. You would bet a view of St. Stan's cemetery.

 The first chemo drug.  It was a nice pretty pink, looks kinda like fruit punch.  An added feature, it turns your urine pink and red.  Quite festive!

So far so good.

We were at the hospital for 4 hours.  They had to do some blood work and could not start until they checked my blood counts.  After that they explained in detail the process and probable side effects.  They are really nice people.  I have noticed everyone I have seen since this cancer started are all really nice people.  In addition to the chemo drugs they gave me a drug to combat any nausea, some benedryl and a steroid.  I came home and ate, tomato soup with rice and a grilled cheese.  No issues so far.  She said it might show up in a day or two.. I have a prescription to take every 12 hours and another to take if I get queasy.   I hope it isn't necessary.  We will se how it goes overnight.

Today is the day.

It is finally here.  Time for the first Chemo treatment.  It starts at 1:00.  I will post on how it goes.