Avoiding the needle

Surprise! No shot today at the doctor's office. My blood cell counts were within acceptable ranges, so I didn't need a booster shot of any kind. I think that's a first since the second week after my first week of chemo. ...
I gave Bud, my bike, a ride around my subdivision for the first time today. Bud's colors are red and black. I don't want anyone to think those colors represent the University of Georgia, so I've dubbed my wheels the Budweiser Bike ~ Bud for short. I'm sure I didn't go more than a half-mile today, but I felt as if I'd run 25 laps in the gym after basketball practice. It will take a few days for me to work up the courage to head for the bike trail near my home. ...
I visited my office today. It was good to see my friends, several of whom are still sending up prayers on my behalf. All prayers are welcome. If my scan on Friday yields good results, I plan on being back at work by mid-June. I can't wait!

Where there's a wheel, there's a way

Christmas came early. I bought a bike this weekend. Not a motorized bike, but a bicycle. I'm determined to get into the habit of regular exercise as soon as I'm able. Jogging is out because of the punishment my knees went through on the basketball courts when I was a kid. Walking is a great exercise but can be boring. I live not far from a walk/bike trail, so I plan on putting it to good use. ...
I go to the cancer center for blood work and probably a booster shot on Monday. I'm sure my red blood cell count will be a bit down. ...
Had a nice visit with my mother this weekend. We celebrated Mother's Day a week late. It was great to see her and my sister and brother-in-law. As always, I loved driving the mountain roads. Not so sure my wife shares my joy but, hey, I never topped 80 mph. ...
I still have one major test to pass. It is weighing heavily on my mind. My doctor is confident and I'm trying to be too. Please keep me in your prayers. God bless.

A brighter day

Finally. The side effects from my last chemotherapy appear to be fading. If I could get rid of the tingling in my feet I'd be OK. I'm feeling better, my taste buds are functioning and I'm sleeping better. Hope that all leads to a good weekend. I'll be heading to the mountains for a belated Mother's Day celebration. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Here to eternity

Another day closer to my PET scan, which will show what kind of shape my lung is in. The hope is it will show scar tissue but no cancer. I'll find out June 1. It seems an eternity away. ...
I'm still feeling washed out from my last chemotherapy. I should be feeling OK now, based on my past two sessions. I guess each session can be different. At least I'm still growing hair. My mustache and sideburns have pretty much grown in completely. My goatee is catching up. The hair on my head is growing, but it's going to take a while before I'll be wearing a ponytail. ...
Can you believe hurricane season is two weeks away? I'm praying there are no Katrinas, Ritas or Wilmas this year. ...
" 'I'm lost,' Hardy Jackson said after his wife slipped through his hand.
" 'Take care of the kids and grandkids,' she said as she was swept to the promised land.
"God why did you make hurricanes? Why'd Katrina slam New Orleans?
"Gulfport didn't stand a chance, Biloxi saw things it should have never seen." (From "Katrina," Reynolds, © 2005)

Still on the yucky side

The chemo side effects are not being kind to me. I thought I'd be over them by now, but they're sticking around. I'm not really in any pain, but I feel yucky. Maybe tomorrow is the day I start feeling better. ...
Maybe a joke will make things better:
A woman with terminal cancer returns to religion with fervor. She knows that God will help her get better.
Early in her sickness, a surgeon proposes radical surgery.
"No", she says, "I don't want to get mutilated and suffer pain. It's not necessary, God will help me."
A while later, she sees a radiologist and he proposes radiation to treat the tumor, which by now is uncomfortably large.
"No", she says, "I don't want radiation burns inside and out. It's not necessary. God will help me."
A year later, the cancer has metastasized. It's painful and she is referred to an oncologist. Chemotherapy is advised. "No", she says, "I don't want to be sick all the time and lose my hair as well. It's not necessary. God will help me."
Soon after, she dies. She goes to Heaven and demands an audience with God.
"Why didn't you help me?" she whines.
"What do you mean? I sent you help three times: a surgeon, a radiologist and an oncologist. What more did you want?"
P.S. The hits on this blog has topped the 10,000 mark. Please keep 'em coming, along with your prayers.

The memory lingers

The side effects from my last chemo session are sticking around a little longer than usual. My feet are still tingling, I have a sore throat and I feel a bit faint when I first stand up. ...
I got stuck with two needles today. The first was for a blood test, the second for a shot of Procrit. The Procrit should boost my red blood cell count and hopefully make the faint feelings disappear. ...
I'm trying to not complain too much because I'm hopeful I'll never again have to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy.

Time for another boost

Another Monday will bring another visit to the cancer specialists' offices. I'll get a blood test and, I'm sure, a shot to boost my red blood cell count. Still two weeks before I take my final exam ~ a PET scan that will reveal whether or not we've killed the monster in my lung. ...
The weekend was kind of blah as far as how I felt. Taste buds are still not acting right and my legs and throat are a bit sore. Also, my feet have had a tingling feeling for a few days, kind of like when your foot goes to sleep. I'm hoping the chemo side effects will be gone in the next day or two. ...
Had a wonderful time at church today. Several well-wishers had hugs and handshakes upon hearing the news that my doctor thinks the chemo has done its job. I'm assured the prayers will keep going up. ...
Because I'm feeling kinda puny, we're going to celebrate Mother's Day with my mother this coming weekend. I hope all you mothers had a wonderful Sunday; I'm sure you deserved it.

Looking forward to better days

A bad day, but hopefully the side effects of my final chemotherapy will end soon. Today, there's little activity from my taste buds; I have sores in my mouth; my feet hurt; my legs don't ache, but they are tired ~ it's hard to explain; and I have a sore throat. I guess I feel more like I have the flu than anything else. ...
Needless to say I wasn't able to participate in the Relay for Life. I'm praying for a chance to take part next year, though. ...
I'll spend most of the weekend resting. I will celebrate Mother's Day with my mother next weekend. We decided it was best to wait until I'm feeling up to par. ...
Hope you all have a great weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.

Tasteless

The taste buds are almost totally shot today. But they'll be back in a couple of days. I've yet to have horrible leg pain, so maybe that chemo side effect is going to pass me by this time. I should be over the symptoms of my final chemotherapy by Monday. I hope to be up to visiting my co-workers sometime next week. ...
Still not sure about making the Relay of Life on Friday. I know, however, some type of volunteer work on behalf of cancer research is in my future. I absolutely don't feel lucky that I got cancer, but I am lucky modern medicine has advanced as far as it has. If this had happened to me 10 years ago, who knows. ...
Thanks to all who responded to my "good news" e-mail. I am very thankful for all the support I've received. I'm sure I'll depend on your continued support in the coming months. Thanks!

Bracing for side effects

The side effects from Monday's chemotherapy are slowly kicking in. The taste buds are dull. My ankles are a little sore. I'm hoping the anti-inflammatory drug I was given will keep my joints from hurting as much as in the past. I should know tomorrow. ...
I'm hoping the legs hold up. I've been asked participate in the Relay for Life on Friday night. Don't know if I'll be up to it. We'll see. ...
At least I know my chemotherapy is over with. I may feel lousy for a couple of days to come, but after that I'm hoping to put it behind me. I know I won't recover overnight, but my plan is to eat healthier and get plenty of exercise. ...
I'm still nervous about the scan I'll have May 26. Guess I'll be sweating it until I get the results.