Things to think about

A few observations since being diagnosed with cancer two-plus months ago:
*So many men shave their heads these days that nobody looks twice at a bald-headed man.
*If you think you have eight friends, you probably have 18 or more.
*Nurses' hearts are much larger than doctors' hearts.
*There are more medicines to ease the pain caused by a disease than there are medicines to cure the same disease.
*Nose hairs don't get enough credit.
*More people should take their wedding vows as seriously as my wife ~ especially the part about "in sickness and in health."
*I'm on the wagon, but I wake up most mornings feeling like I have a hangover.
*Getting out of bed is the hardest thing to do each day.
*There's nothing worth watching on daytime TV.
*Daytime radio is as bad as daytime TV.
*Almost everyone I know prays.
*An e-mail from an old friend brightens your day, but nothing says "I care" like a Hallmark.
*Cats like to act aloof, but they feel your pain.
*If I'd gain 15 pounds and lose the earring, I'd look just like my dad did when he was 49.

Almost time for cartwheels

Another day of improvement. I still don't feel like doing cartwheels, but I never have done a cartwheel, so. ...
I have one more day of radiation, but my radiology oncologist gave me my discharge papers today. He is pleased with my progress. I get a chest scan next week and he cautioned that the tumor probably wouldn't be completely gone. The radiation continues to do its thing for three months after treatment, so he told me not to be discouraged. The treatment is working, he assured me. ...
I received another card from Downtown Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va. I am still amazed, and thankful, that strangers would take the time to wish me well. I figured it up the other day and I'm on prayer lists in at least nine states. I welcome all prayers. ...
It's been a while since I've had a peaceful, relaxing weekend. I plan on having one this weekend. You do the same.

Things are looking up

If yesterday felt like a 2 on a 1-to-10 scale, today was closer to a 5. My appetite was much better and my frame of mind is improving. I was given a shot for my anemia and a pill to help my appetite. I'll get shots all next week to help build my strength. ...
I will have three more cycles of chemotherapy. When it will start is unknown. The doctor wants me to get my strength up first. These treatments will be for one day per cycle, not three days as the first three cycles were. ...
Two more radiation treatments. Hurray!

Another blah day

I have no strength. I have no appetite. It's all I can do to get out of bed. This has been my life the past two or three days. ...
I get a blood test and meet with my lead oncologist Thursday. Maybe I'll get some answers as to why I'm feeling so blue. ...
One good thing today. I was able to go Ash Wednesday service at church.

Lazy day

Not a great day. Couldn't drag myself out of bed until late this morning. I'm afraid anemia has struck again because I am weak and have been dizzy for much of the day. I ate well ~ fresh fruit for breakfast; homemade veggie soup for lunch; pork loin and baked potato for supper ~ but I've felt washed out all day. ...
At least I got another day of radiation behind me. Just five more treatments to go. ...
I'm praying tomorrow will be a better day.

Alarm clock's warning

Another week down. Six more radiation treatments to go and at least one more cycle of chemotherapy. ...
But this week almost didn't have a good ending. I overslept this morning. Big time. My clock/radio was set for 6:15, but I ignored the radio until 7:45. I scrambled to chemo on time but initially missed my radiation treatment. The angels in radiology, however, worked me in and my radiation/chemo treatment day lasted just 30 minutes longer (6.5 hours) than yesterday. ...
No weight gain overnight, so the Lasix did its job. I gained 5 pounds of water weight this cycle of chemo vs. 10 pounds last cycle. I should lose this weight in couple of days. ...
Have a good weekend everyone. ...

Water, water everywhere

I gained 5 pounds overnight, so I got a dose of Lasix today. It did make me pee, but I don't think I peed off 5 pounds. Usually the water retention shows up after Day 2 of chemotherapy. This cycle, it showed up after Day 1. I'm sure I'll get the diuretic again tomorrow and be back down to my normal weight by Monday. ...
I was scheduled for a visit to the dentist Monday for a cleaning, but my oncologist nixed it. At first I was going to load up on antibiotics beforehand, but it was decided the risk of infection was too great. So the cleaning will have to wait until after I finish chemotherapy. Wonder what someone in my situation would do if they had a cavity. ...
Not sure when I'll finish chemo. I have at least one more cycle, then I'll probably have a scan, see where we stand and go from there. I am scheduled to finish radiation treatments March 6. How should I celebrate? Scotch and cigars are not options . ...
Ash Wednesday is March 1. I think I'll give up cancer for Lent ... and beyond.

Golden oldie

Until my mid-teens I was painfully short for my age. I was 4-foot-11 in seventh grade and until I was 14 I could pass for under 12 at the movies and vacation attractions. My parents, however, wouldn't take advantage and always paid full price. My children are ages 28 and 24. I'm usually met with, "You don't look old enough to have children that old." My usual reply: "I'm not." Things are changing, however, thanks to the monster in my chest.
After radiation treatment and five hours of chemo, I stopped by a Kroger today. Wednesday. Senior discount day. I bought Gatorade, Beanee Weenees, Break-Free egg product and caramel syrup (No, I'm not pregnant). "Do you get the senior discount?" the high-schooler behind the cash register asked. Senior discount!? I'm not 60!!! I'm 49, for crying out loud. Sure, I'm covering up my bald head with a bandana, but I look more like a biker in need of a few tattoos than a senior citizen. At least that's what I'd like to think. Thanks a lot chemo. ...
P.S. I didn't say any of those things to the cashier, and I didn't take the discount. ...
Started my third cycle of chemotherapy today. My red blood cell count was low, so I got a shot of Procrit to give me a boost. I've been having dizzy spells because of the anemia. Hopefully this will help. ...
Remember the large fellow who accepted some gingerbread from me during my last chemo cycle? He walked in about three hours into my treatment today and had a seat next to me. He proceeded to turn up the volume on the TV, kick back in the recliner, fall asleep with his mouth open and snore like your bum uncle (probably your Mother's brother) on the living room couch at 2 a.m. on a Sunday. He moved about an hour later. For some reason he kept waking up. I think it was just coincidence that I kept clearing my throat every few minutes and closing my book with a loud thud after completing each chapter. Hey, there were plenty of empty chairs in the corners made just for sleeping and snoring. ...
I smell like Mary Kay tonight. Actually, I smell like a Mary Kay product. My wife's co-worker Alicia sent me a tube of Extra Emollient Night Cream to help moisturize my radiation burns. Thanks Alicia! Maybe if I used a Mary Kay facial cream I wouldn't be offered senior citizen discounts. ...
Lisa gets credit for passing along today's quote: "You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing." (Michael Pritchard)

Another hair story

We take the little things for granted. Lately, I've been having a problem with a runny nose. That's the polite way to put it. In reality, I can be driving along in the car or sitting at the dinner table and without warning snot will start sliding toward my upper lip. I discovered today why this is happening. About 75 percent of my nose hair is gone. I've often thought of the different places on my body where I'd lose hair. My nose was not one of them. Yet it is having more of an adverse affect than losing the hair on my head, face or chest. ... My world. ... Welcome to it. ...
Tomorrow is an early morning, especially for someone used to working the night shift and sleeping until 9 or 10 in the morning. I'll rise at 6 and my treatment starts with radiation at 7:45. From there, it's on to chemo. The treatment is scheduled for five hours. If this cycle follows the past two, I'll gain several pounds of water weight. Otherwise, I'm hoping there are no bad side effects. ...
A dear friend of mine has been hospitalized. Several readers of this blog know Shirley, and I'm sure God is getting a lot of prayer requests with her name attached. If you don't know Shirley, you'd love her if you did. So please say a prayer for her. Thanks.

I passed the audition

My studying paid off (and the weekend shots of Neupogen). I passed the blood test today! My white cell count soared from 1.6 Thursday to 32.0 today. I'm a little anemic, but the chemotherapy is still on for Wednesday and I restarted radiation today. Just 10 more radiation treatments to go. ...
My daughter went to the doctor with me today and my son dropped by afterward. Not sure when the three of us were last together, but today was a good feeling. ...
When your "kids" move out of the house things change. Being empty-nesters has it advantages, but sometimes you feel a bit obsolete. Just getting older, I guess. ...
The esophagitis is much better. I had only one dose of pain medicine today. I added up my meds today and discovered I take at least seven pills every day. There are two other pills I take as needed, two I take during chemo, four oral meds I take as needed and one inhalant I use as needed. In other words, I could take 16 different meds in one day. You know how many specifically treat cancer? None. That's right. Not a single one of them is a cure for cancer. Crazy? Yes. Essential? I'm afraid so. ...
Late last week I received an inspirational card with a hand-written note. The return address was Alexandria, Va. I didn't have a clue who the person was, but the note was very touching. Turns out the woman is part of a prayer group of a friend of ours who lives in Virginia. A total stranger cares about me. I can't describe how that makes me feel. Rest assured, however, it's a good feeling.