I'm into my 8th cycle (2/3 of treatments)

I'm back into a regular routine with the full chemo regime. It's not a very comfortable feeling with the neuropathy and fatigue along with this post nasal drip, cough and the usual side effects and a few surprise ones. :(

My oncologist examined me and said that my lungs were clear and thought that the drip and cough might be allergy related. I tend to disagree with him, but after thinking about it, I suppose that it could be?

He said to continue to use the saline nasal spray and Delsym cough medicine and if I thought it would help, I could try Flonase, which is loaded with steroids...

"For best results, use FLONASE daily. Your nasal symptoms may begin to improve in as few as 12 hours. Maximum relief may take several days. Results may vary. If side effects occur, they are generally mild and may include headache, nosebleed, or sore throat. FLONASE is available by prescription only; ask your healthcare professional if FLONASE is right for you."

I chose to hold off because I DO think the cough and post nasal drip is getting better and want to try the saline spray and Delsym (which I only started with last Friday night) for a bit longer.

http://www.delsym.com/

In looking at the calendar today, it appears that if all goes well (and that's a big "IF") that I will finish my chemotherapy treatments the week of December 30th. :)

After that, there will be CEA blood tests and monitoring followed by scans. I'll be having my follow up colonoscopy shortly thereafter which will be an annual procedure. Thanks again for all of the well wishes and positive thoughts and prayers...they are working!

Random Thoughts

While going through the journey that one undertakes after being diagnosed with cancer, it is easy to lose track of time.

You learn that this is a time when you have to really put things aside and focus on the healing and remission. It is not easy to have to pass on invitations and family gatherings, but with your immune system so low at this point, you must concentrate and stay focused on the most important thing...your health.



I'm lucky to have a large and loving family and I just want them all to know that I REALLY appreciate all of their support, love, kindness, well wishes, prayers and positive thoughts as we all get ready to enjoy the holiday season.

Uplifting Week - 7th Cycle finished!

I had just written this entire post, but when I went to publish it, I hit a wrong key and lost everything. So this is my second writing and I'm trying to remember everything that I had written/typed previously...

This past week of chemo has been filled with some very nice surprises. First of all, I'm now finished my 7th cycle with 5 left to go and should finish up around January 1st, taking into consideration the upcoming holidays. I have a few small, itchy spots from the meds, but that is all. No nausea, cold sensitivity or any of the other side effects that I previously had. Without having that Oxaliplatin, it was "almost" a pleasant experience.

You've probably noticed the guitar and get-well card that I receive from Fender (FMIC). Today I got an email from a wonderful female singer/songwriter who has been working on lyrics for a song that I wrote and played the music to, called "One Step At A Time" when I began chemo.

Melissa Renee, a Country & Christian singer from South Dakota, had previously sent me a sketch of her voice and said that she felt compelled to write lyrics and sing this song. She has written the following lyrics :



One Step at a Time-

One step at a time-

Is all I can take today-

No amount of hurry-

Can ease the way---



Just one step at a time-

One step at a time-

Everybody telling me-

Do they really believe?---



But I do, I do-

I take one step, one step at a time---



Believe me, I’ve tried-

Running head long through life-

But then I didn’t understand-

Didn’t see the plan, takin’ it---



One step, just one step-

One step at a time-

Searching for mercy-

Seeking to find---



Trying so hard just to find-

Simple pleasures, distract my mind-

Breathing in, breathing out-

Gaining faith and losing doubt---



I do, I do-

I take one step, one step at a time---



One, one, one, one, one step-

You and I-

I’ll carry you in my heart-

Even if we have to part---



One step, one step at a time-

One step is all I can take-

One step, then another-

One foot in front of the other-

One step at a time---



One step at a time-

One step at a time-

Breathing in, breathing out-

Gaining faith and losing doubt---



You can hear some of Melissa's other music at this link :

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=706035

Finishing 7th cycle

It's been a hectic week, but all is about as well as can be expected when your finishing your SEVENTH cycle and thinking about the five cycles left.

The reduced dosages of chemo helped keep some of the nasty side effects in check so far and the cough is better, but not completely gone yet.

I'm now at the point where the "smell" of the chemo treatment rooms seems etched into my head and senses. I know that the final next 5 cycles will be the toughest, but I remain positive in my thoughts that I can beat this and be cancer-free in a few months.

I wish a special thank-you to all who have sent me well wishes, prayers, mojo and positive thoughts. The card in the picture came with the new Fender Stratocaster from my friends at Fender. What a surprise, to get a Fender Strat unexpectedly and a get-well card from Mike Eldred, VP-Marketing (Fender Musical Instrument Corp.) and Fender Custom Shop manager.

Chemo - 7th Cycle

First of all, my other sister's procedure went well with no problems, so she doesn't have to go back for another five years.

Another sister, and myself, will be getting the annual check.

One of the doctors told me today about using something called Ocean Saline Nasal Spray for the nasal post drip and cough if it doesn't get better soon. It's available at most pharmacies for about $5/small bottle.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?id=prod2501966&CATID=100095&skuid=sku2501403&V=G&ec=frgl_587532&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku2501403

It looks like the weather is transitioning and it will be getting much colder by the weekend. I'll have to make sure that I have gloves and dress in layers from now on.

I came home to find a new Fender Strat from my friends at Fender. I'll post pics when I have more time and feel more energetic.

Started 7th cycle (of 12)

This week I began my 7th cycle (of 12) and due to low blood counts combined with a touch of bronchitis, my doctor decided to go ahead with the treatment, less the oxaliplatin.

He seemed to think that a combination of the effects from my flu shot, the cumulative chemo treatments to date and the cough and congestion that I'm having contributed to the lower white blood cell count and lower platelet counts.

One of my other sisters is scheduled for her first colonoscopy today and I'm praying that she gets a good report after the procedure.

Thanks for your comment, Paul, and to all that have expressed their well wishes, positive thoughts and prayers for me. They ARE working and I thank you!

Birthday

Monday, October 6th (yesterday) was my 57th Birthday (but I don't feel a day over 56).

Just a quick note to thank everyone for the birthday greetings and well wishes!

I'm still fighting a nagging cold after 3 weeks now. Not sure if it was brought on by my flu shot last week, the weather, the chemo meds or just my weakened immune system?,

October 4th - 2008

I've reached the halfway point of my chemo treatments but this week has left me with a few more 'strange' side effects.

I continue to have a lot of nasal congestion and spitting up phlegm as well as some body sores and mouth sores which I'm treating with Tom's of Maine anti-cavity and drymouth mouthwash and Nystatin powder for the welts/sores.

I'm tolerating it as well as can be expected though and just take it one step at a time. I think that the remaining treatments are going to be a little bit harder on my system and I'm trying to prepare myself for the changes that come with the colder weather such as cold sensitivity (neuropathy).

It's such a strange experience going through chemotherapy. Between the chemobrain syndrome and the constant changes that I've been experiencing, I never know what to expect when I open my eyes.

On a side note, we stayed up and watched the Red Sox win the second game of the A.L. Division Series against the Angels last night and looking forward to game 3 at Fenway on Sunday night. Go Sox!

The HALFWAY point !

Woooo Hoooo...

I'm almost finished with my 6th cycle which is the halfway point of my chemo treatments.

After tomorrow, I'll be going down the other side of the hill and having reached the top with feeling about as well as could be expected, I'm looking to finish all 12 cycles by Jan 1st.

One small step for those not afflicted, one GIANT step for those in the know and who have been there, or know someone who has been there.
I don't know why I'm ramblin' on....must be the chemobrain syndrome?

HALFWAY is GOOD!!!

Thanks to all for your support.

October 1st already !

I had a bad night with fever, chills, sinus congestion, sore throat and muscle aches, along with a rash that developed again under my left arm. I'm using Niacin powder for the rash and pumped the recommended dosage of Tylenol for the fever.

Went to bed at 9:30pm last night and woke up at about 2:00am literally soaked with sweat. I had to get up and sleep (or what should have been sleep) in a recliner.

More Tylenol this morning (2 at 7:00am) and took one more at 9:30am as I was leaving for the clinic.

Bloodwork looked good and temp was 98.7 (normal), so they proceeded to inject me with Fluorouracil and then re-connected me to the portable pump of 5-FU and sent me on my way.

Still not feeling great or 100%, but glad that I was able to continue treatments!

Oh yeah, my friend Rob got an excellent report from his follow up colonoscopy and is now officially cancer free!