October's gone - bring on November

Remember...walking in the sand......seems like not that long ago but the month
of October was a busy month and lots of exciting and different things have
come and gone since we walked in the sand last.

First of all, I reached the next level of insight as I turned 60 years
old in early October. Don't really notice any new aches, pains or problems
though so I guess that's a good thing. The neuropathy is better and really
only notice it when trying to carry something like an ice cube from the
freezer to the livingroom. Solution: bring the glass to the freezer! Maybe
I'm wiser since turning 60? At any rate, I'm still creative and have a
good imagination, in my humble opinion.

We also had Mother Nature play a trick (or treat?)on us before the Autumn Leaves
were even off the trees in the form of a snowy Nor'easter where some still
are without power after several inches to several feet of snow fell
in local areas. Hope you all have your power back on soon.

Lastly, I went through my series of cancer screenings and also got my
flu shot so I've been 'winterized' so to speak. If all goes well and the
good Lord willin' - - I'll finish my 3rd year of remission in January!!!

So, not to postpone anything coming up I'm going to sign off for now
and order a wall calendar (At-A-Glance) for 2012 because it will be here
before we know it. Thanks and blessings for your continued support!!!

February 1st - 2011 - Still More Snowstorms !

Not the best video on this blog, but an 'A' for effort! It's been snowing at a clip of one or two snowstorms a week since the turn of the new year.
I'm looking forward to Spring...very much!

The Red Sox are looking pretty good with their signing of Carl Crawford, formerly of the Tampa Rays. Speed, power and skillful knowledge of the game and who knows...maybe he's the spark that the club has needed? Time will tell.

I had my flu shot last October and so far, so good. The family has been struggling with flu symptoms and colds, but so far I've been lucky enough to avoid that...but then again, they chose not to get a flu shot.

We're all taking vitamins now too. One-a-day, supplements, vitamin C and b complex, omega 3 caps. Getting plenty of stretching and excercise in also.

We're into February now, let's get the taxes done and see if
we're getting anything back or paying this year. Usually we do get a small refund from the Federal, but a chunk of it goes to pay the State. They don't call it Taxachusetts for nothing. ;)

Next CT scan and CEA bloodtest is scheduled for late April and no colonoscopy this year - - woo hoo - I get the year off and don't need another until next year (2012).

Stay tuned, next month we celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary!

October and Fall Foliage Begins

The autumn leaves have begun to change and with it comes many other
changes that will start. I've started with the extra vitamin D3 and
along with diet changes and excercise from mostly walking have lost 12 pounds so far which I'm kind of proud about. A good start I think!

Our new healthcare provider is going to be United Healthcare, but we
don't know much about them or the plans yet. Stay tuned for more on
that later after we find out more information and get to review the
options before it kicks in on January 1st, 2011.

I'll be seeing my oncologist in a couple of weeks and having my
next series of tests to find out if I'm still cancer free. It's
always a bit scary after intially hearing those three words, "you've
got cancer" after my diagnosis. At any rate, I continue to have
faith and think positive about it and try not to dwell too much
on the past. I'll also get a flu shot, which has prevented me from
getting the flu for the past several years now.

I will be updating after my oncology visit(s) so stay tuned
for more along with my new change of lifestyle and healthy living!

Flu Shot today - New Cancer Center

I went for my oncology visit and got the regular flu shot
while I was there. My oncologist said that the H1N1 symptoms
are different for each and for me would be the same, so
no other shot needed.

He also said that the media is over-hyping the H1N1 symptoms.

It's been about two hours now and my arm is just now feeling a bit
sore and I feel a siesta is coming soon.

Now I'm good until next April when I have my next PET scan.

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?,

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.

6th Cycle started (with modifications)

I arrived at the clinic and after having blood drawn, they took my temperature, blood pressure and had exam. I was running a slight fever of 99.5, if it is 100.5 I wouldn't have been able to start the cycle I was told.

I spoke with my oncologist and he suggested that we go ahead with the treatment, but he was going to not give me one of the meds that caused the neuropathy. He said that it would not prolong the treatments, as I've already got a good dose of the oxaliplatin running through my system from previous cycles.

Because of this, I didn't need the anti-nausea meds either :)

I asked him about a flu shot and he thought for a moment, then decided that it would be okay to get the vaccine today also. I have had a runny nose, sore throat and cough for the past couple of weeks, but it seems as if it peaked when I woke up this morning and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get my tratment.

Everything worked out okay though and I get 14 more days to let the neuropathy subside. They hooked me up to the portable pump of 5-FU and I'll be back again tomorrow. I was also able to book my next cycle (my 7th) beginning October 14th.