Chemo Cycle Three....Free! (of that freakin' fanny pack!)

Finished my last round of Induction Chemo on March 26th....and it hit me like a truck! I am finally getting over the side effects and feeling about normal. I would like to thank everyone for their support and kind words in this first half of my plan. I have an idea of what to expect when I start the Chemo and radiation combination in about a week, but I will keep you informed. Lynne, I will take you up on that cake offer...as soon as my taste buds come back around in November! I have a meeting with my Radiation Oncologist on Monday April the 12th to see about scheduling my test run and making my mask. I have to see what time of the day they are going to schedule my daily radiation appointments so that I can work it into my work schedule.

Enjoying the Sun

Hello. I have been enjoying the fact that my side effects are finally subsiding. The weather has been great, I took my wife on a date to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D (Great movie!).

I got an adjustable silver ring for my radiation phase of Chemo when I will be loosing a bit of weight.


I ran into Dave Chappelle in Yellow Springs on Saturday (I was like "Hey Dave" and he waved like "Do I know him?"). It has been a good few days, but Jess has a sinus and throat infection and I am able to take care of her for the fist time in a long while. That's all for now guys. Got a week before my last Induction Chemo.......gonna enjoy the weather for now.

Chemo Cycle Two - THROUGH!

Today was the last day of chemo cycle two - woohoo! As expected, Tony is verrrrrry tired, but he's doing great; I couldn't be prouder of him. I actually learned this time exactly how much chemo he's been getting, and holy moly! On Mondays, he gets 150 mg of Taxotere, 150 mg of Cisplatin, and then Mon-Fri. he gets 6,000 mg of 5-FU (that's a LOT)! At our last checkup with the doctor, he was apparently impressed with how well Tony was tolerating the treatment, because this time around he bumped the 5-FU up to 6,500 mg. Tony has vowed not to brag on how well he's doing next time, but they tell us he's getting bumped up again regardless (to 7,000 mg).

We also noticed this time around that Tony had some pretty wicked hiccups, which is actually a side effect of the chemo (odd, I know.) It doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but when you suddenly start hiccuping at 3 AM and can't stop, it's a little annoying. Luckily these only lasted a day or two.

Many of the side effects of the chemo (continued fatigue, GI issues, etc.) tend to hit this next week, so we appreciate the continued prayers. We go back for bloodwork on Monday and then for a checkup with the oncologist the week after.

We are 2/3 done with chemo...woooo! These are the things we are thankful for! Hope everyone has a great weekend. :)

Splitting Hairs

"Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony." - Morpheus, The Matrix

Wouldn't you know...it was just two days ago when I wrote the last post concerning Tony's hair. It seems that all it took for him to start losing hair was for me to write about how he wasn't losing hair! In fact, the very next morning when he took a shower, it started coming out...LOTS of it. He said he was just running his hands through his hair while washing it and the deluge began. My husband (thoughtful man that he is) left me several gigantic hairballs in both the sink and the shower because he knew I'd like to see how much he lost. (And yes, odd person that I am, I actually appreciated this).

After that, we amused ourselves by discovering that you could just grasp his hair in your fingers and it would come straight out. It was kind of amazing how quickly it got patchy-looking, especially in the back. So Tony decided it was time for a haircut. His friend Chris was kind enough to lend some clippers to the cause, complete with a hair-cutting cape. At first, Tony did a moderate buzz, leaving some length on the hair. And then he decided to go for it: he took the guard lower and buzzed it nearly all the way to the scalp. He said he was tired of trying to figure out where it looked patchy, and also said it felt empowering to do this himself. (I got to cut the back, though!)

So feel free to admire his head (he has a very nice, symmetrical one!) when you see him. Please just don't ask to rub the cranium though, as it is still a bit sore from the chemo. Also, Tony does kindly request that you not give him what he calls the "sad-cancer-patient-face" when you see him; he doesn't want anyone to feel sorry for him! He's really quite chipper, and we'd like to keep it that way! Have a follicularly fabulous evening, everyone! :)

"Are You Bald Yet?!"

It's been a little while since we blogged, and that's because...well, we've been busy enjoying a great week! Since the first round of chemo, Tony has really rebounded astoundingly well, and this week in particular has been almost exactly like the B.C. era ("Before Chemo," that is.) Many of you have probably seen him bopping around the hospital for work. We've gotten lots of comments along the lines of, "Gee, you don't even look like you have cancer!" It's been so very refreshing to have a good week: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It feels like a vacation.


In other news, I figured I would address one of the questions we hear quite a bit: "Are ya losing your hair yet?!" (which, for the record, is probably not on the "Top 10 List of Best Ways to Greet a Cancer Patient." Just sayin'...) That aside, however, the answer is....kinda sorta. He's noticed a few extra hairs in the shower when he washes his hair, but nothing monumental. Unless you count...THE NOSE HAIRS! Yes, yes...of all the undignified side effects, he is noticing the nose hairs starting to return to their maker. (Weird, right? This is the stuff they don't tell you in the pleasant little instructional chemo videos!) It's interesting, also, that so many folks seem to think that cancer patients only wear scarves or hats for their fashion appeal or to cover a bald head. This may be true in some cases, but in our experience it's more to cope with other things. For example, his scalp is a bit sore, and he already finds that he is more sensitive to cold. So if you see him sporting one of his many new hats, you'll know why!


We go back to the Cancer Center for another chemo-thon on Monday (March 8th). Luckily, I am on Spring Break from school next week, so I won't have quite as much to worry about.


Here are a few random thoughts to leave you with:

• We appreciate everyone's support more than you know. Everyone that has become a follower of the blog, thanks! I know it sounds weird, but all the comments and followers make us feel like we're not completely alone. And we could all stand to be reminded that we are loved, couldn't we? Go hug the nearest person! :)



• We especially appreciate prayers. It's extremely draining for both of us when he has the treatments - it's difficult for him physically, and for me emotionally. As it turns out, it's more than a little unnerving to see your better half getting poisoned. It's odd the things that bother me...and the chemo pump is really tough for some reason. I guess it's just a constant, week-long reminder of what's being done. The treatment works, but it's a pretty nasty process, and it's hard to see him not feeling well. So if you think of us, please pray that both of us stay healthy and strong - inside and out.

• We understand that lots of people don't quite know what to say to us sometimes, because the "C" word is so just overwhelming (trust us - we know!) And we want everyone to know that it's OK - because guess what? We don't know what's going on half the time either! This is a journey filled with lots of uncertainty, and we appreciate everyone's generosity, whether it's a message, a smile, or a pat on the back. We don't mind answering questions, either. To the contrary, we like sharing what's going on - especially if it means we can encourage fellow cancer fighters or help people better understand how to relate to cancer fighters. (See that? I've decided I like "cancer fighters" better than "cancer patients").
  
  
• Contrary to popular belief, some of the best encouragement we've received wasn't wordy or eloquent. Sometimes I am just so relieved when someone listens to my griping and then says, "That sucks." Because ya know what? It does. So if you've read this blog, talked to Tony, or listened to me vent/cry/update, bless you. And remember that we are simply called to encourage each other, not to have all the answers or pretty-sounding quotes. :)
  

Have a blessed day or evening, and we'll catch you next week!

Chemo Cycle One - DONE!

"ONE! ONE chemo done! Ah ah ah!" On Friday - after a full week of chemo - we went back to the Cancer Center to have the chemo pump removed. (Hooray!) Tony did extremely well this whole week - I am amazed at what a trooper he is (keep in mind he is receiving three different types of chemo). Luckily, he didn't have much in the way of nausea that couldn't be controlled with medicine. He didn't get sick at all (thank the Lord). The most noticeable effect was fatigue. He could generally get up and do what he needed to do, but by early afternoon, he started to crash a bit and would have to rest. For a guy that usually goes 90 miles per hour in every direction, this is a bit of an adjustment. He also has some residual "chemo-brain," (yes, they actually call it that!) which he says is hard to describe. He feels a wee bit detached and fuzzy-headed sometimes; I think this is usually just when he is tired. He says his sense of smell is heightened also - he can pick up things the rest of us don't notice. But all in all, if you didn't know better, you probably couldn't even tell he is having chemo - he's pretty amazing. I attribute this to his strength and also to a lot of prayers. You can't convince me the prayers aren't helping, because even the nurse that gave him the chemo said she was worried about him this week because she was "giving him some pretty nasty stuff." So I'm not trying to minimize what he's dealing with, but to have so few side effects at this point is really a blessing.

Now that he has been detached from his "leash" (the chemo pump), we have two weeks until his next treatment. We are 1/3 done with this part! We go back next week for lab work, the week after that to see the oncologist, and then we start Cycle 2. But we're not concerned with that right now - we're just enjoying being done with the first cycle. :)

Chemo - Days 1 and 2

Well, our very long first day of chemo at the Cancer Center has come and gone. All in all, it was pretty uneventful - not what you'd expect. For some reason, we both had this mental image that as soon as they got the chemo bag near you, projectile vomiting would commence. But there was no vomiting - on the contrary, Tony either slept or ate snacks through most of the ordeal (BBQ potato chips and cinnamon rolls were the favorites). The cinnamon rolls were brought around by one of the volunteers, and they were yummy! Another volunteer brought around a basket of handmade bead jewelry and offered us whatever we wanted: key chains or bracelets that said "Hope" on them; everyone was very nice.

As expected, Tony cracked the nurses up with his newly-acquired "Chemosabe" T-shirt, which has a picture of a cowboy holding a chemo bag. Priceless.

Towards the end of the day, they hooked up the chemo pump that Tony has to wear until Friday. (He's quite surly about having to wear a "fanny pack," so no snide comments, or he is likely to beat you with it.) Last night, we learned the joys of sleeping with said chemo pump, as it makes a delightful "SWISH" noise every few minutes. After several hours, Tony figured out that putting the pump on the floor and covering it with a pillow did the trick.

All in all, it's going pretty well. He's a bit tired, and was a bit nauseous this morning, but the meds seem to be doing their job to help this. Only three more days until the pump comes off! It gives T.G.I.F. a whole new meaning...

We appreciate the prayers and comments more than you know, so thank you to everyone :)

The Port Authority

On Tuesday, Tony had a "Power Port" inserted in his chest, which I explained in an earlier entry. The procedure went smoothly, and Tony said it was a piece of cake compared to the tonsillectomy. The incision (below his collarbone) looks very good, and there's not much to speak of when you look at it - just a tiny little lump where the port was inserted under the skin.

They gave him an informational packet that included one of those nifty rubber bracelets to remind people that he now has a port. It's pretty snazzy looking, and I joked that all we had to do to get it was consent to a surgical procedure.

This weekend we're trying to rest up, as Monday is the big first day of chemo. However, there is family-visiting and house-cleaning to be done, so I'm not sure how much actual rest we'll get! We appreciate everyone's concern, positive comments, and prayers, and we'll do our best to keep you updated. Thank you! :)

Mediport surgery day......yay.

Well today is my Mediport surgery day. I had a great idea this morning! I am going to shave my chest in a few places to see if I can make a Man-O-Lantern like Steve Carell in the 40 Year Old Virgin! It should give them a laugh.

It's All a Blur

*WARNING* - This will be a long one!

A lot happened yesterday...a whole lot. We had our appointment at the Cancer Center to meet with the medical oncologist (chemo doctor). He shared with us a "change of plans" - well, not really a change of plans but addition to the plan. First, he wants Tony to have a Mediport placed. For those who aren't familiar, this is a surgical procedure to implant a port in his chest, a little under the collarbone. It's kind of a "ready made" IV, meaning they won't have to poke all over his arms and God-knows-where-else every time he goes for chemo, lab work, or fluids. They can just access the port. The picture on the left is one of the better ones I could find. The top image shows the little "button" that will be under the skin; the center is kind of cork-like in consistency. That's what they'll be accessing whenever they need to draw blood or give medications/fluids/etc. My poor guy has already had more surgeries in the last month than I have in my life, but this should be nicer in the long run than having to get stuck a billion times.

Also, the doctor says he wants to do what's called "induction chemotherapy" with Tony. Basically, this is "extra" chemo before the main treatment of radiation and low-dose chemo. It's kind of like throwing everything at the cancer at once. There are three cycles of this, and each cycle is one week on and two weeks off. The cycle starts on a Monday, and it's an all-day affair. We go in the morning, and start off with a bag (one liter!) of saline for hydration. Then there are a bunch of "pre-medications" (stuff to lessen the side effects of chemo): Zantac (to help nausea), Benadryl (to prevent allergic side effects), Decadron (for nausea), and assorted other steroids. Then he'll get three, that's right - THREE - different kinds of chemo: Taxotere (docetaxel), Cisplatin/Cis-platinum, and 5-FU/fluorouracil. (Lovely cocktail, right? I think the "FU" part of "5-FU" is an appropriate name for a cancer drug.) The 5-FU will actually be placed in a pre-programmed pump, which will go home with him and continue infusing Mon-Fri. Then on Friday we go back to have it all disconnected. So that's the week of chemo, then he'll get two weeks of no chemo, and that is one cycle. We do this three times, then radiation starts. When that begins, he will still have chemo, but it will only be once a week, and it will only be one drug (low-dose 5-FU).

So this week will be a very busy one. We have an appointment on Monday to meet with the doctor that will be doing the Mediport surgery. Then the surgery will be scheduled sometime this week (not sure when until the consultation). Then next week, the chemo starts. Can't say I'm looking forward to that, but it's got to be done!

Here are some more random notes:

• One of the churches near the Cancer Center makes neck support pillows for the chemo patients because they have to sit in those chairs so much during their treatments. Tony got to pick one out for free - he chose a very manly print. ;) I thought that was so very thoughtful of this church: it may seem like a small thing, but to know someone was thinking of these patients was very comforting to me. "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" - Matthew 25:40

• We love, love, love the people at the Cancer Center. I really couldn't ask for better folks to sit there and answer our questions, and even answer those we didn't think to ask.

• I'll be getting my hair chopped off in the near future. Ironically enough, I had been growing it out to donate it to Locks of Love. I did this once before, and figured it was an easy enough way for me to help. I've finally got enough length, and it seems the timing is appropriate since Tony will be starting his chemo soon. I offered (very sincerely) to shave my head completely to show my support, but my loving husband said, "Ummm....you can find some other way to support me, dear." I got the point! :P

• Feel free to become a follower of our blog and make us feel loved! Also, I changed the setup so that anyone can post comments on any of the blogs now - you don't have to do all that "set up an account" stuff anymore. So comment away! :)