Infusion Center Blues

This is the infusion center where I got my new chemo pump today. It's not my favorite place. There are about four stations with four or five chairs each and everyone sits around either getting chemo administered or getting pumps installed.
I enjoyed having a break from the chemo but my mouth sores are all gone and it's time to get back in action. The good news is that I'll get another break after next Friday. Next week is the last week of radiation and then I'll get two weeks off before they start the "new" chemo, which is supposed to be higher dosage and administered at a different rate. Instead of having the pump 24x7, I'll have it for 48 hours straight and then get 12 days off. Then another 48 hours on, 12 days off, for as long as it takes. The goal is to get the markers down and kept down. Markers - sounds like Vegas!!

Count Your Blessings Every Day!

I can't describe how nice it is not to have the chemo pump attached to me. I just have a short break but I'm trying to savor every moment. Just being able to walk around, sleep without it, shower without worrying about it, and of course, swimming at the pool! This morning we all went for a dip at Barton Springs, and then Cathy and I went to the farmer's market. The freedom of being able to move around without the constant worry of the chemo pump is great.

It should go without saying, but it is the simple pleasures in life that really are special. So remember every day how fortunate we are to be able to do the simple things in life!

Unexpected Chemo Break (good) - Unexpected Pool Closing (bad)

This morning I met Dr. Tucker before getting a new chemo pump and he decided that I needed a break from the chemo since I was getting mouth sores (one of the side effects I failed to mention in my last post). I was concerned at first, but he said it's not uncommon and that we would let the sores heal and start back up next week with a lower dose. Once I found out it was OK and not to freak out about it, I said "So this is like a week long vacation?!" and he said "Yeah". The best part was that he also said it was OK to swim. That's good because the pool might close for a long time soon. They need to do repairs that will take 6 to 8 months to fix! They have to wait for some rain, which may never actually come, so who knows when it will close. It's such bad news that I don't even want to go into it. Don't even talk to Ginny about it. I'm serious about that.

Halfway Through Radiation!

Today I started my 4th week of radiation, which means I'm more than halfway through! I'm beginning to feel some side effects but I will not go into details about them. I'll only say that it is important to have reading material in every room of your house, including the bathroom.

Here's a picture of Calvin, one of my favorite radiation nurses/techs. He's always smiling and greets you with firm handshake before he zaps you with high intensity electromagnetic gamma radiation. At least I think that's what it is...

Hump Day is Pump Day

Wednesdays are huge - lab work, meetings with both doctors, radiation and refilling the chemo pump. Today I got my third chemo pump refill. I haven't met a chemo pump I've liked. Kind of like Vikings fans.

Fanny Pack? Man-purse? No, it's an ATB!

What do you call the thing that carries my chemo pump? I don't like "fanny-pack" and I definitely don't like "Man-purse", so I'm calling it an Athletic Tote Bag, or ATB.

I asked April to take a picture at the pool this morning. Today was a free day at the pool for some reason, and it got crowded early. If you look closely, you can see Mom in the pool. I can't get in, what with my ATB and all, but I can wade up to my knees. Whew - what a workout...

Week Two - More of the Same

I've almost emptied the chemo pump and have started the second week of radiation. I still don't really feel anything, but I think I feel something...maybe it's all in my head. No, that's not where it is.

It's nice to have inspiration from "The Duke" before you saddle up to the radiation table.

I think I know now why people don't like chemo

Today is my second full day of having my friend the chemo pump with me. This is what it looks like when it's out of the fanny pack. It rarely comes out. I had a rough day with it yesterday but I'm getting used to it. It's tricky taking a shower because you have to keep the port-a-cath dry and of course the pump must stay dry as well. I'm going to be really happy when I don't have to wear this thing all the time. Every 5 minutes it pumps just a little chemo and makes a clicking sound kind of like a digital camera. The good news is so far the chemo is not making me sick. I felt good enough to go to work this morning...but only for a half day!

X marks the spot

Today I got my chemo pump. I'll take a picture of it later. It's in a fanny pack thing that I have to wear around my waist and it's hooked up to my port-a-cath under my shoulder blade. I don't like having these tubes and stuff around me, but whatareyagonnado?

I had day three of radiation today. They put these marks on both sides and in front so they can zero in with the lasers. I'm not sure why one is red and one is black. I had the red ones first.