The last two days have been busy! Carole and I hopped on a plane to Cincinnati on Thursday after my radiation treatment and took advantage of the direct flight from Cedar Rapids before it's no longer available in a few weeks. Don't worry the doctor said it would be fine. We knew Brian and Karen would be here as well as Carole's mom, Ailene. Carole's sister, Jan and her boys, Ryan and Tyler are here to visit with as well, but I was in for another surprise. Late Thursday evening Jeff and Cathy walked in. They had driven 12 hours from Fort Stewart, GA. Then, in the middle of Friday afternoon, Andy and Tory walked in about the same time as my brother, Mark, his wife, Brenda and their daughter, Katie. They all had long drives, too. So, we had a surprise birthday party for me (a couple of days early). It was nice to be able to sit and talk with everyone. It's still humbling to see how much people care. It's one of those things you think you know, but you never really understand how much.
Naturally, the food was awesome, and I have to admit, we topped it off with Fresh Peach cream from United Dairy Farmers that is now at the top of my list of favorites. Uskomatonta! (Spelling correction - thanks, Bengt.) By the way, it's Finnish for "unbelievable", and is one of only two or three Finnish words I know.
I didn't get on a scale yesterday, but there's no doubt which way it tipped.
I still have plenty of energy, so I'll keep going. Today, we're off to the Great America Ballpark to watch the Reds play the Cardinals (I'd like to see Albert Pujols have an off day).
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thursday, July 2nd
Yesterday's visit with the doctor was uneventful. No problems or issues to report, but we really didn't expect any yet. Fatigue hasn't started kicking in and I still have my hair (but I expect to lose it in patches). The next time you see me, I may have a buzz cut.
I got an unexpected surprise from my friends at Genencor yesterday. They are paying a lawn service to mow and trim my lawn for the rest of the summer! Of course, I would have said no if they had asked, but what a great gift! I don't trust myself to keep my feet out from under the mower. Plus, Carole had one of her ankles fused last Fall which means it doesn't bend at all, and she can't safely push a mower either. I am continually amazed at everyone's support and friendship. You're all special people.
I love reading your comments, but I can't believe you want to read my notes. They aren't very exciting. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and well wishes.
I'm checking my work email daily. It's actually therapeutic for me to pay attention to work, plus the doctor keeps suggesting that I stay as active as possible.
Today's frustration is with Caremark, our prescription drug provider. My chemo doctor has prescribed an anti-nausea pill to be taken every day before I take my chemo medicine (7 days per week). I didn't know it until yesterday, but Caremark only would allow the U of I Hospital Pharmacy to give me 9 pills for 25 days, those first 9 will be gone this Saturday. After that, my doctor and I have to fill out paperwork and request that they send me the rest of the prescription in the mail. Trouble is, I didn't know until yesterday that I couldn't get a refill without all the extra work, and there's not enough time for Caremark to get me more pills until next week which isn't soon enough. You guys know me, I just love it when somebody tells me they can' t do something because of our contract.
In the end, it will all work out okay, I can buy 9 more pills myself from the pharmacy - only about $25 - and the doctor will fill out paperwork telling Caremark why I need them. With any luck, I'll get reimbursed, but if not, it's just $25. I have to be careful not to complain too much, Caremark is covering my expensive chemo drugs very well.
By the way, Carole and I stopped at McDonald's and grabbed a hot fudge sundae on the way home from yesterday's treatment. Just me, not Carole. She's still being good. The sundae was just okay - definitely not up to DQ's standards. Not surprisingly, my weight was up again yesterday.
I got an unexpected surprise from my friends at Genencor yesterday. They are paying a lawn service to mow and trim my lawn for the rest of the summer! Of course, I would have said no if they had asked, but what a great gift! I don't trust myself to keep my feet out from under the mower. Plus, Carole had one of her ankles fused last Fall which means it doesn't bend at all, and she can't safely push a mower either. I am continually amazed at everyone's support and friendship. You're all special people.
I love reading your comments, but I can't believe you want to read my notes. They aren't very exciting. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and well wishes.
I'm checking my work email daily. It's actually therapeutic for me to pay attention to work, plus the doctor keeps suggesting that I stay as active as possible.
Today's frustration is with Caremark, our prescription drug provider. My chemo doctor has prescribed an anti-nausea pill to be taken every day before I take my chemo medicine (7 days per week). I didn't know it until yesterday, but Caremark only would allow the U of I Hospital Pharmacy to give me 9 pills for 25 days, those first 9 will be gone this Saturday. After that, my doctor and I have to fill out paperwork and request that they send me the rest of the prescription in the mail. Trouble is, I didn't know until yesterday that I couldn't get a refill without all the extra work, and there's not enough time for Caremark to get me more pills until next week which isn't soon enough. You guys know me, I just love it when somebody tells me they can' t do something because of our contract.
In the end, it will all work out okay, I can buy 9 more pills myself from the pharmacy - only about $25 - and the doctor will fill out paperwork telling Caremark why I need them. With any luck, I'll get reimbursed, but if not, it's just $25. I have to be careful not to complain too much, Caremark is covering my expensive chemo drugs very well.
By the way, Carole and I stopped at McDonald's and grabbed a hot fudge sundae on the way home from yesterday's treatment. Just me, not Carole. She's still being good. The sundae was just okay - definitely not up to DQ's standards. Not surprisingly, my weight was up again yesterday.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 30th
Quick trip to to Iowa City today. My appointment was at 1:15, and I had finished the radiation and we were back in the car and on our way home by 1:30. Still no issues with either the radiation or the chemo, but it may take a few days for everything to really kick in.
Carole and I went to a vocal concert tonight that was part of the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival. It was really good, but I'm too emotional right now, and I started to break up when they did the fallen soldier tribute. They stuck the rifle bayonette in the sandbag, and hung the helmet and dogtags on it.
Tomorrow we meet with the radiation oncologist - don't expect any problems, but we'll see what he has to say.
No milkshake today, but I had a big piece of cake. I put on jeans to go to the concert tonight, and I could barely get them zipped up.
Carole and I went to a vocal concert tonight that was part of the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival. It was really good, but I'm too emotional right now, and I started to break up when they did the fallen soldier tribute. They stuck the rifle bayonette in the sandbag, and hung the helmet and dogtags on it.
Tomorrow we meet with the radiation oncologist - don't expect any problems, but we'll see what he has to say.
No milkshake today, but I had a big piece of cake. I put on jeans to go to the concert tonight, and I could barely get them zipped up.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday's Highlight
On the way back from today's radiation appointment, I asked Carole to stop at Dairy Queen (which she did because she always does what I want), and I ordered a chocolate shake. It's been 7 or 8 years since I had one of these, and I had forgotten how much I enjoy them. It was awesome!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday's Update
Two days of chemo down, and I've learned a little about what and when I can eat, but no major problems yet. I'll take the chemo medication 7 days a week, and get radiation 5 days a week for about 7 weeks. I'm actually feeling pretty well - just a little light headed when I stand up. Carole still does all the driving, but I think I could do it without any issues. We managed to get out of the house and go shopping yesterday. Buying Carole a new pair of shoes wasn't my idea of a lot of fun, but it was nice to get out of the house for a while. We did manage to go to Target as well, so the trip wasn't too bad. This morning we went to church. It bothered me a lot when I heard my name on the prayer list, but then I realized a lot of people really do care, and I really appreciate it.
After I watched the U.S. lose to Brazil in the soccer game, Carole and I went out to find new shrubs for the front of the house. After that I felt well enough to fire up the grill and cook some salmon. I'm thankful I feel well enough to get out and around, and I plan to stay as active as I can.
Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and prayers.
After I watched the U.S. lose to Brazil in the soccer game, Carole and I went out to find new shrubs for the front of the house. After that I felt well enough to fire up the grill and cook some salmon. I'm thankful I feel well enough to get out and around, and I plan to stay as active as I can.
Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and prayers.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Radiation and Chemo Have Started
My radiation treatments started on Thursday and my first chemo pill comes tonight. It was a long day at the hospital today. We started with an appointment with the pill pushing chemo doctor at 10:00 AM, then had appointment for radiation, and met with the radiation oncologist after that. In the meantime, Andy stayed with me while Carole and Brian went to the hospital pharmacy to start getting all the new pills I need to take- an antibiotic, a nausea drug and the chemo pills. The pharmacy was not able to fill prescription for the chemo drug because I was supposed to have pre-approval for it, and buy it through the mail from Blue Cross's pharmacy. It didn't seem to matter that I didn't know what I needed to get pre-approval for or that I needed to start taking it tonight. In the end, after about a four hour delay, we were able to get a one time exemption and got the prescription filled. I can't complain too much because the pharmacist told us the pills usually cost about $5000 and we had a co-pay of $150.
So far the radiation hasn't bothered me, and we'll see how the chemo goes after a few weeks. Everyone at the hospital has been really great, but I know Carole is already getting tired of the drive.
It was great to have Andy, Tory, Brian, Jeff and Cathy here for Father's Day, and Carole's mom, Ailene here for most of the week. I'm really humbled by all the support we've received from family and friends. Your prayers (I've been told there are over a million people praying for me), cards, comments, food, help mowing the lawn, etc. are all appreciated. Thanks!
So far the radiation hasn't bothered me, and we'll see how the chemo goes after a few weeks. Everyone at the hospital has been really great, but I know Carole is already getting tired of the drive.
It was great to have Andy, Tory, Brian, Jeff and Cathy here for Father's Day, and Carole's mom, Ailene here for most of the week. I'm really humbled by all the support we've received from family and friends. Your prayers (I've been told there are over a million people praying for me), cards, comments, food, help mowing the lawn, etc. are all appreciated. Thanks!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Radiation starts Thursday
We met with the radiology oncologist Tuesday afternoon and went through a lot of preparatory work for the radiology treatments that will start Thursday. Dad had a personal pillow and mask made (designed to keep him in place), as well as a bite mold that will connect to some sensors to make sure that he moves no more than 0.5mm during the treatments. They also performed a new CT scan and MRI so that they could map the treatment. The technology is pretty amazing, and I think we're all a bit anxious to get things started.
We'll meet with the chemotherapy doctor on Friday morning and should begin that treatment as well. Right now the goal is to stop the growth in the affected areas. We'll figure out in several weeks if surgery may yet be needed.
We'll meet with the chemotherapy doctor on Friday morning and should begin that treatment as well. Right now the goal is to stop the growth in the affected areas. We'll figure out in several weeks if surgery may yet be needed.
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