My radiation treatment and visit with the radiation oncologist was on schedule yesterday. It was treatment #11 of 34. Everything looks good and he'll see me again weekly. I'll get another MRI in about two weeks - not a diagnostic image, but one that will be used to fine tune the target of the radiation treatments.
As predicted, the chemo oncologist was running a "little" late. My appointment was at 3:30, and he walked into the examination room at 5:00. I was already nervous about what he might have to say, so I was pretty stressed before he came in. It was good that Andy and Carole were there to remind me to calm down and remember to ask all the right questions - not that it really helped, but they tried. Everything ended up going well with this examination too, and the good news is, I won't have another appointment with this doctor until I'm finished with my radiation treatments. I really trust the doctor, but he drives me crazy (I know, it's a short trip) with his lack of a schedule.
I ended up losing about half a pound last week, so we stopped at Culver's for something to eat on the way out of Iowa City. I needed to compare their chocolate shakes with all the others I've been trying.
Thanks to my brother, Mark for by adding a comment clarifying who is younger. I think I'll take it as a compliment that he wasn't sure everyone could tell just by looking at the picture.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thursday, July 9th
There's really nothing new to report today. All the treatments are still going okay. I'm still not getting too fatigued, I still have my hair and I'm not experiencing any shortness of breath. I went to work yesterday afternoon for about 2 1/2 hours and worked from home for quite a while today. It feels good to do something useful. Carole and I took a walk around the block this afternoon which felt good, too.
Tomorrow we meet with both the radiation oncologist and the chemo oncologist (the talker). That appointment isn't until 3:30, so we may be at the hospital until 7:00 PM. After that the battle with Caremark will begin. I'll update the blog either tomorrow or Saturday with an update about what the doctors have to say.
Tomorrow we meet with both the radiation oncologist and the chemo oncologist (the talker). That appointment isn't until 3:30, so we may be at the hospital until 7:00 PM. After that the battle with Caremark will begin. I'll update the blog either tomorrow or Saturday with an update about what the doctors have to say.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Pictures from 4th of July Weekend
Jeff and Paul - Go Reds!
Carole with her sister, Jan, and her mother, Ailene
Me with my brother, Mark. No family resemblance, right?
Pictures from Father's Day
Jeff, Brian, Andy and me
Smoked ribs, barbecued ribs and the "Bacon Explosion"
Carole, Paul, Andy and Tory
Carole, Paul and Brian
Carole, Paul, Jeff and Cathy
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tuesday, July 7th
I had a super weekend in Cincinnati. Carole and I returned to Cedar Rapids Monday morning, so the 5:30 AM wake up call was not a lot of fun, but it was worth it to be able to stay an extra day. I got my 4th birthday dinner (in 4 days) last night, then had friends come over for dessert. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow last night at 10:00 PM because I didn't get a chance to nap all day, but I wouldn't have changed anything. Now I need to change my focus away from food. I've definitely been eating way too much.
I've continued with the chemo drugs every day, and my radiation treatments resumed yesterday after a three day layoff. They will continue Monday through Friday for another 5-6 weeks. So far, I haven't seen any major side effects from either - no major fatigue and no hair loss (but they tell me that will come), and I feel like I am walking stronger and straighter than I was four weeks ago. I keep telling Carole to give me the car keys, but she keeps telling me I don't need to drive. It's kind of like the opposite of Driving Miss Daisy.
Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers, gifts, emails, calls and concerns. I know I've said it before, but your support has been overwhelming.
Thanks!
I've continued with the chemo drugs every day, and my radiation treatments resumed yesterday after a three day layoff. They will continue Monday through Friday for another 5-6 weeks. So far, I haven't seen any major side effects from either - no major fatigue and no hair loss (but they tell me that will come), and I feel like I am walking stronger and straighter than I was four weeks ago. I keep telling Carole to give me the car keys, but she keeps telling me I don't need to drive. It's kind of like the opposite of Driving Miss Daisy.
Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers, gifts, emails, calls and concerns. I know I've said it before, but your support has been overwhelming.
Thanks!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
4th of July Weekend
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).
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).
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.
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