Wednesday, July 22nd

Not much new to report today. I got poked again, the normal Wednesday blood draw. I haven't experienced any new side effects, either - that's a good thing. I still get pretty tired in the middle of each afternoon. The doctors have told me that's from the radiation, and it's normal. Carole has assured me my head does not glow in the dark. Tomorrow I get another MRI. The images from this MRI will be used to refocus and pinpoint the radiation for the final 14 treatments. The technicians keep calling it a "boost", but when I asked today, they told me it would not be a higher dose of radiation, just a fine tuning of the location - the doctors review all the images with the Physics department to determine exactly how to aim the radiation so it hits the right spot. The technology is amazing.
No milkshake today. Bummer! I keep reminding myself they're going to weigh me again on Friday.

Monday, July 20th

Today was radiation treatment #17 of 34, so I'm halfway through them. It seems to me the combination of radiation and chemotherapy are helping because I feel like I am able to walk, stand up, and bend over better then I could before I went to the hospital. I'm still very impressed with everyone I deal with at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. From parking attendants to receptionists to technicians to the nurses and doctors, they are all professional, caring people that I trust completely. It's so nice not to have to stress about that.
Carole and I had a good weekend. We made it through my side of the closet, sorting through what I still wear and use, but I was able to convince her we didn't need to go through all my drawers of stuff yet. It was just a temporary victory, but a victory just the same. On Saturday evening we went to see Angels and Demons. I enjoyed it. The ending is pretty far-fetched, but I knew that in advance from the book. I really liked seeing many of the places we were able to see when we visited Rome and year and a half ago. It made the whole experience more personal. After church on Sunday, we did some shopping - no shoes this time, just groceries. Then later Sunday afternoon, we took a walk around the block. It think it was good for both of us. I grilled some chicken for dinner, then the nightly round of pills started.
I tried a milkshake from Kool Moo in Cedar Rapids on Sunday afternoon. When they served it with a skinny straw, I was skeptical with good reason. It was very tasty, but just not as thick and rich as DQ or many of the others I've tried. We stopped at DQ today on the way home from Iowa City. The milkshake really hit the spot. My calorie intake is up (a bunch), but I think you can tell I've decided not to worry about that right now.

Saturday, July 18th

I just got my best night of sleep since before I went into the hospital. I hope Carole slept as well as I did. She's been awesome, but I wish she would worry more about taking care of herself instead of babying me. I think the only time she complains is when I complain about her driving. Does that sound like Carole? I'm trying to learn to bite my tongue, and think I'm getting better about that, but that's not me, either. Carole has been on a real clean up kick for the last few weeks. Today the plan is to go through my side of the closet and get rid of the things I don't wear or use anymore. Can you feel my excitement?
Yesterday's visit with the radiation oncologist went very well. He reviewed my blood work which was all good. My weight went down about two pounds, so I can continue with my milk shake therapy. My blood pressure is still on the high side, but not as bad as I thought it would be. The b.p. probably went down late in the day after I got a call from work. Thanks, John! I really appreciate your help. I know the call helped me sleep better last night.
After the doctor visit, Carole and I went to Steak & Shake for lunch. Of course, I had a chocolate shake. Carole had a mint shake that I think she thought was too "minty". My shake had ice crystals in it, so it wasn't quite as smooth as a DQ shake, but it tasted great. These evaluations are too subjective and I may have to put an end to them. I think I should just sit back and enjoy all of the different ones I try.

Thursday, July 16th

I have a newer look, the radiation has done a pretty good number on my hair. The shower drain is covered every day. The radiation technicians tell me this just means what they are doing is working. I still say it's just hair, and not that big a deal, but if you see me away from home, you can be sure I'll be wearing a hat!
The radiation treatments are going well, and other than being a little more tired than normal in the late afternoon, I haven't experienced any major side effects. The chemo pills I take every night are not causing any problems, either. I have an MRI scheduled for next Thursday that will not be used as a diagnostic image, just one to be used to fine tune the last 14 radiation treatments which will be boosted from the first 20. I am continuing to work from home a part of each day, and even negotiated a couple of really good deals for Genencor this week. I'm still enjoying my milkshakes about every other day. I tried a chocolate shake from Whitey's yesterday, but I'm withholding a rating until I try another from their other location in Iowa City. I don't want to make any rash judgments, you know. It seems strange to me that I get my brain fried for 15 - 20 minutes, then drink a shake and get brain freeze, and the combination actually makes me feel better - someone told me it's the protein that helps.
I've spent 15 - 20 hours each of the past few weeks either on hold with Blue Cross or CVS/Caremark (Danisco's prescription drug provider) or waiting for a doctor or pharmacy to hear back from one of them. There's a huge mountain of red tape, paperwork and bureaucracy that has to be worked through, and no one ready to let you know what questions you need to ask or even who to ask so it's frustrating and stressful. However, in the end everything has worked out okay. I got my first shipment of chemo pills via UPS today. Amazing, several thousand dollars worth of pills, and the driver rang the doorbell, left the package between the screen door and the front door, ran back to his truck and drove away, but I did get the pills. So far the only thing the insurance doesn't want to cover is my ambulance ride from St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids to the Emergency Room at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The reason given was they don't cover non-emergency services. I have filed a written appeal - we'll see what they say.
Thanks again for all your cards, comments, prayers, well wishes and emails. I enjoy all of them.

Tuesday, July 14th

The radiation and chemo treatments continue and I'm still doing pretty well. I get fairly tired in the middle of the afternoon, and I have a huge bald spot on top of my head, but other than that, no major issues. Carole still babies me (most of the time) and refuses to let me drive. She says I don't need to. I've worked about four hours each day for several days now, which I enjoy and it makes me feel like I'm doing something useful. I have enjoyed reading all your emails and comments on the blog. Thanks for all of your encouragement!
Carole actually got out on the golf course yesterday. She wasn't happy with the way she played, but that's golf. I'm hoping to get out myself in late August or September after my radiation treatments end.
Only 1 milk shake so far this week - DQ, so no new ratings.

Monday, July, 13th

I still feel great - stronger every day. The bald spot is growing, but that's just hair (or lack of it), and I have a few hats I can use to cover it up. Sure hope this means the treatments are working. Carole and I had another great weekend. We went to dinner with good friends on Saturday evening - the doctor is letting me have a bottle of beer each day, which I'm not doing every day, but Saturday's tasted really good. On Sunday, we went to church, did a little bit of grocery shopping, and then Andy, Tory and Tory's parents, Dan and Sue came over for dinner. It was super to be able to sit down and just talk about a lot of different things with them. Andy and Tory took care of almost all of the work from prep to clean up, so I didn't have to do anything except sit, talk and drink another beer. Tough duty, huh?
I have to say, I'm learning to value friends and family more than ever before (who knows why it took so long). I appreciate the conversations with all of you, and I really like hearing from you.
I've heard some of you are having problems posting comments on the blog or would prefer not posting a public comment, so I've added a link to my gmail address to my profile. In the beginning of all this, I wasn't sure how I would feel or if I would want to be checking too many emails, but if you want to send me a note, please do so. I enjoy hearing from you!
No chocolate shakes since Friday - Carole is still staying away from them. Maybe I'll have another later today.

New Look

The hair started falling out Thursday morning, so I made a preemptive move today. Thanks, Kim! I think I should have done this a long time ago.

For those of you asking, my chocolate shake favorites are:
1. United Dairy Farmers - Cincinnati
2. Dairy Queen
3. Culver's
It's important to note that the study is absolutely incomplete and not scientific. I'm sure several of you would not agree with my rankings. I still have several I want to taste - Whitey's is at the top of that list.
McDonald's is in last place, and I suspect they will stay there.