Friday, July 31st

The radiation "boost" started today, and I have to say, there didn't seem to be much change from before. I only have 8 more radiation treatments to go! Fridays are my normal day for the nurses to check my blood pressure (up a touch this week), temperature (normal) and my weight (up 2 lbs.; thanks, chocolate malts). After those pleasantries, we met with my radiation oncologist, Dr. Smith. He didn't say anything about the blood pressure or my weight, so I'm working on the assumption that neither is a problem. Dr. Smith seems more interested that I still have a healthy appetite, and that I am not losing weight. He checked my scalp (and the scar from the biopsy) and said everything looked good -two thumbs up, I guess. He didn't even review this week's blood work with me, and I didn't get a call from my chemo oncologist which is a good indication all the counts are within the normal levels. I'm still feeling pretty well, the only time I really get tired is the middle of each afternoon, when I usually nap for about an hour. No other significant side-effects except for the major hair loss from the radiation. I'll be getting another haircut on Sunday afternoon.
On the way home from last Wednesday's treatment, Carole and I stopped at Red Robin, so I could try one of their chocolate malts. I liked getting all the extras in the ice cold stainless steel cup (something I didn't get, but expected from Steak & Shake). The "malt" flavor seemed to be missing something, so I've decided it ended up not being in my top 5. To eat, I ordered their Royal Red Robin Burger (the one with a fried egg on top) which was excellent, and I would recommend as long as you like eggs.
It turns out I made a big mistake a couple of days ago when I mentioned that I had not sorted through my drawers yet. It seems Carole had forgotten about it, and the reminder means I have a job this weekend. I can't wait!
Carole got out golfing yesterday afternoon, and she's playing in the Linn-Mar Foundation Outing today. To be safe, I think I won't talk about how she feels about her game (she did have a couple of pars yesterday). At least her ankle and hip seem to be holding up okay.
We don't have any travel plans this weekend. I think I still need to recover from last weekend's trip to Chicago. However, we're looking forward to going to dinner on Saturday evening with some good friends. Is it me, or does my life revolve around food?
I hope you are all doing well!

Tuesday, July 28th

We finally got to talk with my radiation oncologist today about last week's MRI. We didn't learn much new. You're really not supposed to analyze this MRI too much because it's not uncommon to get false readings from the images. They tell me if you want to measure any changes in the tumor(s), you need to wait until 30 days after you finish radiation before getting and evaluating a new MRI. That gives the swelling a chance to go down. The pictures from last week will be used to refine the target of the radiation I'm getting every day. Those adjustments will be implemented with this Friday's treatment. The plan is to continue the course that was originally planned. I still don't have many side-effects from the chemo, but the radiation seems to be having a cumulative effect because I'm starting to get a little bit more tired every day. I'm still working for Genencor from home about 4 hours a day - mornings are best.
Food still tastes great to me, and I do still have my appetite, and it is growing (like my gut). I got Dairy Queen malts both yesterday and today - still good! Andy suggested a couple of different places to try in Iowa City, but I need to find out exactly where they are.
Carole started cleaning carpets today. She's driving me crazy with all her busy work, but the good news is, I still haven't had to sort through all of my drawers. I think Carole needs to get out golfing again before school starts. She needs to release some frustration, and I'd prefer it not be on me.
Thanks again to everyone for all of your kind thoughts, your prayers and especially your friendship. I can't put it into words, but I really appreciate everything you've done for Carole and me.

Last Friday's treatment and visit with the doctor was uneventful. I gained about 1 1/2 pounds last week, but the doctor didn't say anything about it. I guess that means I don't need to worry about it, either. When we left the hospital, Brian wanted to try a chocolate malt from Whitey's. Unfortunately, we arrived just after a full daycare class of kids arrived, so we decided to skip Whitey's and go to Dairy Queen instead. It was good, but Brian and I were both a little disappointed that we missed Whitey's. After we got to Chicago and got checked in the hotel, we met Carole's brother, Jim, his wife, Nancy, their oldest daughter Christine her husband, Christopher, and their boys Brad and Ben at the Weber Grill Restaurant in Lombard. It was great food and company. Of course, I ate too much again.

On Saturday, we went to the Reds vs. Cubs game.


Brian, me, Carole and her brother, Jim (one Cubs fan in the bunch)

Why did I ever ask how many games the Reds could lose in a row? It was a perfect day for a baseball game, but the result wasn't what I had hoped for.


Brian and me (that's Carole's Leffe Bruin in the foreground) Cheers!

After the game, we went to the Hopleaf Bar north of Wrigley Field that has Leffe Bruin (my all-time favorite beer) on tap. Thanks to Tory for the suggestion. I have to admit the Leffe Bruin tasted better than any of the chocolate milkshakes or malts I have tried so far. On Saturday evening, we went to Portillo's, had an Italian Beef Sandwich and one of their chocolate malts. Maybe it was the Leffe still being on my mind, but the malt was not quite as good as one from Dairy Queen.
Sunday morning, we were up early and on our way back to Cedar Rapids. We met Andy and Tory for lunch in Iowa City, and we were back home by about 1:30 PM. It was a fun and tiring weekend. Carole has been doing laundry since we got home, and I think she's trying to get fired up to resume driving to Iowa City every day. I keep telling her I'll drive, but she's not very agreeable to that idea.
Tomorrow, we meet with the radiation oncologist who will review last Thursday's MRI with us and discuss any changes they will, or have already made, in the radiation treatments. I wish I knew whether or not I should be nervous about what he will say, but I really don't have a clue.

Thursday, July 23rd

Today, Carole and I took my car in for service, then I had my usual radiation treatment. Immediately after that I had an MRI. Let me assure you that spending 45 minutes getting rattled and shaken around in your own private tunnel is no fun. After that, the day got better. We went to Whitey's on Washington Street in Iowa City, and I had the best chocolate malt I've tasted so far - a new #1. It was totally different than the one I had last week at the Whitey's in Coral Ridge Mall. Just goes to show that the person actually making the the malt makes all the difference. After the malt, we went to lunch at Z'marik's Noodle Café which was excellent as well. Then we went to Andy and Tory's house and I crashed on their couch in front of the television while we waited for the car to be ready. Carole ended up taking a walk around the block while I was resting. The car was ready at about 2:45, and ended up costing less than I expected. That was a nice surprise.
Brian is on his way to Cedar Rapids tonight, then after tomorrow's radiation and doctor's appointment, we're headed to Chicago for the weekend where we'll visit Carole's brother and a big part of his family and go to the Reds vs. Cubs game on Saturday. I'll be wearing all my Reds gear! How many games in a row can the Reds lose? Next update probably won't be until Sunday or Monday.

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.