Progress

I had my weekly visit with my Radiation Oncologist today, and he told me everything was moving along as planned. Today was my 7th treatment. I had sort of a little mini-freakout yesterday during my session, which didn't surprise me too much. It's the mask, sometimes it just is too confining for me and makes me feel claustrophobic or something. I didn't want them to have to start over again, so I toughed it out the last few minutes, and was relieved once they got the mask off. For me, it's too much like having your entire face and head wrapped with tape.

Treatment

Well, I've just finished my fourth treatment and everything seems to be going as planned. The only part I really mind, other than the 50 mile daily round trip, are those constricting, claustrophobic masks they put on your head to keep it immobilized. I mean, if you open your all all the way, it will catch your lashes on the way down and hold open your eyelid, keeps your mouth shut, and so makes it difficult to breath. But I'm grateful for the treatment and for all of you who have helped.

Grateful

I just want to thank all the people who have helped me in so many ways along the way, when they didn't have to. Special thanks go to my sister-in-law, Jeni, and my brother-in-law, Andy. I appreciate you guys, always. You mean more than you know to me. Also, to Myrna, I recognize you for the angel you've been to me.

Simulation

Well, I've got the green 'x' marks the spot on a few spots on my torso. I was thinking they would be aiming the radiation at where my tumors actually were, but apparently they radiate all or most of my lymph nodes, so they'll be hitting other areas as well. Fortunately, nothing below the belt so far. I'd like to have the option of having kids well into my 80's. You know, just like Charlie Chaplin! Course he was too old to pick 'em up.

Pray for me

I'm having a hard time lately, emotionally. I knew this would happen way, way before my chemo would be over. And my hunch was confirmed when I read other people's accounts on the web on various support websites.

I knew for a long time, that once I got my last chemo treatment, which was Feb. 18, there would people in my life, who, on Feb 20th or thereabouts, and onward, would be thinking, "what's wrong with you, get up and do something" since I was "done" with chemo. I knew that it takes anywhere from several days, to several years, yes years, depending on type of treatment, cancer, staging, etc. I knew if they had been pumping poison in my body for 6 1/2 months, it was going to take a while for it to be completely eliminated from my body. There is a reason why, almost 2 months after my last treatment, I still have no hair under my arms! I shaved the remnants of my hair of Christmas Eve. Some of my hair grew back fairly quickly, but I have not gotten a haircut yet. Before chemo, I needed a haircut every 3-4 weeks.

I just had to vent a little, but also thanks to all of you who have been so understanding.

Happy Belated Easter

Well, me and mine were too ill from a pretty severe infection to do much of anything for the last several days. After all the fluid in my body had escaped through all orifices save my ears, I was severely dehydrated,nauseous, yadda yadda. 36 hours after I got it, my wife got the same thing, I had to take her to the ER early Friday morning, still sick myself, but enough whining. We're back in the saddle, sort of. Hopefully, my daughter won't get it. Thank you Deanna, and others, especially those of you I haven't met. I appreciate all you're doing. It will help to rememdy the avalanche of mail I get on a daily basis for CAT scans, PET scans, surgical assistants and other costs related to my biopsy, bone marrow procedure (I wouldn't recommend having that done unless you display masochistic tendencies), biweekly Complete Blood Counts, radiologist fees, radiation treatment, and various and sundry other bills that sometimes feel like a daily kick in the stomach. I have to believe what Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me".

Help already

Well, the blessings of this website are already making themselves apparent, with the response of a couple of people I don't even know, trusting a stranger on the Web, and just giving out of the goodness of their hearts. My wife and I have said over and over again, there have been definite benefits, yes, that's right, to having cancer. It has restored our faith in humanity. We had forgotten how many good people there were in the world. I experienced some of this when my dad died, 18 years ago, but have too often forgotten.