I haven't posted in a while, generally because there hasn't been anything interesting to post! Symptoms are the same ol stuff, dealing with it the same ol way. I think we're pretty much in a routine at this point.
One thing that I'm watching though -- I'm noticing myself getting a little out of breath relatively easily (playing with Steven for a few minutes, etc.). It may be nothing, it may be just the effects of treatment (I am getting more tired). The other thing it could be is Bleomicin toxicity; Bleo is one of the 4 chemo drugs given to me. Its not at all uncommon for it to happen, and it can damage the lungs if not caught in time. I'll let the doc know, and she can decide if she wants me in for another pulmonary test. My lungs are crystal clear, so I'm still learning towards 1 or 2.
I decided to not go to the Hodgkin's support forum I visit for a little bit (a couple of weeks at least). Its nothing in particular; While I know the vast majority of people recover from this and move on, there's a large population of relapsers there which, for some goofball reason, scares me right now. I don't want to think of relapse, not right now. And that's nothing against them (of course) -- They are hardcore cancer killers, and most have awesome experiences following SCT (the next step after relapse). I just don't want to think about that, because its putting ideas in my head; Its purely selfish reasons, but it is what it is. Suzanne is still checking in though and keeping me in the loop.
My Neulasta fun (aka all-over bone pain, yeeha) should be ending by tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to an awesome Christmas week. If I don't post again before Tx5, everyone have a merry Christmas!!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Dear Hodge...
Dear Hodge, here's why I'm going to beat you: I'm going to redo things with my kids like below, and you're not going to stop me.
May you die a quick and complete death.
Love,
Steve
(For those interested, first pic is from the beach at Duck, Outer Banks North Carolina. Second picture is on top of a trail in Acadia National Park, Maine)
May you die a quick and complete death.
Love,
Steve
(For those interested, first pic is from the beach at Duck, Outer Banks North Carolina. Second picture is on top of a trail in Acadia National Park, Maine)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Treatment 4 - Cycle 2 Down, and a Third of the Way to the Finish Line!!!
OK, just had my next treatment. Feeling funky (as usual), and took the IV Ativan there for my stomach. Post-treatment 3 was the first time I actually experienced a little queasyness. Trying to nip that in the bud.
So, looks like the side effects were much better this time round when we actually WORKED on them, ha ha. White counts are higher than the last tx (up in the 8's), so that's good too.
Downer: I chipped the crown on my one back molar. I had a root canal a few years ago, and the crown's porcelain chipped a big chunk. Its one of the gold with porcelain over top ones, so I don't think I'm in trouble as long as the metal's on, but even so -- You can't see the metal, there's still porcelain over top.
My onc wants me going nowhere near a dentist until we're done, due to the risks of infection. As its still fully covered with porcelain, not loose, and not causing pain, I tend to agree with him.
Speaking of, Dr. Dabrow is an excellent oncologist (he's also a blood cancer guy), but he's more the research-seeming type than the teacher, which is what we love about Dr. Szarka. Then there's the jokes - I think Dr. Dabrow is definitely the straight man to Dr. Szarka's comedy routine. Still, I feel like I have some serious care at this place.
So, looks like the side effects were much better this time round when we actually WORKED on them, ha ha. White counts are higher than the last tx (up in the 8's), so that's good too.
Downer: I chipped the crown on my one back molar. I had a root canal a few years ago, and the crown's porcelain chipped a big chunk. Its one of the gold with porcelain over top ones, so I don't think I'm in trouble as long as the metal's on, but even so -- You can't see the metal, there's still porcelain over top.
My onc wants me going nowhere near a dentist until we're done, due to the risks of infection. As its still fully covered with porcelain, not loose, and not causing pain, I tend to agree with him.
Speaking of, Dr. Dabrow is an excellent oncologist (he's also a blood cancer guy), but he's more the research-seeming type than the teacher, which is what we love about Dr. Szarka. Then there's the jokes - I think Dr. Dabrow is definitely the straight man to Dr. Szarka's comedy routine. Still, I feel like I have some serious care at this place.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Yes, I'm Still Here
Sorry about the lack of posts. I've just been... Good. I feel great, which of course means its time for another treatment. I have lots to go over with Dr. Dabrow on Thursday though:
- There's a major shortage of the isotope used for PET scans, which check to see if there's any living cancer cells left in a body. Seems the brain trust that is our medical industry and government decided that having a single source for the stuff -- a 50 year old reactor in Canada -- Was a fine idea. Well, said reactor's been down a while for repairs, and the supply has dwindled out. Here's hoping we're good for my February scan.
- More importantly though, I'd like to get his opinion about a Phase 2 trial going on down at John Hopkins U Hospital in Baltimore. Seems they have a VACCINE that fights Hodgkins cells. No lie. Its for folks who complete initial treatment to clear out the cancer, and will help train your body to fight off any cells that decide they might want to make a comeback. It sounds freakin awesome; While I have a 85-90+ percent chance this isn't coming back, every little bit more is great in my eyes. I'll have the app in tomorrow, and if I'm selected I'd get the vaccine sometime next August (once all my treatments are done).
Thursday, December 6, 2007
We Cured the Big C!!!
No, not cancer (yet). Constipation.
The plan of action my oncologist put me on seems to have done the trick. I'm not having horrific gut pains, so I think I'm back to "Good Week / Bad Week" (yes friends, that's a victory in my book).
My plan of action was SenoKot S, two pills every day following treatment (one the night before). When things started to "seem" like they were getting stopped up, Milk of Magnesia on top of the SenoKot kept things going.
Yeah, its gross. Welcome to my world. However, if one other Hodger reads this before treatments and gets to avoid the agony, its worth it.
My guts still feel a little off, but I'll take it (and it could be the SenoKot). Other than that, I can't shake the tiredness. I don't know how to describe this. The constant sleeping is over, but I can't seem to just "wake up". I'm completely out of it.
I'm home again today (working, but home). I had to take two days off at the beginning of the week, and two days working from home. If this keeps up, I may have to consider disability. That would upset me, as we've been evaluating SQL Server Analysis Services, and the geek in me is having some fun with that.
Speaking of, I got my temporary handicap placard for the car. Its bright red, and good through May (i.e. radiation). Do I need it most days? Nah; At least not so far. However, for a day or so after treatment? Its amazing how weak you can feel.
On the same token, I spoke to our parish priest about mass and communion. Apparently I qualify for home visits (since church is pretty crowded, and I'm supposed to avoid crowds). I get to have mass delivered, hold the anchovies.
Dr. Szarka will be off on vacation for my next treatment December 13th, so Dr. Dabrow (the head of the Cancer Center) will get to see me. Lucky him, ha ha.
P.S. And what the hell, I've had some SERIOUS bloodshot eyes the last few days. It looks like I've been smoking some sort of alternative medicine...
The plan of action my oncologist put me on seems to have done the trick. I'm not having horrific gut pains, so I think I'm back to "Good Week / Bad Week" (yes friends, that's a victory in my book).
My plan of action was SenoKot S, two pills every day following treatment (one the night before). When things started to "seem" like they were getting stopped up, Milk of Magnesia on top of the SenoKot kept things going.
Yeah, its gross. Welcome to my world. However, if one other Hodger reads this before treatments and gets to avoid the agony, its worth it.
My guts still feel a little off, but I'll take it (and it could be the SenoKot). Other than that, I can't shake the tiredness. I don't know how to describe this. The constant sleeping is over, but I can't seem to just "wake up". I'm completely out of it.
I'm home again today (working, but home). I had to take two days off at the beginning of the week, and two days working from home. If this keeps up, I may have to consider disability. That would upset me, as we've been evaluating SQL Server Analysis Services, and the geek in me is having some fun with that.
Speaking of, I got my temporary handicap placard for the car. Its bright red, and good through May (i.e. radiation). Do I need it most days? Nah; At least not so far. However, for a day or so after treatment? Its amazing how weak you can feel.
On the same token, I spoke to our parish priest about mass and communion. Apparently I qualify for home visits (since church is pretty crowded, and I'm supposed to avoid crowds). I get to have mass delivered, hold the anchovies.
Dr. Szarka will be off on vacation for my next treatment December 13th, so Dr. Dabrow (the head of the Cancer Center) will get to see me. Lucky him, ha ha.
P.S. And what the hell, I've had some SERIOUS bloodshot eyes the last few days. It looks like I've been smoking some sort of alternative medicine...
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Hibernation
Wow, the tiredness has finally arrived. Up to this point, I had about 2 days of tiredness, then was back to normal. This treatment, no such luck. I slept literally all of Monday and Tuesday (Days 4 and 5) away, and I'm working from home today (glad I am - I'm getting really tired again). I can see how this will be frustrating.
Now, partially its my own fault. Normally we plan the weekend after chemo to be free, so I can sleep like crazy. Unfortunately, we made a bunch of plans this past weekend and while I was up and running around, I think it just delayed the inevitable. Lesson learned, we'll make sure the weekend is for sleeping from now on!
On the other symptoms side, I think we're getting the hang of things. The jaw stuff is pretty much gone (just some residual dull aching), and no gut pains yet. The Senokot and Milk of Mag is taking care of business.
I made a big mistake in reading a bunch of articles online too. I read something about the 15 year disease-free survival rate being an abysmal 60-some percent. That doesn't jive with the 85 percent cure rate, but hey leave it to me to find some fun reading. I have 13 days every two weeks where I am completely confident in beating this thing, then 1 day where I let a little doubt creep in. Thirteen days where I'm excited since my treatments are down to single digits, and one day where I'm like "Oh s**t, I have 9 more of these mofo's left?".
I HATE feeling this weak. I swear, I'm getting back into powerlifting when this is done, damn the waistline.
Oh, and beyond that: We're looking for a dog. The kids have been begging, and its supposed to actually be good for me. As long as Suzanne and Sara are willing to do the cleanup for now, why not. I want a bulldog if we can, so ugly they're cute.
Now, partially its my own fault. Normally we plan the weekend after chemo to be free, so I can sleep like crazy. Unfortunately, we made a bunch of plans this past weekend and while I was up and running around, I think it just delayed the inevitable. Lesson learned, we'll make sure the weekend is for sleeping from now on!
On the other symptoms side, I think we're getting the hang of things. The jaw stuff is pretty much gone (just some residual dull aching), and no gut pains yet. The Senokot and Milk of Mag is taking care of business.
I made a big mistake in reading a bunch of articles online too. I read something about the 15 year disease-free survival rate being an abysmal 60-some percent. That doesn't jive with the 85 percent cure rate, but hey leave it to me to find some fun reading. I have 13 days every two weeks where I am completely confident in beating this thing, then 1 day where I let a little doubt creep in. Thirteen days where I'm excited since my treatments are down to single digits, and one day where I'm like "Oh s**t, I have 9 more of these mofo's left?".
I HATE feeling this weak. I swear, I'm getting back into powerlifting when this is done, damn the waistline.
Oh, and beyond that: We're looking for a dog. The kids have been begging, and its supposed to actually be good for me. As long as Suzanne and Sara are willing to do the cleanup for now, why not. I want a bulldog if we can, so ugly they're cute.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Getting Into the Routine
I don't know if its good or not, but I think I'm getting into the rhythm of this stuff. My mouth is starting to hurt a little (Day 3, makes sense), but not as bad as last time. I'm being proactive on the constipation crap (sorry, pun intended), and haven't had any issues yet. I should have my steroid crash tomorrow, be down for a night, then bounce back happily with my jaw pain. Its like having a school schedule - You know what you have coming up!
Only thing throwing me off this time is I don't have anything to judge improvement anymore -- Now that my neck is "normal", its hard to tell if the stuff is working. However, I emphatically state I prefer this to having something come back to let me gauge progress, haha.
I definitely had some queasiness this go-round, I'll have to keep an eye on that. Its partly my fault, I forgot to take my Emend and Kytril first thing in the morning. Once I took them, about a 1/2 hour later I was golden.
My son's 3rd birthday is tomorrow, so we're celebrating today with the local family and friends, then heading to my parents house next weekend for the Jersey folks. Given I'm in hibernation mode, I'm hoping I stay up for it, but I think I'll be fine (had a nice long sleep last night).
Oh, and we scored the Wii, so more good news over the weekend.
Only thing throwing me off this time is I don't have anything to judge improvement anymore -- Now that my neck is "normal", its hard to tell if the stuff is working. However, I emphatically state I prefer this to having something come back to let me gauge progress, haha.
I definitely had some queasiness this go-round, I'll have to keep an eye on that. Its partly my fault, I forgot to take my Emend and Kytril first thing in the morning. Once I took them, about a 1/2 hour later I was golden.
My son's 3rd birthday is tomorrow, so we're celebrating today with the local family and friends, then heading to my parents house next weekend for the Jersey folks. Given I'm in hibernation mode, I'm hoping I stay up for it, but I think I'll be fine (had a nice long sleep last night).
Oh, and we scored the Wii, so more good news over the weekend.
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