Radiation Day 4

Pretty easy and quick radiation today. Some pain on the back of the head, but the rest of the face felt okay. Had to get in early since today was an early day for everybody (New Year's Eve). Ate well tonight, Talipa Fish, Baked Potatoe, and Cooked veggies. Actually tasted pretty good, so this Chemo is doable. No walk though. Did get to see Stevie and Fletcher, and of course Molly. Great day, felt good all day.

Chemo Side Effects

Starting to see some effects from the chemo. Lot of naseau associated with eating. All food has taste of iodine, which was expected. Not fun to eat, but at least I can, so I'll scarf it down as much as I can stand, because the feeding tube will be used soon enough.

Took a long walk today, which felt good to get outside. Physically, the feeding tube is feeling pretty good, no pain at all unless I tug on it accidentally. Throat hasn't started hurting yet, probably another week of radiation before that kicks in. Things are going well overall, morale is still high.

First Day of Chemo

Today was the first of three chemo treatments. Will return in three weeks, but there are some followups each week. See the doctor and received IVs at least twice each week, plus blood tests to makes sure blood cells are holding up. Today took about 5 hours because they give you a 1 liter IV to get hydrated, then some anti-naseau medicine, then the chemo, then another IV. Hydration is the key to staying healthy on this stuff.

After that, I went for my 3rd Radiation treatment. The "Mask" put a little hurt on me because I keep failing to get it fitted perfectly before they strap it down. Will keep trying to get that right.

Talk about a humbling experience, there were two 70-80 year old frail ladies in the chemo room today. One is on her third time, 1998, 2002, and 2007-08. Her comment to me was "piece of cake." So how you gonna whine now Big Sarge? The "Mask" ain't diddle, so suck it up.

First Radiation Treatment

Had the first of at least 30 Radiation Treatments today. Took about 20 minutes. The mask was a little tight around the right eyebrow, but other than that, no problems. Later tonight I noticed some pain in my left jaw, so either the mask was pulling me and I didn't notice, or the radiation had immediate effect instead of the "couple of weeks" I thought it would take. We'll see tomorrow.

Have a checklist to follow so I don't forget to do one of the many tasks required. They include:

Floride Treatment - 30 minutes
Rinse with Peridex
Take Vitamins
Take Cummadin Pill Everynight
Drink lots of water

Block Check - Sucks

Today was a new adventure. The "Mask" they made for me last week in order to keep my head/neck immobilized was supposed to be form fitted to my face and shoulder. The material is a semi-soft plastic, so you can barely move your eyelids, much less anything elst. It is then bolted to the bed of a CT Scan type machine where they will zap me everyday, 5 days a week.

Today was the "block check" which means they bolt you down then take a bunch of film, I assume CT Scan pictures so that the doctor can precisely aim the device when the treatments start.

For some reason, my head didn't fit exactly into the form made specifically for me, so I laid there with a wrinkle or something on the back of my head being squeezed into the "mask," or more appropriately called by me now, the torture device. Hurt like hell. What I thought would be an hour ordeal, turned into almost two hours. That really, really sucked.

The picture above is not me. I pulled this off the internet so you could see what the mask looks like. Mine of course is perfectly fitted to my face..............

Peg and Port Inserted

Photo of peg (feeding tube in stomach) and port for administering the chemo.

Peg and Port Day

Had the feeding tube and port for administering the Chemo put in by the surgeons yesterday.  The port feels like a good frog to the chest, the feeding tube feels like doing a 1,000 situps after not doing any for 20 years.  Pretty sore.  Don't want to laugh.

Target Date Set

Yesterday, I went to Cancer Center and was fitted with a mask that will hold my head perfectly still during the radiation treatment. Target date for beginning radiation and chemo is December 26, 2007. Will be fitted with peg and port next week.

Worked out hard yesterday. Today is graduation for daughter. Great day.

Long Day Yesterday

Had a good day, but was pretty sore in my shoulder blade region on left side.  Still haven't gained full use of my shoulder after surgery because of stretched nerve running down to my arm.  Can only lift about 1/3 of the way up straight out, very stiff even with help.  Must continue to work it out.  Am taking a day off from bowflex due to soreness.  Am starting to stretch neck more.  Lot of scar tissue to break apart.

Radiation Treatment Consult

Met with the Radiation Center doctor today and got the details on the treatment. I will last 6 weeks, the chemo will run parallel with the treatment for the same period, not 6 months like I thought (good news). The chemo will be low dosage so not as bad as most people have it.

The radiation is going to hurt, image second degree burns inside your throat that will be blistered, so a feeding tube will be inserted up front so I can get the calories down and stay healthy.

Recovery runs another month but has some long term effects on teeth and taste. No saliva glands will survive on my left side, so I will be carrying a water bottle everywhere for life and have to do a lot of extra maintenance on my teeth, flouride bath everynight, clean more often since the saliva won't wash it like normal. Chances of killing any lingering cancer is excellent using this treatment, so I'm pumped up.

Have started working out again on the bowflex which is a big deal for me. Took a long walk this morning after working back and biceps. Lighter weight, but doing same amount of reps as before surgery. Continuing to take multiple vitamins, goji juice, B-12 and protein shake. Want to get as hard as possible before the rad/chemo starts.

Goal everyday is to workout, walk, and punch Bob in the face.

Good Days

Had two good days in a row, getting back to normal. Left Arm is still partially bad due to stretching of nerve during surgery, but am walking on the treadmill. Did 25 minutes this morning. Friday get to hit the bowflex finally and start getting rest of body in shape.

Getting In Shape

Starting the road to recovery from surgery. Walked at least 20 minutes on the treadmill today and yesterday. Eating well, taking vitamins and goji juice to build immune system. Putting some weight back on from 20 pound loss after surgery and week with sore tonsils.

Scar is healing nicely and will be invisible when the swelling goes down. Getting lots of support from old buddies who heard about the cancer, all positive and will help down the road.

Appointments set for chemo and radiation doctors within the next 10 days so I'll have the details on how this will work and a schedule which is the biggest uncertainty right now. Chemo may be six months, so might not have enough leave to cover, but luckily the boss is hooking me up to work at home when I can.

Setting daily goals:
Must walk everyday regardless of pain/fatigue. Plenty of rest afterwards
Force food/liquids no matter what to keep up strength.
Try to lift weights everyday, no matter how many reps or size of weight. Just the act will help.
Shoot for 100 punches on Bob everyday. He must be hit everyday no matter what because Bob will represent the cancer, so kicking his butt represents kicking cancer's butt.