I have finished my first round of Chemo and am happy to say it wasn't completely debilitating. I did/do experience some of the side effects but the dreaded overwhelming sickness wasn't as bad as I had imagined. The biggest issue was the sapping of energy... hence this late post. Last week I went into the infusion center at Good Sam and they took blood tests in preparation for the next day and gave me my first Iron transfusion. (today I had my 3rd and have 2 more to go) the next day on Wednesday I took the chair and got the first round. My Nurse, Andi, was awesome she laughs easy which made me feel a little better and more comfortable. I'll admit I was a bit nervous. After about 5 hours of sitting, chatting with Lori and eventually dozing in the chair, I was finished and they sent me home with a "Man purse" that contained a pump which continued pumping chemicals into me until Friday afternoon. It worked fine until Thursday night. The needle in my chest port was not working properly so it kept sounding the Alarm all night ... that may have contributed to my tired days over the weekend. They fixed it Friday morning and removed the pump Friday afternoon.
I was expecting the worse flu symptoms ever but the anti-nausea medicine is good enough that it wasn't so bad. Watched the Beavs pretty much lock up another Pac12 tittle on TV instead of going to the games, slept most of Saturday and Sunday, then gathered myself on Monday and made it to the Dr. Appt by 1pm on Monday. Only disappointment was I could not go with Connor to the Portland State Jr Day to meet coaches and tour the campus ... but Lori did and the 2 of them had fun, I think it was better for Connor ... I tend to make him nervous when it comes to the post high school plans.
Going forward, some of the side effects may build up such as the cold drink sensitivity, hands, feet and jaw clenching, eyesight degrading, cold touch sensitivity and maybe some loss of hair... but the Saturday and Sunday sickness is manageable and the Thursday and Friday nights I'll be fine. I am now confident that I can still be on the sidelines this season with the Raiders and actively participate as a coach. I was worried I wouldn't be up to it. This is really good news ... probably the best good news to me. This will be my 11th year with this group, they are seniors now and I am excited to see the fruition of a decade of work which really has been a labor of love for these young men.
Lori and the kids are doing well. Lori continues to be such a support taking care of my bandages and the ileostomy. Last week she worked 50+ hours at her job as a Property Manager despite taking Wednesday off and part of Friday. She is running ragged but we are managing with the help of our family and friends in the community. You all have been so very generous with bringing meals, caring support and helping us with Bono. Thank you.
The bright side to this great day: I have been off high blood pressure pills for about 6 weeks and I have been consistently at 120/80 or better, My weight stabilized and I put on a couple pounds (230lbs today), I have enough old school jeans that still fit so I don't look like I am wearing MC Hammer pants. (Pre 230 jeans), I am actively working (from home mostly) for at least a couple hours a day and I have the confidence that I can do this 11 more times.
Moving back to some sort of normalcy is gonna take a while but I am looking forward to the Pole, Peddle Paddle 2015
Dave
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