Round 1 - DONE

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

Moving Forward

This is how my day started yesterday. I was exhausted but managed to change my tire.  I’m a little sore today but using leverage correctly I barely lifted anything.  Bummer was once the spare was on it was a little low and I could not carry the compressor to fill up the spare until Connor got home and helped with the compressor.

I met with Dr. McGregor who is my oncologist yesterday.  Things are going to go forward as planned.  Next Wednesday we will start Chemo. She looked at my wounds and thought we are far enough along that it will be ok. The blood tests from Monday came back pretty good.  My Anemia is better but not great so we will add some Iron transfusions during the Chemotherapy days… which adds about an hour to me being there.  She also looked at the report about "free floating cancer cells" and my numbers are down ... way down from when she last took a look which was in the hospital. All in all a pretty good report.

So with the cancer removed during surgery, technically I am in remission. Why am I going through Chemo? Well the treatment is termed "Adjuvant Chemo".  It is full force standard care as if I was full of cancer but it is more of a protection for reoccurrence. It can help keep the cancer from coming back later and has been shown to help people with stage III colon cancer live longer. It is given after all visible cancer has been removed to lower the chance that it will come back. It works by killing the small number of cancer cells that may have been left behind at surgery because they were too small to see. Adjuvant chemo is also aimed at killing cancer cells that might have escaped from the main tumor and settled in other parts of the body (but are too small to see on imaging tests).

My voice is moving back to normal, for the past month it has sounded kinda raspy and whispery but should be loud by football season. The 2 incubations during the surgeries rubbed my vocal cords and have taken some time to heal.

I’ve stopped dropping weight and managed to put a couple pounds back on.  Mostly water weight.  Gatorade helps me retain water… miracle drink.

Time to switch to work… I am still home but able to get a few ours of work in now… trying to carry my share but my business partners really have been doing double duty.  If you need a business phone system, Phone repair, technology upgrade or telecom consultation you know who to call.... Yup …  Steve or Richard because I can’t quite make it to the phone before it stops ringing.  Leave a message I'll call you back.

Take care,

Dave

Big Boy Pants

I know it has been a couple weeks since I last posted but there really has been nothing to report other than… woke up, changed the bandages, ate a little, went for a walk, watched a little sports center,  ate a little, watched another episode of Vikings, rewatch the episode because I fell asleep, ate a little, try to do a little work,  family comes home, run errands riding shotgun with Lori, ate a little, watch The Voice or American Idol with Elizabeth eventually to bed and finally to sleep.

I am much stronger and my weight loss has stabilized at 225lbs.  Yes I have lost nearly 50 pounds since I checked into the hospital on March 31. More if you count the water weight I initially gained during the first week in the hospital. I am going to need a new wardrobe, I am no longer a XXL but everything I own is... luckily I saved some stuff from High school, it fits again.  I dig Izod, but the OP shorts seem a bit too short now.

The wound from surgery is healing up and may not be as ugly as I first imagined.  I still look a bit like a jig saw puzzle with pieces missing but those pieces are filing in nicely and Lori is becoming a very good bandage changer.  Only takes about 10 minutes to change the dressing now.

I am learning to live with the physical changes/temporary ileostomy but it has been the hardest and most discouraging part of all this stuff.  I am happy that it is only temporary and that once the Chemotherapy is completed it will be reversed…. But that won’t be until November or December.

The days have been broken up a bit when I have a visitor, of which I have been very grateful.  I have been off pain medication for about a week now so I am able to think clearer and run the errands that Lori has been doing.  Lori has been working so hard at her new job I am thankful that I can finally feel like I am helping out again.  She has been so incredible, never complaining and with complete patience with me when I get grumpy or irritable.  Making special trips to the store when there is something I think I need… like green olives, sushi or really salty potato chips. (BTW: anybody have any real salty chip recommendation?) I don’t really absorb salt right now so salty things seem to be a craving … I know …. I sound like a soon to be Mom.

Going forward- Yesterday I went into Samaritan and they cleared my Power port which was installed while in the hospital just below my left collar bone (Note: punch me or squeeze my right shoulder please, the left one is a bit tender) They also drew blood for testing and preparation for Chemotherapy which will start next week on the 14^th.  I meet with Dr. McGregor on Wednesday the 7^th for final preparation and plans for Chemo.  I am hoping to be the lucky one who has no side effects (that is a VERY specific prayer request, no side effects from Chemo)

I will go through up to 12 rounds of Chemo.  I opted not to participate in a trial and feel a bit guilty that I can’t help but I selfishly wanted to make sure I get the standard treatment of what is already known to work and be effective fighting a reoccurrence of cancer.  There was a possibility in the trial that I would be one of the ones who get the shorter and placebo treatment.  I just felt that I have children who are still in school and I can’t take that chance. I have lots to do and plan on many years of being with my family and NOT going through this again because I didn't get the standard care and treatment.

I will have a treatment every other Wednesday until the 12 rounds are complete or the side effects are too great and hurting my body more than helping. I will sit most of the day on Wednesday at Good Samaritan then go home with a fanny pack and pump so the Chemotherapy (FOLFOX) runs for 46 hours.  On Friday morning I go back into the office and they remove the pump. Then wait to see what side effects hit.  Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, cold sensitivity, sore on soft tissue like gums, Hair loss, fatigue, easily bruised and nerve damage. Most side effects will disappear once the Chemotherapy is stopped.

Well that is enough for today, I have some work I want to do and I want to wash my hair… I’m goal this morning is to Shave, hair wash, sponge cleaning, tooth brushing and getting dressed without taking a resting breather between any of those tasks…. Haven’t done it yet…. Hopefully today is that day.  Baby steps … I’ll probably need to nap after getting ready for the day.

I appreciate you.  I know you read through this entire post because you care about me and my family.  Thank you. I can’t wait to someday show you how much I appreciate your care.

Dave

Ill post tomorrow after my appointment with Dr. McGregor.

25 years and she still loves me

Let me start by saying I am one of the most blessed men in the world.  Yesterday, Lori and I celebrated our 25^th wedding anniversary.  We were planning a shindig for this weekend but the recent events have caused us to reschedule the shindig for the 26^th wedding anniversary.  Why am I blessed?  For starters she has put up with me for 25 years (even patient with me now that I am grumpy) and knowing that I am not feeling well she was content to sit and catch up on Survivor with me as our 25^th anniversary evening out….. plus numerous other reasons.  I certainly out kicked my coverage when she agreed to marry me.

Recovery is gonna take some time.  I am feeling stronger, I can walk a couple blocks when I have a walking partner, but this is not something I am going to be able to muscle through.  The surgery scar is healing and I am learning about having a bag attached to me but I require time, nutrition and rest.

I went to see both the surgery team doctors and the Oncology doctor on Monday.  Scott, who is Dr. Nagamoto’s PA said things are healing great and removed a bunch of metal staples… kinda weird how many there were and I didn’t know or could tell. I’ll go back next Wednesday for another check up on the healing.

Then I went to see Dr. McGregor who is the oncology Dr.  She let me know what stage I was diagnosed (Stage 3) It is stage 3 because of 2 things.  They could see the cancer tumor from outside the colon wall and they found a cancer mass just outside the colon wall that may have been a lymph node at one point. She/we have decided that May 14^th will be the start of the 12 rounds of Chemo therapy that I will go through.  I am not completely sure how it all works but she explained I get to sit in a chair for 6+ hours every other Wednesday while they pump FolFox into me. Then I go home with a carry pump and Thursday more is pumped in.  Friday they remove the pump. Then Saturday and Sunday I get sick.  Back to work on Monday. Can’t really say I am looking forward to the every other week spa treatment I am about to go through.

I am choosing to go through Chemo because the chance of a reoccurrence is reduced by about 50%... I’ll take those odds. Chance of reoccurrence after going through Chemo is reduced to 15-19%.  I am going to work to be one of the 80%ers that do not have a re-occurrence.

I am steadily reducing my need for pain killers so my brain is getting clearer but it is still foggy some times.  I am going stir crazy and ready to do something else. My butt hurts a little from sitting so much the last few weeks. I am so grateful for the friends in this community…. As I type this a friend is out walking Bono.  He has been going stir crazy with me and needs to burn off energy or …. Else. (high energy dog, cooped up with slow moving man … not a good combo)

In case you are wondering when you see me.  So far I have dropped about 35 pounds overall. I checked in at 271 then ballooned up in the hospital to 280lbs.  On Monday I was 235 and I am pretty sure I am still dropping.  We are trying to stop the weight loss but my appetite has not returned yet so I am forcing myself to eat. There are easier ways to lose weight.

I really do hope to see you soon. Drop in and say hi if you have the chance.

Dave

Home by my self ... like a big boy.

Healing at home and I am feeling stronger every day.  I am still on the hospital sleep pattern so long stretches of sleep are rare. The 16 days in the hospital were a tough reconditioning of the mind as well as a reconditioning and fixing of the body. Last night, I asked Lori to help me move the IV pole so I could get up…. We left the IV pole back at the hospital… I got a little Swiss cheese holes in the head right now. That pole was like a ball and chain and I almost believed it was permanently attached … reconditioning of the mind.

How am I currently? Well during the second surgery Dr. Nagamoto installed an ileostomy bag which I am learning to take care of by myself. So I have that baggage.  It is not permanent and will be removed after I have completed Chemotherapy.  Reversing the bag will include another couple night stay in the hospital.  I also have a very ugly looking wound that Lori is learning how to change the dressing. There is a nurse that stops by to teach her for the next couple days. I have a tough time looking at the wound from my angle, but brave Lori is putting her feelings aside and taking care of me like a champ.  The nurse is there just in case Lori stumbles…. She won’t, she’s tough.

Monday we will go in to see Dr. Nagamoto, who will probably remove some staples.  We will then go and meet with Dr. Kim McGregor who will be my oncologist. The Cancer has been cut out but we want to make sure it doesn’t come back and that it has not spread to other parts…. Pretty sure it hasn’t but we are gonna make sure. She will determine when and how long the Chemo therapy will go on.  Her initial guess was anywhere from 3-6 months. We’ll know more on Monday.

What am I eating? … nothing sounds good but I do have a few things that seem to be more enjoyable than others.  Fresh Fruit especially strawberries and melons (Cantaloupe, Honeydew & Water Melon)  I have had peanut butter toast and tuna fish with pickles seems to sit right for now.  a little chicken. You my friends have been bringing food over to make it easier on my family, thank you.

Lori and her friends want you to know about this site https://mycancercircle.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/716126/ they are using to help organize Lori.  You’ll need to request to be a member of the group so it may take a day to turn it around but Lori is checking this when she gets home from work.

If you want to stop by I am here at home catching up on my soap operas … yea right! You may catch me getting ready to walk to the street and back … baby steps. or next week the streets of College Hill neighborhood.

Gotta go, “Days of somebody’s children” is on

Dave

Finally Home- April 15

After 16 days of showing my privates to everyone that walked into the room, I am finally home sitting in my chair and gonna sleep for more that 45 minutes at a time tonight. This is really me writing this, not my beautiful wife, Lori, trying to make out my mumbling sentences of what was going on that day.  I am home bound for a while but feel strong.... but now I am tired.  I will tell you all more later ... probably tomorrow when I am a little more rested.

Tomorrow we begin the task of healing and preparing for what is next.

Love to you all
Dave

Port- April 13

So the Port went well this morning.  My left shoulder is a bit sore but that is normal. The port means NO MORE POKING and quick easy access to medicine. The ER nurse can find some other dead guy to find a vein, I'm set with this cool new IV port / #Borg

Loved all the visitors!
Dave