Christmas Morning in Okeechobee

Hmmm, I got some pushback this past week from people telling that I don't know anything about cold.  Apparently the northern states, Canada and even England offer far colder climes than Florida. Who knew?!

Since my last post, we have had Christmas. This Christmas was an interesting one that found the research manager and me eating luke warm eggs (me) and a bagel (the research manager) in the breakfast room of the Best Western Hotel in Okeechobee, Florida. We were there on our way home from visiting one of the research manager's clients in Jupiter. It was a wonderful visit and well worth it, despite ending up having breakfast in these circumstances. We met a few others at breakfast. After "Merry Christmas," the next thing uttered was "What are doing in Okeechobee on Christmas morning?"

I was inspired to write a part fiction-part reality story about our time. Email me at cfgill@verizon.net if you would like to read it. It is not funny, just a story.

We spent the rest of the way home playing "Is it open?" This is an exciting pasttime in which we predict, observe and celebrate stores/restaurants that are open on Christmas Day. All the McDonalds around Okeechobee were closed so that their parking lots could be repaved. Interesting, eh? We sure do live an exciting life!

What is happening with me?

Chemo brain is an issue. I often forget my cell phone and recently left car keys on the floor of the car.

I am getting Eavestroughs. See below.

My neuropathy continues. My fingers still drive me nuts.

We have added bone broth and coloidal silver to the regime this week. All of these things are helpful. I kind of imagine all the vitamins and supplements meeting each day in my stomach planning how to attack cancer cells and/or build up the immune system.

It is now in less than two weeks that I will have a petscan and CEA reading. I am beginning to get anxious, not so much about the results as to get the tests done.

What are Eavestroughs? Eavestroughs are on the edge of the roof, which is covered with shingles. And, so, I think I am on the edge of getting shingles back. Not sure. Not 100%. But I have slight feelings in that regard. The pain is slightly more elevated and there are a few suspicious spots..

But life is good. I am back to red shirts after two days of other colors in view of my cold.

I was even given a "It's a red shirt day" mug for Christmas to use at the club.

New novel titles

The man who came home with a cold.

That is the story for this week. I got back from a weekend away and by Tuesday, I had a sore throat. It is now in my nasal pasaages. This is serious......it might be a non-red shirt day today.

The fingers that came home not liking cold.

It seems as if my fingers are getting more neuropathic (if that is a word). I am increasingly sensitive. We are now drinking bone broth which helps the finger nails among other things, perhaps a residual benefit to neuropathy?

The avocadoes that taste better cold. 

We have put avocadoes that are ripening too fast in the fridge and they taste pretty good. Himalayan sea salt also adds to the flavor.

The tea that comes out of the cold.

We store the chaga tea in the fridge and also the Essiac tea. I drink both as I leave to out in the morning and as I go to bed at night.

The man who comes down from the cold.

Leave some cookies out for Santa. Gluten free, no sugar! Stevia is ok. I was actually given such a thing by my barber (made especially for me!)

Greetings that are not cold.

Warm holiday greetings to you all. I hope this coming weekend is a good one for all.

One positive thought

It is Wednesday night. It is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside. I am finally home after being away for 12 hours and I am tired.

I am reacting badly to the cold. My fingers feel the neuropathy as much as ever. I have been trying to cut back on the shingles pain medication to one a day and right now, that seems like a mistake. My digestive system is a little off. We are experimenting with the "bile salts," which is actually called Cholestyramine. We have to try to take it well away from when I take supplements and vitamins so that the medicine does not bind to the supplements and reduce their effectiveness.

You would think that all this would have me down. Only partly because this past Saturday, I attended a conference on the newest possible treatment for cancer - immunotherapy. This surely is the solution to not ever having chemotherapy, right? I may even qualify for a trial of an immunotherapy treatment for those that have had colorectal cancer (that's me) and have a serious risk of recurrence. (I will keep you posted on this.)

Well, not so fast, It seems immunotherapy tends to be for those with not many alternatives and.......at this point in its development, it is at best 20% effective and may be as low as 5% effective.

Of course, all of the above is bound to get you down.

My sister, Cindy, gets down .............she uses it for quilts. She mentioned the idea of a "Positive Quilt," in which quilters each make a square with a positive thought and all the squares are sown together to make the "Positive Quilt" to help those with illness.

I have a positive thought. I am going away for 4 days to take it easy. It has been a busy time and I am very much looking forward to a rest.

And so, I am far from down and in fact, I am looking forward to a warm soak and an early sleep. What is more, I understand that the temperature will rise 10 degrees over night and so, tennis is in the cards before I leave.

Life is ultimately good. I may even be able to wear the red hat that I was given this week.

Great excitement - a new rubber duckie

You know that things are decent when the most noteworthy event of the week is the gift of a fifth rubber ducky, This one is a little bigger than the others and is black and white striped. He arrived with a name...."Zed" because he is a Canadian duckie. This is a good thing because, we just ordered 20 pounds of bath salts instead of the 10 pounds that we have been ordering and they came without a rubber duckie. The 10 pound ones come with a duck

Things have been good this week. I still get tired, have slight, but improving shingles pain and the finger neuropathy is ever present. Did I tell you that I eat an orange each morning before I play tennis so that I have sticky hands and can hold on to my racket?

Speaking of tennis, I am improving slightly, moving a little faster and actually have won a few sets, including two today.....but that was against two women.........oops*...... er, I won playing with a woman yesterday. So there.

I am wondering about the research manager, however. Each day, I slice open the avocado for the day. Today, she was looking on the internet for an avocado slicer. Whoever, he was, he was only charging $2. So, not likely much of a threat. Besides, I could use the $2. However, she then went on to look for a collard green stripper. I think this was one of those Australian guys (Thunder from Down Under) who uses collard greens as part of his act.

That's okay. My receipt from Earth Origins yesterday charged $4.99 for "Blondie." I explained that was for spending 5 minutes with Blondie in one of the back rooms. The research manager did not believe me. It was actually a creative employee's technique to charge me a little less for my carrot juice which I get every day. I am actually starting to enjoy it.

All of our routines are in place. I am starting to take salads with me to the bridge club when I am going to be there over dinner. I am looking forward to January 8 when I get a petscan and bloodwork.

Meanwhile, I am doing this blog a little early since I will be out late tonight at a Christmas event.

*I will go right to bed when I get home so that I can play tennis in the morning if those women don't kill me first.

Three New Things

Life is a learning experience and I have learned at least three things this past week.

The first is a new word "Stroppy." As in, sometimes, I get a little stroppy when the research manager gives me too many things to do or eat. Look it up for yourself.

The second thing is the word "Onychoschizia." This relates to brittle fingernails. This has developed as a new ailment. Somehow, the neuropathy in my fingers and a different feeling on my fingernails makes for an annoying feeling and fingernails catching on things. This could just be a sign of aging, or some kind of a vitamin deficiency or one more chemo related event, but who knows.

The third new thing is very sensitive. It relates to chemo brain.

Four days ago, as we returned home from an afternoon out, we found a set of keys in the door to the building. We investigated, found a phone number and called to advise the owner of the keys that we had found them. It turned out to be Ida, an interesting lady, significantly older than me, but the owner of a really sporty, red, relatively new convertible car. She gratefully came down to the lobby to retrieve her keys.

Two days later, I announced to the research manager that I was going to have to leave her for Ida because Ida and I had so much in common. You see, the previous evening, I had left my keys in the mailbox because I was so tired, have chemo brain and forgot them when I picked up the mail.

Ida forgot her keys. I forgot my keys. Ida is an interesting person. I am, well, sort of interesting. Ida has a sporty red relatively new convertible. I drive a 2000 Town and Country van. Hmmm. maybe not as much in common as I thought. I think that I will stick with the research manager.

Meanwhile, life goes on. We are getting even more committed to Essiac tea. I think it is the key to keeping cancer in check. Obviously, other items, curcumin in particular are also helpful.

Status report: Finger neuropathy, slightly better shingles pain, fatigue and mouth dryness persist. Nothing that persuades me to change my red shirt regimen.

Getting Stronger

I am here to tell you that it takes a long time to recover from chemo, the last of which was seven weeks ago.

The major impact that I feel constantly is neuropathy in my fingers. At times it drives we crazy. Feelings are magnified. This has gotten me thinking. If the neuropathy never goes away (which is possible) and I were to go blind ( a remote possibility with my macular edema). reading braille with my ultra sensitive fingers would be like someone shouting at me!

I still have chemo brain. I forget things like taking my phone with me when I go out. Two weeks ago, I received a gift of a red head band and red wristband and forgot to say thank you for them. When I was asked if I had received them or was there a chance that they had been lost by the post office, I took action immediately. I took them to the post office and asked the clerk if I could take her picture wearing the head band. She was reluctant, but finally agreed. I then wrote the gift giver a note indicating that I had discovered the clerk in possession of the head band and that I had bought it from her for $10. She also threw in the wrist band for $5. Ultimately, I did confess to chemo brain, however.

The other day, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few dozen eggs. I decided that I did not need a cart. Then I saw a nice poinsettia and picked that up. This was followed by two avocadoes, two coffee Chobani yoghurts and the two dozen eggs. I suddenly remembered that I had two prescriptions to pick up and so I struggled toward the pharmacy, precariously balancing the items, looking like Steve Martin in "The Jerk" when he kept picking up things as he was leaving Bernadette Peters. (Who would ever want to leave her?) To my dismay, the Driver found me in this hapless situation. I did feel like a jerk!,

There is a lot of interest in me and my condition, which I appreciate. The other day, I was standing with my left arm behind my back. Someone asked me if I had had my left arm amputated. I told her "yes" because that way my right hand did not have to worry about what my left hand was doing.

I still have some shingles pain, but it is getting better. I had a mouth sore this week, but it is getting better also. And many nights, including this one, I get really tired early.

 And so, I will not likely make it to Cash Cab tonight.

Notwithstanding all of this, red shirts are still the order of the day. I feel I am getting stronger each day and every once in a while I can actually hit the tennis ball over the net. I do play two sets each morning.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all the support and interest that I have received and for the results to date. Of course, I am most grateful for the research manager who has helped me achieve such great results.

A slight improvement

It helps my energy to be only blogging once a week. When I was doing the nightly ones, I would often get home late and then stay up later to blog and also to do my soak. I continue to get tired and often need an hour or so to nap each day. Sometimes, my schedule does not allow this and then I am really tired at night.

The big news of this past week just came in this afternoon. It has been 6 weeks since I have had chemo and I learned this afternoon that my CEA marker is down a tad (2.4 now, 2.5 then). That is an encouraging sign and an inspiration to keep up the routines.

The research manager continues to do her thing and learned this past week that Curcumin is as effective, if not more effective, in fighting cancer stem cells as the 5FU that I have been taking with chemo and would also be taking if I did the maintenance program. So, we continue to be committed to our program.

Last Thursday, I got my hair cut and that revealed a small scratch on my forehead. I thought that I remembered a super hero that had a mark on his forehead and decided I would look it up and claim that I was that hero. However I discovered that my memory was faulty and that the mark on the forehead was a sign that God is protecting you. I will gladly claim that also. I heard of two more churches praying for me. How fortunate can I be?

The only downside of the week was with the Driver. The research manager and I had to go to Jupiter Florida this past Saturday ( 8 hours of driving there and back). I suggested to the Driver that since it was so enjoyable driving me, she might want to drive us. Someone listening in said that they would be busy watching their paint dry and the Driver said that she had to pack for a trip that was two weeks away. Talk about rejection!

Never mind. I still have my 4 rubber duckies. At least they care.

One final note: The bile salts are proving to be effective. The shingles pain continues. I have not yet stopped wearing red shirts.

I am seeing red.

This has been an interesting week. The bile medicine that I began to take a week ago has proven to be quite effective at getting control of the diarrhea. Thank goodness. You may recall that I was to report the results after a week to Dr. Weston. I did so this morning and the instructions were to keep taking it.

It is challenge to take all the mandated (well....research manager dated) supplements each morning. It takes me over an hour. I seem to be taking everything. So many things, in fact, that I even swallowed the kitchen sink one morning.

The research manager has been listening to a series of talks on the "Secret Plant." It turns out that the secret plant is marijuana. I wonder if I had taken a puff when it was passed to me (and my minister, I might add!) while I was at the Bob Dylan concert back in 1975, would I have gotten cancer?

It turns out that there is some significance to red shirts. I learned the other day that red heads (my sister Cindy is one) has less chance of getting some cancers. So.....I am considering dying my hair red.

In the last week, we have added carrot juice on a regular basis to the daily routine and continued with the recent additions of hydrogen water and Essiac tea, and dropped nothing. Colloidal silver and some detox products are waiting in the wings.

At this time, I am still feeling neuropathy in my fingers and toes and when I am tired, all of me feels cold.

Heck, when I am tired, a lot of things are wrong. In addition to the cold, my shingles pain is greater, my voice gets weak and I just want to go to bed where I am likely to experience dry mouth.

But we soldier on  Onward Chemo Soldiers! Our uniform is a red shirt. But I am thinking of ditching my red Tampa Bay Buccaneers shirt.

A life worthy of red shirts.

There is a lot to report tonight.

It all started in 1975.

That was the year that I had my gall bladder removed. I remember the occasion well.

The doctor told me that there was 1 chance in 1000 that I would die from the procedure. That was still the era where you had to be a man for the procedure. I was in hospital for a week ( I fell in love with the night nurse - a common occurrence, I am told) and have a man size scar for the trouble.

I employed the same strategy that I used to pass my Chartered Accountant's exams. They say that 50% of the students pass and so I made sure to sit next to someone that I knew was not as smart as me. It worked, despite the fact that I had spent much of my study time watching John Dean and the Watergate hearings.

So, I used the same strategy to survive the operation and shared a room with a 94 year old.

BUT.....that may not be the end of the story. It turns out that when you lose your gall bladder, the bile from your liver does not break down toxins and they are stored in the fat in your body. In turn, they cause inflammation, infection and...........CANCER!

I found all this out just today when I visited Dr. Weston, my gastrointestinal doctor. I am now taking a third powdery mixture with water each day to deal with the bile issue. I need to take it for a week, report on the results and may end up taking it for months. If it does not work, we will move on to deal with expected inflammation.

In the past week, I have added hydrogen water and Essiac tea to my routine. Both are relatively simple, although the Essiac tea does not taste so great. I think Essiac tea will be a winner.

The research manager continues to work at a feverish pace and each day presents me with new information. I told her the other day that if I died from all the things that I am taking, then I would not have a recurrence of cancer for sure. She replied that if she hit me on the head and I died, the same would be true.

I have been studying the floating and stopping points of my 4 rubber duckies each night during and after my nightly soak. Aflac, the blue one, seems to be the most independent. The three yellow ones often congregate together.

So, where are things now? My shingle pain is not improving and at times shoots up to a seven. My finger neuropathy is, if anything, worse ( I have trouble turning pages of magazines). I have an intolerance for cold in general. (try visiting the frozen food section of a grocery store!)  Finally, I still have dry mouth often, I get tired. and, of course, we have this bowel issue.

But compared to chemo weeks, life is good and worthy of red shirts. I have worn nothing but for the past two weeks.

New feeling, old ailments and new ducks.

Here we are a week after my last post.

In general, the week was a good one. I have worn red shirts each day. I kind of hope to wear one each day for the rest of my life.

Tennis, bridge, work and a few days away have filled the seven days. It feels good. The contrast with many months of chemo makes it feel especially good even if there are ailments

Ailments? Yep. There are four.

The shingles nerve pain is still present. The painkillers are helping some. I will be glad when it goes away.  The level ranges from 3 to about a 6.

I also continue to have neuropathy, particularly in my fingers. Have you ever taken five minutes to open one of those plastic bags at the grocery store for fruit and vegetables. I have because of the neuropathy. Similar experiences can be found in press seal bags and opening my Imodium tablets.

Related to the neuropathy is a continuing (if not increasing) sensitivity to cold. I find rooms cold that others find warm. Air conditioning and freezers in grocery stores drive me crazy, just walking near them.

The final continuing issue is my bowels. It is all very unpredictable. I am reminded of that classic book that we discussed in junior high: Race to the Outhouse by Willy Makit. Sadly, once in a while the sequel comes to mind: the same title, but written by Betty Wont.

I understand that these side effects will improve over time. How much time? Who knows.

On the positive side, I am happy to report that Aflac has friends. We got another order of Epsom salts and with it, a yellow ducky. I have chosen to call it Tape. (Figure that one out.)  In addition, I have two other ducks with the research manager's and my names on them that I got at a small celebratory dinner. The ducks were used as place cards.

And so, I now soak with a flotilla of ducks. I wonder if they have the same reproductive tendencies as rabbits?

The ducks seem to appreciate the Soundscape music that I listen to during soaks,.

Over the next week, we expect to be adding Essiac tea, Hydrogen water, far infrared sauna treatment and CBD oil. If my bowels ever behave, we will start a 30 day detox program. I will report on all this next week.

I bet that you are looking forward to that!

Red Shirts and Their Consequences.

Tonight, I had reason to reflect on the past 6 1/2 months as I had dinner with a few friends and family to celebrate the results of my journey thus far.

It is remarkable to look back and see what I have gone through and what the research manager has achieved to get me to this point.

I have from the beginning said that I was going to live to the relatively ripe age of 86, but I got an email today that convinced me that I was wrong. The email told the story of an 87 year old woman who always wanted to go to college and finally got the chance to go. Heck, if you can meet 87 year olds at college, then I will want to be part of the action! So, I am officially upping the goal to at least 90.

The whole day was good: another red  shirt day. I have bought more red shirts and received red shirts as gifts. I am thinking of wearing a red shirt every day of my life.

Tennis (not so successful), breakfast (normal), a little work (boring) and a bridge game (successful) were all part of my day.

I am thinking that it will get pretty boring to hear about red shirts and good days seven times a week and therefore, I am moving to weekly entries for this blog. I expect that it will be each Wednesday evening until further notice. I will save up all the juicy bits each week and regale you with anecdotes once a week.

Thanks for hanging with me thus far.

Time for Cash Cab and a soak. Aflac and I will enjoy some "us" time.,

The Die is Cast

I started today with a different book opportunity.

One of the books that the research manager has found helpful is "How Not to Die." It advocates a plant based diet.

Today, I learned "How not to Lose at Tennis." The first lesson: Go out to play when it is starting to rain. When it is not possible to play, you cannot lose! This may be a short book, however.

I did a few organizational things, did the breakfast routine and then we headed to the cancer center.

My blood pressure was good and my blood numbers were ok. I still need to work on white blood cells and red blood cells.

My urine tests were all good,.

We then went to meet with Dr. Patel. He told me that I needed to continue with his maintenance program and that if I did not, the cancer would recur in three to nine months. I told him that I wanted to take a break. He reluctantly agreed to going three months with no chemo and to do a petscan in three months, with a CEA test in 6 weeks.

This will show whether our program is looking to be successful or not. The research manager has reinforced with me that we need to stick strictly with the program to prove that what we are doing is the right thing.

One of the activities is Far Infrared Sauna. I got a call from the surgeon who put in the port. he indicated that the port will not be affected by the heat, but he clearly regards it as "homeopathic" and therefore suspect. When I phoned the manufacturer of the sauna to ask about the port issue, the customer service person began by indicating that if I was pregnant (expecting a child) I should not use it. Thankfully, my new granddaughter has been born since until then, I was expecting a grandchild.

The far infrared both helps the immune system and fights cancer. I will try it shortly.

After thousands of people presumably thought about submitting a name for my rubber ducky, we have culled through the five or six entries that poured in (from 3 people) and selected Aflac as the duck's name. Absolutely nothing will be awarded to the person who submitted the winning entry. It happens to be the driver.

I will be doing a few more daily blogs this week and then intend to switch to a weekly attempt to entertain and inform the masses.

That's it for tonight. I am going to tell the ducky the good news about his name.

The Name Game

This was another good and busy day.

I played two sets of tennis. After the normal breakfast routine, I did some work at home and then headed out to do some errands.

The most important stop was at a place called Colon Hydrotherapy. They have a far infrared sauna that we want to be part of my routine going forward. It is great for detoxification, among other things. The interesting thing is that no one can tell me if it is safe to do with my port. I think it is, but the medical community seems to not understand these alternate therapies and basically refuses to advise on this issue.

Tomorrow is a big day as we meet with Dr. Patel and will be advising him of our decision re no more chemo. I feel good about this.

I used my new checklist today and it works well. I just have to follow it each day.

I received a few suggestions for a name for the rubber ducky. The three leading contenders are Aflac, Quackers and Tape. See if you can figure out "Tape." The sentimental favorite is Aflac, given that Aflac sponsors the video bonus question on Cash Cab some of the time. I may decide this issue tomorrow.

I met someone tonight that is going to their 50th High School Reunion. I have never met anyone that has attended as many as 50 high schools. Her father must have been with the military.

I decided to try to ease out of the pain pills for my shingles. The scabs are gone, but the pain persists. It has been running at about a 3, but with no pain pill this morning, it is more like a 5 or 6 tonight.

I am tired tonight and going straight to bed. I won't have a soak again until I know the ducky's name.

Looking Ahead

I had another good day today. I am expecting that to continue in days to come. I even went to the thrift store to see if there were any red shirts that I could purchase.

I am making progress on a checklist to live by. I expect to have it completed tomorrow. It is a little complicated to schedule the number of activities, particularly when some require empty stomachs and wait times before eating.

I used to be impatient to eat, but it is slightly easier to wait when we are talking green things instead of chocolate cake. In actual fact, I am getting acclimatized to the green things.

The research manager has had enquiries from four people in the last three days about the program that we are following. She has done a great job with me and so people are looking for help either for themselves or friends or relatives.

I have begun the process of converting the blogs to book form. I would hope that what I have written might inspire many and that in turn the research manager will be able to help them.

I truly feel that what we have achieved is noteworthy. It will be interesting to hear what Dr. Patel has to say. He has found my previous petscans noteworthy.

I got an email today, telling me that the reason that they were excited was that having a clean report would mean that they would not have to read the blog about red shirts, Cash Cab, driver issues and rubber ducky et cetera any longer. She was fooling but it does raise two important issues.

The first is exactly when to end the blog. I suspect it will be soon.

The second is that the rubber ducky does not have a name. Someone was upset to learn that I fall asleep in the tub with a ducky whose name I do not know. Suggestions are welcome.

I will soon go for my soak. I may tell the research manager that I will listen to soothing music but end up listening to the football game.

One final note. Has anyone seen a bar of dark chocolate? I had two on my desk, but one is missing. This is a possible case for Investigation ID, although I doubt there are any fingerprints.

Quietly Happy

Today was a good day.

I played two sets of tennis. I did the normal breakfast routine and then after a little computer work, I went shopping. I find that a little computer works almost as well as a big one.

I had run out of water with higher ph and am amazed that regular water, even that which comes from springs cannot compare. I had to get my two favorites....Essentia and also Evamor. Evamor tastes the best but I can also got a case of the Essentia with bottles that I can carry with me.

I have been busy most of the day and just now am slowing down. I still have my weekly email to do. If I do it tonight, it might be a weakly email and so it might be best to wait till the morning.

I am still trying to adjust to the events of yesterday. All are very excited. I am happy but not as excited as most. I have been trying to figure out why.

When I awoke from my colonoscopy and learned that I had a tumor and then had a cat scan and found out that my cancer was stage four, I knew that it would be treated and effectively healed. Some others were a little more freaked out. And so now, those that were freaked out are excited and those of me that knew I would be healed are just quietly happy.

Obviously, there have been many aspects to the healing. All have had effect. Chemo, research manager, diet, supplements and prayer.

I even think that Cash Cab has had impact. Speaking of which, I have to go. I am missing it.

Celebrate

How do I report on today?

I think that the bottom line is the best place to start.

My petscan report was very good. I talked to an oncologist friend and he said, "The report is excellent. Congratulations." Another doctor friend who also deals with oncology said basically the same thing.

The report has several references to "Normal." Normal is good.

The report says that "there is a normal pattern of heterogeneous uptake in the liver.":

The research manager is excited.

And here I am a little stunned. Finding all this hard to believe and wanting to wait to talk to Dr. Patel until I celebrate.

Hold the phone. My brother-in-law just called from Chicago. He is a newly retired breast cancer specialist. He heard the report and confirmed that I have reason to celebrate and so celebrate I will. Chocolate cake and ice cream with chocolate syrup......... Oh......those aren't part of the new program....... Supergreens and avocadoes for all!

Thanks to all for your encouragement and support and a special recognition of the research manager for doing all she has done. I love her almost as much as she appears to love me.

I did not mention yesterday that during the petscan I looked up and saw a small opening and a note adjacent to it. The note was upside down and I looked it. Without my glasses, it took a little time to focus on the sign which read "Laser aperture. Do not stare at opening." Hmmmmmm.

Time for a celebratory soak. I would tell you that I will listen to "Soundscapes" but two nights ago I said that and the research manager caught me listening to the baseball game instead. So no promises.

Turning Blue

What an interesting day!

It was a red shirt day. I played tennis, and then headed off to the cancer center to have blood work done before the petscan. The numbers were pretty decent.

I did not have breakfast because you have to fast for 6 hours before the petscan.

The petscan procedure went as normal. The nice thing is that after I get injected with the magic solution to facilitate the scan, I get to wait for an hour in my own room with my own TV. I can watch the political shows without it bothering the research manager. The slightly annoying thing is that it took 3 tries (pokes) before they found a vein that would work.

After the petscan, I get a CD of the scan. I can pick up a written report tomorrow which will tell me more. I should also be able to get the CEA cancer marker number.

However today, it is just the CD. The research manager reviewed the CD although she is not a professional radiologist.(I can't believe that she has not become one in the last 6 months!) She feels that it looks like the liver looks pretty clear. We will know more tomorrow.

I found out two things about colloidal silver today. The first is that one risk is that it can turn your skin blue. What happens when my skin turns both orange and blue? I can apply to be a University of Florida mascot! Go Gators!

The second is that it should be taken with Aloe Vera. That way, my gut will never suffer with sunburn.

I had two dreams last night that I remember, which is unusual for me. I seldom remember any.

I invite you all to determine the meaning of this one.

I went into a store with my son Graham and his friend Nicholas to buy a ping pong ball. Nick picked up a ball, but lost control of it as we walked toward the counter. It ended up stuck behind my ear. Everyone was looking for it, including the store clerk and I turned my head to show her where it was. She retrieved the ball and we completed the purchase. Thoughts?

Today, I had more than double the normal number of page views, including a good number from Russia. I also had several notes of encouragement. Thank you all for your interest and support.

Tomorrow will be a big day. Fingers crossed, but do not cross your legs. It will distort your blood pressure reading.

Time for a soak and bed. Speaking of the soak, I got gasps of surprise from the tennis group when they learned that the rubber ducky is blue. Apparently it is taking colloidal silver.

Periodic Table of Elements

Today was another good day.

It involved tennis ( 1 1/2 sets), making and eating a full breakfast (supergreens, avocado, spinach, eggs, bacon and the daily host of pills and supplements - the research manager says it was the best ever), a few errands, learning that I had a new granddaughter, a few jobs at the bridge club and then goofing off for the rest of the day. I am better at goofing off than I am at tennis!

We are virtually complete on our alternative treatment. The most recent additions are colloidal silver, and hydrogenated water. I truly will need the checklist that I am developing for each day to make sure that I get it all in. It is enough of a challenge now without adding these things.

I think that I will be consuming about half of the periodic table of elements each day.  I have decided to leave the plutonium and a few other elements for Kim Jung Un.

I recently read a fascinating article on North Korea in the New Yorker magazine. I have recently rediscovered the wonderful articles in this publication. This is a magazine that I do read for the articles! It is part of my relaxation.

In fact, I think I will go and do some reading now while I do a soak. The rubber ducky likes looking over my shoulder. I also play the soundscape music on Spectrum channel 442 to help with meditation and relaxation.

Tomorrow.......the petscan.
I

Thanksgiving

I am glad that I am having a petscan on Thursday. That will tell us where we are with the cancer that was diagnosed 6 1/2 months ago. With a little luck, it will tell a positive story, which will be confirmed or otherwise next Tuesday when I meet with Dr. Patel.

At that point a momentous decision will be made and implemented. I have full confidence that things will work out as we hope in .the same way that I assumed we would be successful in dealing with the four inch tumor that I woke up to after a colonoscopy in late March.

The chemo has obviously had impact, but Dr. Patel has expressed that my case has been one of the most successful he has seen. The work of the research manager and the supplements and diet changes that she has helped me adopt have been a major factor in the success. I also think that my attitude and humor have contributed. Thanks for being an audience for the latter.

I have received a few emails over the weekend reflecting on what I have to be thankful for, given that it was Canadian Thanksgiving. I agree with their observations.

By the way, did you know that the early Canadian Thanksgivings were as much a religious celebration thanking God that they were not part of the United States? I think that many feel the same way today.

As for me, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Credit to Paul the apostle)

Oh.....how did today go. It was a good red shirt day. I am expecting to run out of red shirts going forward. Tennis, a good breakfast, some work at my desk, a number of errands in the car and running a game tonight were all part of the mix.

Only one cloud on the horizon. I heard today from someone that juices regularly. I learned that she had recently had a bad fall. If juicing causes such things or even fails to prevent them from happening, I may have to reevaluate juicing. I do not want to fall for that kind of thing.

Turning Orange

Today was a good day.

I woke up in decent time and played tennis and won. I am always a little shaky the first few days back, but playing with the best player helps.

After I made breakfast, I did a number of chores till a late lunch time and then finalized my taxes and filed them. I had asked for an extension for the first time ever because, as you may recall, I was just starting this adventure back in April.

We went to play bridge tonight and tied for first. So, not a bad day all in all.

The big news of the day is that the juicer arrived. We will primarily be juicing carrots, which I understand can make the skin turn orange. (Maybe John Boehner juices carrots!) I plan to take advantage of this since the only other thing that I know that makes your skin orange is Cheetos. If I order a big bag of Cheetos, I should be able to eat them undetected. But, please do not tell the research manager.

I intend to also investigate juicing chocolate cake.

Time is late and since I have been busy all day, I am really tired. Here's to a soak serenaded by Cash Cab.

Fast

Things have started to turn. I feel much more energetic today. Not all the way, but much better.

I got out of bed about 9 and breakfast involved two situations that were uncomfortable. This is important because discussing our decision with the doctor will be a little uncomfortable. The more experience that I have with being uncomfortable will make me more comfortable.

The first uncomfortable thing was drinking my supergreens for the first time since they made me throw up. Today, they did not.

Next, I was dealing with six extra large eggs and cooked only three, leaving three in the carton and you know how uncomfortable an odd number of eggs makes me feel!

The research manager has continued to look at repeats of the symposium presentations, much of which has focused on diet and the bad things that happen to much of our food these days. She said that we should eat what we ate at the turn of the century. I think she meant at the turn of the last century. Personally, I wasn't eating anything at the turn of the last century. Maybe she is trying to starve me. At the very least, it would be a heck of a fast.

Speaking of fast, tomorrow I will play tennis, but I doubt that I will be that fast.

Readings from Finishis Chapters 1-3

On the third, fourth and fifth day, Charles rested and he looked at the chemo that had been administered and saw that it was bad. Finishis 1:31 and chapter 2:2.

I have spent the past three days resting or listening to alternative treatment presentations or doing both at the same time.

The time spent has sealed the deal. We will be pursuing alternate treatment rather than doing "maintenance chemo." I admit that the chemo has accomplished much, aided by the supplements and diet, but the time has come.

All the details are to be worked out over the next week.

The petscan has been moved to Thursday this coming week and so, it will be Friday before we have a report on the results. The following Tuesday, we will meet with Dr. Patel to finalize things.

I was home all day yesterday and today and so wanted to get out for dinner. We settled on picking up some Thai food. It was good to get out for at least a short time.

Later, the research manager told Charles to partake of carrot juice and when he had done so, the oncologist expelled them from the cancer center. Finishis Chapter 3..

Foresight

So, there I was this morning lying in bed. It was 9:00 and I had a decent night, waking only twice.

Suddenly, I heard that the alternative cancer treatment symposium was just starting on the research manager's computer.

I put the presentation on the phone and laid in bed listening. It was about the power of the mind and a positive attitude. I think that I do pretty well on that score.

So, once the presentation was over, I jumped out of bed and went to get a glass of Supergreens. What could be better! Except, almost as soon as I swallowed the greens, they came back up.

How's that for the power of a positive attitude?

As a result, I spent much of the day resting and sleeping.

Early afternoon, the research manager said she was going to get me some Pedialite. I also suggested chicken noodle soup. She came back with both items and I poured myself some Pedialite. It had so much sugar in it that could hardly stand it. Obviously, albeit slowly, my taste buds are changing.

I had two bowls of soup and they went down ok. I had a little more rest and a soak, I have taken to listening to soothing music during a soak. (Channel 442 on Spectrum)

I then watched a little TV and felt hungry. With my neuropathy, I cannot handle cold eggs and so the research manager cracked them for me. Because she handled the eggs, I have no idea if we have an even number or not. I made an omelet. It was good.

I got a call today advising me to use Vicks Vaporub on my fingers. I will try it tonight.

I got messages from three people encouraging me to look up, given the last few days. I am grateful for those.

But the most amazing thing is that someone realized how I was going to feel today and sent me a card by snail mail so that it would arrive today when I needed it. I am going to ask her to pick some lottery numbers for me.

Tomorrow will be better.

Today was what it is advertised to be. Tough.

I woke up this morning, feeling no particularly hungry, with a slight headache feeling down.

Of course, it is the third day and that is what is supposed to happen.

I spent the morning listening to a live stream of a conference on alternative treatments for cancer. There was a lot of useful information. It will help as we deliberate on how to go forward.

I then was taken to get rid of Bob (hopefully for good) by the driver. I am not saying anything about her driving, but my blood pressure was up today from Tuesday.

I got home and rested for much of the afternoon while listening to the live stream in the time that I was awake.

I then had to run tonight's game and so we went off and did that. While I was not feeling great, it helps to keep my mind occupied. We did decently.

Tonight, I am tired, the shingles are acting up and I still don't feel like eating. Also, my fingers are sore with neuropathy.

The good news is that things will be better tomorrow. They can't be much worse.

Bugs Bunny

I should have known better. This is the day after chemo and I went a little overboard.

I had a decent sleep, waking up only twice and I slept till 10:00.

I decided to go to the club and arranged to get a ride there as it is likely best not to drive on a day like today with Bob and all. That necessitated a quick breakfast routine as I had to be ready by 11:00.

I was then out of the house till 7:30 and I am paying for it now. I am really tired. Like I said, I should have known better.

Fortunately, there is an early version of Cash Cab on tonight. So, I can watch from 9 to 10 and go to bed thinking it is midnight!

The research manager discovered today some wonderful things about carrots and carrot juice,

Now I can see that I will be giving Bugs Bunny a run for the carrot money.

When I walk into the doctor's office on the 17th to discuss the petscan results, I will say :Ehhhh, what's up Doc?"

Veggie Tales

Well, today was chemo day.

I got up early so that I could do a few chores before tennis and have enough time after tennis to complete the balance of the morning routine and still be almost on time for my appointment at the cancer center. this is despite having a three interruption sleep between midnight and 7.

Tennis went well. I had not played in quite a few weeks till last week and seem to be getting close to back to form; not quite but closer.

The session at the cancer center went as expected. The interesting thing is that the nursing staff were congratulating me on finishing the course, while the doctor/nurse practitioner are still planning on chemo continuing for "maintenance" for quite some time.

The petscan and CEA will be done next Tuesday and then we can analyze exactly where we are. We will be able to see the scan on Tuesday, get a report on the petscan on Wednesday and get the CEA by Thursday. So next week will be exciting.

I am happy to report that the driver and I made peace today and she will drive me on Thursday to get rid of Bob. I am glad of that. The research manager has a lot on her plate.

Speaking of plates, I find that my plates are looking greener these days. But this evening, my glass looked orange. I drank a healthy amount of cold pressed carrot juice. I think I am on Veggie Tales.

Thank goodness for the rubber ducky

Today was another red shirt day. I felt pretty good, although my stomach was slightly off and I was a little more tired after three hectic days. I actually slept for a few hours this afternoon. I did win a set of tennis this morning and the bridge game tonight.

Tomorrow is what I am planning to be my last chemo session. Assuming that next Tuesday's petscan comes out as I hope and expect, we will switch to our own program to combat cancer going forward.

It is a little stressful working through this process. The fact is that chemo ultimately kills you and I think the odds are much better pursuing a program that does what is necessary.

I have laid out 7 things that need to be addressed going forward.

1. Build up and maintain the immune system
2. Tackle any tumors that might try to grow
3. Battle circulating cancer cells
4. Detoxify the colon
5. Detoxify the liver
6. Improve the "gut" issues
7. Make the body more alkaline

This may be an imprecise list of action points, but it what I am working with.

There is a strategy for each of these, involving diet, supplements, exercise and things like the infrared sauna. There is a large emphasis on vegetables and fruit.

To combat the stress, I have begun to take the rubber ducky that I got with the Epsom salts into the tub when I have a soak.

In fact, I think that I will do that now while listening to Cash Cab.

Avoid Stress

Avoid stress. That is a piece of advice that I have been given. Generally, I can deal with most things, but now there are two major issues to deal with.

I have this ongoing thing about being driven places. Someone suggested that it might be possible to invite Maria Sharapova to play....................a tennis game and use her driver and car. But the problem of the unhappy drivers persists.

Now, the research manager has added another stress point. We have begun using extra large eggs and she has suggested that we only need three eggs in the morning. And so, the odd eggs in the carton aversion has returned to add stress to my life.

Luckily, I am doing well physically. About the only annoyance is the shingles. Tonight, the pain is up to about a 7. But everything else is good and despite two long days, I have had good energy.

I found out recently that at least four condos in our complex suffered water damage that ruined their floors. Interestingly, they all had recently had their windows replaced. I would guess that it is not a good idea to buy your windows from "Simpson's Window Replacement and Flooring Company!" They appear to have a great add on business :)

For the record, we had no water leaks despite having the original windows. Based on our experience, I would recommend Charlie's Window Duct Tape Service.

Tennis at Midnight, anyone?

I continue to be amazed. I feel so strong and energetic that I cannot believe it. Here it is after 11pm and I just got home from being at the club since 10am this morning and I could keep on going.

I woke this morning with about a 5 level pain from my shingles and tonight it is more like a 3.

My mouth sore is gone and my dry mouth is improving, not perfect, but getting better.

With the Supergreens, it will be interesting to see how the post chemo period goes this coming week.

I am sad to report that the issue of me driving myself this past Tuesday has turned ugly.

You will recall that I reported that the two people (the driver and a wannabe driver) had offered to drive me for my blood test, but I opted to drive myself. This obviously upset them because neither one showed up at the tennis the next day. Since then, only one or the other has showed up and neither has talked to me.

This morning I went out to go to the club and discovered that my right front tire was flat, Apparently slashed. Obviously, they do not want me to drive myself. To cover, the driver texted me this evening, saying that she was watching the 8 pm edition of Cash Cab. She can't fool me!

I will have deal with the tire soon, but I was too busy today.

A late night soak and then off to bed for me, but I could play a set of tennis if it was allowed at 11:30pm and if the driver and the wannabe driver were talking to me.

Second Amendment

Today was yet another good day.

I think that I have determined why. About a week ago, I started drinking something called Supergreens made by Livingfuel. I mix 1/2 scoop of the powder in a glass of water and drink it. We had been using it in smoothies every once in a while a few months ago. I don't have a taste for smoothies for whatever reason, but I actually don't mind the Supergreens. It has amazing qualities.

I will tell you about tennis shortly.

After tennis and breakfast, including the Supergreens, I went off to do a number of errands and got home mid-afternoon. I was a little tired and rested for a while and am currently relaxing and watching a movie on the television. The shingles pain seems a little better tonight.

Now, back to tennis.

I played two sets. The second set was what I call "Chuck and the Chicks."  It was a good set. I won't talk about the score, but I will tell you that I think the set lasted 46 minutes. (Hint).

Talking about chicks, did you know that Maria Sharapova spends some of her time in Bradenton. This makes it possible for me to have lunch with her from time to time. It is possible for us to talk tennis and lots of other things. It was possible to meet more often during her suspension.

Note the word possible!

I do know that she believes in the 2nd amendment - the right to "Bare Arms."

Interesting

Life can be interesting.

I felt good again all day. I truly cannot explain why.

I played tennis for the third day in a row. Everyone but the research manager can keep reading.

I have been limited to only one set each day, but today, I played 4 or 5 extra games. But please don't tell the research manager.

When I play tennis, I usually eat an orange or tangerine just before I play. It may have some nutritional value, but the big reason is that it makes my hands sticky and it is easier to hold on to the tennis racquet.

Sometime it seems that chemo brain is contagious. I confess to many instances of my having it, but sometimes the research manager says or does something that makes me wonder.

This afternoon, we made a quick stop at Publix. While she was looking at something, I excused myself. Since I usually do this to visit the washroom, she assumed that was the case this time. However, I ran next door to the liquor store to buy her a bottle of her favorite scotch.

I returned with a bag in my hand and she, assuming that I was coming from the washroom, wondered what was in the bag. Her best guess.......toilet paper. Great.....a new money saving idea......steal toilet paper from the Publix washroom!

Now, that is interesting indeed.

Feeling Good

Today was another good day.

The research manager thinks that I am doing better than I was in January, I must have been pretty low then,

The day started with tennis. I am pleased to report that I played with my fellow colon cancer survivor and we won. Of course, we were playing against his wife. I know they go to church and she probably had just heard a sermon on wives being subject to their husbands and gave us the game.

I am afraid that I disappointed two tennis players yesterday. They each had offered to drive me yesterday, but I elected to drive myself. I am sure they were bitterly disappointed. The proof? They didn't even show up to play today.

After tennis and breakfast, I went to the club to play and follow up on a few things. Again, I drove myself as the research manager had work to do. Things went well and we finished third.

After helping clean up afterward, I headed home to change to get ready for dinner. I have been wearing shorts because they fit. I had to try three pairs of long pants to find one that was only a little too big. I certainly have lost weight.

As I write this, Cash Cab is ending, but I will still get lots of sleep. The reason? There was a special version on at 9:00 this 'evening.

I think that I am as up as I am because we are nearing the end of chemo. And this is the end of today's blog!

Who's Right?

Today was a great day! A genuinely red shirt day.

It started with tennis, followed by breakfast and then I headed off on my own for my blood tests, which were ok, not great but acceptable.

I then did some errands and got home in time for a 1 hour nap, dinner and off to the club to run a game.

The shingles pain is about 5 or 6. Over night, my mouth gets really dry, but the mouth sore is just slightly better.

I don't know whether to be happy or disappointed about tennis. We lost the first 4 games and I was creating some clever lines about not knowing the score, but that I "love" to play tennis and that I "love" just getting out on the court. However, we ended up winning two games and so, I can't use that line. Ooops, I just did.

I was talking with my partner after the set and learned that she drinks a drink called "Mona Vie" every day. I remember Mona Vie. If I recall correctly, I spent a weekend with her in Paris when I was 20,

Most of the time, the research manager is right and often I am wrong. However, if she drives me somewhere, I am always right. Think about it.

Cash Cab beckons. Here's to a great tomorrow.

Good day.

Tonight's post will be a short one. It is almost Cash Cab time and I just got home. Further, I felt sufficiently good today that I hope to play tennis tomorrow and so as early to bed as possible.

Things went relatively well today. I got some work done and also had a good rest. I was able to wear a red shirt legitimately.

My shingles pain is slightly higher today. About a 6.5. Bearable.

As we were going out tonight, the research manager asked if her top looked good and when I said "yes" she said it was 20 years old. I pointed in my general direction and asked if it looked good and she said (after prompting) "yes."  I said "68 years old".

I got a wonderful poetic note today. I am grateful for all the expressions of caring that I receive by mail, email and verbally. Thanks.

gggggggggggggggggggg

Life is interesting and challenging.

Today was a good day, although as I approach this evening, I am quite tired.

I slept till about 9:00 am, got up and made breakfast, did a few jobs on the computer and went off to run a game at the club. We also played and did decently.

On the way home, I was very tired and fell asleep in the parking lot of the health food store while the research manager read me.......well......more research.

We usually have a fair bit of paper hanging around the house and with this additional research load, the piles of paper are higher. I can now only see the research manager's head when she sits at her desk.

Where am I currently? Shingles pain, dry mouth, a serious mouth sore in the middle of my upper lip, a slightly upset stomach and fatigue are all part of what we are dealing with. Chemo is tough, but you can improve day by day and the second week is better.

Where do we stand on what happens after the next chemo? We are shifting to dealing with things without more chemo. The reality is that the maintenance chemo is still punishing, not to mention expensive.

It will depend on the petscan and CEA reading, the results of which will be known by October 12 or 13. We will then meet with the doctor and go from there.

We have gotten a lot of advice over time and it is much appreciated.

gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

Oops, sorry. I fell asleep and my nose landed on the "g".

Have a good night.

Seed vs Soil

Today was a slightly better day. I had a decent sleep, although my dry mouth woke me up a few times and I have a sore on my lip. It happens in the same spot almost every chemo cycle.

I spent the morning doing some research with a continuing eye on what to do in three weeks when the originally prescribed chemo cycle ends.

I do research 3/7. It seems like the research manager does research 24/7, but I know she sleeps some, so I would guess it is 14/7 many days.

Today, I discovered an excellent site on "Alternate Treatments." It is very useful. The way I discovered it was by opening an email from...............................the research manager! :)

I think we are moving closer do doing supplements and diet. I read an article in The New Yorker which stresses the importance of building up the immune system. Cancer is the seed. Your body is the soil and you need to make sure that the soil is not welcoming to the seed. Let's hear it for building up the immune system.

We have discovered a fool proof way of concealing passwords. The research manager asked me what the new password was for the site that has all my cancer test results. I told her and she thought I was talking about the user name. After several "cross" communications (in both senses of the word), we worked it out. Anyone listening would never be able to figure out what the password was.

Fish and Chips - the wonder medicine

The phone rang this morning to wake me up. Who could be calling this early I thought.

As I reached for my phone, I saw that it was 10:10. Amazing. Almost 10 hours of sleep.

It was so good, that I had another rest of 3 1/2 hours this afternoon.

But, I struggled to eat anything this morning. The research manager made eggs and that was fine. After taking my pills, I watch TV for an hour or so and went back to sleep.

I woke up, feeling a little down, one of the possible side effects of the new pain pills and dizzy, another side effect of the pain pills.

All that became insignificant when the research manager suggested that we go out for fish and chips. I quickly agreed and off we went.

Obviously, my stomach is shrinking as quickly as my body as I was only able to eat half of the portion. That means my lunch or dinner tomorrow is already set unless the pesky mouse that sometimes shows up nibbles at the leftovers over night.

Time to go and take it easy. I may not stay awake until Cash Cab. But, I will stay awake long enough to get to the time to take another pain pill. I could do with three a day instead of the prescribed two. I'll be happy with the fish and chip cure until then.

Second Opinion

Day 3 after chemo is always a challenge.

First, you do not feel like eating and are generally down.

Second, my shingles got more painful over night and I decided to get and take the pain pills that were prescribed on Tuesday. I only just now have taken the second one, but the first one seems to have helped.

The research manager keeps telling me that I look more handsome and healthy than I did back in March. This is after I have lost almost 40 pounds. I kind of feel like Cassius. I have a lean and hungry look and I think too much.

I called Moffitt Cancer Center today to enquire about getting a second opinion about how to proceed once the next chemo is done. When they heard where I was on this journey, they told me that they could not take me. The research manager thinks that may be a good sign. I talked to my driver today about posting an "Oncologist" sign on her door and we could go there for a second opinion.

Speaking of the driver, can you imagine having a driver whose nails were not properly painted? That is what I had to suffer today. Thankfully, she dropped me off and was headed straight to the Nail Salon. I will rest easier tonight knowing things will be better next time.

We played bridge tonight and won. I guess all my faculties are not totally gone.

But for tonight, I am gone......off for a soak and Cash Cab, as long as I can stay awake.

Funny?

It has been a little bit of a tough day.

I had a very good sleep and got out of bed about 10:00 am.

It actually took till noon to get the energy to make breakfast.

I find the day is tougher if I do not go out to do something and I was home all day. My shingles are bothering me tonight.

Our day was spent researching what happens after the next chemo. The suggestion is that I go to a maintenance routine. I would prefer a comedy routine. I learned this evening that to be a successful comedian, you need to make at least one person laugh. Thankfully,.I usually laugh at my own jokes.

The maintenance program is still rigorous and will require prescription coverage. I am hoping that the current program stays in place. We will know by October 1, what we are looking at, but coverage will not start till the new year.

Life expectancy is a big issue when we look at treatment going forward. I still am intending to have 18 more years, but that will require some discipline. I will share our final plan when we decide it.

We will likely seek a second opinion. I am just hoping that the second opinion is not that I am not funny!

Deep Fried Twinkie

Today turned out okay. It all began with a good sleep. Well, two good sleeps.

Sleep number 1: I got home last night just after ten pm. The research manager was sound asleep in front of the TV. She sort of roused when I called her name and went back to sleep. I went off to do my blog and then for a soak. At 11:45, the research manager woke  up and called out looking for me. Where was I? Asleep in the bath tub!

Sleep number 2: I then slept all night with no interruptions. The research manager said that I was snoring pretty loudly and gave me her imitation when I woke up this morning.

On the way to chemo, I learned that I could get a free deep fried Twinkie at Long John Silvers. I do not understand why the research manager did not stop there.

I was offered stronger pain pills for the shingles by nurse practitioner, Heather. I will get them, but was disappointed that they are not addictive, thus depriving me of a money making opportunity.

Chemo went fine but long because of a long discussion about the future. The results of the blood and urine tests were good. I was particularly pleased with a good jump in my white blood cell count. Thank you, Beta Glucan.

In three weeks, I will have a petscan and we will then make decisions about the future. Meanwhile, there is a lot of research and thinking to do.

The suspense will mount. It is enough to keep my blood pressure high where I can see it.

Nearing the end of chemo

Today was a decent day.

For whatever reason, the pain from the shingles is down to about a 7 from the original 9 or 10.

I was on the verge of trying to play tennis and may do so tomorrow before we go for chemo. After tomorrow, there will be one session more and then another petscan.

As we approach the end of the regular chemo regime, the stress of what we have been dealing with is showing. The research manager has sacrificed so much for me, that it is a miracle that she is still standing (well, sitting at the computer.)

One of the good things in this internet age, is that you can review the results of your tests on line. The research manager printed out some graphs of my results. It is interesting. In general, many results are decent and show quick recovery when there is no chemo. However, the white blood cells and red blood cells are lower than we would like. Thankfully, the potassium has bounced back.

As we go forward, I need to be more proactive with my diet and supplements. I do pretty well with the supplements, but as we move away from chemo, the right diet will be critical.

Cancer never fully goes away. Dealing with it ought to be enough incentive to do everything possible to make sure that it does not show itself a second time.

I am sure that you do not want to read a second set of blogs.

Rubber Ducky

Today was generally a better day. My back (shingles) hurt less as the day progressed.

I forgot one other possible factor from yesterday, that I repeated today. I laid on a cold pack. That does seem to help.

I also do an Epsom Salt soak each night. The research manager ordered some lavender Epsom Salt that is great. The really exciting thing is that a rubber ducky came with the salt. I have yet to try it out. This way, I have something really exciting to look forward to.

Whether it is due to not feeling like eating because of the shingles or some other factor, I have now lost 40 pounds.

The research manager is pressing me to eat foods that build my immune system. I know that I am not the best patient, but hopefully my blood tests on Tuesday will reflect improvement.

Until yesterday, I wondered if I would be able to deal with chemo this coming Tuesday. Now I am confident that I will be able to.

It's About Time.

Now, that is better.

I may not be all the way there, but things are better today. The shingles pain is diminished, not all gone, but diminished.

Now, the only question is why.

There are at least three possibilities:

1. It was supposed to get better about now.
2. I spent time sitting on a chair that seems to be friendlier to my back
3. I started taking CBD - (Hemp Oil)

I am betting on 3. The cannabinoids strengthens our Endocannabinoid system which is intricately linked to our nervous system and also the immune system. That nervous system thing makes my shingles shrivel up in terror.

Why did it take so long for me to try this?

Why indeed! I have had several recommend it. Recommendations came from Saskatoon, people recently spending time in Greece, serious minded people in Tampa and a random comment on my blog.

A few days ago, I said that I was moving slowly and this is one more such example.

I am told that CBD will not make me high, but I am high on its effects.

Power versus Energy

This week has been one during which many people in Tampa Bay did not have power.

This week has been one during which one person in Tampa Bay did not have much energy.

While it is improving very slightly, the shingles sap my energy. It also affects my appetite and I have lost a few more pounds.

For that reason, I appreciate those who send me notes. Each one gives me energy. Thanks.

I got a nice email from Canada today from a part time player.

I also was honored that a couple drove all the way from Nashville just to visit me. That they live in Harborside in no way minimizes the fact that they drove all that way and came to visit.

I rested much of the day and I think that it did some good.

I am hoping to have more energy tomorrow. And I hope that all you will have power.

A crazy world

It was the best of days. It was not the best of days.

I felt good about getting home. I felt not so good about other things.

There is nothing better than being home and in familiar surroundings.

But, to be honest, I have lots going on with my body.

The shingles are still bothering me. If you ask me how I feel, I may say "fine" or "OK", but I am not really. It hurts a lot much of the time.

The neuropathy is still with me also. I feel it in my hands, my feet and most recently in my knees of all places. It is annoying.

I also feel as if my hair is thinning and that is annoying.

But the most annoying and also interesting thing is that I am losing my fingerprints. It makes my fingers feel funny. And it really freaks me out when my fingers massage my hair.

The research manager says that the fingerprint loss is also happening to her. So it may not be due to the chemo. Not having fingerprints means that people can't track you by your fingerprints. I worry what the research manager might do if I don't follow her advice. She watches Investigation Discovery with passionate interest.

Heck, if she dropped me in the desert, they wouldn't be able to identify me.

Such uncertainty. Such opportunity. Such a crazy world. I wish it were a little bit less crazy.

Yes I Can!

It is amazing to note the impact of a hurricane on people.

All day, I have observed people doing things more slowly, more cautiously and just a little skittishly.

That makes me feel good because that is the way I seem to be operating all the time.

Don't talk to me about driving. I moved my car back home this morning and was behind some of the slowest, most cautious drivers that I have ever seen.

I think that most of those reflecting these actions are still without power or who have lived without power for a few days and are shell shocked.

The other problem is that people are gawking at the downed trees, fences and signs.

The other time that I notice this phenomenon is when I am walking down the street. Often people slow down to gawk at me and my good looks. I am pretty sure that is what they are looking at.

I hope that I look good on the outside because I sure don't feel so good on the inside

By dinner time tonight, I felt awful and depressed. I needed to take some me time just to recover.

By the time it got to 8:00, I was feeling a little better and then I heard that we have power back in our condo. That means the elevators will be operable tomorrow sometime and that we can go home.

Who says that you can't go home again? I am going to and I am looking forward to it.

Toothpaste

People seem to have gone all over in preparation for Hurricane Irma. Nashville, Savannah, Alabama, Atlanta, New York. Some stayed home. Some went to friends. Some went crazy.

I am in the two latter categories. The friends part you know about. The crazy part, I am sure, could have been attested to before recent events.

I would say the shingles thing is the main cause of crazy currently. The pain is distracting and makes me tired. Taking Advil to deal with the pain and Valtrex to deal with the shingles both cause a little sleepy light headedness.

That is the reason that a toothpaste controversy has developed. As we left our home, the research manager asked me to include toothpaste in my kit bag. There were two tubes side by side. Naturally, I picked up the one that was partially used. Apparently, a completely flat tube of toothpaste does not offer many future uses. Since we got here, I have seen the research manager standing on the bottom end of the tube and bending over to collect a few bits of the blue stuff. I do have my own toothpaste as well, but it is the wrong brand. She cannot understand how I chose the tube that I did. I have been feeling just a little badly about my crazy toothpaste decision...........until this morning.

I had a shower and went to wash my hair. No shampoo. The research manager always packs shampoo, but not this time.

So I ask; is it not better to bring a little toothpaste than to bring no shampoo.

She said that I could use soap in place of the shampoo. She said that if I used any bad words complaining about the shampoo, she would invite me to use the soap in place of the toothpaste.

The bridge club got power today. I am hoping that I, our elevator and our home all get power tomorrow.

The evacuation shelter

Life is tough.

The research manager and I have been forced to vacate to a small 500 square foot space and will likely be here for 4 or 5 days.

Well, actually, the 500 square feet is the bedroom. There is another 2000 square feet of living room/kitchen, study et cetera.

We are living in luxury!

We may decide to stay till Christmas. Fortunately, our hosts will be away for Christmas and so, we may be able to have a party.

We are grateful to Dar and Clint for taking we waifs in. It has been an amazing time.

I would probably enjoy it even more if it weren't for the shingles. It seems to be my major pre-occupation these days. It still hurts a lot, but I am surviving. My bowels are also trying their best to get my attention during the night and succeeding more often that I would like.

We are waiting for power and elevators to present themselves at Harborside, where we live. A quick ride up to the bridge club revealed that it too is in need of power. A "lift" is also needed for many players' games, but that is something else.

No cable TV here, but I am off for a big night with the movie Big Night. I wonder if it is like Cash Cab.

Riding.....er sitting out the storm.

This note will be updated as often and as late as possible.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Irma. No, we are not anxious about Irma; we are anxious for her to get here. all four occupants of our luxurious shelter are not used to sitting around doing not much.

At this minute, (4:20) the wind is picking up and sheets of rain are whipping down the street. I went outside a while ago and felt a healthy breeze. The breeze is healthier now.

On a personal level, the shingles are bothering me significantly, but Advil helps. Otherwise, things are generally ok.

I will update this every few hours until the power goes off.

.............................................................................................................................

Well, the power stayed on, but the cable service did not and hence the comments below.

You can see that we survived with no real difficulty. The issue is now waiting until things open up so we can go home.

I am sorry, Tampa Bay

This post is really early as dear Irma is going to disrupt our lives.

We have mostly prepared our space for the storm and are heading off to Dar's spare room in downtown St. Petersburg.

I have had spells of energy and spells of tiredness as I undertook the various chores that needed to be done, but we are mostly there now.

We also had several calls of concern about our safety. Thanks so much.

I blame myself for the track of the hurricane.

In 2004, Hurricane Charley threatened Tampa and I vacated to Orlando. The storm changed direction and headed to Orlando.

Hurricane Gaston then was headed for Florida. I headed to Atlanta and met the storm on the way back.

I made a deal with then governor Bush that I would leave the state whenever a hurricane threatened the Florida.

Shortly after that, Hurricane Ivan threatened Florida and so I dutifully left for Tunica and sure enough the storm turned west.

My deal was not renewed and since I am dealing with other issues, it never entered my mind to vacate the state and as a result, Hurricane Irma is heading toward Tampa Bay.

I am so sorry, folks.

I will post when I am able, but the next few days may be iffy.

Thanks, Irma

Today was kind of a holding pattern.

I had a decent sleep and woke up about 8 to begin my regimen of pills.

I definitely feel weak and sore from the shingles most of the time. This in turn affects my appetite.

Still, I think that I am doing better than two weeks ago.

Part of the concern is getting prepared for Irma. We are not as prepared as we should be and there are times that I do not feel up to doing anything to get ready. We got a few things done, but tomorrow will have to be busier.

Irma did achieve something that I have not seen in at least 6 months. St. Pete Beach is completely shut down. We had decided to go to our favorite Thai restaurant for dinner. However, it was shut down. Since we were on the road, the research manager suggested the handiest place - The Horse and Jockey - which serves the best fish and chips. I couldn't believe it - the first fish and chips in 6 months.

It tasted delicious. However, my system seems to have forgotten how to deal with such things. I paid for it twice - once with a credit card and once with my system's reaction.

Of course, it may have just been the way things are on the 4th day after chemo and there may be nothing wrong with fish and chips.

Whatever the case, it was worth it. It boosted my spirit.

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How are you, Janie?

I think back to two weeks ago. That was the day that I felt awful and ended up throwing up.

So, here I am, shingles and all, feeling better than that.

However, whenever someone asks how I am doing and I say anything better than or equal to OK, the research manager looks at me like I am crazy. So, I guess that I am not feeling ok.

I have had a lot of sympathy for my shingles challenge and a lot of advice as to how to deal with it.

Here are the top five tips:

Retail therapy
Lie in the dark and take pain pills like M & M's
Epsom Salt soaks
Compresses
Hire a good roofer

So far, I have been toughing it out with Advil when I go to bed. That seems to work. Apparently, the Valtrex will likely yield some benefit in the next day or so.

I remember when both Janie Blair and I got chicken pox just at the end of grade three, Wouldn't it be crazy if she just got shingles also.

In my world, anything is possible!

Now I know how Job felt.

Today was a tough day.

It takes, at best, two or three days for the anti-viral shingles medicine to have any beneficial effect and the effect is minimal. Any relief from the pain would be welcome.

Doing something that diverts my attention clearly helps, as does sleeping.

Other than doing a run up to get wheatgrass I was home all day. Tomorrow, we go to get Bob removed and I think that will help.

The research manager has identified that shingles can be a side effect of the ringworm medication that I am taking. Also, some chemo prompts it to appear. Complicated life!

I am reminded of the story of the guy who had all kinds of bad things happen. His friend told him to cheer up. It could be raining. Sure enough, he cheered up and it started raining.

I have received several encouraging emails today to cheer me up and, what do you know, along comes Hurricane Irma.

I was wondering what else could go wrong and then an ad about Hepatitis C came on the television. If that were to happen, I will be auditioning for the title role in the next production of The Book of Job.

Heck, with this blog, I may be writing "Job 2".

As good as ;;;;;;;;;

When we go off for a lengthly period of time, I usually remember to take my pills with me in a pill box color coded by day. Today is Tuesday. Tuesday's box is blue. Blue is the worst color that I can wear. You will soon see that it may be appropriate.

We left at 8:20 to see if I could get the chiropractor to fit me in. My chemo brain showed itself to be in full operation. We arrived just after 9:00 to discover that the office was closed as it is every Tuesday. Duh.

I tried to call Dr. Fady's cell phone with no answer. I then called his brother who is also a chiropractor. He was not eager to treat me without knowing much about my case. We had driven down toward his office only to find the news. I was in bad shape and this set back drove me to tears.

As we drove back toward the cancer center, I got confirmation that my Dr. Fady would come in to see me at 2:30. I was delighted.

The chemo went fine. We then went off to see Dr. Fady.

The good news is that my rib is not causing me a problem. The bad news is that the pain was caused by shingles.

Great a new challenge. It is a unilateral case meaning it tracks a nerve from my right back around to my right chest. Given that it is contagious, perhaps women will stop asking to look at my port.

To be most effective, treatment should start immediately. By the time that I got a call back from the cancer center, we were almost home and they wanted to see the blisters et cetera that had just formed this morning. We decided to go to the local Baycare clinic and had the diagnosis confirmed.

As a result, I now have another horse pill to take three times a day.

The research manager noted as we left with the medication that it we only had one thing to worry about this weekend - the hurricane. I laughed as I held my new pills and remembed Sunday's blog.. But, we are ready. We have meds. We are upping the lypo-spheric vitamin C. btw - we also have lots of water. In a few weeks, I will be as good as old!

Bring it on.

I know that my wearing a red shirt often can be confusing. "Is it real or is it more complex?"

Today, it was a little complex. Other than for my misplaced rib, I felt very good and got better as the day wore on. I relaxed all afternoon and, as a result, I felt the rib less. Further, my bowels behaved very nicely.

Watching people play bridge, I observe that those that play fearlessly often do well. In the same way, I feel that approaching chemo positively and with encouraging words from so many of you, helps yield a successful result. This, in no way, minimizes the importance of diet and supplements. That is part of my confidence.

So thanks for so many kind words and emails.

I had to take my Flucanazole today. The packaging is such that the pill often splits in two when you try to get it our of the package. It happened again tonight. I told the research manager that when it broke like that all the good goes away in the same way that breaking a cookie in half causes all the calories to fall out of the cookie. I don't think she bought it. If she had, I could have had a few cookies, if only we had them in the house!

Going to take it easy for the balance of the evening.

Big day tomorrow. First, persuading the chiropractor to treat me and then to show chemo that it does not scare me. Bring it on.

A Plan for Everything

Today was a good day, with one exception which will be revealed later. I was at the club all day.

Due to the turn out and one missing person, I ended up doing kitchen duty this morning and then played with the research manager this afternoon.

She must want something because she said that I did well to last all day. She also said that I looked good and healthier than most people my age. I am unsure as to whether she meant my actual age or the age that I felt.

Over this journey, there have been a number of twists. Dealing with them is simple!

Here are the ailments that I have experienced. Two of them required visits to the ER and all have required medicine of some sort. The cost of the medicine has been in the range of $2000.

Athletes Foot
Dry Mouth
Mouth Sores
Ringworm
Varicose Veins
Diarrhea
Constipation
Paradoxical Diarrhea
Anal Fissure

and as of last Thursday, I now have a rib out of place. Dealing with these things requires tricky scheduling with chemo appointments and other things.

Take the rib as an example. I felt it Friday, but the chiropractor closed at 1:00 pm and will not open till Tuesday morning. I have chemo Tuesday morning and no appointment with the chiropractor.

So my plan is to show up at the chiropractor when he opens and give his assistant my sad face routine in order to get treated right away and still make it to chemo. I think it will work.....she is Canadian also.

So, dealing with the things that happen during chemo is easy, all you need is a plan for everything or to know someone that has a plan for every eventuality.  Thank goodness that the research manager was a Girl Scout.

Not Watching

The time is currently 4 snooze buttons after 9:00 pm.

Today has had a generally relaxed pace after a busy start.

I played tennis, had breakfast and headed out to the club for day 2 of the tournament.

The numbers were a little light and therefore I was not really needed. I hung around long enough to justify saying it was lunch time and picked up Har Gow on the way to do a few errands.
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I did my wheatgrass, some Publix shopping and picked up two of the final three items from the dry cleaners. For some reason, they greet me warmly at the cleaners. I am sure that they got bonuses for August volume.

The research manager left to go play bridge and suggested that I check out a video on alternate cancer treatments with a view to us working out a post chemo strategy for living longer than I probably would have if I had not learned a thing or two about diet, supplements and lifestyle.

I made notes, then watched a football game, had dinner and rested.

What to watch (er sleep during) this evening was decided when the baseball game had a rain delay.

I set the alarm just so that I could report that it took four hits of the snooze button to get to my computer. I think that I will return to not watching the football game shortly.

And I bet that by the title you thought that I had done something while the research manager wasn't watching.

Over 18 Years of Age

Today was a decent day. I wore a red shirt. I was asked whether I meant a red shirt or was just fooling people. It was suggested that I get a red and white shirt for the fooling people days, but then I would not be fooling people.

We had the start of a tournament at the club and as a result, I did not have time to play tennis. I did get in some spinach and a tangelo before I left. The research manager has learned that that combination is most effective in getting iron back into your body (well, into my body, since I was the one that ate them both.)

I grabbed an Egg McMuffin on the way.

Things went well at the tournament, far better than a year ago when Hurricane Hermine was just passing St. Petersburg.

I left to come home just after the second game was started.

I did a few errands on the way home including a stop for a wheatgrass shot. My last stop was the dry cleaners.

At this point, I am asking you to confirm that you are 18 years of age or older before proceeding.

Some time ago, the research manager got a coupon offering 10% off of $50 of dry cleaning and 25% off on $100 or more dry cleaning on orders handed in by August 31.

She decided that this was the opportunity of a life time. We intended to get there earlier, but breezed into the cleaners yesterday afternoon. I contributed a few items, but the research manager submitted virtually all of her clothes. The saving was significant, but I still had to ask if they provided mortgages.

When I picked up the clean clothes, I needed a crane to carry all the clothes out to the car.

I then was anxious to hurry home, knowing that virtually all of the research manager's clothes were in the car and I was definitely interested in seeing how lacking in clothes she might be when I got home.

It was a little disappointing to find that an old pair of shorts and a shirt had not made it to the cleaners.

Oh, well......it was still good to get home.

Coming Soon

Another early blog. I have a busy early day tomorrow.

I felt pretty good today. I went out to play tennis and we won 5-5 due to closing momentum.

Some of you will be happy that I got a haircut after a good breakfast. (Avocado, spinach and egg.)

We then headed up to the cancer center to get my potassium infusion.

On the way, the research manager, who always drives, asked me if I was picking my lips. I could truthfully say "no" as I was picking the things on my lips!

The infusion went fine, but it was a boring two hours.

By the way, things have "firmed up" digestively.

On the way home, we were driving south approaching a McDonalds which had a sign saying "New - Brownie Sundae." The research manager suddenly hit the brakes and I got excited until I saw that the stop light had turned red.

After a brief rest, I headed out for a massage. It felt good. However, I wonder what was wrong with my generation.

My therapist works 2 1/2 days per week. She graduated in the spring in Physical Therapy and took a cruise to celebrate. Now, she is theoretically looking for a second job, but hasn't really started looking yet.

I started working full time the day after I finished college and haven't stopped yet.

Tough Life for these Post Millennials.

Speaking of life, I am starting to form my thoughts for a blog this weekend called "The Simple Life."
Don't miss it.

Root Beer and Ice Cream

I am posting this note earlier than normal so that I can have a relaxing evening. I have multiple TV options, particularly since the research manager is out for the evening.

Today has been a good day. I felt good all day. A true red shirt day.

I sort of played tennis. Not even the best player could have helped me today.

I did the full breakfast routine and went off to do major shopping for the bridge club. I have not been to Sam's Club for quite a while and it was good to check things out there.

I enjoyed an afternoon of bridge and helped clean up.

Just as I was leaving, I got the call that I was waiting for from the cancer center.

The good news: My CEA reading was 2.0, down from the most recent 2.5. That this number has dropped further into the "normal range" is a good sign, given that I just went 5 weeks with no chemo.

The bad news: My potassium level is still very low. As a result, I have to go to the center tomorrow for a 2 hour infusion of potassium.

It is thought that the diarrhea has been a big factor in this potassium crisis (it is serious - there is a major heart risk). The bowels seem to be inching in the right direction and so the combination of the infusion and some digestive improvement will hopefully help right the ship.

Life is a voyage and we are weathering these rough waters, trying to stay afloat. Hmmm, I wish I could have a root beer one.

I might be falling for her

Today was a decent day.

I woke up in time to play tennis.

My tennis strategy is to show up looking a little tired and weak. That way, when we draw for teams, they always adjust things so that I am playing with the strongest player. Not a bad plan, eh?

There is some truth in the weakness thing, however. I am concerned about falling and so move a little more tentatively than I did BC. (Before Chemo). However, I am rethinking this. On Saturday, one of the men fell and one of the women immediately ran and took one of the other woman's Arnica Lotion so that she could rub it on his thigh and allegedly other places! Hmmmm...maybe I should think about falling.

The rest of my day was kind of green. Avocado, wheatgrass, spinach, salad, along with other generally healthy food.

I had blood work done today...the numbers were predictable, but my red blood cells are down a little.

They also did a CEA sample. It will take a few days to get that result, but I am anxious to see how it comes out.

It is almost 11. Guess where I am headed.

Evacuations

I felt good for most of the day today.

I woke up in time to play tennis. I won the set 6-2 and scored the final point of the game. My partner? Oh, yes, I had a partner. He happened to be the best player, but he was coming off an injury. So, I won 6-2!

Speaking of speaking with a soft voice, which I was doing yesterday, I have noticed something about some tennis players. When they are winning, they announce the score as 4-2, but when they are losing they announce the score as 2-4. When I am losing 2-4, I announce it as 4-2, hoping to negotiate a 3-3 settlement, It doesn't usually work, but it is worth a try.

The bowel issue continues to plague me. It causes stress and consternation in my daily life, particularly tonight. That is certainly the way I feel this evening. I think the officials in Houston are doing a far better job at dealing with evacuations than I am. I am feeling down as a result and my voice is all but gone.

Time for my evening soak and a few minutes of Cash Cab. Playing tennis made me feel good this morning and I want to do it again tomorrow.

Grumpy

Okay, it is time for the truth.

Some days, the research manager wakes up Grumpy, However, other days, including today, she lets me sleep.

I kind of felt grumpy all day, not bad, just grumpy. I wore a red shirt to fool people.

After navigating a regular breakfast with avocado and eggs, we ended up at the bridge club, running the game. Things went well and my digestive system was under control.

Admittedly, one of the problems that I have this time round is dry mouth, despite the use of Mu-Gard (for mouth sores) and Biotene (for dry mouth.) This is particularly true at night.

The other issue is that my voice is weak. While this can be a disadvantage, it also has good points. For example, I can say something like "You're crazy" and when asked what I said, I can say something like "That's wonderful" and they never know the difference. That way, I feel good about having expressed how I feel and they feel good about what I didn't really say!

We stopped to do a shop on the way home. I got to pick up the things that weren't cold.

I had a good sleep after we got home and woke up with.....dry mouth.

Now, I am eating chicken noodle soup and waiting for the research manager to fall asleep so that I can switch to the Video Music Awards.