Water Everywhere

A pretty good day.

I had a decent sleep and am making some progress on my paradoxical diarrhea issue. I found out tonight that it is a common ailment among old cats.

I mentioned the need for attention to a clogged toilet yesterday. No luck on our part. So, we called a plumber. He walked in, plunged the toilet and voila, it was fixed. The research manager asked how he did it and said that she had tried to plunge the toilet, as had I. Was the plunger we were using not effective. The plumber said the problem was not with the plunger, it was the plungee!

On the subject of water, our upstairs neighbors had a water leak and we had water all over the kitchen. Just something to fill in part of a busy day.

I got a fair number of things done today and did my errands. We are finalizing the monthly bulletin for the club and so things have been a little busy. Nonetheless, we did go to play bridge and won again.

Tomorrow is a big day. We have not had a chance to talk to the doctor or nurse practitioner at the cancer center, but want to decide on whether to take a brief holiday from the chemo. The theory is that I am sufficiently tired and run down from the side effects, that I need to build myself up again. I thought we might deal with some of that today, but no luck.

I'll keep you posted.

An odd perspective

A much better day today.

To begin with, I had 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep and that felt soooo good.

I had decent energy.

I made breakfast this morning for the first time in about a week. I gave the research manager a two egg omelet and made a three egg omelet for myself. Why did I take a three egg omelet? You would guess that I was really hungry or wanted more protein. You would be wrong. There was an odd number of eggs in the carton and I like an even number of eggs when I open a carton of eggs. She laughed at me.

We played bridge this afternoon and actually won. Amazing!

Dinner at Ha Long Bay and a shot of wheatgrass and we headed home.

One of the benefits of a horrible yesterday was that one of our toilets became blocked. We tried a few things, but got home to find it was still an issue. As a result, I got to drive myself to Home Depot to get a snake. Imagine.....the first time in about two weeks that I was allowed to drive my car and by myself at that! We patient prisoners enjoy whatever freedom we are afforded.

We are giving serious thought to either taking a brief chemo break or perhaps a reduction/elimination of part of the chemo cocktail. This would be to allow my system to stabilize. With the research manager's supplements, I think that we can continue to get improvement. I expect that we will start discussions with the medical staff tomorrow.

Stay tuned.

The Royal Couple

Today, I feel like a king!

I have spent so much time on the "throne". that I have to be regarded as the king of something, perhaps the king of Paradoxical Diarrhea.

Meanwhile, the research manager has been a real queen, treating me royally, preparing meals and trying to make me feel better.

Elizabeth and Phillip, Andrew and Kate, me and the research manager. A royal triumvirate!

But, we are the luckiest! We get to watch Cash Cab. It comes on early tonight. So, Good Night.

Hmmm, I wonder if they have Loot Lorry.

My first UFO experience

Another interesting day!

The research manager went off to a bridge seminar and left me to fend for myself. Because of my procedure, I could only drink fluids. ergo, more Matzo Ball Soup.

I did a lot of cleanup and left just before 10 with my "driver", but threw her a curve by taking her to the bridge club to deliver the calendars for August. I told the driver to come in to the club to meet the research manager. Now all the tennis players will be jealous of the driver!

We got to the Endoscopy Center just on time and I was on my own.

The last time I was there, I got the good news about the tumor in my colon. I wondered what would happen this time.

It turns out that I was almost killed by nurse Eileen. She allegedly accidently dropped a plug of some kind on my forehead. Just think. If it had been heavier and sharper, I might be dead tonight.

They test old guys like me. I was told that the anesthesiologist would come to see me. After some time, a nurse asked if the anesthesiologist had been to see me. No, I said. Two minutes later, a second nurse came in a repeated the question. I think they were just checking to see if I wasn't confused.

In any event, after a brief sleep, I sort of woke up to find out that I have paradoxical diarrhea. This means that I am so badly constipated that only liquid can come out. The solution? Miralax and two prescriptions, one of which is $600! I'll find out if that works in a week. Otherwise, it may be surgery,

We came home and I rested, then ate.

Do you know who saw the first UFO? Ezekiel, who saw a wheel way up in the middle of the sky.

Apparently his bread is true to his vision. I toasted my first piece of Ezekiel bread as part of dinner and it flew out of the toaster, way up in the middle of the sky and off the counter. Great bread though!

Exciting Life

Today was a little tough.

I got up early to deliver my stool samples to the lab and came back to the condo. I spent a little time talking to my tennis buddies and then went home for breakfast and various work activities.

I saw the eye doctor early afternoon. My eyes are doing fine despite the fact that I have gone 10 weeks since the last injections. The reason? One of the chemo drugs is Avastin which was the original medicine for Macular Edema. As a result, my eyes get treated every two weeks and I don't need the injections.

After a superfood smoothie (yesterday's was better), we headed off for the GI doctor. He determined that my situation was sufficiently serious that I am going in tomorrow for an examination under anaesthesia. I am so happy with this.

Despite discomfort, we went to play bridge this evening. It keeps my mind off other things! Everyone was wonderful in helping get the game going and finished.

And now, here I am multitasking - doing this blog, watching baseball and waiting for cash cab.

Life is exciting isn't it? Maybe that is why my blood pressure is high sometime.

God bless the research manager

What a day!

I had a decent sleep but was awakened by the GI doctor's office telling me that I had to do blood and stool tests today. That put us under time pressure and as a result breakfast was rushed. I found myself for the second half downing a super greens smoothie with a chaga mushroom tea chaser. Who would have ever thought that would happen.

I had good energy throughout the day and we did well at bridge.

After bridge, we went to pick up the petscan report.

Their system was acting up and so I had to wait 45 agonizing minutes to get the report.

It was worth the wait.

The liver reflects "activity is now not significantly different from the liver background" which I understand is very good. The status is consistent with "good treatment response."

Cancer "activity in the colon is decreasing, which is compatible with good treatment response."

The doctor was pleased to get two "good treatment response" notes last time and now we have two more.

It appears that the chemo and the efforts of the research manager re food, vitamins and supplements have paid off big time. I know the results would not be as good without the things I am taking.

Thanks to all who have prayed and supported me in so many ways.

We drove home with a smile on our faces and tears of joy.

God bless the research manager.

Nail Polish

Interesting day today.

I had to get up by 7 am, even though I did not feel like it, in order to have breakfast before 8 am to allow for 6 hours before my petscan.

This allowed me to get a few things done and to watch a little TV. For whatever reason, I like The Price is Right. I saw a commercial in which the spokesperson said her name and that she had lost 50 pounds on ____. I said back to the TV,  "I am Charles Gill and I have lost 35 pounds on chemo."

My blood work went well and my white blood cell count is actually better than 2 weeks ago.

Then it was off to the imaging center. I was looked after by Emily who did a wonderful job. When I asked for a CD of the scan, she said that I could pick it up tomorrow when I picked up the report. I said that the research manager wanted it tonight and "You know how wives are." She said "How are we?"  I think she may have run the scan an extra long time as a result. By the way, the research manager has not looked at it yet.

On the way to the club, we went through the McDonald's drive through for Egg McMuffins. The young guy at the window called the research manager "Baby." I bet that we go to that McDonalds more often!

As the day wore on, my bowels began to revert to their former (meaning bad) selves. We ended up getting an appointment with my GI doctor to look at the situation, particularly the pain I feel often.

Final piece of advice for today from a cancer support person. How to treat ringworm. Coat it with nail polish!

Gotta run. Need to do an Epsom Salt soak and Cash Cab starts soon.

This could be the start

Hold your breath, folks. It may be that things are getting better.

I went for acupuncture this morning and described my diarrhea situation to the doctor. She suggested that I try a Chinese herbal diarrhea remedy. I was not sure if I had Chinese herbal diarrhea, but being desperate, I thought I might as well give it a try. I will know in the morning if we are on the right track.

Meanwhile, I noticed that I have smaller toes than I once did. I don't know what caused me to notice this, but I did. Of course, all of me is getting smaller.

One of the best things to do is to avoid stress. Let me tell you that if you take too long to drink/eat the research manager's smoothie or drink your matzo ball soup too slowly, both when you are under time constraints, it could lead to STRESS! I know! Research managers aren't affected by stress, they cause it!

Looking forward to tomorrow........petscan day.

In the pocket.

Life is exciting. There is always something to look forward to.

For example, today, I am looking forward to a day this week when I will feel really good.

Not that I can complain. No one will listen! And I did feel somewhat better today. Just tell my bowels and we'll be all set.

Of course, I look forward to acupuncture tomorrow.

Then I have my petscan on Tuesday and am looking forward to hearing the results.

Wednesday, I can pick up the petscan report.

Thursday, I am due for eye shots, but am hoping that the Avastin that I receive as part of my chemo will have kept my eyes on side and mitigate against the shots.

Friday, I am meeting with an alternative treatment center.

Somewhere in between, I will be meeting with the medical marijuana doctor.

So, by Friday, I expect to be totally confused.

Talking about confused, this morning, I could not find my phone. I picked up the house phone and dialed my cell phone number. That usually helps and in this case it did! My phone was in my pocket.

I am tired just thinking about the week ahead. Good night!

Hi or high?

I am finally feeling a little better this evening.

Having said that, I can report that, as of today, I weigh 100 pounds less than I did in 1997 when I was diagnosed as having diabetes. Shedding 5 pounds a year is pretty good. Losing 30 pounds in 3 months might not be as healthy. I have been trying to eat as much as possible.

I have a friend in England that hates the idea of Egg McMuffins, but this evening, I ate two of them. Because of weird pricing, I got 2 for $4.28 instead of 1 for $3.39. Good deal, eh?

I was raised very strictly, no dancing, no movies, no alcohol, no card playing (oops!)

I recall my dad getting frustrated and exclaiming that something was enough to drive him to drink.

I know the feeling. The side effects of the chemo are enough to drive me to medical marijuana!

I had a conversation with a doctor this evening and am making an appointment that will begin a complicated process to get to use some form in my treatment.

It may not help, but if I do it the wrong way, I won't care!

Resting all day

Today was a tough one. Well, last night was a tough one. I got very little sleep as I was up seven times to visit the washroom.

As a result, I have spent much of the day sleeping when I was not on the toilet.

I think things are getting better this evening and I hope to have a better sleep.

Other than that, things are ok. My dry mouth is doing ok, with no sores. The ringworm is slowly improving.

But I still am very sensitive to cold and my fingers hurt even holding hard objects.

By the way, I figured out what "safe o" referred to last night. I continue to be sensitive emotionally in different circumstances. I meant to mention that I was on the verge of tears when I saw a Safeco commercial in which a mother and her children got to play an extra few minutes of street hockey because the mother could track when the Safeco guy would arrive.

Today,  I can only feel sorry for myself. Oh and for the research manager, who has had to put up with me all day. Oh and for you, who has to read this sad tale.

It will be better tomorrow if I have anything to do with it.

Unintelligible

What can I say? It is Day 3 after chemo.

I don't feel that bad, but I don't feel that great either.

However, the research manager continues to insist that I am doing better than two weeks ago and I wore a red shirt tonight just to make others think that also.

I make notes some days of things to mention in my blog. Today was no exception.

I spoke to the nurse about a condition at the cancer center today and her advice was "Take Duralax and if that doesn't work, take Miralax and stay home!"

The other note that I made is unintelligible to me. It may be due to auto-correct on my phone. So, if any one can tell me what "safe o" means, please let me know and then we can share a laugh together. Meanwhile, I am watching The Gong Show, which is also unintelligible.

I am tired tonight and so this note is short. I may no even stay up for Cash Cab.

Where will we go from here?

I am a little late tonight in posting.

I had a decent day notwithstanding having Bob with me.

The research manager went off for an early meeting and I researched some cancer treatment alternatives. I am here to tell you that alternative cancer treatments are almost as expensive as chemo, and there is no insurance. However, it seems possible to adopt some of the strategies without going whole hog.

I am beginning to fashion a regime that I can follow, but am awaiting my petscan to finalize this.

I worked on some issues with light bulbs in the kitchen and determined that we likely need new fixtures.

It will be good when a light comes on in my head and I know how to proceed.

The rest of the day went pretty well in terms of how I felt, but not in terms of how I played bridge. The research manager and others seem to think that I was doing better than two weeks ago. I have no explanation for this.

On the way home, we stopped for my wheatgrass shot and picked up salad fixings and soup for dinner. The big thing for the salad is broccoli sprouts.

After dinner, I fell asleep and woke up just in time to listen to the final episode of the cancer series that we have been listening to.

It is helpful in setting out therapies, treatments and diet. Now all we have to do is sort all this out.

Chocolate cake therapy

Who would think that chemo makes you feel better..........for a little while?.

The reason is that the second thing you get is steroids. They are enough to make you feel good and more energetic for the first few days.,

During the rest of chemo, I was joking with the nurses and feeling pretty good.

Meanwhile, I continue to be inundated with treatment options. Detoxify, micronutrients, light, electricity, the coffee enema and cannabis are all entries over the last 24 hours.

About the only thing left is the chocolate cake therapy. In it, you take chocolate cake and remove the sugar and flour by a unique process known to an undetermined number of practitioners. This leaves cocoa or cacao and a few spices. Mix the cacao with greens, fruit and vegetables into a smoothie and drink it with curcumin and you will help your immune system, detoxify you, fight cancer and help effect world peace.

With chemo, you get chemo brain. With chemo brain, I might try the chocolate cake therapy. Of course, I might forget the last few steps.

Wise Man

A mixture of thoughts today.

Overall, it was a decent day. The highlight was probably the acupuncture. I got off the table feeling really relaxed and happy.

I mentioned to a few people this morning that I had unearthed some scrap gold and intended to take it to the refinery in Tampa. I decided after the acupuncture that going to the refinery was not urgent and so we went to our health food store for a few things. Unbelievably, two of the items were frankincense and myrrh. These are essential oils that are good for me. Talk about feeling like a wise man.

I was brought up short at the health food store. The research manager put two containers of blueberries in the cart. I have a good supply of blueberries at home. When I mentioned that, she said that the ones she was buying were for her and that with all that is happening, she just wanted something for herself. Wow....I need to be far more sensitive to her needs during this journey.

For the first time, I am not at all looking forward to chemo tomorrow. I don't feel like taking anything to do during the chemo and I don't feel like taking anything to eat. I hope that the frankincense and myrrh can change my mood.

One really cool thing happened today. I got an email from someone who supports a school for disabled children in Thailand. He indicated that he was going to have the children sing and pray for me. Apparently the singing is not all that great, but the enthusiasm is there. Now that makes me feel good.

Time for and Epsom salt soak and Cash Cab. What more could I want?!

Choose Wisely

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of great advice,
Lots of people have good thoughts
Which is very nice.

I got home today, a tired man
With not a lot of snap.
But I can write this note now
After a three hour nap. a three hour nap.

Today was a good day and all went well, but I was tired when I got home. Hence the nap.

I wanted to acknowledge the fact that people, reading and internet videos have offered a constant stream of advice about this cancer journey.

For example, in the last 24 hours, I have heard, read or saw advice on dry mouth, research in Georgia, Essiac tea, Iodine, stress, my spine, vaccines, tooth cavity fillings, and homeopathy.

The list is a lot longer for the past week.

Some of these things are tactical, others have longer term implications for this journey.

The tactical things are easy to assimilate. The bigger issues take time and thought.

My 8th chemo is on this coming Tuesday and a week later, I will have a petscan to see where things stand. At that point, we will make a decision as to how to proceed and whether any alternate therapies are worth pursuing.

There are a lot of choices. Ben Bailey tells contestants on Cash Cab to "Choose Wisely." Pray that we will.

Official

I was recently told by a reader of this blog that they were hoping for more boring reports.

Well.......you have gotten your wish.

I felt good today and virtually everything went well.

I started the day early and got my early meds done before tennis.

Tennis went well.

I even managed to attempt to make my first and second ever cheese omelettes. I did the one for the research manager first and it was slightly burned, but mine was virtually perfect. I am now appointed as the official omelette maker for the family. I am honored.

The day went on like this. I did work. I had a short rest and headed out to do errands.

I am up to two ounces of wheatgrass each day now and while I was there picked out ingredients for a salad for dinner. The research manager has appointed me as the salad fixings purchaser for the family for the future. I am honored.

I am hoping for more official titles in the future. Things like official dessert purchaser, official restaurant chooser et cetera.

Shortly, I will be the official Cash Cab watcher. So........good night.

Dreaming

I felt pretty good today. I wore a red shirt and everything went well.

I did my tennis, my breakfast routine and did some work at my computer. We played bridge this afternoon and again did okay.

But a few interesting things happened.

I know that I have lost weight ( I am at my lowest weight in a long time), but the research manager pulled up to a parking spot at dinner tonight (Ha Long Bay - where else?) and left me only 6 inches to get out of the car. I convinced her that I was not Gumby and she backed out the car and gave me a little more room.

My dry mouth issues continue (10 days after chemo) and I also find myself getting cold more often. I got yet another dry mouth treatment suggestion today. It is that you go to bed with a hard candy between your cheek and your gum. How it could help me if you go to bed with a hard candy in your mouth is beyond me!

Apparently, a pebble works to create saliva also. I presume that you should not go to sleep that way.

Finally, we continue to listen to "The Truth About Cancer." It is a series that focuses on alternate cancer therapies.

Tonight, I heard that the curcumin is very good and that juicing is very good. Apparently, I should up my wheatgrass to at least 4 ounces a day.

The last item was doing viral therapy, which attacks cancer cells and cancer stem cells. The treatment Rigvir Viral Therapy caught my attention. It is offered in Cancun and Baja by Hope4Cancer.

Hmmm.....now I can dream of spending a few weeks in Baja. I will sleep well with a candy in my mouth and dreams of Mexican beach life in my head!

Good night!

My biggest problem

When you are going through the chemo process, everything goes more slowly.

Take today for example.

I felt good today, played tennis, wore a red shirt and all that.

But, after tennis, I sat and watched the others playing for a short time before summoning the energy to go back home.

When I got home, I sat down to do a few things on the computer that ended up taking two hours. I seem to act deliberately.

I then went to make breakfast and by the time I got organized, it was almost noon. I even eat slowly, choosing to watch bridge while I eat.

I then took a two hour nap and was wakened only by.......you guessed it........dry mouth. It still happens, but only when I am sleeping.

I then went out about 3:00 to do a few errands. Due to the slow moving philosophy, I didn't get back till almost 5:00, leaving no time for dinner as we had to leave at 5:15 for bridge.

Thank goodness for Egg McMuffins. They are much better and fresher in the evening than in the morning.

And now, here I am late for this post. The first Cash Cab is over and I am still typing. We can blame the lateness on my moving slowly, but in this case it was due to discussing someone's family problems after the game.

The reality is that we all have problems and it is good to discuss them with others.

My biggest problem is figuring out what to write each night and yours is likely my expecting you to read this each day.

But......thanks for doing so.

What does a white shirt mean?

A good day. I felt a lot better today and had good energy. There are so many things to do that I wonder how we get it all done.

Because we need to clean towels, sheets and clothes that are ringworm related every day, our clothes washer is busier than a Chinese laundry.

With the various foods that we have to prepare, particularly for breakfast, I feel as if I am busier than a short order cook.

This, in turn, produces a large number of dirty dishes, glassware and cutlery. That means the dishwasher is busier than the 18 year dishwasher at our local family restaurant.

After tennis and breakfast and a few work items, we headed off to the bridge club. Because I have found myself tired the last few days, I opted to play rather than run the game. Good decision,......we won in our direction.

By the way, I wore a white shirt just to confuse everybody.

As if we needed anything else to do, we are now listening to a 9 part series called "The Truth About Cancer." It is interesting in that it talks about alternate cancer treatments. For my part, I am interested in things that can be added to the program along with the chemo regimen.

Tonight, I learned about frankincense oil.

The bottom line is that it is necessary to build up one's immune system in order to survive not only the chemo but life after that.

Just enough time for an Epsom salt soak before Cash Cab.

Wind up toy

Today began well enough. I felt better than the previous two days. After the fancy Mu-Gard and the Biodene, I had good success overnight with a simple Sea Salt water rinse. My mouth felt better, not perfect, but better.

We were pressed for time since I had to go to the acupuncturist and I may have intentionally lost my tennis match 6-0. I have heard previously that "love" on the tennis court does not take long.

We got all the morning necessities done and headed off for acupuncture and wheatgrass on the way.

Yet another treatment for dry mouth and sores - needles in my cheeks. Let's see how it turns out.

You've seen those wind up toys that slow down over time? Well that was me as the day wore on. I almost fell asleep running a small game tonight.

Now I am home, but I will take the time to do an Epsom salt soak. I did it last night and that combined with the Fluconasole capsule has started to improve my ringworm.

Fun and games continue.

Show me the way to go home.

I wore a red shirt today, just to spite my friend chemo. I did feel a little better than the last few days, but not quite at the red shirt level. Maybe pink or yellow, but better than blue.

Let's look at what happened today.

I played tennis but lost 6-2. I blame my partner. She chose me to play with her.

After tennis, I had to run around to get more Ketoconazole for the ringworm since we were virtually out. Due to a snafu with the original prescription and the fact that the prescribing office was closed all last week and again today, I had to snarl at the pharmacist at Walgreens to get another tube.

I got back with just enough time to apply the ointment, eat an avocado and then head off for my blood work. During the application, I was shocked to hear the research manager say that she was not a dermatologist. I couldn't believe that, while researching my cancer, she has not learned how to be a dermatologist. The quality of research managers these days!

I did learn two things about my mouth dryness and sores. I applied lots of Vitamin E to the worst spots in my mouth as well as using Biotene. This helped, but we are not all the way there yet.

I was also told that gargling Bourbon was effective. Question? Do you swallow or spit out after gargling? If you gargle enough and swallow, will you care?

Show me the way to go home. I'm tired and I want to go to bed. I had a gargle of bourbon an hour ago and it went right to my head.

Good Night.

Just Kidding

For those that know me, you are aware that I like to kid. Whether it is laying down a hand in bridge or making a joke out of something that happens or is said, I delight in coming with something unexpected.

Well, good old chemo has inherited my kidding tendency.

I just knew that I would feel much better today, but chemo was just playing with me.

I woke up this morning with a dry and sore mouth, diarrhea and ringworm, just about the same as yesterday. I did not feel that great but struggled through the day.

My cancer pal in Tampa, who for these last few days is doing better than I, came up with her solution for the dry mouth (Biotene) and the diarrhea ( Imodium AD every 4 hours.) I am so thankful for the suggestions. We each get strength by sharing our experiences.

We picked up the Biotene just after I got a double shot of wheatgrass this afternoon and I couldn't wait to get home to try it. The Biotene seems to be helping and I will swig another mouthful in an hour or so. More Imodium AD is also in the near future.

So, things are very slowly moving in the right direction.

That gives me new optimism for tomorrow. Chemo can't fool me twice!

Thank Goodness for Chemo's Side Effects

I am feeling very optimistic about tomorrow.

Read on to find out why.

I woke this morning with a very dry and sore mouth. I had been awakened 4 times during the night with the same problem.

I decided to break down and us the $800 a bottle mouth treatment called Mu-Gard. However, since I was intent on playing tennis and needed to hydrate during the game, I had to wait till I could take the medicine and go an hour without eating or drinking.

After the normal avocado, spinach and egg breakfast, I got ready for my ringworm treatment (ketoconazole). It may be improving very slowly. We are also using Tea Tree Oil in the evening.

Then my bowels began to act up and have continued to do so all afternoon and evening.

I managed to get the Mu-Gard treatment done about 1:00 and was supposed to accompany the research manager on one of her visits, but my physical state did not permit that.

As a result, I got to watch tennis and then baseball while resting the balance of the day.

So, here I am dealing with dry mouth and sores, diarrhea and ringworm and yet hanging in.

How is it possible to hang in? Simple. Tomorrow will be a better day. It can't get any worse.

Gotta love chemo and its side effects! It makes you optimistic that things have to get better.

Snorting Chocolate

What kind of day has it been? Well, it has been ok, but not much more. I have been tired all day and my mouth and lip sores are driving me crazy. The ringworm thing is persisting in being annoying.

We had dinner out tonight with Matt, the research manager's oldest son. I was barely able to talk intelligently.

Yesterday, I said that I was content in whatever state that I found myself. I forgot about the state of depression. That was where I was after tennis this morning. We were down 3-0, tied it up and then lost 3 more, including the last game of the set when I brought in a supposed ringer to play with me. I told her that I would be depressed all day as a result of the loss.

Fortunately, I was lifted out of depression quickly when I received an email about snorting chocolate. Maybe I should have tried snorting other things when I was younger so that I could handle this chocolate feat in my older age.

I was sent back into depression when the research manager quickly issued a text and an email mocking the chocolate snorting idea.

And so, that is where I am tonight.......in a state of depression from my tennis loss and the undoing of a chocolate snorting fantasy.

Heck, based on their wonder healing reputations, I expect avocadoes, curcumin or chaga mushroom tea to bring me back to happiness.

I'll go try some chaga mushroom tea now.

Content in whatever state

I think that today may have been the best 4th day after chemo yet.

I played tennis this morning, something that I haven't done on day 4 since early on.

I did some work and ran some errands before taking a short afternoon nap.

We finally got into the broccoli for dinner. H.W. would not be pleased if he heard about that. But, the research manager has determined that barely cooked broccoli is very good for you. We had it with butter, but I think that cheese sauce will be in play next time.

We then played bridge and did decently.

The hot topic issue continues to be ringworm. I now have a third treatment possible. We have the Ketoconazole ointment and Fluconazole tablets, which are working very slowly. As back up, we have had Odoban and Vicks Vaporub.

And as of this morning, we now have Urine Therapy. I won't go into details on this, but as a treatment, I find it hard to swallow.

I got an email today saying that that I seem to have learned to be content in whatever state I find myself. That is true, except for Alaska, Wisconsin and Minnesota in January. But it is true that I subscribe to Philippians 4 verse 11.

Ooops.....Cash Cab has started. See you tomorrow.

Movie Potential

It was a dark and stormy night. Despite warnings of severe thunderstorms, the intrepid veteran blogger stepped up to his computer to tackle his task.

But the storm was the least of his worries. He had nothing interesting to report. His neuropathic fingers hurt when he touched the keyboard, he had no appetite and he was tired.

He ran down the list of the days events:

Slept late
Oatmeal with flax seeds for breakfast
8 pills and lypo-spheric vitamin C
A soak with Epsom Salts (try that with Bob)
Chaga Mushroom Tea
Application of ringworm medication
Trip to cancer center to remove Bob
Errands on the way home
Take out Har Gow from Ha Long Bay
Shot of wheatgrass
Get mail from the post office box
Sleep for 4 hours
Tomato and Cheese sandwich for a late dinner
More pills and vitamin C
Watch tape of America's Got Talent
Cry when 4 singers get 4 yesses
Bath to finally wash hair - Bob doesn't permit that

And now here he is at his computer.

Highlight of the day? Cutting his fingernails after his bath.

This could be a movie!

Odoban and Vicks Vaporub

Well, today was an interesting one. I started out feeling pretty good and started the new ringworm meds. I had matzo ball soup for breakfast. I got some work done and went off to the club for a special July 4 game. It went well.

After doing a little shopping on the way home, I arrived home to rest for a few hours. I woke up feeling a little nauseous but managed to eat a little dinner - squash soup and Flackers (flax crackers.)

Day two and day three after chemo are not good for diet.

Now, wasn't that interesting?

The interesting part was an email that came in just after midnight telling me about a unique fix for ringworm, at least for dogs. Odoban and Vicks Vaporub. I passed this on to the research manager, who promptly did her thing.

I am not sure that the fix works for humans, but she did unearth some interesting information.

The email talked about using Odoban for keeping toilets, sinks and showers cleaner and it looks like we will go with this. Important to keep everything clean.

There are also many uses for Vicks. It can help heal cuts and bruises and help with sore muscles. The research manager also advised that it has the same capabilities as Viagra. Hmmm....did you click on the link that said you were over the age of 21 to read this blog?

Almost time for cash cab, but I have six pills and a Lypo-Spheric vitamin C to deal with before then.

Ah, this is the life of Reilly!

More Important than Shoes!

Today was chemo day because tomorrow (Tuesday) is a holiday.

After tennis and a breakfast, we headed off to the cancer clinic.

The chemo went fairly well with the exception that my Avastin got spilled all over the nurse, the floor and me. Fortunately, it was Avastin rather than some of the other drugs which burn your skin seriously. Think about it. Some of the drugs can burn your skin through to the bone and it is being put into your blood stream. Serious stuff.

Prior to the chemo, we met with Dr. Patel and discussed my ringworm which is not getting any better and, in fact is spreading to at least two other areas. He said he would like to consult with an infectious disease doctor. As we were leaving he advised us to take a prescription topical ointment for 14 days and also a prescription capsule once a week for 12 weeks. You have to take this kind of fungal infection seriously when you are in chemo and your immune system can be compromised. In fact, you have to take all infection seriously.

Some random notes from the day:

1. Two large poodles visited the cancer center all dressed up for July 4 with hats and glasses. Email me if you want to see a picture.

2. On the way home, I saw a sign advertising blackberries for $.99 each. Those must be big blackberries! I love blackberry jam!

3. Finally, a note of hope. You wonder where you stand in the pecking order when you are ill. We were supposed to pick up some shoes for one of Carol's clients, but were running out of time and so we went directly to the cancer center. The research manager told me that I was more important than her client's shoes. That made me feel good!

4. We played bridge tonight and finally got points after what seems like three years with nothing!

Time for Cash Cab. Here endeth tonight's blog..

Tomorrow, tomorrow.....what will happen tomorrow?

Today started off tough. Why? The morning's avocado was the hardest that I have ever tasted. Mind you, it wasn't that long ago that any avocado would have been the hardest that I had ever tasted. But I now have a few under my belt.

The rest of the day went pretty well though.

We had a nice time at the club this afternoon. After the game, I made a dinner deal. I would pick up some Har Gow at Ha Long Bay to take home and then go to Earth Origins to pick up a salad with some red onion in it.

That worked and I only had to give one of the eight Har Gow to the research manager. There were none left and so no "mouse" risk exists. The salad was pretty good and, of course, the red onion is a biggie in fighting cancer cells.

I kind of think that there is a chance that my cancer cells are like the old Charlie and don't like the things that I used to not like and so they shrink when I feed them good stuff.

Tomorrow is chemo day because Tuesday is a holiday. On the one hand, I am psyched to get number 7 under my belt. On the other, I wonder what "wonderful" things will come my way on this round.

That is what makes my life like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. I never know what I am going to get!

Up Late

I bet you thought that I forgot you. Here it is 10 minutes into July 2 and not a word about July 1.

I am late because of a wonderful Canada Day party that resulted in my getting home just before midnight and my computer was in an ornery mood.

So, July 1 was another good day. The normal tennis, then breakfast routine. After some urgent work to get the club's monthly bulletin out, we went shopping.

Here's a hint. If you are getting chemo you should not volunteer to go looking for things that are cold. But, oh no, not me. I volunteered to run off and find the hot dogs. I found them, but then really annoyed my fingers carrying them back to the research manager and her shopping cart. I think she hides with the cart. But that didn't teach me, I then ran off to get the frozen potatoes to make poutine for the party. Another cold finger mistake. Darn that neuropathy.

But I survived. I still have fingers. And we ended up having a great party. There weren't a lot of veggies on the food table, but there was watermelon.

Not much more to report. I will go to bed.

Someone commented that I stayed up late the other night when I said that I was going to bed just after 10. But that was early. Heck, Cash Cab runs from 11 to 12 weeknights. I go to bed late, but I get up early to make up for it!

A quick note: With this post, the blog will go over 10,000 page views. I have done 103 blogs. Thanks for your interest.