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.

.

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.