I had my weekly blood test Tuesday and got all the numbers. In general they are just slightly improved from last week. I told the nurse practitioner that I would like the numbers to be better, she said they she thought they were great numbers, given the treatments that I have been getting. My platelets are still low and I bruise if I look at my skin, but it is liveable.
The not so good news is that my hand/foot syndrome is getting more pronounced both on my feet and my hands. There are some things that I find difficult to do ,such as buttoning and unbuttoning shirts and sorting papers or cards for that matter. If it gets worse, they may have reduce the dosage of Xeloda that I take. I want to max the results and so I would like to keep the dosage up.
Given that they may have to reduce the dosage, they did a CEA (cancer marker) test yesterday and it is slightly improved. I presume this means that it is more likely that they can reduce the dosage if necessary. All the supplements that I take have to be helping the process and that is good.
Speaking of supplements, I realized that I am taking three types of mushroom supplement. I may turn into a mushroom.....who knows. I am not in the dark and having (expletive deleted) dumped on me yet though.
Speaking of supplements, I am convinced that the wheatgrass that I take each day (2 oz plus a little) are helping me big time.
Wheat grass has the following benefits:
Increases alkalinity
Reduces cholesterol
Helps kill cancer cells
Helps control blood sugar
Alleviates Inflammation
Promotes weight loss
I have wheatgrass pills for when I cannot get the juice.
The research manager recently noted that married couples begin to look alike after a while. Since people say that I am looking good, that is good for her. Given that it is me she would begin to look like, I feel sorry for her.
On the book front, we have crossed that 50% threshold on the kickstarter campaign. Thanks to those who have expressed and demonstrated interest. Some are still asking how to check it out. (Go to www.kickstarter.com and search for Red Shirts and Rubber Duckies). I am working through the editing process line by line. Talk about tedious!
More people have expressed a desire to pray for me and I am most grateful.
Life is really pretty good.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
The Wrinkled Retina
Well, folks, the numbers game continues. What would I do or write about without my Tuesday blood tests? The numbers were pretty stable this week. My white blood cells were down a little, but otherwise things were stable. My blood pressure is up somewhat. I have been busy and a little stressed over the past week and that may be the cause. We'll see what happens next week.
I have two developments to report.
First, one of our small measuring cups dropped on the floor and broke. That left only one small measuring cup. You might say, "So what?" But it is a significant thing. The other small measuring cup has some left over spaghetti sauce in it (the healthier kind!) The problem is that it is the only thing that I can use to water the African Violet that sits on the corner of my desk (the one from Mary Jo Yates.) So, now I have to improvise to get it watered.
Secondly, I was at my opthalmologist a few days ago. The good news is that my macular edema is still under control thanks to the Avastin that I get as part of my cancer treatment. Avastin was the first drug used to treat macular edema. The interesting news is that the doc told me that I have a wrinkled retina. Hmmm...what do I do about that? I looked up the top 10 wrinkle creams, but none mention retinas! The doctor says that it is nothing to worry about. Hey....maybe worrying about it was the cause of my blood pressure.
Sadly, I have to report that last Wednesday was National Rubber Duckie Day and I forgot to mention it last week. Given the history of my blog and the title of my book, you would think that I would have remembered this.
But, that gives me a chance to tell you that the fundraising on Kickstarter is well under way. Thanks to those who have expressed interest.
For those that want to know how to get to the project, go to www.kickstarter.com and search for Red Shirts and Rubber Duckies.
Life continues to be good. It is time for my nightly epsom salt soak. I will read a few chapters of House of Spies so that I can report on it in our nightly non-tv show.
I have two developments to report.
First, one of our small measuring cups dropped on the floor and broke. That left only one small measuring cup. You might say, "So what?" But it is a significant thing. The other small measuring cup has some left over spaghetti sauce in it (the healthier kind!) The problem is that it is the only thing that I can use to water the African Violet that sits on the corner of my desk (the one from Mary Jo Yates.) So, now I have to improvise to get it watered.
Secondly, I was at my opthalmologist a few days ago. The good news is that my macular edema is still under control thanks to the Avastin that I get as part of my cancer treatment. Avastin was the first drug used to treat macular edema. The interesting news is that the doc told me that I have a wrinkled retina. Hmmm...what do I do about that? I looked up the top 10 wrinkle creams, but none mention retinas! The doctor says that it is nothing to worry about. Hey....maybe worrying about it was the cause of my blood pressure.
Sadly, I have to report that last Wednesday was National Rubber Duckie Day and I forgot to mention it last week. Given the history of my blog and the title of my book, you would think that I would have remembered this.
But, that gives me a chance to tell you that the fundraising on Kickstarter is well under way. Thanks to those who have expressed interest.
For those that want to know how to get to the project, go to www.kickstarter.com and search for Red Shirts and Rubber Duckies.
Life continues to be good. It is time for my nightly epsom salt soak. I will read a few chapters of House of Spies so that I can report on it in our nightly non-tv show.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Exciting News
I have some exciting news to share with you.
It could be that my numbers were better this week in almost every category. All the pills and diet regimens that the research manager espouses seem to work.
It could be that my alkalinity level is as good as it has been and holding steady. Higher alkalinity is good for your health and bad for cancer. All that alkaline water (Essentia) that I drink seems to be having effect.
It could be that I was able to play tennis with three women (Chuck and the chicks!) the other day and that I played decently. They were younger and far more energetic than I but I survived and it energized me.
It could be that I learned that I have inherited my mumbling from my father who, I am told, is mumbling just like I do. I think I am better at it though!
It is all those things and, then this. The creation of my book is underway.
I have been told that my blog is helpful to others and that I should make it a book. I am finding that it is an expensive process. The artwork, the editing, the book design, the production of the book and the publicity all add up.
To help with the costs and to get the book into the hands of those that will benefit, I have begun a Kickstarter campaign. I invite you to visit the site, either out of curiosity or to make a donation and receive a copy of the book when it is finally published (I am hoping for early May) or to support the cause at a level that is comfortable.
It appears that the simplest way to access the kickstarter site is to go to www.kickstarter.com and to do a search for "Red Shirts and Rubber Duckies," the title of the book.
It may also be possible to go to the link below, but some have had trouble with it.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/redshirts/red-shirts-and-rubber-duckies-smiling-through-chem?ref=project_build
Thank you for your interest. I hope that you share my excitement.
It could be that my numbers were better this week in almost every category. All the pills and diet regimens that the research manager espouses seem to work.
It could be that my alkalinity level is as good as it has been and holding steady. Higher alkalinity is good for your health and bad for cancer. All that alkaline water (Essentia) that I drink seems to be having effect.
It could be that I was able to play tennis with three women (Chuck and the chicks!) the other day and that I played decently. They were younger and far more energetic than I but I survived and it energized me.
It could be that I learned that I have inherited my mumbling from my father who, I am told, is mumbling just like I do. I think I am better at it though!
It is all those things and, then this. The creation of my book is underway.
I have been told that my blog is helpful to others and that I should make it a book. I am finding that it is an expensive process. The artwork, the editing, the book design, the production of the book and the publicity all add up.
To help with the costs and to get the book into the hands of those that will benefit, I have begun a Kickstarter campaign. I invite you to visit the site, either out of curiosity or to make a donation and receive a copy of the book when it is finally published (I am hoping for early May) or to support the cause at a level that is comfortable.
It appears that the simplest way to access the kickstarter site is to go to www.kickstarter.com and to do a search for "Red Shirts and Rubber Duckies," the title of the book.
It may also be possible to go to the link below, but some have had trouble with it.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/redshirts/red-shirts-and-rubber-duckies-smiling-through-chem?ref=project_build
Thank you for your interest. I hope that you share my excitement.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
No shoes.
I had no shoes and complained until I met a man who had no feet.
That was my reaction to my blood tests yesterday. The numbers were generally pretty good. White blood cell count, red blood cell count and hemoglobin were all better than last week. But my platelets were down from 91 to 81. They should be about 120 or more. I could have told them that my number was low, having been hit in the hand by a speeding tennis ball that left my partner's racquet about two feet from my hand. It created a rather full circle of a bruise about the shape of a tennis ball. The research manager has been so busy that she has not noticed it yet. So don't say anything.
While I was absorbing the numbers during my Avastin infusion, a lady arrived at the chair beside me. It turned out that she could not receive treatment because her platelets were measured at 41.
Then a gentleman arrived in a wheelchair and when the nurses saw his numbers, they ordered him to the emergency ward immediately because he had severe renal failure. Whatever measure they were looking at, it was 80 when it should have been 10.
So, 81 as a measure of my platelets is not so bad.
While I think that I have always been pretty good at this, I am becoming even more accepting of things as they are. For example, I no longer get upset about an odd number of eggs in the carton. I have learned to construct scenarios by which the eggs will ultimately come out even.
But be warned! I still cannot accept toilet paper rolls being put on the dispenser the wrong way.
I am wondering about one thing though. I was recently told that I was exceptional. I looked up the definition in the dictionary and found that the first definition is "unusual." Now tell me.....how should I take that?
All in all a good week. Tennis every day and sometimes three sets. None of the scores ended with love!
But I do feel the love of all of you. Thanks.
That was my reaction to my blood tests yesterday. The numbers were generally pretty good. White blood cell count, red blood cell count and hemoglobin were all better than last week. But my platelets were down from 91 to 81. They should be about 120 or more. I could have told them that my number was low, having been hit in the hand by a speeding tennis ball that left my partner's racquet about two feet from my hand. It created a rather full circle of a bruise about the shape of a tennis ball. The research manager has been so busy that she has not noticed it yet. So don't say anything.
While I was absorbing the numbers during my Avastin infusion, a lady arrived at the chair beside me. It turned out that she could not receive treatment because her platelets were measured at 41.
Then a gentleman arrived in a wheelchair and when the nurses saw his numbers, they ordered him to the emergency ward immediately because he had severe renal failure. Whatever measure they were looking at, it was 80 when it should have been 10.
So, 81 as a measure of my platelets is not so bad.
While I think that I have always been pretty good at this, I am becoming even more accepting of things as they are. For example, I no longer get upset about an odd number of eggs in the carton. I have learned to construct scenarios by which the eggs will ultimately come out even.
But be warned! I still cannot accept toilet paper rolls being put on the dispenser the wrong way.
I am wondering about one thing though. I was recently told that I was exceptional. I looked up the definition in the dictionary and found that the first definition is "unusual." Now tell me.....how should I take that?
All in all a good week. Tennis every day and sometimes three sets. None of the scores ended with love!
But I do feel the love of all of you. Thanks.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
2.000.000
2,000,000! That, my friends, is the number of red blood cells that a normal body makes every second. Obviously, my body has gotten tired of all that work. The normal red blood cell count is 4.3(x10^6/UL) to 6.3 and while my count has been lower than 4.3 almost as long as I have been getting treatment, it hit a new low today at 2.9. We are going to continue to work on this. Spinach and Kale, anyone? How about Vitamins B6, B12, A and E? Folic Acid (aka Carrot Juice)?
While this number is not disastrous, we would like it to be higher.
I wonder if it has something to do with Snoopy? I was given a red Snoopy shirt to wear for my blood tests (to go with the bandaids) and I wore if for the first time today. While none of the technicians would pose with me, I did get a picture. Copies are available upon request.
Other maladies?
My father used to say that going to church and talking to older people was going to an organ recital, listening to what was wrong with them. I guess that I am getting old.
My hand/foot syndrome continues to affect me. I think that the hands are slowly catching up to the feet in this department. There is a sensitivity and the tips of my fingers are smooth and rather red.
The other big news crept into my conscious back in September when the doctor at Moffitt observed a "reducible" hernia. I had forgotten all about this until I began to feel something that was affecting my abdomen. I surmised that it was the hernia. I inquired about how to treat this. Looking at the internet, the research manager came up with a site that dealt with how to treat a hernia (with pictures). I was wondering what kind of pictures could help and then I remembered Nina Agdal from Sports Illustrated. But apparently that is not what they meant when they said "with pictures.' Fortunately, one of my tennis friends knew two people who also have reducible hernias and she told me that you just have to push it back in. That seems to have worked. However, the research manager will not let me lift anything heavier that a forkful of kale!
Oh well, back to working on the next 2,000,000 red blood cells I'll keep you posted.
While this number is not disastrous, we would like it to be higher.
I wonder if it has something to do with Snoopy? I was given a red Snoopy shirt to wear for my blood tests (to go with the bandaids) and I wore if for the first time today. While none of the technicians would pose with me, I did get a picture. Copies are available upon request.
Other maladies?
My father used to say that going to church and talking to older people was going to an organ recital, listening to what was wrong with them. I guess that I am getting old.
My hand/foot syndrome continues to affect me. I think that the hands are slowly catching up to the feet in this department. There is a sensitivity and the tips of my fingers are smooth and rather red.
The other big news crept into my conscious back in September when the doctor at Moffitt observed a "reducible" hernia. I had forgotten all about this until I began to feel something that was affecting my abdomen. I surmised that it was the hernia. I inquired about how to treat this. Looking at the internet, the research manager came up with a site that dealt with how to treat a hernia (with pictures). I was wondering what kind of pictures could help and then I remembered Nina Agdal from Sports Illustrated. But apparently that is not what they meant when they said "with pictures.' Fortunately, one of my tennis friends knew two people who also have reducible hernias and she told me that you just have to push it back in. That seems to have worked. However, the research manager will not let me lift anything heavier that a forkful of kale!
Oh well, back to working on the next 2,000,000 red blood cells I'll keep you posted.
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