The good news is that most of my blood numbers were good yesterday.
The bad news is that my platelets were down fairly significantly.
But, that may actually be good news. As things have developed, I have acquired some bumps on my right leg. When we discussed them at the cancer center yesterday, we acknowledged that I had a similar dilemma some time back. At that time, I was sent to the hospital for an ultrasound to make sure that it was not any kind of blood clot. It turned out to be varicose veins. So, predictably, I am going to have an ultrasound tomorrow just to be safe again. But it is good to keep the platelets down if I have a blood clot.
I always associated varicose veins with old ladies when I was younger. I guess that I will be happy to settle into the "old lady" category as it relates to this.
I am still recovering from my hernia operation. I see the doctor again next week. I am sure you will anxiously await hearing what he says.
Meanwhile, I am excited to say that not only do I have hard copies of my book, but it is also now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble et cetera. I am looking forward to celebrating at Mainlands Clubhouse 5 this Saturday from 3pm to 5pm.
Meanwhile, we carry on. This despite receiving the news that my favorite cashier at Earth Origins no longer works there. Life is tough!
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Sweet Dreams
Well, after a period of no chemo, we are back at it.
My blood numbers were all pretty decent yesterday.
I am still healing from the double hernia surgery and I somehow twisted my right knee, which, I am sure does not result from hitting the tennis ball for 10 minutes this past Saturday.
So the bottom line is that I am feeling okay, but these ailments have some effect in slowing me up.
I think it will be another week or so before I can get back to tennis.
A few interesting things have happened in the past week. There has been a lot of lightning here and some people have been hit. The research manager said that the best thing to do if you see lightning or hear thunder is to go inside. I think the best thing to do is to find someone taller than you and stand beside them.
I went to the bank this afternoon to open a savings account and because they had not opened my checking account improperly, it took 90 minutes to get the job done. It is a reversal of what one would expect. The bank held me up!
One of the forms that I was given was a list of the people/institutions that the bank could give my personal information to and asked which ones I would allow. At the bottom of the list, I added cute blonds. I don't think that the banker noticed.
Talking of women. There is some good news. My girlfriend at the colon hydrotherapy office is back. I am glad. After a slow start, I like her and she seems to like my jokes.
And the big news is that there was a new receptionist at the cancer center, who is bright, witty and (drum roll) wears glasses. I hope she stays around. By the way, her name is Angie, the same as my youngest daughter.
I am going to bed early tonight. I have an early date tomorrow to drop off Bob. Several people at the cancer center want to purchase copies of my book. It may be a busy morning.
The research manager is tackling the TV in bed issue by purchasing a "Wholetones" sleep player which plays music to enhance your sleep. I look forward to trying it shortly.
My blood numbers were all pretty decent yesterday.
I am still healing from the double hernia surgery and I somehow twisted my right knee, which, I am sure does not result from hitting the tennis ball for 10 minutes this past Saturday.
So the bottom line is that I am feeling okay, but these ailments have some effect in slowing me up.
I think it will be another week or so before I can get back to tennis.
A few interesting things have happened in the past week. There has been a lot of lightning here and some people have been hit. The research manager said that the best thing to do if you see lightning or hear thunder is to go inside. I think the best thing to do is to find someone taller than you and stand beside them.
I went to the bank this afternoon to open a savings account and because they had not opened my checking account improperly, it took 90 minutes to get the job done. It is a reversal of what one would expect. The bank held me up!
One of the forms that I was given was a list of the people/institutions that the bank could give my personal information to and asked which ones I would allow. At the bottom of the list, I added cute blonds. I don't think that the banker noticed.
Talking of women. There is some good news. My girlfriend at the colon hydrotherapy office is back. I am glad. After a slow start, I like her and she seems to like my jokes.
And the big news is that there was a new receptionist at the cancer center, who is bright, witty and (drum roll) wears glasses. I hope she stays around. By the way, her name is Angie, the same as my youngest daughter.
I am going to bed early tonight. I have an early date tomorrow to drop off Bob. Several people at the cancer center want to purchase copies of my book. It may be a busy morning.
The research manager is tackling the TV in bed issue by purchasing a "Wholetones" sleep player which plays music to enhance your sleep. I look forward to trying it shortly.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Another close shave
In the finale of The Amazing Race, the host greets the winners by a recitation of the number of cities and days that the race encompassed.
On that note, I can say three flights, three cities, three hotels, six days. The research manager and Charlie, you have just had an amazing trip.
It was an interesting week. No blood tests. But I continue to recover from the double hernia surgery. I still feel a slight swelling and therefore, even though the doctor said I could start tennis tomorrow, I feel the need to take a few more days off and so I will.
We had a nice two days with the research manager's family on the occasion of her sister's 50th wedding anniversary and then flew to Los Angeles to drive to Hesperia to see my daughter Angela whom I had not seen for almost 4 years. I arrived to discover that she had a husband and two adorable daughters.
Well, I knew about them, I just had not met them. It was good to be there.
What did I learn from the trip? It is good to have a bad hip and back (the research manager) and to be recovering from a hernia operation (me) in that it gives you the perfect ticket for wheelchair rides. All the attendants were very helpful and you avoid long lines at the security check points.
I arrived home only to be disappointed. I received a thank you card from Morton Plant. They tend to send a card signed by all the people that look after you while you are at the hospital. I studied it closely and it seems to have been signed by everyone but Brookyn, the cute blond who prepped me with a shave. I am heart broken.
Do you think that she knows that people who are heartbroken are more susceptible to cancer? Do you think she cares? I will likely never know.
The research manager assured me that Brooklyn probably wanted to sign the card and strove to get to the hospital before they sent the card. She said it was a "close shave" but she was just a few minutes too late.
I will have to settle for that.
On that note, I can say three flights, three cities, three hotels, six days. The research manager and Charlie, you have just had an amazing trip.
It was an interesting week. No blood tests. But I continue to recover from the double hernia surgery. I still feel a slight swelling and therefore, even though the doctor said I could start tennis tomorrow, I feel the need to take a few more days off and so I will.
We had a nice two days with the research manager's family on the occasion of her sister's 50th wedding anniversary and then flew to Los Angeles to drive to Hesperia to see my daughter Angela whom I had not seen for almost 4 years. I arrived to discover that she had a husband and two adorable daughters.
Well, I knew about them, I just had not met them. It was good to be there.
What did I learn from the trip? It is good to have a bad hip and back (the research manager) and to be recovering from a hernia operation (me) in that it gives you the perfect ticket for wheelchair rides. All the attendants were very helpful and you avoid long lines at the security check points.
I arrived home only to be disappointed. I received a thank you card from Morton Plant. They tend to send a card signed by all the people that look after you while you are at the hospital. I studied it closely and it seems to have been signed by everyone but Brookyn, the cute blond who prepped me with a shave. I am heart broken.
Do you think that she knows that people who are heartbroken are more susceptible to cancer? Do you think she cares? I will likely never know.
The research manager assured me that Brooklyn probably wanted to sign the card and strove to get to the hospital before they sent the card. She said it was a "close shave" but she was just a few minutes too late.
I will have to settle for that.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Good Boy
What a difference a week makes!
Last week, I was wondering if there was life after hernia surgery, but today, I am feeling much better. The swelling has improved, not all the way, but much improved. I now know why the doctor schedules your followup visit for the second week after surgery. It is for his own safety. If many people felt like I felt like last week, the doctor's life expectancy would be much shorter. The good news is that I should be able to play tennis again in about a week.
My blood test numbers were generally good yesterday. There is nothing like a holiday from chemo to get your blood numbers more in line.
The building that houses the cancer center has valet parking. When I give the attendant my ticket to pick up my car, I usually ask for a BMW. So far they have not been able to deliver. You think that is bad. A nurse (Valerie) standing beside me tells me she asks for a Land Rover.
I seem to have the worst luck with women. I went for a far infrared sauna this afternoon and Helen, who has grown to appreciate me and my weird humor, was not there. This is the second receptionist from the Colon-Hydrotherapy center that I may have lost.
The research manager continues in her seemingly endless quest of keeping me in line. The problem is highlighted by a pneumonic for the lines on a treble clef. She thought is was Every Good Boy Does Fine, but I learned it as Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, Now if only I could be a good boy!
Plans are now somewhat finalized for a book launching party. It will be held on Saturday August 3 from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Mainlands Clubhouse #5, 4275 Mainlands Blvd. S. . I hope that you can join us.
Last week, I was wondering if there was life after hernia surgery, but today, I am feeling much better. The swelling has improved, not all the way, but much improved. I now know why the doctor schedules your followup visit for the second week after surgery. It is for his own safety. If many people felt like I felt like last week, the doctor's life expectancy would be much shorter. The good news is that I should be able to play tennis again in about a week.
My blood test numbers were generally good yesterday. There is nothing like a holiday from chemo to get your blood numbers more in line.
The building that houses the cancer center has valet parking. When I give the attendant my ticket to pick up my car, I usually ask for a BMW. So far they have not been able to deliver. You think that is bad. A nurse (Valerie) standing beside me tells me she asks for a Land Rover.
I seem to have the worst luck with women. I went for a far infrared sauna this afternoon and Helen, who has grown to appreciate me and my weird humor, was not there. This is the second receptionist from the Colon-Hydrotherapy center that I may have lost.
The research manager continues in her seemingly endless quest of keeping me in line. The problem is highlighted by a pneumonic for the lines on a treble clef. She thought is was Every Good Boy Does Fine, but I learned it as Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, Now if only I could be a good boy!
Plans are now somewhat finalized for a book launching party. It will be held on Saturday August 3 from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Mainlands Clubhouse #5, 4275 Mainlands Blvd. S. . I hope that you can join us.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Ferdinand
Just a simple procedure, they said.
Maybe if I had done a little more research, I would have known that it was not so simple.
Well, the operation was fine and I left for home Friday evening with the only disappointment that they did not keep me over night to enjoy that great menu and personal attention.
But since getting home I found out that there was more to this operation than I realized. My scrotum swelled to about three or four times its regular size and has stayed that way despite attempting the various treatments suggested by many. I feel like Ferdinand, the bull. It is painful to move,
The research says that this could last 3 to 8 months (ouch), but the surgeon and my doctor advisor, Mike, say it should get at least a little better in the next week or two. I am going with them.
When I went to the cancer center on Monday, my blood numbers were good. I even got good results from a test for the Galectin-3 protein which is increasingly expressed with greater resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy and metastatic (travelling) cancer cells. I prefer the Travelling Wilbury's. Can you name the members of that group? I have their first CD in my car.
The interesting thing is that I had gained 7 pounds in less than a week. The more interesting thing is that I have lost more than that in the last two days.
This is not entirely a negative report. I know that many in the Tampa Bay area are behind me. But when it came to the pre-op handling, I had all of Brooklyn beside me. This cute young blond was assigned the job of shaving the areas to be operated on. I had wondered how this would be dealt with and I must say that I was happy with the decision to use Brooklyn.
What is more, I have had supportive texts, cards and phone calls from many. These are all helpful in keeping my spirits up. Thanks!
Maybe if I had done a little more research, I would have known that it was not so simple.
Well, the operation was fine and I left for home Friday evening with the only disappointment that they did not keep me over night to enjoy that great menu and personal attention.
But since getting home I found out that there was more to this operation than I realized. My scrotum swelled to about three or four times its regular size and has stayed that way despite attempting the various treatments suggested by many. I feel like Ferdinand, the bull. It is painful to move,
The research says that this could last 3 to 8 months (ouch), but the surgeon and my doctor advisor, Mike, say it should get at least a little better in the next week or two. I am going with them.
When I went to the cancer center on Monday, my blood numbers were good. I even got good results from a test for the Galectin-3 protein which is increasingly expressed with greater resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy and metastatic (travelling) cancer cells. I prefer the Travelling Wilbury's. Can you name the members of that group? I have their first CD in my car.
The interesting thing is that I had gained 7 pounds in less than a week. The more interesting thing is that I have lost more than that in the last two days.
This is not entirely a negative report. I know that many in the Tampa Bay area are behind me. But when it came to the pre-op handling, I had all of Brooklyn beside me. This cute young blond was assigned the job of shaving the areas to be operated on. I had wondered how this would be dealt with and I must say that I was happy with the decision to use Brooklyn.
What is more, I have had supportive texts, cards and phone calls from many. These are all helpful in keeping my spirits up. Thanks!
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Medical Fun
I am sitting in the middle of an exciting week.
First, my blood numbers were good on Monday. White Blood Cell count was up, almost double last week, and my platelet count jumped from 69 to 108. All in all, pretty good.
On Tuesday, I went and had a far infrared sauna. There was some problem here. When I was at the colon hydrotherapy place that has the sauna last week, Helen the receptionist was away. I think she was upset and sick about the fact that I had missed an appointment earlier in the week. My visits are probably the highlight of her week.
In any event, when I made the booking for Tuesday, the fill-in entered my name as Joe. I almost was not allowed to come in because Joe had priority. Would you believe, I went back to my car and made up fake ID in the name of Joe and all was resolved?!
Earlier on Tuesday, I had to go to Morton Plant Hospital for pre-surgical testing. After visiting about three desks. a woman took me to weigh me and take my height.I learned that I was an inch taller than I thought. Pretty soon, I may be drafted by the NBA!
She then pointed me to a room and indicated that the patient should sit in the right chair. I am glad that I was not impatient at that time because if I was sitting in the left chair, I could not have seen the clerk who would have been hiding behind her computer screen.
When I saw the nurse, I think I passed the tests. I successfully identified a scalpel and a stethoscope and correctly guessed my blood pressure numbers within 10.
I am looking forward to Friday when I have my hernia surgery. It is supposed to be a day procedure, but I may start throwing up just to be able to stay over night. That way, I will get my own TV, have my morning newspaper delivered, have a great menu to order from and get a chance to practice creative writing on the white board. Did I mention that I like Morton Plant Hospital?
Finally, the first of my book rolled off the presses yesterday. I had to review it before it went into full print and e-book format. I think it looks good. There are still things to be done to get to full distribution. I expect everything to be set by the third or fourth week in July. Save the date, July 27. More details to follow.
First, my blood numbers were good on Monday. White Blood Cell count was up, almost double last week, and my platelet count jumped from 69 to 108. All in all, pretty good.
On Tuesday, I went and had a far infrared sauna. There was some problem here. When I was at the colon hydrotherapy place that has the sauna last week, Helen the receptionist was away. I think she was upset and sick about the fact that I had missed an appointment earlier in the week. My visits are probably the highlight of her week.
In any event, when I made the booking for Tuesday, the fill-in entered my name as Joe. I almost was not allowed to come in because Joe had priority. Would you believe, I went back to my car and made up fake ID in the name of Joe and all was resolved?!
Earlier on Tuesday, I had to go to Morton Plant Hospital for pre-surgical testing. After visiting about three desks. a woman took me to weigh me and take my height.I learned that I was an inch taller than I thought. Pretty soon, I may be drafted by the NBA!
She then pointed me to a room and indicated that the patient should sit in the right chair. I am glad that I was not impatient at that time because if I was sitting in the left chair, I could not have seen the clerk who would have been hiding behind her computer screen.
When I saw the nurse, I think I passed the tests. I successfully identified a scalpel and a stethoscope and correctly guessed my blood pressure numbers within 10.
I am looking forward to Friday when I have my hernia surgery. It is supposed to be a day procedure, but I may start throwing up just to be able to stay over night. That way, I will get my own TV, have my morning newspaper delivered, have a great menu to order from and get a chance to practice creative writing on the white board. Did I mention that I like Morton Plant Hospital?
Finally, the first of my book rolled off the presses yesterday. I had to review it before it went into full print and e-book format. I think it looks good. There are still things to be done to get to full distribution. I expect everything to be set by the third or fourth week in July. Save the date, July 27. More details to follow.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Just to avoid chemotherapy
What an interesting, action filled week!
You may recall that my white blood cell count was low a week ago yesterday. I personally felt that I needed a shot (two actually) of neupogen, which boosts the white blood cell count, I didn't get it last week, but I sure needed it this week and so I had a shot yesterday (Tuesday) and today, I feel a little energized as a result. I will look forward to seeing the numbers next Monday.
Now the really interesting news. I have had some trouble with hernias over the past few months. Usually, I can pop them back in, particularly, my left one. However, on Thursday, I sneezed really hard and the right one popped. By the end of the afternoon, I was in such pain that the research manager took me to the hospital.
Eventually, I got some painkiller by IV and relaxed enough to allow the doctor to pop it back in. When I got the painkiller by IV, it was suggested that I be given anti nausea medicine also, but I told them that I never get sick. When I sat up to leave, I found out that never is no longer true. After an hour to recover, I tried to get up again, got my feet off the bed and moved, in a short time, from never to twice.
As a result, I was given a free (to me) night's stay at Morton Plant hospital for observation. When I got to the room, three times was sort of a charm. I was kept all the next day to see if I could keep food down. I did and I must say that the food service at Morton Plant is wonderful. There is a great menu and you order what you want, when you want it by phone and it is delivered to you within 45 minutes. I could happily have stayed longer.
In your room, they have a white board to provide all the information about you, the patient. It has a list of the people looking after you, various vital statistics like blood pressure and blood sugar counts, et cetera. They also have a list of goals for the day.
I was left to my own devices for much of the afternoon and added the goal of "becoming the all knowing god of the universe" to my goals for the day. When Sarah came to discharge me, I pointed out that I had not achieved all my goals. She looked and saw my entry on the board and broke out laughing. She had never seen any patient write on the board before. I was released notwithstanding my failure to achieve all my goals for the day.
I left the hospital early Friday evening and have had to be careful since. I am seeing the surgeon tomorrow and expect to have an operation on Friday June 28.
Meanwhile, I cannot have chemo because the Avastin that is part of the chemo process inhibits recovery from surgery. The oncology doctor is okay with this.
The lengths that one has to go to avoid chemo!
You may recall that my white blood cell count was low a week ago yesterday. I personally felt that I needed a shot (two actually) of neupogen, which boosts the white blood cell count, I didn't get it last week, but I sure needed it this week and so I had a shot yesterday (Tuesday) and today, I feel a little energized as a result. I will look forward to seeing the numbers next Monday.
Now the really interesting news. I have had some trouble with hernias over the past few months. Usually, I can pop them back in, particularly, my left one. However, on Thursday, I sneezed really hard and the right one popped. By the end of the afternoon, I was in such pain that the research manager took me to the hospital.
Eventually, I got some painkiller by IV and relaxed enough to allow the doctor to pop it back in. When I got the painkiller by IV, it was suggested that I be given anti nausea medicine also, but I told them that I never get sick. When I sat up to leave, I found out that never is no longer true. After an hour to recover, I tried to get up again, got my feet off the bed and moved, in a short time, from never to twice.
As a result, I was given a free (to me) night's stay at Morton Plant hospital for observation. When I got to the room, three times was sort of a charm. I was kept all the next day to see if I could keep food down. I did and I must say that the food service at Morton Plant is wonderful. There is a great menu and you order what you want, when you want it by phone and it is delivered to you within 45 minutes. I could happily have stayed longer.
In your room, they have a white board to provide all the information about you, the patient. It has a list of the people looking after you, various vital statistics like blood pressure and blood sugar counts, et cetera. They also have a list of goals for the day.
I was left to my own devices for much of the afternoon and added the goal of "becoming the all knowing god of the universe" to my goals for the day. When Sarah came to discharge me, I pointed out that I had not achieved all my goals. She looked and saw my entry on the board and broke out laughing. She had never seen any patient write on the board before. I was released notwithstanding my failure to achieve all my goals for the day.
I left the hospital early Friday evening and have had to be careful since. I am seeing the surgeon tomorrow and expect to have an operation on Friday June 28.
Meanwhile, I cannot have chemo because the Avastin that is part of the chemo process inhibits recovery from surgery. The oncology doctor is okay with this.
The lengths that one has to go to avoid chemo!
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