just more of the same

Short update today. Nothing really new. Mouth/throat still sore - really hurts to eat/swallow. Have found that Italian ices are a big help. Legs still swollen big time. No real change. Head has a bit of rash - Jill's cream are helping.

the hair is gone

Well...yesterday I was on my Mac and realized that there was hair falling out. So...that was it. Went to the bathroom and cut the rest off. Wasn't that much since I have been keeping it short anyway. But...no way I wanted to deal with what was left falling out everywhere. So...I've got the "Mr Clean" look in all its glory!!

Other side effects are pretty much the same. Feet/ankles are swollen as much as ever. I found some old low hiking boots. They are about the only thing that will even go on my feet right now. At least they are moderately comfortable.

Thrush is now throughout my mouth. Not much really relieves it except cold. After breakfast this morning, I scraped up some of my lemon ices from the freezer - big help. And my homemade lemon ices seem to be pretty darn good.

I was concerned about what to do at work today. This afternoon Melissa got me a big Starbucks blended drink that was kinda like a big blended ice drink. Worked pretty well. I actually don't like Starbucks coffee. But, they have several flavors - so, I may just need to work my way through their different flavors. Had a cinnamon blend today and it wasn't bad. Most importantly, they are quite cold and that helps with the mouth.

Otherwise, I am able to get through quite well. I had an interview this AM with a friend who is writing industry mag articles. Then, interviewed a couple candidates for an opening in SF. Happily, I have been able to hang in and be productive.

Throat

So...I researched this thrush infection a bit more. Apparently, it is actually a yeast infection that most typically is a baby thing. In adults, it happens when certain types of chemo and other certain med treatments are involved.

This morning, my throat is absolutely miserable. Much like a very sore throat from a cold or such. Very rough when swallowing. So, I take the new meds for a 14 day period. I had expected to forgo the pain meds - I can say this morning that ain't gonna happen. I already popped one of the pain meds. The pain woke me up too early today and I need to get enough sleep.

The better news is that few other side effects are bothering me this morning. I do still have elephants ankles and legs. Still quite funky trying to walk because I don't have the feeling of having my balance with my feet under me. But, it mainly takes a little extra focus on balance - particularly when I stand up from a chair.

We'll need to get out today. I need to re stock on fruit. Gotta find a better blueberry supply. The dinky little containers at Kroger just didn't cut it. I put more blueberries in a bowl of cereal than their little container. That's just not right! I guess maybe back to Sams.

Apparently, we have some storms/rain coming in. So, I guess we'll try to get things done before the weather arrives.

Thrush

Well...as if everything else isn't enough, I have a new side effect today. Something called thrush. Apparently, it is a kind of fungal infection - it is at the back of my throat. Imagine a sore throat - scratchy, a little painful to swollow. It's kinda like that. So...now I have a couple more meds.

Fatigue is a bit more today. Not an overburdening thing. But, enough to notice. Legs and ankles are still quite swollen. Still makes walking a little funky. Not really painful. More a lessened feeling of balance.

Today was a relatively simple day. Met with my advisor from Merrill Lynch - time to review where we are to decide whether to make changes. We pretty much decided to just continue to let things ride as is. Then, to the office for an interview with a candidate for a position we have open in San Francisco. Good candidate. Good lunch. Stuck around for a little while until I decided that I had done everything that needed attention. So...outta there. I headed home for a relaxing weekend.

day after last treatment

Today was the first day after my last of 10 radiation treatments. I can pretty feel the overall cumulative impact of all the treatments. But, basically all is OK. Pretty simple day. Went to the office in the morning and stayed through just after lunch. Treated myself to a massage this afternoon to see if it might help with my swelling ankles and calves. Actually, did offer a bit of relief.

Later, we joined two other couples for a wonderful meal at The Iron Skillet. Great food. Lotsa food. Good company. Good time.

Spent quite a bit of time yesterday buying and installing a new computer for Jill. Minor adjustments and a few questions to be answered - but, it's pretty much set up. Should be lots faster and less frustrating for her. Also, decided to buy myself a toy - got one of those new netbooks - kind of a ultra small laptop. Less than half the size of my Mac laptop. It looks like it will be a good email PC and can do games, video, music, etc while we travel. We'll see...I just felt like a new toy.

So...I better try to get a little more sleep tonight than I have gotten during the past couple weeks.

Lung follow up

Appointment today with Dr Einhorn to follow up on the status of my lungs - had chest CT a week or so ago.  Basically, the good news is that things are apparently stable.  Certainly, the spread to the brain gives cause to pause.  However, no real change in the lungs themselves.

As a result, however, of the brain lesions, we will now take a course of action that assumes the possibility of spread elsewhere that is not detectable.  In a couple weeks, Dr E will start me on a drug called Tarceva.  This particularly second-line treatment has had good success with non-smokers with adenocarcinoma (my specific lung cancer).  Based on my good results from the first-line chemo, Dr E expects that this drug will benefit me.  It is much easier - just a single pill that I will take daily.  He says that it is the kind of thing I can be on for quite a while.  Known/expected side effects should be pretty minimal - and are typically controlled with OTC type stuff.  

I ask Dr E about the big-time swelling I am getting in my legs and ankles.  He indicated that to likely be from the steroids and expects that it will clear up as I wean off the steroids.  He said to watch and he would be concerned if the swelling is ever not equal on both sides.  So...elephant ankles for me for a while longer.  And, it sure does slow me down since standing up gives me the feeling that I am not necessary sure-footed.  Just forces me to slow down a little.

Of course, I have my 9th radiation treatment this afternoon.  But...given how routine that has become, I probably won't bother with another post just to say same-old-same-old.  

 

treatment # 8

Well...today was treatment #8. Two more to go. I must say that I am beginning to feel the cumulative effect - as they said I would. Nothing too much - just a little fuzziness, a slight loss of energy. Separate from the treatments, I am getting edema (swelling/water retention) in both legs and ankles. Not really painful; but, it is slowing me down a little.

Today, I finally got my cherry pie. We went to Shapiro's. Great meal.

Will need to try to actually get to bed tonight since I see Dr Einhorn in the morning. I guess we'll see how that works.

Saturday - no treatment

Well...last night I actually felt like I re-entered the world of normal people! The tapering schedule allowed me to eliminate the final steroid of the day. And, that seemed to mean that it allowed me to really get a little sleep. I actually got several hours worth of just normal sleep - and that felt wonderful this morning. Thursday night had been the worst night I have had in a long long time - but, it is nice to seem like I'm on the positive swing.

As usual, pretty much no real side effects from the radiation. Since I won't have another treatment today or tomorrow, I'm assuming that all will be uneventful for a couple days.

The really good news is that Julie and Penny got home last night. I am so glad that she decided to come visit. We chatted for quite a while last night. And, this morning we all headed out for Dunkin Donuts - hmmm. She and Jill have headed out for a few errands - so, I get to vegitate for a bit. I'm hoping that we'll get a chance for a nice lunch somewhere today.

My plan for the rest of today is to just sit around - might watch a little basketball or a movie or just do nothing. So...I figured I'd get my update done and space out. So...that's all for today.

7th radiation & saw doc

Today was my 7th radiation treatment. 3 more to go for this first round. This post will have lots of info.

Of course, the treatment was pretty much the same as the others. After the treatment, I met with Dr Henderson. We reviewed that I have mostly had little or no side effects so far. So...we went into discussion about where we go from here.

Beginning TODAY, Dr H has adjusted my steroids to start tapering off over about a 3 week period. I can't wait. I get to skip the last dose tonight!

When I finish the 10 treatments next week, will go for the first month mainly monitoring the healing process. Apparently, they really can't properly judge progress until enough healing has happened - so we wait. I will watch for any side effects during the healing and advise Dr H if anything comes up.

After this first month, will get an MRI to see the progress of the radiation. If any larger lesions remain, Dr H would target them with more focused radiation directly at the lesion.

Then, I will get a head MRI about every 4 months to monitor things. I will also need to monitor specific types of symptoms - which, if they occur, would dictate an immediate MRI. This ongoing monitoring will continue in tandem as Dr Einhorn will continue to deal with my lungs.

I see Dr E on Tuesday of next week to discuss status of my lungs and whether we need to begin any treatment for the lungs. He is waiting for the radiation treatment before doing anything further for the lungs. While I was with Dr H today, he sneaked a glance at my lung CT and said he didn't see any unusual comments re the lungs. I guess we'll see what Dr E says. Maybe I don't need to start anything for the lungs right now.

Thursday

Another uneventful day with treatment being pretty routine. I did get a chance this morning to spend some time with Herb Simon. It is always such a pleasure to have time to just chat with him. Also, for Julie, I found out that they apparently will give me my treatment mask when they are done with my treatments. She's been making noises about using it for Halloween. Pigged out bigtime for dinner - fajitas for 2 at Don Pablo's. Jill ate some and I mopped up on just about everything else. I'm so full. Couldn't believe it this morning when I got on a scale. Have been eating loads for several days and was down 4 lbs this morning. I guess we'll see what happens after all the fajitas.

Ice cream

Jill had a great idea when I got home tonight. ICE CREAM!! Before dinner. Yes!! What an idea. So, we headed out to Handel's. Great creamy strawberry in a huge waffle cone. Really hit the spot. And, most importantly, I could taste it!

Of course, still had some chicken tettrazzini (sp?) when I got home - Jill's homemade casserole. Fabulous. And, then grapes, then tea with cookies... With these steroids, I might be unable to taste everything; but, it seems like the appetite just keeps coming. And I must take the steroids with food - so, I guess I just gotta eat.

Treatment was very uneventful today check in, waiting room, take me back, put on the mask, radiate me and out. All in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Now...let's see if I can manage to get any sleep tonight.

McD's

Decided to stop by for a nice McD's breakfast this morning. I love their breakfast - egg mcmuffin, breakfast burrito, coffee, juice and that fake potato thing.. But, it finally occurred to me this morning - I can't really taste the OJ. I love OJ but it tastes like slightly flavored water. Happened last night at home but it didn't occur to me that the radiation has effected my tastes. Can't taste the sugar in the coffee - guess I'll need 6 or 7 more sugars!! OK...I can deal with side effects - but this sucks! I gotta taste my stuff. I guess ya can't have it all. The doc did tell me that tastes might be effected.

another day, another treatment

Well...the radiation treatments are becoming kinda routine. Once again, I got there a little early. They were ready for me and took me in almost immediately. They took a photo for my records today. Other than that, all went pretty quick. Had a morning meeting at work rescheduled for this afternoon - so, back to the office today.

Nothing else really new. My energy level seems to be maintaining with the reduced pain in my feet. But...didn't sleep worth a damn last night. Even after taking an Ambien, I finally got to sleep around 4AM. But, it doesn't seem to be hampering me - so, I guess I'll just live with it.

No new side effects from the radiation yet. Hair is still here - meaning what's left is still here. Have been were the new hat that I got. Got a few positive "love the new hat" comments today :-)

Pic

No significant update today. Easy, quick treatment. No changes. So...here's a pic of me in the mask.