Second Chemo Treatment

The second chemo treatment went very well. We got to MDA early for blood work and an echocardiogram. The heart thing is an example of how thorough MDA is. During routine processing they did an EKG and it showed something they didn’t expect. We went back to the cardiologist with a bunch of old EKG’s and low and behold they think it was just stress from the cancer – it was back before treatment started and before I’d seen the doc. Anyway, I got a clean bill of health yesterday.

The chemo started about 0915 and finished about 2:00 p.m. Verva went to lunch with our doctor neighbor and I dozed and read. We were home by mid afternoon. Not much in the way of aftereffects that I can see. I’m pretty sleepy but I have no nausea or any other issues.

Pretty cool. The best part is Verva is now qualified to take off the pump tomorrow night so we don’t have to go back downtown for 2 weeks.

That’s two treatments down and ten to go.

Margaritas and Pedicures

In anticipation of some post chemo downtime, Verva and I took advantage of a 70+ degree day and went out to run some errands, have some lunch and get a pedicure.

For lunch we went to a good Mexican restaurant near our house called Mely's. I had a margarita and fajita quesadillas. The margarita was the first (or maybe the second) drink I’ve had since we started down this path – I lost my taste for wine and beer (cancer is tough) – and it was good. So was the quesadilla. This demonstrates my improved ability to eat. I gained 2 pounds so I’m up 182.

We also got a pedicure. When I first retired, Verva asked me to come along for a pedicure. After some initial reluctance, I went and found that I enjoyed it very much. You sit in these massage chairs and put your feet in this little hot tub. The best part is the massage at the end.

We’re spending the night at Katy and Scott’s in preparation for an early start to our second chemo session tomorrow morning. Based on the progress in the past two weeks, we’re looking forward to the treatment and continued progress.

A Beautiful Day

The temperature got into the mid-60’s today after lunch so I got out the mower and cut the grass. It probably didn’t need it. The way I tell is to get on the mower and mow out to the fence. I then turn around and, if I can tell I cut anything, I’m good to go. As you can see in the picture the grass is still pretty dormant.

None-the-less, the sky was blue, there was a light, cool breeze and it was about as good as it gets. Mowing is meditative for me. My mind wanders down a lot of different paths while I mow and today I felt optimistic and upbeat.

While I was mowing I noticed some good fairy had weeded my beds in the back yard. Thank you very much whoever you are and I have my suspicions. That was what I was going to try to do in the morning and it’s nice to have other options.

I continue to be able to eat fairly normally and I feel pretty good (about everything). Thank you all for your support – we can feel it.

Real Food Tastes Good

Sorry for those of you who rooted for the Bears last night. I had hoped it would be a better game (read more even). We watched the game over at Katy and Scott’s and spent the night because we had an appointment at MDA this morning.

Verva is now fully certified to change the dressing on my catheter and to flush the line on a daily basis. I think I’ll buy her a little nurse’s outfit for Valentine’s Day. Verva says no pictures to follow.

Things continue show some improvement. This is the second day I’ve been able to eat regular food and it’s a vast improvement over the Boost and the Ensure I’ve been trying to get down. The chemo seems to be working on the tumor and the cancer at my esophagus/stomach junction. I can swallow easier and a lot of the gas, bloating and dry heaving have gone.

I am planning on cutting the grass tomorrow if the temperature goes above 60. I’m suffering mower withdrawal.

Stay tuned….

Safe Flight Home

My father has always been my hero; at an age when most young men are trying to decide what to do when they grow up, he was in England serving as the pilot of a B17 bomber. One of his fellow pilots, Jim Bradford, recently wrote me this letter.

1/26/07

Dear Bob –

- You’re at 22,000 feet and the flak is very heavy – bullets are flying –
But you must keep flying! If you take flak on your starboard wing – trim your port side and fly straight ahead!
If you lose an engine – or even two – you can stay afloat, as your Dad can attest! You may lose some altitude to keep air speed.
- But you’ve got to keep flying! Your 300 degree course is headed for home! You have a great, dedicated crew of family and friends on board; a terrific ground crew at MDA!
Keep you glide angle above stall speed – keep flying! In the distance up ahead you’ll soon spot the welcome sight of the white cliffs of Dover! It may take a while to reach them since your air speed has slowed down – but you’ll reach them. And just beyond is Woodbridge Emergency Landing Field! No matter the winds of change or chance, there’s safe haven there! You’re home!
Keep your wings level – your glide consistent – your airspeed up – you’ll make it.

Safe Landings! God Speed!
His Blessing Always,
Love, Jim and Jeanette Bradford

Fresh Air

We had a great day today. Charlie Gibson and Alok Kalia took Verva and me and my brother John out for a boat ride. The weather wasn’t as nice as we’d hoped but the fresh air blew through my head and was very therapeutic. We left the Blue Dolphin Marina around 0900 and headed out to Red Fish Island. The water was a little choppy but their Top Cat handled it very well.

From Red Fish we cruised along the inside of the ship channel towards LaPorte and cruised through the Houston Yacht Club looking at expensive boats. From there we came back down to Kemah and went over to South Shore Harbor (more expensive boats). The fresh air was good for Verva and me and the tour gave my brother a better feel for the Bay Area. Thanks again to Charlie and Alok.

Each day I’m able to get a little more food down and have a few less problems. Today’s boat ride went pretty smoothly. With the help of our family and friends we’ll get to the other side – one day at a time – piece of cake.

Life Is Good

I never imagined I’d be sitting here at my computer at 9:30 a.m. typing and drinking a chocolate milk shake. Life is good. Today seems to bring some changes. The pain and heaviness in my chest is gone – that means I can sleep comfortably. I ate my breakfast (such as it was) without any problems. Nausea stay away from my door. I even ate some grapefruit sections and they were good. All hopeful signs – it’s been 6 days since chemo.

I have to go out and buy some pants today. Losing 20 pounds means that, unless they have a drawstring or an elastic waistband, they aren’t going to stay up no matter how tight you pull the belt. We’re also going to pick up Hector and bring him home to be with Poki. That’ll be nice.

Dinner tonight with my brother and kids – life is good.

Stay tuned…..