A Lousy Couple of Days and a Bright Spot or Two

My bump in the road turned into a bit of a pothole on Wednesday. Diane and I arrived in Burlington Wednesday morning for radiation. I went into the building and promptly threw up. This didn't concern me much as it had not happened for a week. We had a productive meeting with Dr. McGinnis who said, "get ready, your throat is about to heat up!" The man must be a prophet or maybe has had a lot of experience because that is precisely what has happened. Wednesday night at 7 p.m. I hurled my cookies again--really hurled. Then again an hour later. Now I am not a baby and I'm prepared for some discomfort but this was ridiculous and frankly a little scary. At 9 p.m. I was on my hands and knees hugging the porcelain princess asking God or anyone else that might be listening to please stop the pain. My stomach was empty so all I had was vile yellow bile which is tremendously acidic so as it exited up through my throat it really burned, and I had tears in my eyes for two reasons: (1) the pain was excruciating and (2) weight is very important and this was clearly contrary to that need. I didn't sleep much Wednesday night and repeated the process early Thursday morning. As a matter of fact, it must have been quite a visual as Diane was driving on the Blandinsville Road towards Burlington and there I was window rolled down puking all over the side of the car. When checking in Thursday, I am required to weigh in. I was down to 168.

I repeat, I repeat, I repeat--I do not intend to sugar coat things when there ain't no sugar and will tell it like it is. Now for the good news: they prescribed a liquid form of Reglan which is designed to move things along faster through the G.I. track. I ingest 2 teaspoons through PEG 30 minutes prior to any product through PEG. It seems to be working! I will consume 5 cans of product today--that is a major victory. I feel pretty good. Now today was chemo day and radiation so that generally is the case as in addition to my cisplatin/poison/chemo, I get potassium and a steriod and Emends anti-nausea medicine through the IV. It's always a long day as we are up at 4 a.m. for some "product" (I refuse to call it food) and we don't return home until after 5 p.m. The people at the local gas station love to see us these days. As this was chemo treatment number four of seven, I am at the 57% completion mark of chemo and 47% completion of radiation. Now that's some good news.

The radiation must be working because I'm happy to report that my ear ache is GONE! Also, the doctors examined my neck and the cancerous lymph node is GONE!!!

The worst is still ahead but hey we are making progress and really into this thing. FYI--for a guy who believed that the breakfast of champions is a banana, multi vitamin, and a Diet Coke, my new friends are Reglan; Emends, Zophran, Compasine (anti-nausea medicine); liquid Vicadin for pain; and Mirapex (my restless leg syndrome medication--we call it my leg Jimmy friend). All of these are now crushed and taken through PEG.

Ryan arrives home on Amtrak tonight, another welcome visitor, because as he always tells me, "that yard won't mow itself." On Sunday we shall take time to watch the Blackhawks--me in bed and Ryan in the lazy boy. It will be fun.