I just finished my last radiation treatment Friday (May 31st). It feels great. No longer will have to go out to the Hospital every day at 2:30 pm. It wasn't a big inconvenience but it was every day. Now I can nap, play golf, or just punk out.
As I mentioned last week I really felt the effects of Chemo. Each session really takes it's toll. It definitely has a cumulative affect and I have to admit, this session really kicked my butt. Wasn't sure I be able to play golf for the rest of the week. It really gets hard some days to go out there, but it is very important that I do. But, I did manage to play most days.
This week I have felt pretty good. Slept well, and manage to play golf every day. It feels like I have turned the corner on this adventure and I believe that I will feel better as the next few weeks go by. Chemo weeks will not be great, but I seem to be getting stronger every day. Now that radiation is over, my throat should heal and hopefully I'll be able to eat more solid foods.
The end goal for all this will be to go into remission. If I can stay in remission for the next 24 months, I will have a good chance that it may not come back. But only time will tell.
Although I have finished radiation, I still have 3 more 3 day sessions of Chemo. I should be getting a C scan in the next two weeks to check my progress. Will let you know when I get the results.
That's it for now from the Chemo Lounge
Ron
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Letters From the Chemo Lounge
I started this letter on Monday, the 1st day of a 3 day session of Chemo. I had planned on finishing it on Tues or Wed, but here it is Sunday, a full week from the beginning. I've heard that the Chemo and Radiation effects are cumulative, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. It has been a very bad week. I have lost another 5 lbs, down 20 lbs since I started my adventure. Eating is still very difficult and of course nothing taste good. Add to that no appetite at all and you have the secret to losing 20 quick pounds.
As of this week I am half way through my Chemo. I will finish by the 1st week of July. Bob came with me on Monday. I told him that he doesn't have to come but he insist, especially on Mondays which is my long day. The Gypsies were playing on Monday, so I told him to go play golf but he is as pig-headed as I am. I have to admit though, that I do enjoy his company. My daughter, Anne, joined us for lunch and we had a good time. She also visits me on Wed.
The good news is I only have one week left of radiation. It has been quick and easy, but it has been every day. It will be nice to be able to get away for a couple of days if we want, or, just lie around and not worry about going out to the hospital at 3 pm every day. Hopefully, some of the side effects that I have suffered from the radiation will start to diminish in a couple of weeks. The biggest problem has been my throat. It's has been very difficult and painful to swallow. Even liquids are painful. I have to sip very slowly. I'm really looking forward to the day that I can actually enjoy eating again.
Our hope is that by late July or early Aug, GA and I can get away for a little golf excursion to Idaho for a week or so and maybe forget about this for a few days and pretend every thing is back to normal. It would be nice.
Until next time,
Ron
I started this letter on Monday, the 1st day of a 3 day session of Chemo. I had planned on finishing it on Tues or Wed, but here it is Sunday, a full week from the beginning. I've heard that the Chemo and Radiation effects are cumulative, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. It has been a very bad week. I have lost another 5 lbs, down 20 lbs since I started my adventure. Eating is still very difficult and of course nothing taste good. Add to that no appetite at all and you have the secret to losing 20 quick pounds.
As of this week I am half way through my Chemo. I will finish by the 1st week of July. Bob came with me on Monday. I told him that he doesn't have to come but he insist, especially on Mondays which is my long day. The Gypsies were playing on Monday, so I told him to go play golf but he is as pig-headed as I am. I have to admit though, that I do enjoy his company. My daughter, Anne, joined us for lunch and we had a good time. She also visits me on Wed.
The good news is I only have one week left of radiation. It has been quick and easy, but it has been every day. It will be nice to be able to get away for a couple of days if we want, or, just lie around and not worry about going out to the hospital at 3 pm every day. Hopefully, some of the side effects that I have suffered from the radiation will start to diminish in a couple of weeks. The biggest problem has been my throat. It's has been very difficult and painful to swallow. Even liquids are painful. I have to sip very slowly. I'm really looking forward to the day that I can actually enjoy eating again.
Our hope is that by late July or early Aug, GA and I can get away for a little golf excursion to Idaho for a week or so and maybe forget about this for a few days and pretend every thing is back to normal. It would be nice.
Until next time,
Ron
Sunday, May 5, 2013
4 Weeks In
This week has not been to bad. My biggest problem is with my throat. It's very difficult and painful to swallow. Even soft foods are a problem. My diet is basically pudding, ice cream, milk shakes, mac & cheese, soup, and ensure. I wish I could enjoy it. When this is over I will have to get back to a normal diet. I'm still very tired all the time, but manage to get through my day relatively normal. I try to have as much fun as I can . It's very important to have fun in the good times, but even more important in the bad time. And thanks to all my good friends we manage to have some good times. Keep it up guys. Humor makes the days a little easier to get through.
I haven't talked much about my treatments. The Chemo lounge is a very friendly and comfortable place to be. During the hours that I'm there you can use your computer (they have WI FI), use your cell phone, read, or take a long nap on the big easy chairs with pillows and warm blankets. You can even have guests. Bob Meek has visited me during one of my long sessions (6 hrs), and my daughter, Anne, joined us and brought lunch. We had a good time. The time really does go by pretty fast. If any of you want to check it out, just let me know.
Radiation is quick and easy. I'm in and out in 30 mins. The therapists are really great. Lots of pretty young ladies who fuss over me during my treatments. Having such friendly places to go really helps me get through my adventure.
I still have along ways to go, but we are seeing some great progress. My tumor has shrunk over 50%, so hopefully by mid July I will be in remission.
Until later
Ron
I haven't talked much about my treatments. The Chemo lounge is a very friendly and comfortable place to be. During the hours that I'm there you can use your computer (they have WI FI), use your cell phone, read, or take a long nap on the big easy chairs with pillows and warm blankets. You can even have guests. Bob Meek has visited me during one of my long sessions (6 hrs), and my daughter, Anne, joined us and brought lunch. We had a good time. The time really does go by pretty fast. If any of you want to check it out, just let me know.
Radiation is quick and easy. I'm in and out in 30 mins. The therapists are really great. Lots of pretty young ladies who fuss over me during my treatments. Having such friendly places to go really helps me get through my adventure.
I still have along ways to go, but we are seeing some great progress. My tumor has shrunk over 50%, so hopefully by mid July I will be in remission.
Until later
Ron
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)