Day 2 (or 3) Update

I'm not sure if this is considered by second or third day here since my infusions start at 11 PM... Anyway, I've had my second infusion of chemo. The only side-effect I seem to have noticed is what I think is "chemo-brain".

Even more than the fatigue and nausea, this is the side effect I've feared the most. I acutally considered not doing chemo because of this side-effect. (that was until I heard how much my blood markers had increased)

But, no worries, I'll find a way around this one. It isn't bad yet, but my brain definately seems a bit "foggy". Maybe it's something else, but I don't think so.

In any case, my day has been good. I spent the last couple of hours sitting outside--enjoying the perfect Houston weather and returning phone calls. (the only reason I'm inside is because the IV battery only lasts a few hours)

My view while sitting outside

Day 1 : Overview

The view from my window

Well, I'm thought my first chemo treatment. Luckily, it turned-out to be a non-event from the standpoint of side-effects. I'm not sure how they managed that. Maybe it's because chemo has a cumulative effect, so there's not enough in my system to tell yet. Or maybe they are just that good at managing symptoms.

My IV pump at the beginning of the night

But I know this, I've never had this many drugs pumped into me at one time. Since we started at 11 PM last night, they've added at least 9 bags of meds into my IV. (they even had to add a third IV pump) So, I'm attached to a *huge* tangle of wires.

So, I think it's time for breakfast. I just ordered a banana, some yogurt, scrambled eggs, canadian bacon (low-fat alternative to bacon) and some apple juice. (but if I wanted, I could just as easily have ordered strawberries with Fruit Loops, a Belgian waffle with whipped cream and a made-to-order omelet--this place is awesome)

Maybe?

Ok, I'm going to give this a bit of a try... Over at the right, you'll see a new part called "Chemo Twitter". I'm not sure if this is anything I'll keep up with or anything you're interested in, but I thought it would be something to try. (if you don't know Twitter--just think of it as posted text messages. Not big blog posts, but quick thoughts of what's happening right then)

Starting a new phase of my life

Starting today, my life is going to change for a while. I saw the doctor yesterday and the cancer is being agressive. But I'm still considered a low-risk patient and they have given me excellent odds for beating this thing.

But, to beat it, I need to start chemotherapy immediately. So I'm currently waiting for my room in the Admissions office of MD Anderson. I'll be here for the next 5 days so they can monitor me closely and make sure I don't have any adverse reactions.

After that, I will continue my 9-week chemo treatment from home. Fortunately, my parents are coming down and are able to move in with me for a while.

I'm still not really sure what to expect. I've done some reading and talked to several people. However, I still don't really have a good idea of how I'm going to be feeling during all of this.

So, basically I'm saying that if you don't hear much for a while, don't assume anything bad--I'm probably just feeling sick and don't have the energy to blog.

I'm sure I'll be perfectly fine after this. Chemo is just the price I have to pay for that health.

I'd like to say yet another huge thanks to everyone for their support. Everyone I've talked to have been extremely supporting. That's made this process easier to handle.

Talk to you soon.

Next Update

Well, I'm 4 days past surgery and I've recovered much faster than anyone expected. The dreaded "day after" turned-out not to be a big deal. Yeah, I was a little slow, but was on my feet all day. The second day after surgery I was barely taking any pain meds. Yesterday was pain med-free. Today I have a barely-discernible limp. (barely)

The only way I can explain recovery that fast is that either:
1) The doctors at MD Anderson are incredible
2) I'm the man

I'll let you make your own determination. ;)

My next appointments are next Thursday and Friday. They want to look to see how the cancer markers in my blood have changed after surgery. That will help them determine the next steps.

I would like to send out another big thanks to everyone for the phone calls, text messages, well-wishes and gifts. You folks have been indispensable in keeping my spirits high. I can't even begin to tell you what it means to me.

Loved

A big thanks goes out to the Bloyds for the great care package! You two are the greatest.

Update

Well, surgery went as well as can be expected. Today was mostly a game of waiting. The fam and I got to the hospital at 7:45 AM and didn't leave until just before 5 PM. It all went just like I expected. An hour after waking, I was walking out of the hospital.

So far, the post-op pain has been very manageable. I'm walking a bit strange and very slowly, but doing well. I'm told that tomorrow (a.k.a. "the day after") will be the most painful/uncomfortable. I think it will be workable. (with help, of course, from good pain meds)

The crappy part is this: yesterday I had a CT scan to make sure the cancer hadn't spread. Apparently it has. It looks like a decent-sized tumor has appeared near my kidneys.

This means more doctors and chemo. The good news is that my doc still seems very optimistic that with chemo, my chances are still very, very good for a full recovery.

So, again, the long-term prognosis is still positive. But it sounds like getting there won't be fun.

Sorry to be a bit of a downer. (I'll be back to my overly-optimistic self in a day or two) I wish I had different news, but that's what is going on. Anyway, I really appreciate all the support from everyone. It's good to know everyone's thinking of me.