May stuff....................

ok - i have received a few emails and phone calls asking why i am no longer updating the blog - well the good news is i really have nothing new to update - my medical issues are becoming few and far between and i would like to keep them that way.  I have blood testing each month - CEA was normal last month and I am still nursing my latest wound but i think we are within a few weeks of having it closed - for the first time since August 2011 i no longer require any type of medical dressing or adhesive - my skin is enjoying the new found freedom.  Surgeon thinks it will be about 6 months before i am back to normal - i can feel myself getting stronger each day and continue to push the walking - i will miss my 2 mile walks before each lacrosse game so i am not anxious for the lacrosse seasons to end.

Amy has signed us up for the Falmouth Road Race so it's time to start preparing - hopefully i will be able to run.  We are really looking forward to returning to the Cape this August - still working out plans with the boys schedules and Connor's freshman report date at PC - it is looking like the last 3 weeks of August at this point....more to follow.

So as discussed i will keep the blog open for now and update it with family stuff for those that cannot get a hold of us - although i'm sure that will start to change next year with Connor gone.  So here ya go!!!!!

Sherwood Shootout - how we spent Mother's Day

We actually got the big guy out for the little guy's lacrosse game - made Aidan's day

Little Guy let's one rip for the tying goal (notice the awesome number)

Little Guy has his eye on the prize.

Sebby getting ready for the face-off - and thinking "this dude is !@#$%^& huge.

Run Sebby Run..........

Aidan getting ready for Choir performance with the Oregon Repertory Singers

Killing time between performances with choirmates.

Connor and lax buddies at prom pre-party

Connor with prom date.

 Stay Healthy.

Best

C-

On the Mend....................

Thx to all those that have been calling and writing to find out how i am doing as i have not blogged recently - i have got you too used to being surprised by the unforeseeable.  Well things seem to be finally moving in a positive direction - diet is just about back to normal - still trying to eat smaller meals (not easy with 3 boys) but the larger meals are not causing any distention or discomfort so that has been a nice change.  Hoping to go back to work PT starting 5/7 - the wound is still not closed and trying to control the large intestine after 9 months is still a daily challenge but it is getting easier each day so i am hoping to be back to work FT with all this behind me on 5/21.

Returned home last night after our whirlwind tour (Sunday to Tuesday) through 3 states and visiting the final 2 schools - Connor's decision was required by 5/1 and so we are happy to finally be able to  report the winner is:

Providence College

Needless to say Connor is really excited to have this all behind him now and is extremely excited to join the Friars ..... he celebrated with a traditional New England meal at Grandpa V's.

Celebratory Lobstah's in NH

Stay healthy

Best

C-

Home Again...............another try

Sooooooo........I have managed to get discharged again yesterday afternoon from St. Vincents - things are not all they should be but we are headed in the right direction.....will start to work in solids gradually as we see more improvement on my ability to handle the liquid diet.  Have managed to get off of the pain and nausea medicine so i'm feeling somewhat comfortable that we are headed in the right direction - at this rate it is something i can manage at home instead of at the hospital which is a nice change. 

The tests showed there wasn't a blockage in the system - there was a lot of distention in the small intestine with a fair amount of adhesion's which is typical after surgery I am told - if you like the 9-month pregnant look this may be an option for you.

I think the trauma of what my body has been through in the last week has finally caught up with me and all the emotion baggage that goes with it.....i feel much better from a gastro perspective but i feel like i have been run over a few times by that train that hit me last August.  So hopefully this is now truly the road to recovery - i would very much like to try a little painless living for a while.  It reminds me of a song from my youth which captures my typical days this past while:

25 years and my life is still
trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination
I realized quickly when I knew I should
That the world was made up of this
Brotherhood of man
For whatever that means
And so I cry somethimes when I'm lying in bed
Just to get it all out what's in my head
And I'm, I am feeling a little peculiar
So I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take deep breath and I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
What's goin' on
And I say hey....
And I say hey what's goin' on
And I say hey....
I said hey what's goin' on

Stay Healthy
Best
C-

ALF's Revenge

Good news - finally got the NG tube removed last night and was treated to a cranberry juice dinner.  Have been upgraded to a clear liquid diet for the today - so lots of gelatin, juice, sorbet and broth - usually i would be anxious to get this moved up to a full liquid diet but after last weekend i am more than ok with moving along slowly................

Feels like the colon is starting to try and wake up so that is a good sign - now that things are starting to move along Alf is fighting back from the inside now.  Quite painful when anything passes the surgery site where the intestine was sewn back together - but if it wasn't painful it wouldn't be my problem right?

Maybe solids tomorrow - at least the bruins are winning - something to look forward to.  Who knows whats going on with the Sox - do you think Valentine is regretting his decision yet?

Stay Healthy
Best
C-

Back to Club Med - Life after ALF!!!

Well - be careful what you ask for - while i was looking forward to actually being able to finally sleep through the night for the first time since August 17, 2011 - that hasn't quite become a reality yet for me.  I was discharged Saturday morning in time to take in Sebby's lacrosse game at noon and Aidan's grudge match saturday evening - amy and i had a nice time and got in a mile walk before the game and than it all went down hill (to hell.....)  Spent the night throwing up and in incredible abdominal pain - couldn't keep anything down so i could not take an pain or nausea pills which only added to the drama.  Was re-admitted yesterday courtesy of Mr. Sebastian who had the honor (or horror) of having to drive me to the hospital - brought back all sorts of painful memories from this summer.  Turns out they released me a little to early and the colon hasn't woken up yet so everything was just backing up - i was so distended i looked 9 months pregnant - the medical staff was shocked - so i am happy to report that i didn't blow up because that for sure seemed like a real option - and a desirable one at that if it would have relieved the pain.  So i am back at Club Med - got an NG tube last night - and you know how much i like those - i am hoping to get some activity down below and have it removed today - makes for a very difficult night of sleeping, or trying to, not to mention a sore throat from hell. 

 I think Amy is ready to pull up a bed next to me so she can finally get some rest - it is definitely easier to be the sick one - i don't think the spouses get enough credit - it's about 10 times the work for them - or course she wants to do more than any one will allow - which pisses her off.

Looks like there has been a sighting of Jerry and the East Coast White's relaxing at White's Landing - good to see - how i miss those Patriot's Day's.

Stay Healthy

Best

C-

A Lovely View

Hello Everyone,
Amy here, posting from Room 826 at St. Vincent's Hospital in sunny, springy Portland.  We are enjoying the sweeping views of the West Hills, but would rather be looking out at Lesser Park from 5740 SW Haines Street, however, that will have to wait until tomorrow.  Chris is still awaiting the reboot of his digestive system, which the doc had said could take 4-5 days.  The resident approved for him to move to scrambled eggs last night for dinner to complement his liquid diet and Chris got overzealous and after 8 eggs consumed between 6:00pm and 8:00pm his system fought back with nausea, pain and bloating that paid him back all night long!  Of course, I think it may have also had something to do with the Bruins lack luster start to the post season squeaking out an overtime win to a 7-seed team.  I am sure he is not the only B's fan who went to bed with indigestion last night!

The doctor came today and encouraged him to go slower and smaller (now they tell us!), and they will keep him one more night and introduce just a bit of solids with dinner today.  Eggs, in any form, are not likely to be on Chris' menu for a long time after this experience; quite unfortunate as he had previously been looking forward to more of my mom's deviled eggs which he discovered last summer!

I am bringing the boys after school today so they can visit.  The key is for Chris to be out by tomorrow evening when Aidan's lacrosse team, the Riptide, have their season opener against arch-rivals the "Lincoln Select" for bragging rights as the top club team in the Portland metro.  Luckily, the forecast is for a sunny, warm weekend, so it will be plenty of fresh air ahead to aid in recovery and keep up his walking.  We are gathering fans on the 8th floor for our epic walks lapping the ward, gaining kuddos for our pace and distance!  Anything to help his digestion and divert boredom during this latest stint at Club Med...

Thanks very much for all the notes, prayers and well wishes, it really makes us feel so loved and supported.   Take care, Amy

ALF - Outside-In

Well i am happy to report that the surgery appears to be a success - Alf has been successfully relocated back inside the abdominal cavity to his rightful place.  Currently we are now in a holding mode waiting for the colon and large intestine to "wake up" after a (9) month vacation.  I was on a clear fluid diet yesterday and have been upgraded this morning to a full fluid diet today so i am hoping to move up to some solid foods by this evening which would allow me to be discharged tomorrow.  A nice hamburger would be a nice addition to watching the Bruins kick off the Cup race tonight.  I can now eat without getting super nauseous so i am optimistic we are close to a solid diet.

I haven't actually witnessed the wound site yet but that will happen later this afternoon when we have a scheduled dressing change.  The site is apparently much like the wound from the resection surgery in that they do not close it - it heals on it's own.  I'm told that it is not as deep as the mother of all wounds so it should close much quicker - we still haven't received the care instructions for when i go home but we are hoping we don't have to bring Nurse Amy out of retirement.

Other than that the PowerPort (cath) site has been quite cooperative - they went in through the original scar left from when it was inserted back in October and the pain has been pretty manageable - probably from me being more concentrated on the Alf site.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and emails - there were lots of deja vu moments yesterday morning when we checked in - we can't wait to see you all in August to thank you and enjoy a more conventional vacation - this time i will actually be able to eat with you all - how nice it will be.

Go Bruins!!!
Go Celts
Someone please help the Sox.
Congrats to all you BC Eagles - another national hockey championship!!!!!!!!!

Stay healthy -
Best
C-

ALF - Only 4 Days Remaining

I met with the surgeon Thursday - there were no strictures or lesions in the colon so he has given the "go" for the scheduled reversal next Wednesday.  That means Wednesday morning between 9 - 11:00 a.m. we will finally bid farewell to our beloved Alf.  It been (9) months of a one sided relationship and i will be glad to see him go.  Although ALF has provided quite a few memories over the last 3/4 of a year - unfortunately they are not worth remembering or repeating - so c'est la vie.

The surgeon will not repair the hernia's - there is too much risk involved to do both the ileostomy and the hernia's at the same time so instead the plan is to reverse the ileostomy and remove the power port from my chest - so the good news is there will be only (2) surgery sites instead of (4)- i still would prefer to just be knocked out and have them go for everything.

Kidney stone - plan is to ride it out and hope it passes by itself with minimal discomfort - so i'm sure that won't happen.  There is a back up plan involving a urologist but hopefully we won't need to go there.

Next steps

Looks like i should be in the hospital for 2 - 3 days after the surgery - they treat it much like a crohn's flare up - a day of NPO and than work your way toward solid foods - bottom line is you don't leave until you prove you can handle solid foods.  Unless there is a complication they will not need to go back through the wound - bonus for me - needless to say i am hoping for no complications.  Sounds like the chances are pretty low they would need to open up the wound.

Lots of monitoring from the Oncologist - especially the nodes that were identified in the left lung and liver so that will be ongoing for the next (3) years at least. Apparently the cancer if it does return typically never returns to the same site - it usually will show up in the lungs or liver hence the monitoring - if it does best to catch it early.

Other than that it is back to making friends with my Gastrointerologist - hopefully i can disprove his theory that the Crohn's will return within a week of the ileostomy reversal.  Need to go through some testing with him as well to monitor the Crohn's so that will be a future update.

Looking forward to getting back to work rejoining that thing called LIFE!!

Stay Healthy

Best

C-

1,2,3 look at me - finally I'm Cancer Free!!!!!!!!!!!!

 After a record rain fall the last week or so today finally decided to yield an incredibly beautiful sunny day so you know there must have been good news on the horizon for someone - and alas, today it was finally my lucky day, finally (did i already say that) yeah finally.

Although the day started with a wonderful barium enema - (if you've never had one you are in luck- i definitely prefer the oral - at least you can order it flavored with 0.0001% strawberry) to make sure the large intestine/colon/surgery site are connected and ready to begin working as we start the count down to the Alf reversal (4/11/12) - i was treated to call from my oncologist who didn't want to wait until Wednesday to give me the news!

The CT scan i took last friday came back clean - i.e. Cancer Free!!!

Keep in mind it is me so you should know by now that nothing comes that easy for me .....they did find 2 nodules in the kidney but they were present in the baseline CT scan we took before Chemo (carcinoma in place) and another nodule in the liver which they believe just did not show in the baseline CT - the belief is they are all benign and we will be tracking them every 3/6/12 months to confirm the theory.

Other exciting finds - apparently i picked up another hernia - i know i had one courtesy of the Sunriver kitchen demolition that i have been putting off for about 8 years and apparently I picked up a companion one somewhere - i will discuss with the surgeon on Thursday - hopefully he can fix them when he reverses Alf. 

And lastly, after 3 kidney stones the last few weeks there appears to be one more in there - i am going to ask on Wednesday if they can explode it instead of waiting for it to release it's hell.  For all those that have had them and say it's the worst pain you've ever felt - consider yourself lucky you don't have Chron's - we call them warm ups.

So, hopefully i will have more positive news Thursday after meeting with the surgeon.  I am also meeting with the Oncologist on Wednesday to go over calenders and schedule all the various follow-up testing - for all the family medical personnel - if there is something i should be asking other than the obvious please let me know.

ALF COUNTDOWN:  10 DAYS

Stay Healthy -
Best
C-

Good luck Sandy - it will be a distant memory before you know it - stay strong and positive.

Quick Update

Alas - the Alf reversal is now tentatively scheduled for April 11 - final go/no-go decision to be made once the test results are reviewed following the March 30 and April 2 baseline testing followed up by additional meetings on April 4 and April 5 with the Oncologist and Surgeon......i now at least have a date to look forward to ......

After a few more back spasm episodes it was determined that this beat up body had secretly decided to celebrate the conclusion of the chemotherapy by passing a kidney stone.....been a rough few days but i am hoping it has passed and this is not just the calm before the storm (which would be my luck)..........someday i would like to try an illness that does not involve alot of pain............

I was treated to a celebratory cake at Opsis this week for finishing my chemotherapy - it was a nice tasty surprise.........

Connor is starting to hear from the schools he applied to so there should be lots of news (hopefully good) in the next few weeks - this week he was wait listed at Providence College (they received 10,000 applications for 900 freshman spots) and was accepted to University of New Hampshire so you know mom is pretty excited.

Off to Sunriver next week for spring break...........

Stay Healthy - 

Best

C-

The Finale is Final.

12 Down and 0 to go!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday we completed number 12..........also known to us as the final chemo.  Can't believe it has been 26 weeks already of this crazy ride.  I was treated to a surprise celebration at home with a homemade lemon cake since i still cannot eat chocolate......actually i can eat it i just can't taste it.  We had a little sad taste of irony to complete number 12 - thought we were headed back to the ER.... had some sharp debilitating side pains early Wednesday morning but they have since disappeared fortunately.....always interesting.  It is now time to focus all energy on getting rid of Alf - should have something positive to report next Thursday.

Aidan and I decided to continue the celebration on Thursday - playing a little hooky and going to March Madness (his favorite thing in the world) at the Rose Garden....needless to say it inspired him for his basketball game later that evening........although his school lost to their cross town rival 41 - 27.....Aidan had 22 of the points.  I just prayed i didn't fall asleep on him at the games but he was so excited he kept me up the whole time talking.......sounds like his mother.

Lastly, Connor's Mock Trial team heads to the State Championship this weekend.....very exciting.  They have been practicing before school and on weekends so at this point as a senior I think he may be more excited to have it over with so he can have his weekends and early mornings back.

Jesuit High School Mock Trial Team (Connor is 3rd from left last row)

Good luck to Sandy Mangine who began her chemo ride on Monday - stay positive it will be behind you quicker than than you think.

Stay healthy - 

Best

C-

Finally.................the Finale

Started Folfox-12 yesterday....can't believe the final one is finally upon me.  The completion of this brings good news and bad news - the chemo is almost completed so we'll now find out if it worked... they are treating this as colon cancer because it is so unusual to have carcinoma in the small intestine there is not much literature on it so there will be lots of follow-ups ..........and it is now time to bring back in the rest of the team....Surgeon, Gastroenterologist and Internal Medicine....how i've missed them....not.

Meeting with the surgeon next week to discuss strategy on reversing ALF - Oncologist wants to wait at least two weeks so it is looking like the first week of April ( I cannot wait,.................) - have lots of testing to do in the meantime to get my baseline moving forward and confirm south of ALF (i.e. the surgery site, colon, large intestine) which has been dormant since August 19, 2011 is hooked up properly and ready to start working.

Other news fit to print -

Amy returned from a week in Hong Kong with two ear infections, strep throat and bronchitis - not a great housemate for Chemo Chris - she has been relegated back to the basement - should be on the mend soon we hope.

Connor was accepted to Hofstra last week with a pretty substantial Academic and Achievement Scholarship - while it wasn't in his top choices it now is in our's :).  He should start hearing in the next few weeks from the rest of the schools he applied to.

Connor and Sebby both made their Varsity Lacrosse teams - unfortunately they don't meet up during the season so we'll have to hope for a head to head during the State Tournament at the end of the season.

Sebby was invited to his first College Recruitment camp for lacrosse in July at the University of Colorado.  It is an invitational camp for the top 200 rising seniors in the country and elite juniors... run by the University of Denver coach - it has over 100 college coaches in attendance.  Needless to say it has sparked some confidence in our Scrappy Doo,

Aidan - who lives for March Madness - is especially excited since his team won their March Madness tournament last week end - they had no subs and had to play two games a day so needless to say they were completely exhausted but quite excited to take home hardware.

Stay Healthy -
Best
C-

FOLFOX - 11 COMPLETED

11 Down - 1 to go !!!!!!!!!!

(92% Complete)

You cannot mention number 11 without remembering Captain Marvelous "the Moose" (i have forgiven him for retiring in New Yahk) - the greatest skater i ever had the privilege to see "live".  Unfortunately it came at the expense of my beloved Bruins in game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup at the Gahden.  Amy and i were at the game - called in sick to work and spent all day on the phone trying to get us tickets...... finally procured some obstructed views ( a beautiful yellow beam in our sightline) as we enjoyed our first Stanley Cup game in the dense fog of death from all the cigarette smoke billowing up to our stadium top obstructed view seats..............ahhh the memories..............and than the lights went out!!!!!!!!!  Needless to say - I also had tickets to game 5 as well - but they would not return to the Gahden.........

.......With Game 4 slated for Boston Garden, it looked like the Oilers would get the chance to celebrate a Cup win away from home. However, with the score tied 3-3 in the second period, the players, coaches, officials and standing-room-only crowd were plunged into darkness. The rickety wiring and breakers at the old Garden had finally failed, and everyone was in the dark. After a short delay, NHL president John Ziegler announced that he was canceling the game and would invoke an old never-before-used rule to have game four played in Edmonton.

It was the first time since 1919—when the final between the Montréal Canadiens and Seattle Metropolitans was called due to the Influenza epidemic—that a Cup game had to be scrubbed.

 And  since it is March 1 today - it is time to briefly reflect back on the crazy year that was - it was a year ago March that this journey began for Amy, the boys and I - the first of what would eventually become 6 hospital stays that lead us to the infamous August 18, 2011 experience at Sippewissett Beach.  A lot of days we've spent in various hospitals over those many months - oh the stories we can tell (blown up IV's, abandoned in the ER, crazy nurses, crazier roomates, trying to escape district 9, 2 a.m. ambulance rides, NG tubes into the lungs (oops), amy riding the nurses, vernon riding the doctors and trying to unhook the IV etc........) ........alot of painful but also alot of funny memories and stories as well.  Here's to a better health and better memories for the next year.

Stay Healthy

Best

C-

FOLFOX - 11 UNDERWAY

We are down to the last 1/6th  (11 of 12) - another wonderful few nights with my friendly pump and trying not to roll onto the needle which will be removed tomorrow to complete the 11th administration.  Of course the real thrill is that we are getting closer to saying goodby to Alf - i am hoping by the end of March - so it will be probably first week of April...we'll see.  Spring Break is in there so that may screw of the scheduling as we are hoping to go to Sunriver for the week - both Sebby and Connor are in the middle of their lacrosse tryouts this week so depending where they end of may also influence the plans  since the Varsity teams typically like to travel to preseason tournaments.

Well i tried knocking of an item on my bucket list which yielded good news and bad news.  We were having such unseasonably warm weather here in Portland this winter so i enrolled in a motorcyle training class - it included 6 hrs of classroom with an exam and 8 hrs of track work on the bike also with a road exam.  So of course this is the week winter decides to arrive - my Saturday morning driving class started with snow - transitioned to cold rain and ended with cold and wind - not exactly ideal conditions for a chemo patient.  Sunday was no better - snow, rain (not as much as Saturday) and 38 degrees.... I was so cold i couldn't feel my fingers.  Needless to say i was as bundled up as one could be - unfortunately it required i wear two pairs of ski gloves which is not conducive to very good hand controls.  So needless to say i passed the written exam but did not the road exam - they said i need to be more "in one" with the hand controls - all i could do is laugh.  Anyway i get a free retake on the road test which if passed which give me my endorsement.....  where's Joey Bag-O-Donuts when i need him.  My oncologist (who apparently ride a Harley) laughed when i told him - couldn't believe i did it.  So we'll see what happens - trying to determine if someone upstairs was giving me a sign which was my original thought - but it was so much fun - i can only imagine what it must be like without snow and freezing rain.  Aidan snuck up and too the following pictures.

Well wishes/condolences out to:

Betty Carroll (Grandma) - our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time with the loss of your brother Charlie - we miss you and are thinking of you.

Dick Carroll (Poppi) - we are all thinking of you and hope all gets better quickly.

Sandy Mangine - hope you recover from the latest complication quickly.

Joey Bag-O Donuts - hope your recovery gets better and you get back to fully functional - or we may need to fly you out here to help me with my bike skills - oh yeah bring a bike.

Diane White - happy birthday and welcome to the 49 club - let's all hope it is maybe shall we say a little less memorable than 48 was - the good news is it is not the 50 club (no offense J).

Stay healthy -
Best
C-

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone for the well wishes etc...  We spent the evening at an Aidan Bball double header  - lost his school game 17 -15 (you can tell by the score it was a school game - lots of kids without a clue........) and ended the evening with him winning his club game 65 - 32 (sounds like a Celtics score).  We ended the day with Amy's homemade Banana Creme pie - the very one the Carroll girls won me over with back in the day.

The infamous Banana Cream Pie

Me with the 3 Crazies

Amy is smiling because I am older once again.

Thx again for the cards, calls and emails.

Best
C-

FOLFOX - 10 COMPLETED

10 Down - 2 to go (5/6 completed)

Finally into the double digits - just two more to go before the days of reckoning when we find out if all this worked.  Counts are all holding so all systems go.  The reduction in the oxaliplatin from the last round has really helped out with the neuropathy side effects (and guitar playing)  - hopefully it means the healing of the nerve endings will be quick once we complete no. 12.

Looks like Alf will need to be around for at least 3 - 4 weeks after the no. 12 administration.  I will meet with the surgeon 2 weeks after no. 12 and hopefully have the surgery within 2 weeks of that so it is looking more like the beginning of April.  Not sure of the surgery to remove the power port - i was told that it was bad luck to have it removed before the first clean CT scan - so you know that's all i needed to hear with all my superstitions.

All for now - stay healthy

Best

C-

FOLFOX - 10 UNDERWAY

We have made it to the double digits and the infamous "Final Third" - it is starting to be everything they said to expect.  The whole process is really starting to take it's toll on me - energy level is in the negative range along with an amazing decrease in strength and I am starting to experience balance issues which is quite interesting - never thought i would need to deal with physical issues in my life - c'est la vie.

One more night with the pump and it get's removed tomorrow to complete round 10 and start to look forward to number 11.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope all is well
stay Healhyy
Best-
C-

Clearing up (The) Chief mystery

Ok - seems to be confusion amongst the troops regarding who was "(The) Chief" - so i have been asked to clear the air -

Boston Bruins #9 - John Paul "Chief" Bucyk (played for the Bruins 1957 to 1977)


Was a member of one the greatest power play lines in NHL history - he played the left side accompanied by Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, John "Pie face" Mckenzie and Fred Stanfield.  Chief's #9 was retired in 1980.  John is the original "Chief" in the Boston sports circles - ironically he was not Native American but hailed from Edmonton to Ukranian immigrants - he was given the name because he looked Native American - can you imagine that happening now!!

Fun Fact - Chief's name is engraved on the 2011 Stanley Cup marking his 53rd season affiliated with the Boston Bruins organization.

Boston Celtics #00 - Robert Lee "The Chief" Parish - (played for the Celtics 1980 to 1994) 


Was a member of the original "Big Three" (sorry Miami you copied that too!!) which included Larry Bird and Kevin McHale - his number was retired in 1998.  The distinction between the two Chiefs lies in the use of the term "The" - John was "Chief" and Robert was "The Chief".  Again, ironically Parish was not Native American either - he was given the name by Cedric Maxwell who thought he looked like Chief Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Fun Fact - the setting of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was Oregon State Hospital in Salem Oregon where the movie was also filmed.

Hope that helps - no comment regarding yesterday's Patriot debacle - Gisele said it all!

Stay Healthy
C-

Folfox - 9 Completed

9 Down 3 to go (75% Complete)

The Chief

Number 9 completed - onto the double digits - March cannot get here quick enough.  Time to head back into the funk.  

Joey Bag-O-Donuts hang in there - you will be vertical before long - hope the ice cream gets you closer to your goal - i think it is helping me - at least i keep telling myself that.

Lastly, before i go i must payback my skate mates for the apparent bias they are suffering from reading this blog and wanting to lay claim to some of Boston's finest - so this one is for you Billy!!!

Orr as a Blackhawk (ouch) - don't forget he gave his paychecks back.

 

Orr as a new Bruin

Orr as a mighty Bruin

Orr as the top Bruin

Orr as the Biggest Bruin

Stay healthy - 

Best

C-

Folfox - 9 Underway

We have finally entered the final third of this long journey.  Started Folfox-9 yesterday - get the pump and needle removed tomorrow which will signify we have officially entered the final third of the chemotherapy - destination is 12 for those not into the math.  They say the final third is the toughest and will require perseverance - if last week was any indication they may be correct although the joy of getting Alf reversed will far outweigh and carry me through what ever challenges the next month and a half will provide.

Blood levels are still holding which is great - we've reduced the oxyliplatin a final time - doc is a little concerned about the level of neuropathy and wants to try and avoid any long term damage - the reduction has a negligable affect on the historical survival rate so the thinking was it far outweighed the possibility of long term damage from the neuropathy.

Drinking about 200 oz of fluids a day which seems amazing if not crazy but still managed to lose some weight since the last weigh in.  Walks have become quite cumbersome - going up and down stairs is starting to become burdensome so the longevity of this process is really starting to take its toll.  Training for the Falmouth Road Race is going to be quite a challenge - hopefully i can get this ravaged body back into some kind of presentable shape before then.

Finally - HAPPY BIRTHDAY shouts out to Jerry who turned 50 yesterday!!!!

Folfox-8 Completed

8 down 4 to go - 2/3 Complete - going into the final third - all is continuing to go according to plan - counts are stable etc......other than the neuropathy the side effects seem to be pretty well under control or it is Sue's magic bars doing the work behind the scenes.  March cannot come soon enough - i am counting down the days to when i will part ways with Alf - the chemo i can handle - Alf is wearing on me.

 And so let's remember no. 8 - can't even tell you how many evenings amy and i spent at Temple Street (home of the Nugen?) watching Cam light 'em up.

Not in my Gahden.

For those not in the know - Cam started out as a Portland Winter Hawk - for those in the know - that is Pat LaFontaine handing him the Memorial Cup

For those that remember- this is Cam letting Ulf Samuellson know how much he did not appreciate the career ending "cheap hit" in the 1991 Conference Final (Game 3) - of course Ulf is turtleing up.

 

 

 

 

And his Just Reward.............

And of course you can't forget Yaz when speaking of number 8's.

Stay healthy - 

Joe and Sandy i hope you are all doing better.

Best

C-