FOLFOX-2 Completed

2 down 10 to go

 

Completed 2nd round of chemo yesterday - fortunately with less fanfare than on Tuesday - suffice it to say it is easier to remove a needle than to insert one.  If all goes in line with the 1st round i will be preoccupied with sleep, fatigue and nausea for the next few days before exiting the funk and gearing up for the next round.  I have a new neuropathic side effect to deal with which is a sensitivity to cold.  If i touch or drink anything cold/cool - my fingertips, toes and throat go to pins and needles such that it is painful to touch or drink anything until they are heated/warmed up.  What a great side effect for the winter months eh.  As you can imagine i will not be playing hockey this year and skiing does not look good either.

So far everything else seems fine - illeostomy is still a nuisance but swapping it out is becoming quicker and more efficient - the surgeon will not discuss reversing it until the wound is fully healed which i am hoping is soon- about a month maybe?  Currently i no longer need to wear any dressing to protect the wound - seems like it wasn't that long ago we had to deal with the 2-a-day wet/dry daily dressings.  Hair is thinning but not clumping out and the weight seems to be holding - i have gained back about 20 of the 30 pounds lost in the ordeal - not exactly the 6-pack abs i asked the surgeon for but............

All for now - FOLFOX-3 is scheduled for 11/9/11 - stay healthy.

Best
C-

Hey Uncle Chris.. It's THE Jilli-pepper. First of all, I have 1 question- WHERES THE FISH??!! My mom just turned on your blog, and I was so excited to feed the fish, and then I saw that they weren't there. I'm very sad. :( I really hope that you are feeling better, I always wish for the best, and I love you. Hope to see you soon and maybe take you on yet again, in a "friendly" game of ping-pong. Love you!!

xoxoxox,
Jilli-pepper

Thx for the nice thoughts Pepper - figured out how to get the fish back just for you - we're not as technical as your generation don't ya know.  I look forward to the challenge back at White's Landing.  If you make it to the Cape before me don't forget to play the Breedlove - i left the tuner and capo there as well (front closet).  Hope you are keeping up the playing so we can play together again next summer - hoping that i may be able to promise there will not be anymore "excitement" either.

xo - how i miss those crispy ribs at Centre Cafe.
UC-

FOLFOX-2 Underway

Started 2nd chemo treatment yesterday, another long day - 9 - 3 p.m. - it did not start very well - it took an hour to get the needle in my chest after (3) attempts - they ended up injecting lidocaine in the area and using a 1" - not exactly a great way to wake up - thought i was pretty immune to needles after the last 25 years (especially the last 6 months) but for some reason i can really get myself worked up over this new little wrinkle.  Apparently there is still some swelling at the cath site from the surgery which caused the problem with the needle insertion - they promised it was an unusual morning and i am going to hold them to it.

Nike is only 20 minutes away so we have a nice routine (weather permitting) where i go to work with amy and walk to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute so i get some exercise in before and after the infusion and Amy comes over for lunch - good stuff and allows amy to keep up/catch up with work.

We were treated to a great supper last night from Pat Sanchez (i forgot to get a photo), a co-worker of mine from Opsis and an amazingly thoughtful and caring person that i have had the privilege to know for the last 12 years - thanks pat we all loved the meal which is not any easy task with (3) boys - at least our (3).

Stay healthy
Best
C-

Project Progress

By popular demand- an update from the basement dwellers - here are the progress photo's of our little construction project to keep me occupied while not falling asleep.  Electrical and Plumbing inspections were passed last week so the walls can now be covered.  This week is final wall prep before the tile setter arrives and installation of the windows - the floor will be sloped on thursday for the shower.  The room is so small it is difficult to get any good pictures so sorry in advance.

 THE OLD

 

This is master bathroom as i left it those many years ago after one incredibly strong pot of coffee (for those that don't know the story i will save you the time - for those that are privy to it - be it know that a newspaper was found by the contractor in the remains and it was not as long ago as the misses would like you to believe - but it was along time ago.

THE NEW (this week)

 

Inspections passed - wall cover in progress - windows to be replaced this week in the master

bedroom.  Benefits of an architect for a client - we just draw the plans on the wall for you.

The GOOD 

(no fried chicken and beer in that lockerroom)

 

The BAD

and The UGLY

 

Chris....Jillian discovered that you can feed those fish! Seriously--I'm feeling unbelievably tech savvy, although I did just manage to learn how to manage an excel spreadsheet! Hope the day is going well...... :)

oh yes - should have mentioned that - the fish need to be fed.  Click on the blue for food - leave it to the Jilly-Pepper.  Tell Hailey i said Hi- and "smile".

C-