FOLFOX-5 Underway

T'was a big day in the White House - while i was in chemo today my beloved nurse Amy spent the day under the knife having a small area of basal cell carcinoma removed from her temple and is now sporting a new 24-hr look.  Aidan thought she looks like Rambo (you can decide...photo follows).  They performed Mohs surgery which is a process of taking off a layer of skin.... testing it and repeating the process until the sample is free of cancer.  Lots of pain in the localized area especially around the eye accompanied by nausea...she cannot sleep laying down and so has picked out the most comfortable chair to rest her head for the long evening.  We are hoping tomorrow is an easier day for nurse Amy.

Rambo says - Always wear a hat in the sunshine.........especially if your a life guard.

Started Folfox-5 today with no fanfare (that is a good thing...) - i had the same nurse as last week and she can stick a needle into your chest with such great accuracy and speed...nice and efficient.... just how i like it.... i have even opted out of the freeze treatment and just let her stick it in .........can't think of a more exciting way to start the day.  It was another full day at the chemo ward....i think i would feel a just a little bit better if i wasn't always the baby of the group...a lot of 60 and 70's...it's interesting and sad to see how the cancer & chemotherapy effects such a diversity of people,  especially the toll it takes on the older folks.  Usually when i first arrive i think they think i am one of the orderley's - quite funny.  The sad part is the stories you see and hear.... there was a gentleman near me today who lost his wife 4 years ago and was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago - he started chemo at 210 lbs and currently is at 132 - he has 3 daughters and none of them visit or help him, what a trooper, makes you feel like a patsy..........i only know of his plight because i overheard him as he was relaying it to another patient who had lost 50 lbs so far through his chemo treatment but was accompanied all day by his wife and daughter.....its times like these that you really appreciate your family, extended and otherwise.......so i'm sure i don't say it enough but know that i do.

For the medical followers:

• Blood counts and platelet counts are holding.
• Started on dronabinol (Marinol) instead of the ondansetron for the nausea - lot of interesting side effects with this one.
• Continued with the fosaprepitant (aka EMEND) premed - it greatly has reduced the number and frequency of headaches.

Finally, regarding "the" project - today and tomorrow is carpeting and then the master closet gets built out by California Closets on thursday and friday.......new king size bed (finally.....) arrives saturday and we than move out of the basement.....can't wait.....pictures forthcoming.

Stay Healthy
Best
C-