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-

Folfox-8 Underway- and misc Information

Started Folfox-8 yesterday- all counts seem to be holding.  For some reason i had very little symptoms after Folfox-7 so my guess is No. 8 will pay for that.  The doctor told me i am easy to treat - i am hoping that leads to positive results.  All this talk about the neuropathy and how it has affected my guitar playing has led my Oncologist back to taking lessons which ironically is from the same teacher i have taken lessons from the last few years (Mark Hanson - grammy winning artist) - i am hoping i get a discount in this somehwere.  Sooo i get to carry, sleep and hold my pump for the next few days and than it will be removed on Friday thus completing No. 8.

Additional goings on:

Auntie Sue came out from NY to help hold down the White House while Amy was off travelling for work.  Fortunately i was non-symptotic most of the week so i go to hang with sue although i think she now thinks this is all made up and there are no symptoms related to the chemo.  The boys were very excited to learn that auntie loves to bake and they were treated to all sorts of wonderful baked goods through out the week for breakfast and dinner - unfortunately they now expect that - so it will take them a little time to come on back to reality.  Although it was a long time to be away from her two wonderful daughters and husband - the week ended with a day at the spa with the birthday girl and party to boot complete with a birthday cake from amy's favorite bakery (long story - ask sue).  This is the magical time of year when amy and i are the same age (at least until February 21) so no old man jokes for a little while.

Ahh - the yummy cake

The Sisters.................

The couple - all the same age (it's a secret)

 Uncle Jerry made another visit to the great NW and was treated to surprising the boys first at sebby's basketball game and than onto aidan's.  We all than went out to dinner and made uncle J pay - thank you very much.  did not get a photo this time - can't remember if we forgot or uncle was sooooooooooooo tired with everything going on back in Bostson - we think it is time for a respite to White's Landing for some down time.

Last but not least - we were treated to another great meal from Pat Sanchez last night which ironically turns out to be sebby's favorite- pulled pork slider with cole slaw and mango salsa (sebby has his own hot sauce i think the salsa was my favorite).  We had alot of fun having supper and hanging out with pat - and we remembered a photo this time for the blog - although pat was almost out the door and into the car.

Pat Sanchez and Chris

And finally - thoughts and prayers out to:

Sandy Mangine and family - finally made it out of district 9 after quite an adventure and is now recuperating at home - hope the recovery goes quickly - can't ask for any better nursing.

Joe Snyder and Kathy - Joey bag-o-donughts is a recent escapee from district 9 and is now home recuperating from back surgery in Virginia - hope the recovery goes quickly and smoothly and you get back to a pain free vertical state.

All for now -

Stay Healthy -
Best
C

7 Down 5 to go (58% Complete)

Who can forget!!!!

Folfox-7 completed today - just 5 more to go and then we get to say Goodbye to Alf.  Everything seems to be going well - blood counts etc... are all staying normal so we trudge on to the finale.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Joe (Joey bag-o-donuts) Snyder who will be going in for back surgery soon - hopefully everything goes smoothly - lucky for him his wife is a nurse.  May have to send a Harley out this way for a little love while he recuperates.  

Congrats to Sandy Mangine for making it out of District 9 - hopefully the recovery is going smoothly.  Fortunately for you my 2nd favorite nurse is in charge - go gettum Di.

Finally - thanks to Dr. D, Aunt P and Danny - you guys send the funniest cards - i really enjoy them and they crack us all up every time -

Stay healthy-

Best

C-

Folfox - 7 Underway

And so we've now begun the second half of the madness.  Started Folfox-7 yesterday and will complete tomorrow.  I think I am more excited to reverse Alf than to complete the chemotherapy - we are into our 6th month now of our tumultuous relationship and it is surely time for us to go our separate ways - of course that good bye also comes with a surgery (still need to get the poto cath removed as well) but it should be the final surgery of this journey and it appears that Dr. Rivello had created a loop that should be easily reversed.  I have noticed recently that my belly button was put back in a little off center and you know how much things not aligned bother me - so i may fly back to Boston and have them reopen the wound and fix the cosmetic issue - just kidding - but it is off center.

The weather here in the NW has been incredibly unseasonable especially for portland which has been great for me and my neuropathy although i did learn in Sunriver that you can freeze your eyes as well as your hands, feet and face - that was new and exciting - like getting sprayed with mace in the face - had to walk home with my eyes closed as it was too painful to open them - well know i know.  Unfortunately for Connor he has not been able to try out his new ski boots but he will try his luck on Mt. Hood as time permits.

Amy thought you would enjoy this picture - it turns out that when they reduced the oxiliplatin to reduce the neuropathy numbness (not the cold sensitivity - that is a whole different issue) in my fingertips which was precluding me from playing guitar (now i can play sometimes which is better than not at all) it now provides this great opportunity of about 3-4 days at the end of the chemocycle that i can drink cold liquid.  I am here to tell you that when you are deprived of cold fluids and are relegated to room temperature gatorade and water only - when that window opens it is "carpe diem".  Fortunately we have a house full of ice cream lovers, especially mr. aidan who makes sure that we get to Baskin Robbins everyday to fill the need.  Amy calls it ice cream dedication - you will notice that i have my gloves on since i cannot touch cold things which makes ice cream a bit strategic, my beanie cap that keeps the head warm and of course - courtesy of aunt suzy Q (who will be visiting soon) my incredibly comfortable electric warming blanket.

Stay healthy -
Best
C-