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-

Folfox - 6 Completed

6 down 6 to go (50% Complete)

 

 

Fun Fact:  Did you know the number 6 was the first number ever retired  by the NHL (1934 - Toronto Maple Leafs - Ace Bailey)

 

The evolution of our modern glyph for 6 appears rather simple when compared with that for the other numerals. Our modern 6 can be traced back to the Brahmins of India, who wrote it in one stroke like a cursive lowercase e rotated 90 degrees clockwise. Gradually, the upper part of the stroke (above the central squiggle) became more curved, while the lower part of the stroke (below the central squiggle) became straighter. The Ghubar Arabs dropped the part of the stroke below the squiggle. From there, the European evolution to our modern 6 was very straightforward, aside from a flirtation with a glyph that looked more like an uppercase G.

^{Completed Folfox-6 on Wednesday - it has been a week of sleep - i have managed to sleep Monday through Saturday at the moment - just crazy.  Blood counts and weight are still holding strong - so we are pushing forward to the finish line - they think my success has something to do with the crazy amount of fluids i have been drinking to keep up with Alf and that it is actually not only helping rid the chemo from my body (chemo is fast acting so you want to get rid of it as quickly as possible) but also putting less stress on the liver and kidney functions.  Ironically, even drinking 130 oz's i managed to be dehydrated at the last check up so i got a bonus 2-hr IV of fluids to get back hydrated.}

^{We are back in Sunriver for the Holiday's - the good news (for me) it that it has been unseasonably warm over here (it was about 50 yesterday) - not very good news though for the skiers.}

^{Hope everyone has a great holiday.}

^{Stay Healthy (and awake) -} 

^Best

^C-