Thursday - 7 February 2013

Uneventful day.  Working on maintaining steady blood pressure.  No transfusions or platelets today.  Blood numbers up slightly.  Glad to be back in my jeans and button down.

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." 

Mark Twain

Wednesday - 6 February 2013

 

Uneventful day.  Immune system still at 0 but should start increasing next week or at least by 20 Feb.    I did receive  a  blood   transfusion today and  will probably get platelets tomorrow.  Just mostly sitting here swapping thumbs.

Joyse is taking good care  and  is being a good advocate.

"Have  we  trials and temptations ?    Is  there trouble anywhere?   We  should never be  discouraged ,  take it to the Lord in prayer."   From 2nd verse of  "What a Friend"   in  The Cokesbury  Hymnal.

 

Chemo doing what it is supposed to do.  Transfusion yesterday which has red blood cells good but other numbers down.  ANC at 0.  But this is what is expected.

What goes up must come down, spinning wheel got to go round... Blood, Sweat and Tears

Monday- 4 February 2013

It is good to be finished with the chemo and just play the waiting game until 20 Feb  for the results.  However,  this stuff works by knocking down good red and white cells as well as bad ones so consequently I am presently receiving 2 units of blood which takes about 5 hours.  I guess tonight they will come by and take out 3 units.

Jane is on her way to VA to continue her consulting in Prince William County Schools.,  She still has a passion for the profession.

Joyse is the PA for the week and is doing a good job.  It is good to have someone around even though I am perfectly capable of independence and stuff.

We enjoyed the Super Bowl but I did not really have a dog  in  that fighi.  I, also,still like football outside with marching bands at half time like the Va Tech Hokies or the UGA Redcoats. 

I got some great drawings from Laurel and Clay today which are now on the room wall. Cam also sent some pictures of our waterfall visits while hiking here last fall. Will probably post some tomorrow on the blog.

"You know, all that really matters is  that the people you love are healthy and happy.  Everything else is just sprinkles on the sundae."

 

 

Sunday - 3 February 2013

Yeah!  Finished  with chemo treatments.  Now we let it brew or percolate for about 15 or 16 days.  I am not strapped to an IV or anything just me and my toys and the hallways. Should be days of boredom if all goes well.  It is a good feeling.  There are chances that I might need a transfusion or infusion if red cells or platelets go too low.  But that's no big deal.

I had a great Super Bowl party considering the location.   Jane and Joyse brought in 5 layer dip and hot dogs.  Did anyone see the electrician with the red shirt?  Ike joined us a we had a great time.

Before that I Skyed with  Cam, Laurel, and Clay.  It is always a boast to see them.  

 

"This suspense is terrible.  I hope it will last."  Oscar Wilde

"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope."  Martin Luther

Saturday - 2 February 2013

I am currently receiving my 2nd treatment of chemo for today.  I have the two doses tomorrow and will be finished.  Then I just wait until about 23 Feb to see if the stuff worked.   So far, no side effects.  My great chemo CNA has adjusted the time back each day so I do not finish at 2300 and also kinds of makes it possible to finish before the super bowl tomorrow.  Jane, Ike, Joyse, and I plan to watch it here in my suite.

 

I enjoyed Amy's visit today.  It is impossible to get down with her around.  I now have a great get well drawing from Sara on my wall and a professional neat calendar where I can mark off the days left.  No more scratching on the prison walls. 

Enjoyed Joyse today.  She keeps me in line and is also alert to what I am supposed to be doing. Jane and her are great PA's. (Patient Assistants). 

" As you walk down  the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round."   Ben Hogan 

 

Friday- 1 February 2013

I am presently receiving my 3rd round of chemo meds which is going smoothly.  No problems and all vital signs and blood readings are good.  So no real new news in meds department.  Only two more treatments to go and then we go into the monitoring phase for about 3 weeks. 

 

 

Jane is here today with clean clothes as I do not wear the hated gown.  This sure helps the morale and I can continue to be The King Of  De Nile..

 

We are expecting Amy any moment now.  She is delivering the short timers calendar and pictures drawn by Julia and Sara. The walls will not be hospital beige.

 

 

Below is a picture of Buddy Corbin, NGC 70, who is the hospital Chaplain here at Mission Hospital, St. Joseph Campus.  In another life he played in a band at NGC with Scott Johnson.  He is actually teaching me to play the guitar. He is a patient man and promises to have me playing one song soon so I can drive people crazy around here.

 

 

Mother would be  proud as I dropped out of piano lessons at an early age.

 

"One  good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."  Bob Marley