I have no hair.....

Now I really look like a chemo patient....

My hair has been coming out in big clumps the past two days, so last night, my niece and sister cut the rest of it off and shaved my head. I look like Mr. Clean!!!!

I'm going to have a burger and watch football on my last day of feeling good.

Thanks for all the messages and well-wishes!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Thanksgiving was fun. I was feeling good and looking forward to eating lots of turkey!!!!

My brother couldn't come because his kids were sick and my white-blood cell count is low.....

My sis and her family came over and we had a great day!!!

Now I am bored and kind of bummed out knowing that I start my 5 days of treatment on Monday and will feel like crap for the next 2 weeks or so....

My goal is to get out of this house and DO SOMETHING today and tomorrow....

Bleomycin doesn't like me.....

Another exciting bleomycin treatment......

The doc's were slightly concerned that I would have another reaction to the bleo so they loaded me up with benedryl and tylenol before my treatment and told me to take another dose 4 hours later.

We brought a blanket in the car and cranked the heater so I wouldn't get the chills on the way home.

Well......within 2 hours, I was having another reaction....chills, convulsing, etc.

Fortunately, my sis was working at the hospital down the street. Mom & Dad ruched me to the ER and they were waiting for me.

It's funny how I was freezing and the first thing they want to do is take off all of your clothes. It was also a fun task to start an IV when my arm was shaking like crazy. That HURT!!!!

They loaded me up with fluids and sterioids and within 2 hours I was feeling better. They sent me home and I went to bed....

This morning I feel like I have a major hangover without having any of the fun last night.....

Browns are terrible.....

Well, at least the Browns provided something for me to watch today........I think OSU could have beaten them....

Tomorrow will be an adventure with outpatient chemo. Let's just hope I do not have another reaction to the Bleomycin.....maybe they'll shoot me up with a bunch of drugs to prevent it....

I've felt OK these past couple of days with the exception of a headache and for some reason, a killer back-ache tonight.....It's good to have relatives who work in hospitals and have access to some good drugs!!!!!

I'll write another update tomorrow after chemo.

-CIAO

College Football Day.....

Thank God for College Football!!!!!!!

Besides my "episode" on Wed night, I've felt pretty good this week (other than a constant, annoying headache....) Serious boredom has set in....

I've decided to try and figure out what I'm going to do when all of this is over (for a job that is....)

In the meantime, you can't possibly understand how big OSU v Michigan is unless you have lived in the MidWest. Even though MI sucks big time this year, this game is B-I-G!!!!!!

Today is reserved for college f'ball and tomorrow is pro and fantasty football day......

I really like reading the comments, so please keep them coming!!!!!!

Famous last words....

"Your Bleomycin treatment today will be no big deal"

I put my parents through hell and back last night.....

For some reason, I had a weird reaction to the drug....

It all started out well enough with a trip to the clinic to see the oncologist and get some bleo....I felt so good afterwards, Mom & Dad took me out for a burger (I had been craving one for days.....)

The burger (and fries) were great!!!!!

Then the FUN started..... for some reason, my body temperature started falling.....I just couldn't get warm and started shaking (convulsing I would say.) Mom & Dad were freaking out - adding heating blankets, putting blankets in the dryer, and doing anything to warm me up......I looked like a freaking mummy.....My Mom called my sister who rushed over with medical supplies in hand (note to Michele - bring an IV next time - is that legal?????) My body temperature was 95.1.

The convulsions lasted 1-2 hours. I finally warmed up.

Next problem. Body temperature 102.

If my temp went over 101, I was supposed to be taken to the ER. No f'ing way was I going to the hospital.....My sis calmed down my parents and convinced them not to take me to the ER.

Eventually, I just went to bed.......

Mom & Dad didn't get too much sleep last night.....I feel bad because I did put them through some serious sh*%......

I'm much better today, just T-I-R-E-D.......

I stayed awake through MNF

I've been on the West Coast too long.....MNF Games are supposed to start at 5:00!!!!!!

I almost fell asleep before the game STARTED...

The Browns looked horrible but at least made it exciting till the end.....

I'm still feeling kinda crappy. I keep getting migrane headaches....I don't know if it's the chemo, low blood sugar, or what....

Tomorrow I head back to the Clinic for more Bleomycin....I'm going to chat w/the doc and see if I can figure out if I can do anything to feel better.....

At least I ventured outside today.....I'm trying to get my parents into the year 2000 with a wireless router (gonna teach my Mom how to "do" e-mail) and get them to buy a DVR....they miss too many of their "shows" and watch too many commercials for me.....Dad and I went PC shopping and I'm really good at spending HIS money.....

I'm not sure what to expect tomorrow but I don't think it should be too bad.....

I'm Alive!!!!

OK - sorry I haven't written.......I couldn't stay awake for more than 15 min at a time. The most I could do was try and eat and/or drink something and then it was right back to bed......

I'm trying to get my meds figured out. I take 3 diff ones for nausea and think we have it figured out which ones knock me on my ass and which ones keep me wired up. I have another one to make me sleep (like I really need that one....)

Today, my sister, Michele (the nurse) had to give me a shot (nupegeon I think) to increase my white-blood cell count. It seemed she really enjoyed sticking it to me......

On top of all of that, I had a migrane headache.....just my luck......

I finally started feeling better this afternoon. I'm sure it was Mom's pasta!!!!!!! I ate like a huge pig!!!!!

While I've been sleeping these past couple of days, Deanna has been honing her skills on Wii bowling. In fact, she may need a massage when she gets back to CA tomorrow because her arm should be sore.....also, She and my Mom have been jumping up and down taking care of me....

Besides cooking, my Mom has another natural talent - Wii!!!!!!! She is the champ at bowling, got 5 strikes in a row, and even the teenager, Ian (sorry - young adult???) couldn't beat her.....

So, it's 1:17 and I'm wide awake.....I guess it's to be expected since I've averaged over 20 hours of sleep for the past couple of days....

FINAL THOUGHT - I'm going to PUNCH my doc straight in the face for not doing surgery.....

Chemo F'ing BLOWS!!!!!!

I was surprised how bad today was..... I thought after I left prison, I would get better - just the opposite.... Today was the WORST day by far....

The good news is we got a Wii!!!!!!!!

I need more drugs and to get back to bed....

CHEMO SUCKS!!!!!

Friday Night....

I am home (Finally.....) It seemed like more that 5 days in prison...... The drugs make me feel really weird - from TOTALLY WIRED to TOTALLY SLEEPY.......

I'll write more tomorrow and post photos of my shaved head and beat up nose from my nephew....

Thanks for all of your support!!!!!!!

Day four is over and done. No adverse effects except sleeping. I guess the atavan is working. One more day and home for two weeks. Deanna is coming tomorrow for the weekend. Then it will be one week down and eight to go.

Well the chemo continues and so far all is going as good as can be expected. The only side effect that has appeared is wanting to sleep all the time. This is probably a good thing since it keeps him from being totally bored. They are giving the treatments a little earlier every day so that he can be released a little earlier on friday.
The chemo itself is a little scary though since when it is administered by the nurse she must wear this special blue gown and double gloves for protection. It's an ugly brown colored bag since the material is light sensitive. Makes you wonder what it is really doing inside.
It is a good thing that the treatments are being done as an in patient. I can't imagine being done as an out patient.

November 11, 2008
Well the kemo process has begun. The first round was administered yesterday and took about five hours to complete. Two components were used along with hydrating fluid and anti-nausea meds. The anti-nausea meds seem to work since he was in good spirits today with no noticeable effects. He complained of being a little tired, but attributed some of it to boredom which I guess is a good sign.
Deanna went home today after spending the weekend and monday with him. He will miss her while she is gone.
Today the third component was given and will be repeated once per week every tuesday for the next nine weeks. He was resting comfortably when we left.

The Truth About Chemotherapy.....

Well, I guess I'll find out later today how this whole chemo thing works........I have no idea when it will start to affect me......I like to be in control of things, so this is new territory for me.....

The weekend was a blast. Deanna and I had fun with the neices and nephews - except when Brandon and I had a little mishap.......Let's just say that the little 7-year old got the best of me in Wii boxing and real wrestling......My nose lost the battle with the back of the couch.....

I shaved my head - with a litle help from my sister Michele and neice, Kelsey. I'll post the photos whenever I can get access or will have my Dad do it. I look like I'm ready for the Army, Jail, or a punk-rock band.....You can decide when you see them....

I can't thank my parents enough. They have been driving me back & forth to the Clininc, my Mom has been cooking like the Iron Chef, and they both sacrificed being in Florida having fun and playing golf in the sunshine to be here helping me out.....

Deanna was a stud on the drums in "Rock Band!!!!!!!" Kelsey showed her the ropes and she ROCKED. I think my nephew Ian spends a bit too much time in his "man cave" because he is scary good at that darn game.....

Well, Deanna, my Parents,and I are all heading to the Clinic....... let the barfing begin!!!!!

New Telephone.....

My old company finally released my telephone number to me (although the jack-asses still owe me $$$$$$)

I have the same number but if you called me yesterday, I probably missed your call and didn't get your voice-mail. Everything should be back to normal today....

I'll write more later...

Weekend.....

Deanna is coming to visit today through Tuesday!!!!!

I'm gonna show her around the beautiful city of Cleveland (it will take about 10 min....)

My bro is coming with his wife and kids (and bringing the Wii) and my sis and her family are coming over....It will be a fun weekend.

By the way, I played "Rock Band" the other day with my niece and nephew and as embarassing as it may sound - we had a blast!!!!!

Speaking of embarassing - this is the one and only time I will mention it; I made a deposit at the sperm bank on Friday......one of the strangest experiences I've ever had in my entire life......

On another note.....what a terrible for the Browns on Thursday night....ouch

Big Changes......

Well.......after not eating and prepping for surgery all day yesterday, I showed up at the hospital, was admitted, put the fancy ass-baring gown on and was ready to go.

My doc showed up and after reviewing more lab tests, cancelled the surgery. Apparently, my tumor markers keep rising. Since my CT Scans are clean in my chest, abdomen, and pelvis, the Cancer has spread somewhere else..... It could be that it's too small to show up on any scans.....

I was PISSED OFF!!!!!!!! (and still am by the way.)

As a result, I have to endure 9 weeks of chemo.......I'm being admitted to the Clinic on Monday and have to stay through the week. I was told that administering the drugs takes 5 hours each day. I'll return to my parent's house on Friday and then have 1 treatment as an out-patient for the next 2 weeks and then repeat the cycle three times.

Soooooo, we are having a party to shave my head on Sunday since I will be losing all of my hair. I know that Nils & Don will get a laugh out of that....

I am beat.....all of this waiting and changing strategy is wearing on my. I need a nap. At least I can wake up and watch the BROWNS tonight....

c'mon people, add some comments here!!!!!! I want to know what I'm missing in CA!!!!!!!

Today is the Day....

I'm leaving for surgery in about 15 min....

Following is a link which describes what they will be doing to me....

http://www.acor.org/TCRC/rplnd.html

It's not going to be fun, but hopefully they get it all out of me and cemotherapy with not be required......

Let's see - what am I going to miss.....GO BROWNS tonight, and I hope I set up my FFL team for a win!!!!!

-CIAO

FINALLY - a decision!!!!!

After waiting all day to hear from the doc......surgery it is!!!!!

I can't believe I am actually excited about it. I am ready to get this cut out of me....

I just hope I do not have to have chemo afterwards.

I have to be at the Clinic at 11:30 tomorrow and surgery is sometime in the afternoon.

My Dad will update my BLOG while I'm in the hospital to keep everyone informed.

-CIAO

Tuesday Night - 11/4/08

Well.....today is the first day I am getting bummed out. I've had a positive attititude through this whole process but today I have had it.....

I was at the Clinic all day yesterday seeing multiple docs and being poked and prodded.... When I left, the consensus was to do surgery on Thursday. I was stoked that we finally made a decision and had a plan. Well, the doc got my lab results that I had done earlier in the day (by the way, the Clinic never received the lab results from UCSF - WTF??????.) He called me at 9:30 PM and had some bad news. My tumor markers had risen significantly since my initial surgery. That means that the cancer has spread. He recommended that we postpone surgery until we do more tests and another CT Scan.

Sooooooo tomorrow, it's back to the Clinic for more tests and CT Scans. Depending on the results, it's either surgery on Thursday or postpone surgery and begin chemotherapy.

It would be nice if a doctor made a f"ing decision!!!!!!! maybe this and maybe that and depending on this and blah blah blah.... If I had done something 6 weeks ago - right after my initial surgery, I would be almost recovered from another surgery or almost complete with chemotherapy.....

Tomorrow, I'm going to not be such a good patient and press someone to DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!! I am ready for fucking surgery already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's just DO IT and if turns out that it spread somewhere else, then let's hit it with chemo....

At this point, I'm looking at late Jan or Feb before I can start working again - that is, IF I get a job asap....... Maybe if Obama gets elected, he will take care of me.....(I'm totally kidding by the way....)

Let's hope for good news and a plan of action tomorrow...

Not So fast......

After coming to a decision, I was thrown a curve-ball late last night.....

It seems that my latest lab work from the Clinic showed my Hcg levels higher than they were when I left CA????? When last checked, they were a 5 which is still elevated. Before surgery, they were 55, then 17 shortly after surgery, then down to a 5 - trending towards 0 and looking good....Somehow, yesterday they were at 14....I believe this means that there is more cancer in my body somewhere that is not showing up on any of the CT Scans....

Soooooooo, back to the Clinic for more CT Scans and blood tests tomorrow. If my Hcg is not down to below 5, they will cancel surgery.....

It might be chemo after all....

Anyways.....I'l just have to play golf today to kep my mind off of all this BS.....

and the winner is......

Surgery it is!!!!!!

After a full day of poking, talking about my balls, etc..... I've decided on Surgery.

Dr. Stevensen at the Cleveland Clinic has done more of these procedures than any other surgeon. I am tentatively scheduled for sometime Thursday afternoon. I have to call on Wednesday to confirm a specific time....

The Dr. here is questioning the opinion of the Dr. at UCSF that I actually have a tumor in my abdomen....He ordered more CT scans but still recommends RPLND surgery.

The Oncologist concurs. They both believe that surgery is the best option and that it is both a diagnostic and treatment. Once my lymph nodes are removed, they are examined by a pathologist (and my Docs.) If cancer is found in any of the lymph nodes, they recommend that I undergo two rounds of chemo.

I will NOT be happy if I need to do both. The doctors here are the best in the world and I agreed to do what they recommended. Let's just keep our finger's crossed that they don't find anymore cancer....

So, back to the clinic on Wed for more tests and CT Scans and surgery on Thursday.....More waiting on test results after the surgery....

If the weather cooperates, I will play my last round of golf. I will post another update once I find out the time for my 4 hour operation.....

-CIAO

Redemption......

I had the opportunity to redeem myself on the golf course today....Fortunately, I took care of busines and beat my brother-in-law, Jon and my Dad!!!!! Now I feel ready to undergo surgery....

Well, tomorrow is the day to make a decision....I'll update everyone after my appointment at the Clinic.....

Too bad my Browns lost....

it's cold in Cleveland....

I got to play golf yesterday with my Father and Brother.....the nerve of both of them to soundly beat a cancer patient......

I get a chance to redeem myself today......Too bad my Dad and brother-in-law have more desire to watch the Browns on TV than play 18 holes......It usually takes me 9 holes to get warmed up - especially when it's freezing cold here.....I'll never hear the end of it if I lose today.....

Go BROWNS!!!!!