5 Treatments Left

My husband seeemed to have had a little more energy today, but it is seemingly at the point in the day when the fatigue sets in. We are putting every possible positive energy into this and take each day one at a time. I want to be able to do the things we have wanted to set out to do, such as play tennis, ride our bikes, go on mini-vacations and I mean come on we haven't even been married two years yet!!! It took twenty years to find the person that I am supposed to be with and we have at least 50 more in my opinion. Keepin' happy!!!

As Days Pass

I continue to watch my husband (Jim) be the most positive and focused person that I know. We are doing everything within our power to make him well again.

I dream of the day when things are well,
there will always be lots to tell.
In doing this we have seen first hand
what these things mean and where they stand.

In the future times to come,
and we know we have won.
We plan to help those in need,
and in doing this we will all succeed.

Six More Sessions to Go!

Well it was great having three days off from the radiation treatments. The fatique that the treatments brings on is really unbelievable. It's hard to describe. It's certainly not a normal fatique. It's more than feeling sleepy. It's a complete slow-down, a heavy weight.

I've learned that I'm freshest on Mondays and completely drained by the time Friday comes along. This past Friday was the most fatique I have felt yet, or ever in my life for that matter. The Memorial Day weekend did recoop some of my energies though for Tuesday's treatments to begin again.

I'm just home from the Wednesday treatment. And now it's just six more to go! We'll end up this run next Thursday. Then it's rebuilding strength throughout June as the effects of the radiation continue for awhile.

Well my future son-in-law was kind enough to give me a military style crew cut before the radiation treatments began. We figured that it was best to start short since the hair was destined to all fall out anyway.

This Memorial Day weekend the hair did start coming out. By Sunday it was pretty much just getting silly. So Monday Barb and I had some fun and just shaved it clean. It was quite a process. And quite a funky little adventure.

I'll try to take and post some bald pics. At least I can prove to everyone why it was so important all these years for me to grow a lot of hair - I have a pretty ugly head! LOL

The only other effect really that I have to deal with now is the loss of taste. It's expected through all of this. For some reason though I've been lucky enough, so far, to retain the taste of "sweet." I've pretty much lost all other taste though. You could give me a slice of pizza, a hard boiled egg, and a pastrami sandwich, and right now it all tastes the same to me.

We're working to keep me eating and keeping weight on though. Since I can taste sweet we're working with lots of fruits and veggies, some fruity muffins, and protein drinks that a nutritionist recommended.

We all face great tests and challenges in life. I'm hardly alone. And I never stop to feel sorry for myself, or try to wrap myself in pity. This is humanity. It's something we all have to accept. And I do believe that the true test is not the test itself but how we face it and deal with it.

Sometimes it feels good just to be able to whine a little. And sometimes I certainly do. But my attitude is always positive. I consider myself such a fortunate person, for all I have had, for all I continue to have, and the blessings that continue to present themselves each and everyday.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support, prayers and kindness. It means the world to me.

Six more radiation treatments to go!

Precious

In learning of this illness, it makes a person realize how precious life is and when you have someone you care so much about going through this it makes each day very special. Becoming the caregiver has been very important to me and you must do your best to stay informed.

Initial Post

When David Letterman learned that musician Warren Zevon was diagnosed with incurable cancer he opened up an entire show to Zevon. That show Letterman asked Zevon if there was anything he understood now, facing his own mortality, that he didn't before. Zevon simply replied "Enjoy every sandwich."

When I was diagnosed with incurable cancer, my oncologist advised me not to spend my days on petty things.

I like my oncologist. He's a no-quit, positive gentleman, who still tackles the realities.

But his comment did make me think . . . should any of us ever spend our days on petty things? The diagnosis of cancer really shouldn't, and hasn't, affected my approach to each day - to make the most of it, to try to help others, to try to be the best person I can be . . . to enjoy every sandwich.

We're all dying. Each day, somewhere, a loved one will leave home and tragically not return. Life is precious. Each day is precious. Don't spend any of your days on petty things.

My wife Barb and I have started this blog just as a way of sharing thoughts and expressions. We appreciate any comments in return.