Specifics

All right world, here's the dilly-o.

I'm not sure if I got them at my last outpatient treatment or when I was in the hospital, but at some point, they gave me steriods. Unfortunately, I haven't bulked up like Barry Bonds... yet. My algeries have been non-existant though, so that's good. But, like everything else they've given me, there are side effects, like zits in really random places, like my elbow pit!?!?! They look more like track marks though...

I started to notice my hair falling out today. Well, not really "falling" out, but it comes out with a brush, fingers running through it, etc. Not much at a time, but a few hairs here and there.

I've also started to get my strength back. Tuesday night, just before the Heat game, as I said before, I just started feeling normal, and I've been feeling great ever since. Now, my strength is starting to come back. Too back I go back in tomorrow afternoon for more outpatient treatment... well, more like in 14 hours or so. Worring about that could account for the insomnia.

Last time I was sick for about 2 days after recieving the dosage. But, this time, I'm pre-medicating myself for the side effects, so hopefully I can counteract them before I start to feel them. But, I'll probably be feeling well again by Thursday evening.

I know this is really random, but I'm listening to Live's latest album. I LOVED Mental Jewelry and THrowing Copper, but wasn't much of a fan of Secret Samadhi or The Distance to Here. I lost track of them in College, so I haven't sampled "V" or "Bird of Prey" yet, but this one, "Songs From Black Mountain," seems to be returning to Live's old form. Its pretty good. Napster is great! Too bad my free UM Student Account will be running out soon.

I also finally got through 24 "Day 5" on Tivo. The last hour really pissed me off for how predictable it was.

Also, watched The Cronic - What? - les of Narnia and King Kong in the past 2 days. Cronic - Good. Kong - Borning... one chase sceen after another... and I was just waiting the whole movie for Jack Black to do something Zany.... I don't buy him as a serious actor.

Amanda and I are going to begining the process of painting our Living Room tomorrow... When we finish will probably depending upon how bad I feel after tomorrow afternoon and/or how needy I am of Amanda's nursing abilities.

well, that's it for now... I don't think I'm going to spell check. Mea Culpa.

1 more win for the Heat!

Heat up 11 at 1/2 time of Games 3

Sorry for not posting in almost a week everyone, but its been a good week.

On Monday I had my 1st outpatient Chemo treatment. It was about a 1/2 hooked up to an IV, and then home. As was expected, I suffered the usual side effects for that dose. Fever, headache, constipation. I was pretty bad Monday evening and most of Tuesday, but Tuesday evening around supper time, the fever broke (and other things started flowing again) and it was like I was lifted to another level! I've felt great ever since. I'm still weak, and tire more easily than usual, however, my appetite is back and I do have energy.

This week we got a new couch, see our add for our old couch on Craig's List here

Thursday evening, we had Brandon, Kelly, Lorena, and Dan over to watch the Heat game. That was fun. I was glad I had energy to have friend over and truly enjoy myself. Not just smile, and secretly wish I was lying in bed.

Friday, Amanda and I stared at the walls in our living room all day, trying to come of with painting ideas. Today, My parents came down, took us to lunch, talked about Amalo, and chatted a bit.

The only thing that still feels a little messed up about me right now is the thought of caffeine, Alcohol, and Chocolate, kinda turn my stomach.

Thanks for the emails everyone! Its fun to catch up people I haven't seen/talked to in a while.

By Popular Request, An Upbeat Postings!

Well, its about time. I know that it must be kinda depressing for y'all to read about my woes, but, today was a good day! I didn't feel very nauseous at all today. We walked to Cocowalk to see The DaVincci Code at noon. It was hot, and the sun felt good. It was a slow walk, but a walk none-the-less. Fresh Air felt really good too.

I loved the book, so I'm not sure if I'm the best person to judge the movie, but I kinda felt like Tom Hanks signed the contract knowing that the plot would carry the movie, and, henceforth (did I really just use "henceforth" in a non-school writing???), knew that he wouldn't have to try that hard at acting. But, to the movie's credit, it was VERY close to the book. Little (if anything) was changed. A few details were left out, but I don't think anything was "changed" per se.

I was still feeling good after the movie, so we went to Tu Tu Tango for lunch. Tapas portions sounded good, in case I got something that didn't smell good or something. (That's another thing, my sense of smell is kinda outta wack. I'm pretty sure I stink to High Heaven, but Amanda assures me that I don't... Random things smell weird to me.... Anyway).

Lunch was good, and settled well in my stomach. When we got home, we realized that my free $69.99 watch I got from using Westlaw my ENTIRE law school career had arrived, so that was cool too.

(Westlaw - a leading internet legal research tool - tries to capture future customers while still in law school by offering Westlaw Rewards Points. You can redeem the points for just about any product from camping supplies to jewelry, iPods, purses, DVDs, and Kitchen Knives. The idea, I guess, is that you'll learn how to use their service while you get it free in law school. You'll use it all the time, trying to build up free points. Once you get out into the real world and have to pay mightily for it, the opportunity cost of learning a different service (like Lexis-Nexis, while on the billable clock) will be too high, so you'll just stick with what you know.)

Of course, the day wasn't all good. The Pistons won, which means that the Heat won't have home court the the Eastern Finals...

Well, I'm Home...

As of about 7pm last night, I'm officially home. This morning was rough. Really weak. Really nauseous. Drugs finally kicked in though. I'm on my 3rd movie of the day. Hildago, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and now playing: Caddyshack. Trying to think of ways to occupy my mind. TV is getting boring. While I'm really glad the Heat have already made it to the conference finals, I'd enjoy watching some more of their games. Anyone want to recommend a good book?

The good part about being in the hospital was that I didn't have to think about what I needed to do/take to make me feel better. I just told a Dr/Nurse how I was feeling and they gave me something to take that made me feel better. (not to mention the adjustable bed). Amanda is doing a good job of thinking for me, though.

Its nice to notice that my Blog has gotten noticed by BOTH Jeb and George W!

Thursday & Friday Morning

I ate very little on Thursday, or so I think. Amanda keeps telling me that I actually ate a lot, considering what I've eaten the past few days. I even took a walk around the floor, but by the end of the day, I had some heart burn, for which Dr. B gave me the Purple Pill - Nexium - to treat. That worked pretty nicely.

That afternoon, Mercedes stopped by with reading material for us. I tried to read the travel magazine while she was here, but I'd just a Chemo does, so I was conked out pretty quickly. When I woke up, my parents had replaced Mercedes, but they were just leaving to. Heading out to try to find a Wendy's. Soon after they left, Brandon and Kelly showed up with some good cheer. I was impressed with Kelly's intestinal fortitude. I know that if I was in her situation, and saw all my IV stuff in here, I wouldn't have stayed as long as she did. Good Job Kell!

That evening, Amanda helped me to get a shower. For the length of the shower, I was disconnected from my IV. That felt really good. Not to mention the bathing I was receiving. I'm so lucky to have her! In case all you readers out there didnt know all ready, I really love her more than can be explained.

The Vampires came back last night. Sleep wasn't very sound because I was expecting their return all night. But, once I woke up for good, I've felt pretty good today. Actually have an appetite. Ate a bagel and cream cheese and some Special K for breakfast, and I just had a tuna sandwich fur lunch. No nausea, no heart burn, feelin' pretty good.

I got my last Chemo dose for this hospital visit this morning around 10am. I have to wait 8 hours to finish my post-chemo hydration before they'll release me. So I'm shooting for a 6pm release time... which will send me out into South Bound I-95 at the height of rush hour, so that 5 mile trip back to our house should take about another hour. On the bright side, however, we got flowers and a card from Olivia and Jason this morning. Thanks Guys!

Maybe if I feel up to it, I could go and see The DaVinci Code this late evening.... but that's probably pushing it.

Anyway, I'll keep this blog updated even when I'm not in the hospital. So, if any of you want to keep checking back in on me, fell free!

Yesterday and today

I got a dose around 12:30 am on Tuesday morning.

After eating breakfast, I was pretty much sick to the stomach all day, ultimately throwing up around 7pm, just after eating dinner and just an hour before my second chemo dosage at 8pm. Some other symptoms ensued, and I didn't sleep too well.

But then, this morning I was awakened at 4am to take a blood sample. That actually worked out nicely because I was too groggy to care whether is was a vampire at the foot of my bed, or worse, a nurse with a needle! Wasn’t too hungry today (Wednesday) didn’t take a walk down the hall either. Pretty much slept a lot. I know my parents stopped by, but it seemed like they were here for all of 3 minutes, because of my new found narcoleptic. I did manage to stay awake for Kelly Liszt’s visit. She brought us both Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo. Didn't have much of an appetite, but it tasted good (read bland) and that the only thing I ate all day.

Since today was the 1st sunny day, so we started our "Chia Homer" today - Planting is simple! Growing is Fun!.... or so they say.

Amanda (err.. Sophie and Ella) got me a nice basket of flowers to brighten up my drab room. Thanks Girls!

Jessica brought me cookies, pound cake, and towels from home. Or so I'm told. I slept through her visit too. Thanks Jess!

****SPOILERS*****







The Hippies won Amazing Race! WoHoo! TTow! But no preview of "Next season on.." so that was foreboding.
Elliot is if off America Idol. That was a no brainier
New NBC reality show sounds soooo killer "Treasure Hunter"!!! Can’t wait!
Bring on the new ROCKSTAR show!
I'm 2 weeks behind on 24 so NOOOO discussing recent developments!

Do I Have Anything in Me?...

So, as I mentioned yesterday. I’m a big wimp with IVs. This farcical phobia forces me to avoid looking at the IV pole, with all its scary dangly bags of stuff. So, and hence the title of his posting, I turn to my loving, dutiful, patient wife and ask “Is there anything scary going into me?”

On the lighter side of things... My daily schedule is starting to resemble something like the following: I start the day out with Vid checking in on me (she just finished a 30 hour shift and won’t be back here until tomorrow morning), then enters a nurse to pick up my pee (oh yea, I have to pee in cups all week. They’re pumping so much Fluid into me that they need to monitor how much is coming out too... I guess???). I have to “relieve” myself about once an hour. Next, enters someone to take my temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. He has to do this every 4th hour, on the hour. So, between all of the interruptions, sleep is hard to come by.

I did, however, manage to fall asleep right after Leno finished interviewing Simon Cowell. Fairly funny, I might add. Anway, shortly thereafter, someone walked in to give me my 1st dosage of the chemical. Luckily, I was so tired and groggy, that I don’t think I had time to worry about the potential side effects and how many of them, if any, might show up.

I was happy, the bed is just big enough for Amanda to slide in, and we were able to sleep together last night. Having her right here calms me down so much.

Typing with one hand is hard

Hi everyone. I thought this would be a good way to let everyone know how I'm doing.

So yea... I'm a big wimp with IVs and needles in general, so.... I'm not moving my "IV" hand too much. Hence this post's title. The good news is I've got a private room with WiFi, and Amanda gets to stay as long as she likes!

The day started out fine. We got to the hospital around 7am and got the CT Scan, Chest X-Ray, and Blood Work done, all before 9am! My appointment with the Oncologist was at 10am. My previous visits with him were never on time. In fact, last time, even though I had a 2:30pm appointment, I did not get in to see him until 8pm! Needless (man that word looks like "needles") to say, I wasn't expecting to get to see Dr. Benedetto until late afternoon. To our great surprise, we were speaking with the good doctor by 10:15.

Upon completing the oncology consult, I/we moved into my new home for the remainder of the week. WW1215 in Jackson Memorial Hospital ("ww" stands for "west wing"). I have a nice view of downtown.

After meeting with my nurse, in walks the biggest surprise of the day. Vidya Rajpara (Sorry, Vid if I misspelled your last name) is my Doctor, while I'm here for the week! For those of you who don't know, Vidya and I went to high school together. She graduated 1st in our class, and I crossed the finish line ranked a lowly 4th (or maybe 3rd, I really can't remember where Pui Lee ranked). We were in just about all of our classes together (except for the science ones, of course).

They haven't started the drugs yet. Apparently, they've got to pump a bunch fluids through me before they can start the drugs. So, with the exception of having an IV in mt hand, I still feel completely normal.

Big Game 5 watch party in room WW1215 tomorrow night, as the Heat try to send the Nets home for the season. I'll provide the prescription drugs, y'all can provide the alcohol. haha. For those who feel the urge to call, my room's number is 305-355-4161