Been insane busy this week, so I haven't had too much time to post. I think I've been pushing myself a little too hard, as I've been feeling sick most every morning, and having a helluva time getting out of bed. But overall I'm doing okay. I went to Tim's birthday party on Sunday, and had a work-related dinner on Monday. On Tuesday, I got my first ever professional massage. It was absolutely fantastic! Wednesday night, I took in a Dustdevils game (for those who don't know, the Tri-City Dustdevils are the minor league baseball team in town - Class A affiliate of the Rockies). It was a good time, and they won. And on Thursday, I decided to get out and get some exercise, so I went over to the driving range to show off my horrible golf swing. I really need lessons!
Anyway, I am doing okay. I just need to find a way to get some more sleep. With the Fourth of July being on Wednesday, my next session has been moved to Thursday. They gave me the option for Tuesday or Thursday, and I went for Thursday so I would be able to enjoy the holiday without being sick. Easy choice.
BTW, I'd love to give props to the "anonymous" poster making the hillbilly comments. Everybody is getting a kick out of them, but nobody knows who it is. I think it is Adam, but I am honestly not sure. Either way, I laugh my tail off every time I read them...
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Birthday Cake
At my mom's request, I actually spent most of the day lying on her couch rather than my own today. She is certainly concerned about me, and I know it made her feel better to have me close by. And who am I kidding? I loved having someone there to take care of me too!
Today was Tim's birthday, and of course the crew at the office had cake and ice cream (I love it how the office makes such a big deal of everyone's birthday). Rikki actually swung by my parents' house to bring me a couple of slices of cake. It is very nice knowing that I'm still in the thoughts of everyone at the office when I'm out.
I got a little nap in on the couch while watching the White Sox/Cubs game. My mom, certainly wanting to be close by me, actually watched some of the 2006 US Poker Championships with me, and then watched the first inning of the Reds/Mariners game with me. Of course, she had absolutely no idea what was going on, but it was still a nice gesture, and my mom has been so good to me throughout the whole ordeal. I love you mom!
The nausea still had me pretty beat down. I had to concentrate whenever I ate or drank anything to make sure I didn't "refund", and the car ride to and from my parents house was an ordeal. But I powered through, and actually started feeling better the last couple hours of the day. I have plans to get out tomorrow and get a couple of things done, so we'll see what happens.
Today was Tim's birthday, and of course the crew at the office had cake and ice cream (I love it how the office makes such a big deal of everyone's birthday). Rikki actually swung by my parents' house to bring me a couple of slices of cake. It is very nice knowing that I'm still in the thoughts of everyone at the office when I'm out.
I got a little nap in on the couch while watching the White Sox/Cubs game. My mom, certainly wanting to be close by me, actually watched some of the 2006 US Poker Championships with me, and then watched the first inning of the Reds/Mariners game with me. Of course, she had absolutely no idea what was going on, but it was still a nice gesture, and my mom has been so good to me throughout the whole ordeal. I love you mom!
The nausea still had me pretty beat down. I had to concentrate whenever I ate or drank anything to make sure I didn't "refund", and the car ride to and from my parents house was an ordeal. But I powered through, and actually started feeling better the last couple hours of the day. I have plans to get out tomorrow and get a couple of things done, so we'll see what happens.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Same Thing Every Time, Huh?
As could be expected, I spent most of the day prone on the couch. I find it kind of strange that as fatigued and tired as I was, I don't think I napped at all the entire day. Just spent the afternoon vegging, watching TV with my laptop close by to work a little, email a little, websurf a little... Still didn't quite have the mental stamina to fire up some poker tables, though.
The nausea was much worse today than it has been in previous sessions. It's funny - before every session, I talk with Suzie the chemotherapy nurse about the previous session, and (as I've posted) each session has been pretty different - more nausea in some sessions, less in others, more headaches in some sessions, less in others, etc. She says that is kind of strange - while everyone reacts to the treatments differently, typically each person reacts to each session the same way every time. Well, I've had very different reactions each time. For example, I haven't had too much nausea the previous sessions, but this time I've been beat down pretty good by it. Then again, today I didn't really have any issues with headaches, whereas that has been my biggest side effect the past few times around.
Anyway, I'm still plugging along. I appreciate the wellwishes everyone is sending, and I can't imagine doing this without all you guys.
The nausea was much worse today than it has been in previous sessions. It's funny - before every session, I talk with Suzie the chemotherapy nurse about the previous session, and (as I've posted) each session has been pretty different - more nausea in some sessions, less in others, more headaches in some sessions, less in others, etc. She says that is kind of strange - while everyone reacts to the treatments differently, typically each person reacts to each session the same way every time. Well, I've had very different reactions each time. For example, I haven't had too much nausea the previous sessions, but this time I've been beat down pretty good by it. Then again, today I didn't really have any issues with headaches, whereas that has been my biggest side effect the past few times around.
Anyway, I'm still plugging along. I appreciate the wellwishes everyone is sending, and I can't imagine doing this without all you guys.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Shrimp Creole
So I had my next treatment in the morning. In an effort to not feel as bad immediately afterward as last session, I paid more attention to breakfast. My mom cooked me some scrambled eggs, toast, grits, kielbasa, and fruit salad. It was quite delectable, and though I of course wasn't feeling great after the session, I certainly felt better than last time.
I spent most of the day curled up on the couch, watching random crap: Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption on ESPN, an episode of 24, the movie "Hitch", part of the Red Sox/Braves game, an episode of The Simpsons, an episode of The Sopranos, and of course SportsCenter. I felt pretty crappy most of the day - I was nauseous, and had a pounding headache. I had a ham sandwich for lunch, and despite feeling nauseous, I kept it down. For dinner, my mom brought me some Shrimp Creole (you haven't lived until you've tasted my mom's Shrimp Creole). It tasted sooooo good, but unfortunately the nausea got the better of me and I couldn't keep it down (sorry for the visual). That "process" did make me feel a little better, though I didn't want to risk trying to eat some more. I just decided to save the rest for tomorrow.
I talked to Drew via Google Chat for a bit. We covered the usual (read: Fantasy Baseball). Ironically enough, Drew is going through his Hematology and Oncology Pediatrics rotation. So he actually probably knows more about my treatments than I do! Anyway, he was telling me about some of the kids he's treating, dealing with leukemia, and tumors in scary places (like the spinal cord), and though I certainly am not enjoying this summer, I do certainly remember that it could be worse. I can't imagine being 10 or 11 and going through this.
Finally pooped out around 10:00. Climbed into bed, planning to take it easy tomorrow. I hope to get a little work done, and maybe play a little poker in the evening.
I spent most of the day curled up on the couch, watching random crap: Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption on ESPN, an episode of 24, the movie "Hitch", part of the Red Sox/Braves game, an episode of The Simpsons, an episode of The Sopranos, and of course SportsCenter. I felt pretty crappy most of the day - I was nauseous, and had a pounding headache. I had a ham sandwich for lunch, and despite feeling nauseous, I kept it down. For dinner, my mom brought me some Shrimp Creole (you haven't lived until you've tasted my mom's Shrimp Creole). It tasted sooooo good, but unfortunately the nausea got the better of me and I couldn't keep it down (sorry for the visual). That "process" did make me feel a little better, though I didn't want to risk trying to eat some more. I just decided to save the rest for tomorrow.
I talked to Drew via Google Chat for a bit. We covered the usual (read: Fantasy Baseball). Ironically enough, Drew is going through his Hematology and Oncology Pediatrics rotation. So he actually probably knows more about my treatments than I do! Anyway, he was telling me about some of the kids he's treating, dealing with leukemia, and tumors in scary places (like the spinal cord), and though I certainly am not enjoying this summer, I do certainly remember that it could be worse. I can't imagine being 10 or 11 and going through this.
Finally pooped out around 10:00. Climbed into bed, planning to take it easy tomorrow. I hope to get a little work done, and maybe play a little poker in the evening.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Long Time No Post
Been a while since I posted anything, so I figured I should give an update on the eve of my next treatment. I've been doing okay - just ridiculously tired all the time. I feel like I can take a nap constantly, and I've got bags under my eyes all the time. What's strange is that even though I am so tired, I am having trouble sleeping (which I know is compounding the problem). I seem to fall asleep just fine, but I wake up like an hour later and can't go back to sleep. Very frustrating.
Overall, I'm doing okay, though. Been working full days, and I went to the movies this evening. Saw Ocean's Thirteen with a bunch of the crew from work. It was pretty good - way better than Ocean's Twelve, but not nearly as good as Ocean's Eleven.
Even though at this point in time I know what to expect from the chemotherapy sessions, I am still quite nervous leading into treatment number 4. But, I guess that's to be expected, and once I get through this, I can say I'm Halfway Done!
Overall, I'm doing okay, though. Been working full days, and I went to the movies this evening. Saw Ocean's Thirteen with a bunch of the crew from work. It was pretty good - way better than Ocean's Twelve, but not nearly as good as Ocean's Eleven.
Even though at this point in time I know what to expect from the chemotherapy sessions, I am still quite nervous leading into treatment number 4. But, I guess that's to be expected, and once I get through this, I can say I'm Halfway Done!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Back to the Grind
Returned to work today. Felt okay, and was able to put in a full day. It was nice to put my mind on something else. I certainly have had lots of time to think about absolutely nothing, so it was good to be able to concentrate on UPS Freight and Central Transport Tariff Changes... My stomach still felt a bit queasy, and I felt warm the entire day, but I powered through it. I appreciate all the support from my co-workers. Almondy and Kristina bought me beer and goldfish crackers to cheer me up, and Tim, Amy, Rikki, and Michell sent me Get Well Wishes via email while I was down last week. Thanks for your support!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Swinging the Bat
I felt much better today. Was able to get out and get some things done, and was able to get some exercise. Got a workout on Brandon's new Wii, playing Boxing and Bowling and Tennis. I also went out and played some softball at the park around the corner. It was the first time I'd swung a bat since playing IMs at Stanford, but I still held my own, including a ringing double to left field in my third at bat. It was good to get some exercise, and though I expect to be quite sore tomorrow, it certainly made me feel good. Emotionally, I'm still dragging a bit, and I'm certainly not in the happiest place right now, but getting out and doing stuff like that helps, and I know that this is purely temporary.
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