I don’t mean to scare anybody, but this is me with a stomach peg and a chemo port. The stomach peg is the tube poking out of my six pack abs. The chemo port is on my chest, with another hole below my clavicle that is the feeder to a vein for the chemo.
The first week went just fine, four radiation doses and one day of chemo. So far I don’t feel any impact from the doses, although they tell me it will get worse as the treatment goes on….there’s a cumulative effect each week.
Eating is the big thing. The doc’s worry that I might lose too much weight during chemo/radiation/recovery to handle any surgery at the end. So I spend most of my days preparing food, eating food, and cleaning up. I am on semi-solids only….soups, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and protein drinks. The radiation will eventually ‘sunburn’ my esophagus, making it painful to eat…which is when the feeding tube will come in handy.
The doc’s talked to me about pain medication as well as medication for nausea and appetite stimulation. I asked them about medical marijuana as as option to the opioids, and they quite readily wrote me a prescription and recommended two reputable dispensaries. So….Carol and I ventured into a dispensary last week with our prescription in hand, filled out the other necessary paperwork, and waited patiently for someone to take us into the back room. Once inside the inner sanctum, the lady behind the counter asked about my condition and what sort of relief I was seeking. I must say, they had quite an array of options. We chose a eye-dropper tincture for nausea and appetite, and a ‘cannabus-infused’ coconut oil for nausea and chest discomfort.
That’s about it for now.
Hi Chris & Carol,
I am shocked and saddened to hear about your cancer, but equally impressed by your straight forward actions in how you are addressing this situation. Thank you for the blog. What a great idea to share your experiences with all of us who love you. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you enter the unknown world of treatment. I understand how serious your cancer is, and it seems you are undertaking an aggressive treatment schedule; but your attitude is positive, and bodes well for you in the days ahead.
Just know that Ruth and I are with you in love and spirit, and if you need anything from me, I will gladly do it.
Your friend,
Don
Thanks, Chris, for the update. Your pic is a beaut! BTW – you first mentioned future reports on your BM’s I guess your retirement gift was appropriate. I’ll let you explain to the group.
Best wishes, Kup.
Hey Kup,
All seems to be going well. I’m working on a Week 3 posting which may have a report on BM’s. But I don’t think I’ll discuss the thoughtful retirement gift on the blog.
thanks, chris
I could not find the six pack, I have a eye appt next week maybe that will help.
Chris,
We were so depressed at first when we read your initial email to us about your serious illness. We have had first hand experience of so many friends and relatives who have had cancer in their lives and some who we have lost in their valiant efforts. However, after reading your Blog and y0ur positive attitude and plan of attack we feel much better. Be assured our thoughts and prayers will be with you, Carol, and your family daily. We also love your poems and other writings in the past and so look forward to future posts on this difficult journey you are facing. Chris and Carol we have enjoyed your company and friendship so much in the past and we look forward to seeing and visiting you again in the future.
We love you and you can be assured the USF gang will continue to always have your back. Connie and Ronnie Lucio
Hey Chris, Yes, cute photo. A few questions:
What was your impression of the mm dispensary? Very many shady or disreputable characters hanging around? Must have been a few fakers? And what’s the story on the retirement gift? and one serious question: Heard of the book, Cancer fighting Kitchen, by Rebecca Katz?
Love, Barb
Dear Chris,
As Don has aptly said, we are all ‘shocked and saddened’…
You are an amazing man Chris and an inspiration to all of us.
Yours and Carol’s faith will see you through.
All our love and prayers,
Peter & Diane
(…on a lighter note if I may, my shoe size is 8 )
CG,
Saddened to hear of your situation. However, things like this are just bumps in the road of life and only divert our attention from the more important things like golf and long trail hikes. Both of which we have some catching up to do. The TRT has yet to be conquered.
Love to you and Carol. A. J.
Hey Roomie… just got the news…. serious bummer.. I can tell by your picture and blog that you haven’t lost your sense of humor (as old golfers know it’s the most important club in your bag!).. so glad you caught it before it metasized. Thinkin’ and pullin’ for ya.
yer amigo, Rick
Rick, glad you got hooked up here….I had a defunct email address of yours. Got the right one now. Keep on singing, Roomie!!
Hi Chris,
I suspect by now you are starting to know the side effects of your treatment. I have come to learn something of what you will experience as one of my Yoga mates, Joan, was visited last fall by stage 4 lung cancer with lymph node involvement. Although her situation I think is more dire than yours, Joan has embraced her reality as well as possible, and still comes to Yoga with us. Along the way a remarkable thing has happened. Joan has become very wise about love, life, and living in the moment; and shares it all with us. Her cancer has taken much, but taught her even more.
You have always been a beacon of kindness and love, but I expect your new reality will teach you even more in the days ahead. I look forward to learning from you as much as I can.
Your friend,
Don
Hey Don,
Facing one’s mortality does tend to focus the mind a bit on life, love, and what’s perhaps next. We did a lot of that in the interminable two days between the bad diagnosis and the ‘clean’ PET scan. Lots of thoughts on exit attitudes, the pros/cons of a slow departure versus an abrupt ending….but now with the more promising prognosis, the focus is on ‘staying alive.’
A friend gave me a book on ‘daily readings’…..very good for soothing the mind and instilling a peaceful feeling.
HI Chris,
I forgot, I’m a size 10