Week Three started out with a few adventures.
First, we saw the radiation oncologist on Monday morning, and she said the tumor is shrinking! She was quite happy with that, as she didn’t expect such quick action (but you know me).
Magic Bean in Chicago (beans are good for you)
Then that afternoon I got the three ‘buttons’ removed that were holding the stomach wall to the abdominal wall for the stomach ‘peg.’ That process went smoothly, except the removal of the third button was a bit painful. But there wasn’t any redness, and, besides the pain, everything seemed to be okay.
By Tuesday afternoon, however, it was still sore and started getting red and hot around the site. We ate dinner, missed the Urgent Care hours and went to the Emergency Room. I told them I was a chemo patient due for treatment the next day, and they rolled out the magic treatment carpet!
They checked my blood work from earlier that day, then took six more vials of blood, plus four partial bottles of blood for cultures. Then a radiologist came by, and I was set up for a CT scan with a contrasting injection to check for any pockets of pus in the abdomen area.
They found the third button site was infected and gave me some antibiotics to take for 10 days. But all the other tests were okay. We got home about midnight.
The next day, Wednesday, was a combo chemo/radiation day. A long day, and I was pretty pooped at the end.
Speaking of that, I suppose it’s time for a ‘bowel movement’ report. Poops the last few days have been like the old Lucky Strike cigarette commercial: round and firm and fully packed! Yesterday’s, however, was ‘much better’ (no further description deemed appropriate).
My weight has been holding fairly steady, around 140 lbs. My goal is to get to mid-140’s by the time the treatments are over. We even bought a new scale to help facilitate the weight gain. Newer scale, better weight.
This week we also made another stop at the Dispensary to investigate additional ‘edible’ options. Our able assistant in the back room recommended a one-to-one concentrate of THC and CBD (THC is psychoactive cannabinoid, and CBD is the psycho-deactivating cannabinoid). I’m trying to zero-in on the proper amount to ingest before the anticipated difficult side effects of treatment start to set in (which they haven’t yet!).
My first dosage produced zero effect. So a couple days later, I doubled the dosage. An hour after ingestion I could feel a light buzz. Two hours later, I felt like I just finished my second martini. A little too much buzz for me. So, will have to tinker again with the amount….less is better.
At the Mount Whitney summit (with AJ, Kup, and others)
On Thursday, Carol took a much deserved break from taxiing me to Sacramento. She stayed in Woodland to play a little golf, while golf buddy Tom went into Sacramento with me for my radiation session. Then a little lunch afterwards. A nice day.
Friday we saw the chemo oncologist in Woodland…she looked at my infection site and said it was getting better…less red, softer, not hot. She thought she might have to do some antibiotics intravenously, but after looking at the site, she said the ten day pill regiment should work just fine.
Then it was on to Sacramento for the fifth (and last) radiation session of the week. In and out in a flash, then lunch again, this time with old Marysville-Yuba City home town buddies, Jim and wife, Rene.
So, here we are, at the half-way point, already! Three weeks have gone by, three more weeks to go, and I’m still waiting for the bricks to start falling on me. Nothing yet. Hip hip.
Thank you, all, for your thoughts and prayers
Thanks, again, for keeping us up to date. It is reassuring to hear from you.
What do you eat when you go out to lunch? I imagine unlimited milkshakes!
Loved the Bean pic, and can’t wait to go back again with you both!
Now, on to week 4 …
love & hugs, HA
Dear Chris,
Thanks for the frank, behind-the-scenes description of your procedures. I thought I knew all about chemo and radiation, but your blog has made me realize I never fully faced the reality of it. That haz-mat business really knocked me on my ass. You’re a gutsy player, as well as a witty and insightful commentator, and I appreciate your forthrightness. I’m also glad our early exposure to medical marijuana in the Haight prepared you to avoid the opioid route.
I never heard of Pikolinos before, but, now that I think of it, you always did have an Imelda Marcos appreciation for fine footwear, starting with your Mitchem, Jones and Templeton wingtips.
I’m with you all the way, my friend, holding you in the Light.
Greg
Gregory, Very good!!
Glad you had lunch with Jimbo and Rene.
We’re going to Bucks next month, maybe we can do lunch as well.
Hi Chris,,
Wow! What good news about your tumor, and limited reaction to the treatments. You are doing better to date than than anyone else I know that is in the cancer treatment regimen. Keep it up!
Thanks so much for the blog. You include all of us on your team as you meet each challenge and I really appreciate what you are doing. I, too, share Greg’s opinion of you as a “gutsy player”.
Your friend,
Don
Good to hear that everything (or almost everything) is going according to plan and that the tumor is shrinking. Hope that infection related to the stomach peg is clearing up quickly. Sonia is still in Texas and we are triangulating our thoughts on our great friends in Woodland!
Glad to hear you’ve already hit the half-way mark & doing well with little side effects! Always great news about the tumor shrinking. Keep up the good news & positive attitude! Always in my prayers!
It’s great that you are doing this blog — people who love you can easily check to see how you’re doing — thanks! So glad to hear the good news about the tumor shrinking. Ill keep Mark in the loop.
Hope you are finding time for some fun in the midst of this. Love the pic of your four kids — beautiful family!
Hugs,
Terri
Chris you’re doing a great job on this blog. Love the pictures. I keep praying for you and carol. Keep smiling😀😀peggy
Chris, glad to hear you are halfway through and doing well. Hope you get some Echo Lake time. Nothing heals better than Echo!!
Marjorie, thanks, and yes indeed Echo time would be great!
Way to go Chris. ..I have a very positive feeling about your recovery. Keep your chin up and carry on good man. Hope to see u soon. Mark and Dedi. ..
Hey hey, thank you both.
week four is done! we are two thirds of the way now.
Hey Chris, I am so glad you are this far along without feeling much of the predicted adverse effects of the treatments. I am sure that your positive outlook is helping! Thank-you to Carol and everyone else who has pitched in or sent you love and support. Do you have any favorite liquid meals recipes you’d like to share with all of us? Besides the martini one……