Archive: February 2004

First day of a brand new month, full of therapy, 19 sessions to be exact. I'll be counting down for sure.
Good quote: "If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive." (Eleonora Duse)
Went for a drive out to Elk Island Park. After a few days of snow, the sun was out and it was very nice to just drive around God's Creation and take some pictures.
Starting to get rid of my cold, I think.

Had to restart the chemo pump last night. It started beeping, so I checked the tubes, pressed start, and it was back up. Must be a computer in that pump... Interestingly, there are air bubbles in the chemo tubes that get into the bloodstream. Good thing they told me that might happen, and that I should not worry about it. There is actually an air filter between the pump and the PICC line.
Second RT treatment came off without a hitch, although they were running half an hour behind schedule and the computer system with the appointments was down...
Foggy when we left for CCI this morning, but beautiful sunshine when we came back home. Good thing Cecile drove because I had taken a Codeine tablet before we left. They're good "happy pills."
Phil emailed an article called "Hope a Powerful Health Ally." Thanks, my friend!

Wow, everything was cooperating today. The appointment was at 3:30 and by 3:45 we were driving out of the parkade. As I'm laying on the table to get roasted, I'm counting seconds for each of the four beams, and I come to 9 or 10 seconds for each blast. I asked the technician afterward how long the blasts were supposed to be (I originally understood 30 seconds for each). Turns out there is a specific dose to be delivered, and once that's done, the machine stops.
Slept for a whole twelve hours last night. Except for being tired, and the pain, I still feel OK. My radiated skin feels a bit itchy, but it's not red.

Happy birthday to my sister, Leni!
Something to ponder: when they say "I've slept like a baby" does that mean they woke up every two hours? I have slept for twelve hours a night with only two or three bathroom calls, a miracle for me...
Fortunately, Dr. Pedersen sees his patients on Wednesdays. I wanted to talk to him anyway because of my cold (sore throat, head ache, fever). So after radiation, I saw him and he said not to worry about it, "you're fine," he said. Except for the bottom end of the plumbing, I guess... He told me to expect to start passing mucous. Too late, already there...

Good thing we were 15 minutes early as a "blood donation" was needed. After the RT, I met with the nurse who told me, among other things, that my blood counts were fine. The meeting with the nurse is to assess how well I'm doing and decide if they should lower the chemo dose the day after.
I'm beginning to see a pattern:
Monday and Tuesday, just radiation;
Wednesday, RT plus see Dr. Pedersen;
Thursday, blood work, RT, and see the nurse;
Friday, RT, and get the chemo changed...

Speaking of miracles, Sharon (see Jan 27/04) encourages me to keep in my spirit the phrase "I am a miracle waiting to happen." What a powerful thought to hang on to... Thank you, Sharon, for spending time to share and to pray with me over the phone.
Had to pick up some stuff at work, so did some visiting while I was there. Good to see everybody so busy and that Ed is having similar memory lapses as I used to have. One day at a time, Ed!

RT went really quick today. They called me early, and I was done in 7 or 8 minutes. Then to get the chemo recharged. Was sitting next to a gentleman who was having his third treatment and then 3 weeks off. He thought the 24/7 pump was a heck of a deal.
Looking forward to two days not having to visit the CCI, and hope that I can put my cold to bed.
Thanks for your visit this afternoon, Cathy. I enjoyed it very much!

The odd tingling sensation in my right hand. I need to mention this to the doctor next week, or it could result in nerve damage.
Starting to have more pain during bowel movements, but less while sitting. Probably a result of the cancer shrinking.
Mostly been vegging this weekend. Haven't got rid of my cold yet, so I may go see my family doctor and see if antibiotics may do the trick. I'll check with the nurse first tomorrow.
Other than that not much change. Watched some cute movies on TBS: "Ever After," "Wedding Planner," and "Fools Rush In." History channel was showing "Where Eagles Dare" which I'd seen before, but a good flick to see again.

Second week of treatment started of with a half hour delay due to equipment failure. I'm glad my patient daughter-in-law was with me, so I wasn't bored.
The cold seems a lot better today, thank God!

Computer network at the CCI was down. The appointment time I got for tomorrow is different from what I originally received. I guess I'll find out tomorrow which one is right...
Thanks for driving today, Ed, but next time you should come inside. There's much to see, and we can keep talking...

Mentioned the tingling to Dr. Pedersen and he wants to see me again on Friday.
He can give me suppositories for the pain in the rear, but he figures the codeine will work well too, and keep me out of diarrhea land.
The Medical Terms page I have been working on is almost done. Don't be grossed out too much, it's all part of the human condition...
Condolences to Cecile and her family with the passing of her mother. She was 94. We know she is in a better place now.
Lots of visitors today. Did not even have time for a nap... :)

Happy birthday, Vincent! :-)
Blood was good today! Somebody was wondering about my hair...haven't lost any so far.
About 5PM the pump is doing weird things. Every half hour to an hour it starts beeping and flashing a red light and a message that says OCCLUSION. Yikes. Good thing I'm getting the chemo replaced tomorrow anyway.
One third of the radiation treatments are done...

5AM we had to go to the Cross due to the pump more and more frequently beeping. The nurse on duty flushed the PICC line, and changed the dressing. Flushing the PICC line however did not solve the problem, so I waited for staff in Daycare to show up. They redid the dressing because it seemed the line had twisted. At 8AM they disconnected the pump and at 1PM I was to get a new pump, so for a few hours I was a free man...
Well, 1PM became 3PM because Dr. Pedersen wanted to see me. Thus my charts were in the RT area and not in Daycare where the pump gets changed. So I saw the doctor, then had the radiation, then went back upstairs. Daycare was so busy that it took an hour and a half to get the new chemo. All in all, I had the PICC dressing changed three times today. I like the last one the best, because it's a dry dressing (not the clear plastic previously used). I can take this dressing off when I watch TV and the sores resulting from previous dressings can heal.
Took advantage of not having "Betsy" to take a shower. Had to use shrink wrap to keep the PICC line dry, but it was well worth it. I did not realize how much I value little things like being able to take a shower.
Not having slept well last night due to the PICC acting up, and then being at the Cross early in the morning and again this afternoon, I just feel pooped.
I am looking forward to an uneventful long weekend...

Now a bit of tingling in my left hand too. And two nails on my right hand are very sensitive...
The %^&%& pump is driving me batty. It reports occlusion (blockage) for no good reason. Started as soon as I woke up. Fighting with it off and on all day, until at 8PM I decided I wanted to sleep. Called the Cross and they had a different pump for me. They changed the dressing and taped the line straight instead of coiled. They figured there would be less chance of kinking that way. When they flushed the line with saline, they could not get a blood return. What they do is push saline through the line and then pull the plunger back and blood is supposed to come back if everything is ok. No blood return, but the saline went in just fine, so they sent me on my way.
Only woke up once, at 2AM, then slept 6 hours straight. That's a record for me... Feels wonderful. But then frustration with the pump followed soon after that. Time to re-focus! Just after that Rita called to see how I was doing and she helped me focus on healing and the Healer, instead of the frustrations with a piece of equipment.
I'm glad Vincent was available to drive me to get the new pump, because I could not get a hold of Cecile at her dinner. So "Betsy" was exchanged for "Alfred." So far he's doing a better job. :-)

"Alfred" has not kept me awake and is quietly pumping the chemo.
CCI called to make sure the pump was infusing. Good follow-up!
Had a surprise visit from Art & Jen from Camrose this afternoon. Thanks, guys!
That visit and the fact I have a working pump leave me thankful for this day. My anxiety level is back down to where it was before...

Starting to get a major head ache, and also chest pains--can't breathe deeply.
I guess I'm more than "feeling" tired. Slept till 11AM when Vincent, Ang, and Jayden dropped by. Then had a good nap in the afternoon.
Good thing they gave me spare batteries for Alfred. He needed them at about 11PM, just after I fell asleep.

6AM: head ache is a bit less, but still have that chest pain.
Noon: feeling MUCH better. :)

Starting to lose some pubic hair due to radiation, but not on my head...
Took some pictures of the PICC line as I had the dressing off. Gives a better idea than my earlier photos.

Had the PICC dressing changed after yesterday's pictures. The connector piece kept moving down over time and there was a real possibility of kinking the line.
The doctor prescribed cortisone suppositories to reduce bowel movement (BM) pain.
The chest pain did not appear to be of immediate concern...

As Cecile's mother was buried today, we heard the wonderful news of a new baby girl born to one of our friends. I am reminded of the Lion King's "Circle of Life." God is good. Congratulations to Alida and Brooker and the proud Apon grandparents.

Blood count was good again today. And am I glad for that. About 9:45PM my nose started bleeding while picking at something. If my platelet count had been below the normal limit, it would have meant a trip to the emergency.

Had a nice visit with Paul driving back and forth and waiting for blood tests, radiation, and then the nurse. You're good company, Paul!

Lovely flowers came today from Molly Maid, Cecile's employer, with sympathy wishes. Very thoughtful.

Long day at CCI today. RT went as scheduled, but when the time came to change the pump, we started running into delays. Not getting a blood return when flushing the line was not acceptable to the nurses, so I was sent for x-rays to see if the line was still in place. Turns out the line was still in the aorta, but barely. Apparently the line had been pulled out about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4cm), in my mind due to all the mucking around with dressings and such.
Anyway, after Dr. Pedersen was consulted, they injected something called PTA, an anti-clotting drug. Half an hour later, there was a blood return, but only if I had my arm in a certain position.

I'm thankful for Darlene's patience. She picked me up at 1:30 and dropped me off at 5:40 and she had to be at work at 6PM. Darlene seemed genuinely interested in all that was taking place. Professional interest, I guess. Perhaps I should take her along every day so she can ask questions I would not think of... ;-)
All things considered, I think the first half of treatment went very well. Side effects of the chemo are minimal and as far as RT is concerned, just some hair loss and a bit of a rash.
On to the second half...

Not much happened this weekend, except to enjoy time off without complications! :)

RT was running about half an hour late. Hmmm, another Monday...

First RT of the second half of treatments. Getting to know the staff quite well. Was chatting with Dennis about lilies and how he bought lilies (for sale to eat) at the Chinese supermarket, and then planted them instead. They produced small Turks cap flowers, so I assume it's a species lily...

RT team was taking extra x-rays today. The doctor wanted to shield a bit more of the colon. The reason is that the tumor has shrunk so there is no need to radiate tissue unnecessarily...
The "diaper rash" is getting to be a real pain. I can understand now why babies cry all the time when they have it.

I shaved my beard off this morning. Considering that I survived last week's nose bleed, I figured cutting myself shaving would not be too bad. I'll have to keep an eye on my blood results, I guess.
Did some birthday shopping after RT for Angela.
Duncan and Alicia were over for supper and we watched "The Gods Must Be Crazy II" and we all had a good laugh.

Dr. Pedersen prescribed 2 creams to combat the diaper rash. He did not seem too concerned that the PICC line had moved. As far as he's concerned this stuff can even be taken orally. I wonder what would remain of the stomach after that...

I guess the insurance form run-around is the same everywhere. Need an update by the "attending physician" so my short-term disability (STD) continues after March 12th. And with privacy legislation in place, I need to sign disclaimers everywhere... Oh well, as long as they keep paying me. And this is supposed to be a stress-free time...
Had a chat with Dennis today about the radiation equipment. It's properly called a linear accelerator, a fancy name for a souped-up x-ray machine. This particular one is made by Varian Medical Systems and called a Clinac 21EX.
Got an email from Sheri from Calgary yesterday, noting she has a friend in the same situation as myself. She says, "I believe your faith, family and friends has and will see you through this." I call that the 3 F's. Combine that with a sense of humour and there's a formula for healing and recovery!

Another good blood count! Everything went very smooth today. Ed was early, so the bloodletting was done almost right away, and they took me 25 minutes early for RT.
My fingers don't seem to tingle and my chest, neck, and head ache is much better than a week ago. The nurse thought they had reduced the chemo last week and that might have been a factor, but I checked the dose against the first week, and it's the same...

Feeling better than a week ago sure leaves me thankful to God. I guess, one can only appreciate these blessings when you experience them yourself.
Got a very nice email from Joelle today. She writes, "I once heard that prayers when viewed from heaven look like stars; some shine bright as a planet and little ones are just blips in the dark. Tonight I will say a prayer of hope for you that will shine like Venus." Wow, thanks Joelle!

Compared to last week Friday, everything went very well today, except that we had to wait for my file to come from RT up to Daycare. Next week I'll ask if I can just take it along...
Got good blood return on the first try. :-)

Two thirds of treatments done, and doing very well. Nice that Pat came early, so we could have coffee before we left. I hope you made it home in time to see Ray off.

Tingling is back, but now in the whole hand, right more than left.

BMs are now very painful due to a tear in the skin. I think the creams made the skin soft, so now I'm keeping everything dry...

Signed up for digital cable and went to get some planting pots and soil to plant lily seeds.

Mucked around most of the day hooking up the digital cable converter. Cecile is really confused now, with all those remote controls... :)