Marathon Tuesday

Thanks to Tim for getting me to the train station Tuesday morning.  Thanks to Barb for not only getting me home Tuesday night, but didn't complain as we went floor to floor getting all the procedures done.  The drive home took longer than expected.  A semi turned over on I 55 so it took over two hours to get from the hospital to the Lemont exit.
I'm not sure anyone has noticed, but the names of the people I've thanked for transportation is different each time. I'm very blessed for the family and friends that have helped us out.
I've read all of the written reports from yesterday, but hoping I can talk to Dr. Ma or Andrea to get a true interpretation.  Here's what I can tell you about yesterday:

1. 8th Floor.  They, Dr. Gillespie, his fellow (did all the work), and a nurse, drained another 1.9 Liters of fluid from around the left lung.  Barb and a medical sales rep watched.  Everyone was surprised when I told them I had no symptoms, shortness of breath, dizziness...  After the drainage, I had one symptom, sharp left sided chest pain on each deep inhalation.  The Dr. told me to expect that for a few days.  The left lung hasn't fully expanded in months and now that it is, it's crashing into the chest wall when it's been used to being "cushioned" by the fluid.  I couldn't lay flat last night so I slept in the Lazy Boy.  The chest pain isn't nearly as bad as last night, so it is improving.  Not sure where I'll sleep though.
2. 4th Floor.  Chest x-ray.  They'll compare that to a chest x-ray I'll take next week.  Hopefully it will look the same.  If the fluid returns, then another drainage.
3. 21st Floor.  Blood work.  From what I can interpret, everything is normal
4. 19th Floor.  Echo cardiogram.  Again, from what I read, everything looked normal.  If the Docs agree, then no adjustments will be made to the chemo regimen.
5. 20th Floor.  THE STENT WAS REMOVED!!!!  They were an hour late getting me back there.  The procedure took less than 2 minutes, but it was 2 minutes from Hell.  He placed his scope in my bladder, found the stent and pulled it out.  It was at this point I screamed like a (sorry, sexist comment) school girl.  He asked me if I wanted to see it and I of course said no.  I'm convinced it looked like a spiked dog collar.  Since its removal, I'm a new man.  Since I've had this in, I was warned that I would have "frequent & urgent" urination.  I'm not sure if there are adjectives that better describe my frequency and urgency.  But now... I walked around the block tonight for the first time in months!  I see golf, and mowing, and many other things I haven't done in months in my very near future.

September

Every cause has its month and every month has causes.  Guess what September is?

The Illini are not a a cause, YET.  I still have high hopes for basketball and golf.

I have extra Lymphoma car/refrigerator magnets if you're interested.

Yes, Cancer Sucks

You've probably seen the t-shirts and bumper stickers that say "Cancer Sucks".  No argument here.  I know I'm very blessed and very fortunate when it comes to my diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.  The support from my family and friends has been out of this world.  Insurance has made this stressful time much easier.  Regardless, Cancer Sucks!

Without going into great detail, my family's cancer history was/is pretty scary.  With that knowledge, I've made several decisions.  I don't drink.  I don't smoke.  My diet has improved with time.  I exercise 3-5 times per week.  I stick with my annual physicals.  Monthly self-exams.  Routine colonoscopies. I wear sun screen and broad rim hat when I golf and mow.

You might attempt to read between the lines and come to the conclusion that I'm suggesting that if you're going to get cancer, you're going to get cancer; so go ahead and enjoy life's pleasures. On the contrary.  Do everything you can to avoid this despicable disease!

Lots and lots of good news

Thanks to Ty for getting me to the train station on Monday. As always, thanks to Bo for a place to stay. Thanks to Danny for getting me home, today.

I've started round 3 of 6. This round is supposed to go a little quicker, 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

• My blood work came back looking good. Red, white, and platelets were good. Kidney numbers were good, too. 
• Yesterday's CT scan was good. The fluid around my right lung is gone. The fluid around my left lung is still there, but "significantly" less. At my next visit, if it's still there, they're going to go ahead and drain it. My left kidney is back to normal size.  That news and the news of the good blood work, the stent will likely be removed on September 8th instead of November 6th. The size of the tumor has shrunk significantly! The day before I started my first round, the tumor was the size of a football. Today, after two rounds, the tumor is smaller than a baseball. 
• I met with Dr Ma and she is very pleased with the response, especially since it's only been two rounds. 

CT Scan Scheduled

A CT scan has been scheduled on 8/24, the day before my 3rd scheduled treatment.  The purpose of the scan is:

• Check the size of the tumor
• Check the amount of fluid left on the lung(s)
• Check the kidney function. My blood work shows very good kidney function. If the scan shows the same, then a discussion will be had to remove the stent sooner rather than later. 

...gone tomorrow

Look for our house on the next Swiffer commercial.

Round 2

I'm about finished with the second round of chemo. I came up yesterday by train.  Spent the night at Bo's. (If she ever started charging rent, she could own her boat instead of leasing it.) Mary Lou is here and will be taking me home.

Four more to go!

Blood work came back looking very good.