Hair today...

My hair started falling out yesterday big time. So today, I got my boyhood haircut otherwise known as the "West Point".

Urologist

Thanks to Ed, I got to my appointment today at NMH.  The urologist asked a few questions, answered a few questions, and scheduled a time to remove/change the stent.  That will be done November 6 as an out patient procedure.

Also had blood work done.  All the important numbers came back normal.

I'm heading up Monday by train for a Tuesday morning treatment.

Two diets I do NOT recommend

On June 1st I weighed 215 lbs.  When I was admitted on July 10th I weighed 205 lbs.  That was my Stress and Anxiety Diet.
My two week No-fat Diet ended last night.  This morning I weighed 187 lbs..  Thank goodness that's over.  My in-house nutritionist suggests I slowly reintroduce fat back into my diet.  I shouldn't have any problems eating pizza and chocolate chip cookies slowly.

Weekly Tests

Twice a week I'll be getting my blood tested. The two things they're monitoring are my kidney function and blood cell counts.  My kidney function looks good. My red cell and platelet counts look good.  My white cell counts are low.  I'm told this is not unusual at this stage in the chemo cycle.  I'm being put on antibiotics and being told to keep my distance from the possibility of infection.

Many, Many Thank You's

Now that I'm home and feeling pretty decent, I have many to thank:

• My family, friends, co-workers, community, and even strangers
• Thank you all for your acts of kindness.  Kind thoughts, words, cards, notes, and especially your prayers.  Even the cookies; they'll be etched in my memory since I'm currently on a two week no fat diet.
• Special thanks to:
• Karen and Craig who have done EVERYTHING
• Bob and Cindy for getting us out of the house when we needed to get out of the house
• Mike Z. for his many visits
• Barb and Dan for their shuttle service
• Danny for his timely visits and shuttle service
• Aaron for keeping the seat of my Cub Cadet warm until I'm able to ride again
• Bob and Holly for their hospital visit.  They came during my first treatment and it was good to have my mind on other things.
• Brianna for her surprise visit and special gift from the Vatican
• Elizabo! It's amazing the generosity she provides for me and my girls.
• Lisa, continue to help keep Caroline's chin up
• Melissa & Claire
• Missed a Florida vacation because of this
• Missed Melissa's Birthday
• Missed Claire's volleyball game
• I can't tell you how patient, understanding, and cooperative they've been and thankful for them
• YWABMLG
• YAMSEAN
• Caroline
• What can I say? She's my rock and this family's glue
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• What a remarkable place.  The staff is remarkable.  I left feeling much better, with hope, optimism, and less fear.  We were sent to the right place.
• God
• I've known too many cancer patients that had to choose between treatment and quality of life.  Some that weren't even given a choice.  I thank God I've been given the chance to treat with a very good chance for a positive outcome.

HOME!

 The best medicine I've received all week.

The day after

The foley is out.  The kidney functions are good. Only a few side effects so far. Looking forward to being home tomorrow night.