Week 2 - Treatment 6

Here we go again. I’m back on the 11th floor of the Victoria Building in the Chemotherapy Clinic hanging our with Ivi. The Heritage Day Holiday was yesterday on Monday. I had an extra day of rest and recovery so I’m feeling top-shelf heading into treatment today. My weight this morning was 82 kg (181 lbs) so I’m getting adequate protein and calories. My swallowing is okay. I can eat pretty much anything but I have to chew it like crazy and take water with each bite to ensure it passes into my stomach. I woke up rested. Even though I’m still getting up every couple of hours to pee (not cancer-related but what all guys can look forward to as they close in on my age), I go right back to sleep and I feel refreshed when I get out of bed in the morning. I think the cannabis oil in helping.

My umbilical to Ivi was in place by 9:30 am and my iron infusion was underway. For no particular reason, I was hungry. Janet brought some cheese packs which I devoured. I was on the fourth when a volunteer came around with juice, cookies, crackers and sandwiches. The timing was perfect; grape juice and cookies. Yeah!

As you can see in the picture, I now own a beautiful hand-made Afghan constructed with Moosehead team colours. Those of you who follow the Mooseheads Major Junior Hockey Club have likely noticed Tyler Long working the door at one end of the bench. He’s held that position as trainer with the team for some time and is loved by all the players. His mother, Joanne Long heard of my cancer, knows I billet two players, Alexis and Jason, and decided to make this for my use during treatments to stay comfy and warm. Here’s a huge shout-out to Joanne!

I already keep a Teddy Bear blanky on my bed so it’s great to have this source of comfort to cuddle under during a long session. I’d like to give it a name but have come up empty so far. Suggestions are welcome.

This perma-plaque is on the wall of the Chemotherapy Clinic and I’m confident it sheds light on how patients genuinely feel about their care-givers in this unit. They are very special individuals and are fully aware they’re dealing with patients hanging on during a terrifying emotional roller coaster ride.

Today, a bell-ringer left the clinic during my treatment. This bell sits on the counter at the nurses’ station. When people finish their treatment, they are invited to ring it long and loud. A woman qualified to let ‘er rip today. She started out quietly but when the applause started, she showed her inner enthusiasm and finished strong. I don’t know if this is a normal practice in all cancer clinics but it is one that patients love at my location and I look forward to when my turn arrives down the road. I’m thinking I should pick up some earplugs for other patients, bring a mini speaker with some volume, and ring the bell to a playback of “We Are the Champions.”

I was joined by umbilical to Ivi from 9:30 am to 3:20 pm As in Week 1, here’s what was pumped directly into my veins today. There were additional 15-minute saline flushes I didn’t include. Those flushes help to clear all the medications from the lines so I get my full dose.

• Iron (90 minutes).
• Saline flush (30 minutes)
• Dexamethasone 10 mg IV for Nausea (15 minutes)
• Ondansetron 8 mg IV for Nausea (15 minutes)
• Benadryl 50 mg to reduce allergic reaction (15 minutes)
• Zantec 50 mg to reduce allergic reaction (15 minutes)
• Paclitaxel (45 minutes)
• Carboplatin (45 minutes)

After Chemo, I headed to radiation in the Dickson Centre. I was scheduled for 4:50 pm so there was a short wait. As usual, adding another sunburn of a tumor on top of the existing sunburn takes less than 1/2 an hour.

Drew picked us up at 5:45 on University Avenue and drove us home. We all noticed that it was still light out. Spring is just around the corner. That’s always uplifting and a sign of hope.

As always, thanks for reading and please share my ramblings with anyone you think may benefit.

Peace, Love and Laughter
Phil

PS - I shared in an earlier post that Becca and Chris just went public that they are expecting in August.

Last night we learned we have a grandson on the way. Both Janet and I are very excited about this news. He will be the eldest of the next generation in our branch of the family. In fact, on Janet’s side of the tree, he will bring the headcount to 81. If you’re curious, you can visit the page titled “The Family” where all the names are listed.