With the holiday at the start of the week, I had an extra day of rest and recovery. Janet asked all the children to come over for supper and play a board game on Monday. Everyone came except Meredith who had a mild flu and thought it in my best interests to keep her illness out of our house. I suspect that will be more the norm than the exception going forward.
I learned this week that all cancer patients react to their treatment differently even when under identical treatment plans. I also discovered that my reaction in week 1 and week 2 were different. Unlike week 1, I wasn’t exhausted at the end this week.
As a quick summary, my weight is stable and my nausea is minimal. I think the meds for nausea are working. I eat five to six small meals a day. I have a pretty good idea what sits well in my stomach and what to avoid. That helps. Cottage cheese is my go-to and it can be combined with pretty much anything.
Although it sucks, I still get up four to five times a night to pee. The irony is that each time it isn’t urgent but enough of a tickle that if I don’t take care of it, I’ll just lie awake until I go. I think I’ll ask my family doc to send me to see a specialist in case there is anything I can do to reduce that frequency. Janet sleeps straight through the night. I remember those days and wish to have them become the norm again. Since starting to take an eyedropper of cannabis oil an hour before bedtime, I wake up feeling more rested than I have for years. As a result I have more energy during the day.
Although my energy is improved, I’m not ready to attempt a workout. I’ve done a couple of short walks of a kilometer and I’m relieved when I reach my destination. I hope I find my way out of this rabbit hole soon and can get a light workout in from time to time but that may not be in the cards.
Each Thursday, after radiation, I meet with Dr. Helmut Hollenhorst for a weekly review. With so much flu around at this time of year, he suggested I avoid being in public places. I don’t know the status of my immune system but it is a given it will be compromised during treatment. It makes good sense to take care. I can’t avoid what I touch but washing my hands more often is an easy action to take.
The most public place we go is to Mooseheads games. I plan to get some masks to reduce the chance of being infected. I can’t say I ever saw that coming in my future but one does what one must.
We had a busy weekend with two big events. On Saturday, we gathered with thirty fellow members of the Association of Dalhousie Retirees and Pensioners for lunch at The Public Pint Ale House followed by attending the matinee of Neptune Theater’s Controlled Damage which is the story of Viola Desmond. On Sunday, we hosted another potluck at the house.
I mentioned that Meredith didn’t join the family dinner and game night on Monday because she had a touch of flu. By the same token, one couple with the flu didn’t join a dozen friends from the Shearwater Yacht Club for the potluck on Sunday.
We combine a folding table with our dining room table, cover with a decent table cloth, put out some nice china, some wine glasses, some crystal, plenty of candles and we can seat twelve for a fine multiple-course meal. You might notice the painting in the background. It is the schooner Bluenose. The common thread for all these folks in this picture is boat ownership at Shearwater so having the painting of a boat in the background, fit the moment. It was wonderful having everyone in. We sure fit well together. A great prelude to more top notch times ahead. From left to right standing: Julie, Nancy, John, Phil, Janet, Laura, Gilles, Lynn, and John. Sitting: Tracy, Christine and Rob … and oh did we laugh once Pirate Gilles got started with stories from his work up north as an RCMP Officer … Arrr!
Having dinner with our boat family celebrating how special life is. Special thanks to Phil O’Hara and Janet for a wonderful evening. You are going to kick Cancers Ass Phil! XO ❤❤
= Tracy
Two weeks of treatment are in the rear view mirror and I am doing well.
As always, thanks for being in my corner.
Peace, Love and Laughter
Phil
8 Replies to “End of Treatment Week 2”
Phil, Glad you are tolerating the treatment so well and you are able to keep up your social activities. I hope things stay that way through the course of your treatment. Keep up the good humor and keep kicking cancer to the curb!
On February 29th, if my Mom was still alive, she’d be turning 100 or 25 depending on how you do the math. My siblings and some cousins are gathering for a birthday party potluck in the house. And on Sunday, my daughter Melanie’s crew is gathering for a potluck. I think I may cut back for a while given my immune system will be compromised. I do plan to get some masks. I can’t miss all the rest of the Mooseheads Games.
So sorry we could not be with you but we’re there in spirit ❤️ It looks like it was a great time.
Hey Glenda … not surprisingly there was way too much food but we all had a wonderful time. I see a lot more of these kind of events in the future. We are so blessed to have such great folks at the boat club. Last night so exceeded my expectations plus Rob makes remarkable fish chowder … and that’s from a guy not all that keen on fish. I think I need to reevaluate that food choice.
Phil, you and Janet ROCK❣️Love and prayers to you and family♥️🙏🏻♥️
Thanks Sharon. Just home from treatment. Tuesday is my big day because I have Chemo followed by Radiation. I got in the chair at 8:45 and out at 2:15. It will be quicker in the final two treatments as today started with the final iron infusion which takes about two hours. On the other weekdays, I just do Radiation and I’m in and out in about 30 minutes. I feel strong and well at the moment so here’s hoping I can keep saying that until I’m done with treatments in about three weeks.
Your positive attitude and your huge loving community is going to get you through this Phil-take good care of yourself,
Hugs,
Rita & Ted
After today’s radiation in a few minutes, I’ll be past the 1/2 way point in treatment… unless a 6th week is added. If I’m feeling as good in week 5 as I am today in week 3, it’s pretty much a given that an extra week will be added.