We arrived home last evening (March 26) about 6. We really appreciated the good weather; it was almost like Houston. It looks like spring arrived while we were gone (not counting the snow last weekend).
Spent some time unloading the trailer and then relaxed for a little while. We were going to watch a movie until we realized all our clocks were an hour behind! That shortened our evening in a hurry.
I am feeling a little better each day. I still don't have as much energy as I'd like, but the nausea is definitely improving. I have to agree with the t-shirt we saw at the hospital gift shop, "Chemo makes me sick!"
I have 4 weeks to recuperate from radiation and not take any chemo. We will head back to Houston on April 18, have scans on the 19th, and see Dr. Abbruzzese on the 20th. He will decide on future treatments after seeing my scans. He has indicated I will probably receive some sort of low dose chemo, but we won't know for sure until the 20th.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Leaving Houston
We will be leaving Houston later this morning (Thurs, Mar 25). We will take at least a couple days, maybe 3, depending on how I feel. Next post will be after we get home.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Last Radiation Treatment
I had my 12th and final radiation treatment on Tuesday, March 23. It's an amazing process where you feel absolutely nothing at the time, but later feel the effects. If you weren't told the after effects (primarily fatigue & nausea) were from the radiation, you might not associate them. I was blessed to feel good enough today that we went out to eat at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen for dinner.
Here are a few photos showing what I've been doing:
This is the "beast". The whole thing rotates around the table so I was "shot" with photons (high intensity X-rays) from the back, front, and both sides. I am laying in a vacuum formed cradle created for me so I could be positioned the same each time.
Being painted with lasers. I suspected this is how it looked, but couldn't tell laying there motionless. The technicians spent time each day to align the marks on my sides and belly.
The spot of light shows the shape of the beam of photons I am going to receive. The technicians traced around that with a Sharpie marker to give themselves another check that the machine was set correctly. The area of the radiation was reduced and slightly moved for the last 2 days.
I don't know the full story of the bell, but it is a tradition to "ring out" when you finish radiation.
Just outside the entrance to Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. It was a GREAT meal.
Here are a few photos showing what I've been doing:
This is the "beast". The whole thing rotates around the table so I was "shot" with photons (high intensity X-rays) from the back, front, and both sides. I am laying in a vacuum formed cradle created for me so I could be positioned the same each time.
Being painted with lasers. I suspected this is how it looked, but couldn't tell laying there motionless. The technicians spent time each day to align the marks on my sides and belly.
The spot of light shows the shape of the beam of photons I am going to receive. The technicians traced around that with a Sharpie marker to give themselves another check that the machine was set correctly. The area of the radiation was reduced and slightly moved for the last 2 days.
I don't know the full story of the bell, but it is a tradition to "ring out" when you finish radiation.
Just outside the entrance to Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. It was a GREAT meal.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Experiences in Houston
The main thing we are here for is radiation treatments. There are three technicians who I see regularly for treatments, and I have learned a little about them. They figured out pretty quick I am a KSU fan, probably because I have been wearing my Powercat watch. I mentioned in the last blog one who grew up near Enid, OK. Another is a basketball fan and we have chatted about K-State's basketball team. He said he filled out his NCAA tournament bracket and picked K-State to beat KU in the championship game. Unfortunately, that can't happen now. The third is from Baton Rouge, LA, graduated from UT, but is an LSU fan. His father is battling rectal cancer.
One of the most interesting things we've experienced is meeting other people going through cancer treatments. We've talked with people from several different states, and seen license plates from lots more. Thursday we talked with a man from Knoxville who had recently learned he had Pancreatic cancer. After hearing my story, he said I was an inspiration for him. That afternoon we were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine, and I spoke to a woman with an extremely cute little black dog. (The dog was a Pomeranian with a "teddy bear" cut.) Turned out the woman lives in Bartlesville, but was born in Emporia (in the same hospital where Vicki was born), and lived there 14 years.
Friday evening, with me in a Kansas State shirt and cap, we headed out for a walk with Willow, and met a Texas pickup with a poodle bouncing around the front seat, coming into the RV park. Of course we waved at each other. We continued on our walk and the same pickup pulled up beside us on the street. The woman was disappointed that my shirt was Kansas State (she had seen only the Kansas part) because she was wearing a KU shirt. They had obviously seen our truck and recognized the Montgomery county tag. Her husband is originally from Coffeyville! We even know some of his relatives from church. It sure seems like a small world.
The unfortunate part of this trip is that I have progressively felt worse and more tired. I'm not trying to complain, but it has kept us from doing more things. I just don't feel like getting out. We still meet and talk to people who are worse off, so I count my blessings. Vicki has gone without me to a few stores that she enjoys.
Except for a little rain on Wednesday, the weather last week was beautiful. Down in the 50's at night and around 70 during the day. That has made it easy to get out and walk. The area is fairly nice, our walks are mostly past apartments, houses, and schools.
Over the weekend we got the same weather system that brought snow back in Kansas. Saturday it was raining and the high was in the lower 60s, but the temperature was dropping all day long. The wind started blowing, and the night time temp dropped into the mid 30's. Brrrr! Sunday was sunny, 60, and really windy. Not a nice day to be out. Today has been in the upper 60s, with a calm wind, just a beautiful day.
Seems like almost everyone here has a dog, many with multiple dogs. Several people have talked about having left some pets back home. One couple we met are living in a small trailer and have 3 dogs - a Lab and 2 chihuahuas. Willow wants to bark at every dog that walks by on it's way to the "recreation area".
Friday we took Willow to Petsmart for something different. Little kids kept wanting to pet her but she cowers from them. She will timidly check out some adults, but if they move suddenly she jumps back. I don't know what Willow thought of the outing, but I suspect she didn't get as much out of it as we did.
One of the most interesting things we've experienced is meeting other people going through cancer treatments. We've talked with people from several different states, and seen license plates from lots more. Thursday we talked with a man from Knoxville who had recently learned he had Pancreatic cancer. After hearing my story, he said I was an inspiration for him. That afternoon we were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine, and I spoke to a woman with an extremely cute little black dog. (The dog was a Pomeranian with a "teddy bear" cut.) Turned out the woman lives in Bartlesville, but was born in Emporia (in the same hospital where Vicki was born), and lived there 14 years.
Friday evening, with me in a Kansas State shirt and cap, we headed out for a walk with Willow, and met a Texas pickup with a poodle bouncing around the front seat, coming into the RV park. Of course we waved at each other. We continued on our walk and the same pickup pulled up beside us on the street. The woman was disappointed that my shirt was Kansas State (she had seen only the Kansas part) because she was wearing a KU shirt. They had obviously seen our truck and recognized the Montgomery county tag. Her husband is originally from Coffeyville! We even know some of his relatives from church. It sure seems like a small world.
The unfortunate part of this trip is that I have progressively felt worse and more tired. I'm not trying to complain, but it has kept us from doing more things. I just don't feel like getting out. We still meet and talk to people who are worse off, so I count my blessings. Vicki has gone without me to a few stores that she enjoys.
Except for a little rain on Wednesday, the weather last week was beautiful. Down in the 50's at night and around 70 during the day. That has made it easy to get out and walk. The area is fairly nice, our walks are mostly past apartments, houses, and schools.
Over the weekend we got the same weather system that brought snow back in Kansas. Saturday it was raining and the high was in the lower 60s, but the temperature was dropping all day long. The wind started blowing, and the night time temp dropped into the mid 30's. Brrrr! Sunday was sunny, 60, and really windy. Not a nice day to be out. Today has been in the upper 60s, with a calm wind, just a beautiful day.
Seems like almost everyone here has a dog, many with multiple dogs. Several people have talked about having left some pets back home. One couple we met are living in a small trailer and have 3 dogs - a Lab and 2 chihuahuas. Willow wants to bark at every dog that walks by on it's way to the "recreation area".
Friday we took Willow to Petsmart for something different. Little kids kept wanting to pet her but she cowers from them. She will timidly check out some adults, but if they move suddenly she jumps back. I don't know what Willow thought of the outing, but I suspect she didn't get as much out of it as we did.
Friday, March 12, 2010
First week of radiation done
I've now had 5 radiation treatments. We've been getting to the hospital 10 or 15 minutes early, and I get called in almost immediately. The treatments are so quick, we are able to leave before my scheduled appointment time. We are so accustomed to sitting around the hospital waiting that we have been going to the cafeteria for coffee and a snack so we don't feel like we waste the free valet parking.
In spite of the short time of treatment, I've started feeling the side effects. I think I was overly optimistic about how I would react to the side effects.
We took the free shuttle the first couple days, but we're learning how to get around this part of Houston. Since we get free valet parking (for 2 hours) with radiation treatments, we've driven to MD Anderson the last 3 days. On the way home there is a Super Target, so we can share our income with Houston. Today we found the Lowes. Of course, there are plenty of fast food and other restaurants.
The first morning we walked up to meet the shuttle, the first person we saw was wearing a KU cap. He is from the Topeka area. We haven't seen him since, but we know which trailer is his because of the Kansas tag. One of the technicians which helps with my treatments was raised on a wheat farm near Enid, OK. She said her dad used to go to Coffeyville.
The RV park has turned out to be a good place to stay. It's been really quiet. About 85% of the residents are medical patients. There have been more units moving in and out than I expected, but that may be due to the (huge) rodeo going on this month.
The weather was a little wet for the first couple days, but has gotten much better. Yesterday was sunny and in the 70s. Today was a little cooler, only in the 60s. The weekend is supposed to be in the 70s with lows in the 50s at night. Flowers are blooming all over and the trees are leafing out. Hard to believe it's still winter back home.
In spite of the short time of treatment, I've started feeling the side effects. I think I was overly optimistic about how I would react to the side effects.
We took the free shuttle the first couple days, but we're learning how to get around this part of Houston. Since we get free valet parking (for 2 hours) with radiation treatments, we've driven to MD Anderson the last 3 days. On the way home there is a Super Target, so we can share our income with Houston. Today we found the Lowes. Of course, there are plenty of fast food and other restaurants.
The first morning we walked up to meet the shuttle, the first person we saw was wearing a KU cap. He is from the Topeka area. We haven't seen him since, but we know which trailer is his because of the Kansas tag. One of the technicians which helps with my treatments was raised on a wheat farm near Enid, OK. She said her dad used to go to Coffeyville.
The RV park has turned out to be a good place to stay. It's been really quiet. About 85% of the residents are medical patients. There have been more units moving in and out than I expected, but that may be due to the (huge) rodeo going on this month.
The weather was a little wet for the first couple days, but has gotten much better. Yesterday was sunny and in the 70s. Today was a little cooler, only in the 60s. The weekend is supposed to be in the 70s with lows in the 50s at night. Flowers are blooming all over and the trees are leafing out. Hard to believe it's still winter back home.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Houston, our second home
We arrived back in Houston on Sunday afternoon, March 7. Tomorrow morning (March 8) I start radiation therapy. That will be daily for 3 weeks. In between I will also have doctor appointments and lab visits for blood tests.
Since we will be here for three weeks, we brought our travel trailer. It will be nicer than a hotel room, and costs less. We have all the comforts of home including cable TV and Wi-Fi. The only things we really lack are a dishwasher, washer/dryer, and space. There is a laundry available just a short distance from our trailer.
We were able to bring along everything we could think of that we might need, but finding a place for everything has been a challenge. I don't look forward to unpacking when we get home.
The RV park is only 3 or 4 miles from the hospital, but we will catch a shuttle bus from here to the hospital in the morning. We get free valet parking during radiation, but we decided to try the shuttle for the first day or 2. As we get more comfortable, we may do things differently.
Joe
Since we will be here for three weeks, we brought our travel trailer. It will be nicer than a hotel room, and costs less. We have all the comforts of home including cable TV and Wi-Fi. The only things we really lack are a dishwasher, washer/dryer, and space. There is a laundry available just a short distance from our trailer.
We were able to bring along everything we could think of that we might need, but finding a place for everything has been a challenge. I don't look forward to unpacking when we get home.
The RV park is only 3 or 4 miles from the hospital, but we will catch a shuttle bus from here to the hospital in the morning. We get free valet parking during radiation, but we decided to try the shuttle for the first day or 2. As we get more comfortable, we may do things differently.
Joe
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