I had a great Christmas, it is good to be on the road to recovery. The surgery last week went well. The surgeon did only half the anticipated repair work because my body had already healed part way on the second part of the surgery; so in mid surgery he decided not to stitch me but see if I could heal on my own as the chemo moves out of my system. If it works great, if not I will have another minor surgery before the big one.
I have started acupuncture and pranic healing to help my body recover and heal. It is quite an experience but it seems to be working as far as I can tell. I am reading more on the combination of the eastern medicine with the current treatments; it is very interesting especially while I am going through it. There is so much to learn.
The last treatment has stayed with me quite a while, or so it seems. I still have good and bad days but the good days seem a little better each time and the bad days seem easier to get through. I know some of the side effects can/will stay with me for 6-18 months, but it is a small price to pay for the anticipated results.
I will have a CT scan on the 13th and another visit/exam with the surgeon and oncologist on the 22nd of January. If all shows well, they will schedule the "final" surgery at the end of January. that will be 2-3 days in the hospital and then I will start the final road to recovery. I am really looking forward to my 50th birthday in April anticipating that almost every part of this journey will be behind me.
I hope everyone has a great holiday and a Happy New Year, for me it will be a great New Year.
Bruce
Friday, December 26, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Through the Last Storm
I had may last chemo session last Wednesday. I am getting through with the knowledge that everyday I will be feeling better and getting rid of all the drugs in my system.
These last sessions have been harder on my body. To help get through it I have take 2 sessions of acupuncture and 1 session of pranic healing at the yoga studio. I definitely feel the difference with the acupuncture. The pranic healing should help with the post surgeries recoveries.
Cynthia still thinks I am rushing everything, especially with the surgery this Wednesday, but I am so anxious to put this behind me and moving forward. The oncology staff was amazed that I stayed on schedule, but do to the good care from Cynthia and all the prayers and good wished, I was the 1 in 500 according to the receptionist.
I will update the blog after the results of the surgery, I am anticipating a smooth procedure and a quick recovery for a Merry Christmas.
Bruce
These last sessions have been harder on my body. To help get through it I have take 2 sessions of acupuncture and 1 session of pranic healing at the yoga studio. I definitely feel the difference with the acupuncture. The pranic healing should help with the post surgeries recoveries.
Cynthia still thinks I am rushing everything, especially with the surgery this Wednesday, but I am so anxious to put this behind me and moving forward. The oncology staff was amazed that I stayed on schedule, but do to the good care from Cynthia and all the prayers and good wished, I was the 1 in 500 according to the receptionist.
I will update the blog after the results of the surgery, I am anticipating a smooth procedure and a quick recovery for a Merry Christmas.
Bruce
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving
I never though feeling so bad would feel good. I made it through my 7th session and it has really taken it out of me. The encouragement is that I have only one left.
I met with my oncologist on Wednesday as I was finishing up the infusion. I tried to talk my way out of part of the final treatment, but he feels I am doing very well and wants to finish the full course. I guess I have come this far...
The other good news is so far my blood counts have remained up and they see no reason to delay the final treatment. The medicines are doing a great job of countering most of the side effects but the exhaustion continues to increase. Lost of naps and rest periods.
We had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner with our neighbors although I was only able to last for a few hours.
In spite of how I feel currently, I am really looking forward to my final chemo session and finally giving my body a chance to get rid of all this poisen and start the road to recovery.
I was going to post yesterday to thank everyone again and wish everyone a happy thanksgiving, but atlast, I just ran out of energy, so Happy Thanksgiving and thank you again for all the love, support, prayers and good wishes.
Bruce
I met with my oncologist on Wednesday as I was finishing up the infusion. I tried to talk my way out of part of the final treatment, but he feels I am doing very well and wants to finish the full course. I guess I have come this far...
The other good news is so far my blood counts have remained up and they see no reason to delay the final treatment. The medicines are doing a great job of countering most of the side effects but the exhaustion continues to increase. Lost of naps and rest periods.
We had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner with our neighbors although I was only able to last for a few hours.
In spite of how I feel currently, I am really looking forward to my final chemo session and finally giving my body a chance to get rid of all this poisen and start the road to recovery.
I was going to post yesterday to thank everyone again and wish everyone a happy thanksgiving, but atlast, I just ran out of energy, so Happy Thanksgiving and thank you again for all the love, support, prayers and good wishes.
Bruce
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
November 18, running on empty
I am sorry for not updating so long. When I started receiving calls to see if I was still alive, I knew it was time to update.
I finished my 6th treatment last Wednesday and it really took it out of me. For 4 days following removing the pump I was pretty out of it. In addition (piling on use to be a penalty) I met with my surgeon last week who told me that everything had not healed according to plan. He feels confident that the final results will be the same in the end, I just have to have another repair surgery (Scheduled for December 17) prior to the final surgery (probably end of January). It is a long road but hopefully there is a happy ending.
The good news is that my blood counts remain high enough that I do not need shots or transfusions and I can keep on the Chemo schedule. The sooner I get done with Chemo the better. I am on a myriad of drugs to manage most of the side effects. The biggest problem continues to be exhaustion. It is hard to go for more that 4-5 hours with out needing a nap and my mind is definitely more clear in the mornings which when I have been working. I do feel good about being able to continue to work through this although my coworkers might not feel the same given my mood on some days.
All in all, I still feel incredibly fortunate for the medicine, the team of doctors, and all the support from friends and family. I am convinced this will all be a bad dream by the time my 50th birthday rolls around in April.
Thanks again for all the love, prayers and good wishes.
Bruce
I finished my 6th treatment last Wednesday and it really took it out of me. For 4 days following removing the pump I was pretty out of it. In addition (piling on use to be a penalty) I met with my surgeon last week who told me that everything had not healed according to plan. He feels confident that the final results will be the same in the end, I just have to have another repair surgery (Scheduled for December 17) prior to the final surgery (probably end of January). It is a long road but hopefully there is a happy ending.
The good news is that my blood counts remain high enough that I do not need shots or transfusions and I can keep on the Chemo schedule. The sooner I get done with Chemo the better. I am on a myriad of drugs to manage most of the side effects. The biggest problem continues to be exhaustion. It is hard to go for more that 4-5 hours with out needing a nap and my mind is definitely more clear in the mornings which when I have been working. I do feel good about being able to continue to work through this although my coworkers might not feel the same given my mood on some days.
All in all, I still feel incredibly fortunate for the medicine, the team of doctors, and all the support from friends and family. I am convinced this will all be a bad dream by the time my 50th birthday rolls around in April.
Thanks again for all the love, prayers and good wishes.
Bruce
Sunday, October 26, 2008
October 26 Back into it
Tomorrows I go in for my 5th of 8 treatments. I think when I finish on Wednesday with the infusion it will be a real boost. I was much more tired this round, apparently due to my hemoglobin dropping significantly. If it continues to drop they can give me a shot and blood transfusion if necessary.
My weight still bothers me. I dropped as low as 141 but I have been maintaining 142-143. It is a little frustrating because I am not hungry, I force myself to eat and I can not gain weight. The good news is that most of you forgot how I use to look and tell me how good I look. My wife seems to be a little more honest. She actually went out and bought me some new blue jeans, my old ones were looking more like a pajama fit. I think she may have been in the boys department for a 31 slim fit jean, but they do look and feel better.
I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I see the oncologist this week and the surgeon next week. I read a wonderful book "the Anatomy of Hope" which inspired me as well and I know having the positive attitude and knowing about the prayers and people thinking about me has really helped carry me through this so far.
I will post with the happy news when I finish this next round.
Bruce
My weight still bothers me. I dropped as low as 141 but I have been maintaining 142-143. It is a little frustrating because I am not hungry, I force myself to eat and I can not gain weight. The good news is that most of you forgot how I use to look and tell me how good I look. My wife seems to be a little more honest. She actually went out and bought me some new blue jeans, my old ones were looking more like a pajama fit. I think she may have been in the boys department for a 31 slim fit jean, but they do look and feel better.
I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I see the oncologist this week and the surgeon next week. I read a wonderful book "the Anatomy of Hope" which inspired me as well and I know having the positive attitude and knowing about the prayers and people thinking about me has really helped carry me through this so far.
I will post with the happy news when I finish this next round.
Bruce
Thursday, October 16, 2008
October 16 half way down
I finished my fourth infusion of 8 total yesterday.
So far so good. My blood counts are dropping but not enough to worry about, so hopefully I will stay on schedule and finish before Christmas.
The infusions are mostly taking a toll on my energy level. I still walk the dogs daily and I have been working, mostly from home but making it into the office once or twice a week on my off week. The other issue is the weight loss, but there is little I can do about that.
Aaron comes home for fall break this weekend so it will be a welcome distraction for the whole family. Jason also has a soccer tournament in San Bernadino. Hopefully I will recover quicker this time and enjoy the weekend. I just have to keep up with my naps.
There is really not much more to report. According to the nurses the exhaustion will only get worse over the next sessions but I do feel better getting past the half way mark. I seem to be managing all the other side effects with a lot of different medications.
Thank you again for all the support, I will try to update when I have a little more energy and feeling better.
Bruce
So far so good. My blood counts are dropping but not enough to worry about, so hopefully I will stay on schedule and finish before Christmas.
The infusions are mostly taking a toll on my energy level. I still walk the dogs daily and I have been working, mostly from home but making it into the office once or twice a week on my off week. The other issue is the weight loss, but there is little I can do about that.
Aaron comes home for fall break this weekend so it will be a welcome distraction for the whole family. Jason also has a soccer tournament in San Bernadino. Hopefully I will recover quicker this time and enjoy the weekend. I just have to keep up with my naps.
There is really not much more to report. According to the nurses the exhaustion will only get worse over the next sessions but I do feel better getting past the half way mark. I seem to be managing all the other side effects with a lot of different medications.
Thank you again for all the support, I will try to update when I have a little more energy and feeling better.
Bruce
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
