Post 2nd Chemo Session - Day 4

Starting to feel like I am rounding the corner after this latest chemo session. Feeling better today. It was a nice fall day today....temps in the 50's. Went for a walk...actually had to put sweat pants and a sweat shirt on....it felt nice. After the walk I made rice krispies treats...yum!

Post Chemo 2nd Session - Day 3

Ok...so....was a little mad at myself for feeling depressed Sunday night about the chemo treatments. If anything...I have a lot to be thankful for. Like...
1. Jim. He has been awesome through the whole thing. He has to look at me every day with my big nasty bald head and he never blinks.
2. Stage 1. That is a huge break. To catch the cancer that early
3. Louisville. Very lucky on were we live. We are 10 minutes from 3 hospitals, and from the Consultants in Blood Disorders and Cancer Center (where I have been getting my treatment). Has made going to all the appointments and procedures very hassle free.

I took our dog for a walk today...that helped brighten my mood too. Getting outside and exercising is good. Stomach is starting to settle down and feel more normal..which also helps.

Post 2nd Chemo Session - Day 1 & 2

Made it through the weekend without to much misery. I had forgotten how jumbled up your insides feel after the chemo. And how tired you feel. I have been getting a pretty nasty almost metallic taste in my mouth in the morning when I wake up - don't remember that from the first chemo session.

Jim and I went to the Louisville Irish Fest on Saturday. Good music...and the weather was nice After a week of rain..it was nice to see the sun again..although it did make for a pretty hot day. That pretty much took all my energy for the day. Came home a laid on the couch the rest of the day.

Sunday we cleaned the house...well...I basically just vacuumed the living room...which wiped me out. We went to the movies in the afternoon...we saw The Informant...ehh..it was OK. Then it was back to the couch. I tried out a new Mac & Cheese recipe for dinner...it was good...but..did not agree with my stomach. It was too rich I think.

Started getting a little depressed Sunday evening. I had forgotten how miserable the post chemo recovery is....and knowing I have to go through it all over again a 3rd time is not fun. I know I should be happy that the sessions have been cut to 3 vs. 6...cause..honestly..I don't know how I would be handling the thought of having to feel like this 4 more times. I can't wait to get back to how I was feeling the 2nd and 3rd week after the 1st chemo session.

2nd Chemo Session

Had my second chemo session. It went pretty smoothly. Took about 5 hours this time vs. the 8 hours for the first session. Once again I pretty much slept through the whole process.

Jim and I got a sandwich after the chemo....then I went home and feel asleep on the couch (felt more exhausted after this session than the first). Woke up around 6pm...Jim made me some yummy chicken soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.

I am scheduled to get a shot on Saturday to help boost the bacteria fighting part of my white blood cells. The doctor said some of the side effects could be that my bones will feel like they are hurting (apparently the shot stimulates the blood marrow) and I could get a low grade fever the night after getting the shot. Sounds fun!

Post Chemo - Day 21

I am beginning to realize what on old man feels like. My body was hurting this morning when I woke up...I mean almost every inch of my body was achy. My left hand felt like it had arthritis...it hurt just to try and make a fist with it.

Tomorrow is my 2nd chemo session. I started to freak out a little bit about that today. I guess I have been living in a little bit of denial...like I had already been cured of the cancer. Having the chemo appointment looming over my head has reminded me that I still have a ways to go to treat this cancer.

Jim and I went out to dinner with his parents in what has become the traditional (is it a tradition if you have only done it 2 times?) nice dinner out before chemo.

Post Chemo - Day 20

I slept for 9 hours last night...and I still woke up tired as hell. I had to work the magazine job today. I swear that job is slowing killing me. I did not get home till 8pm...and I was DEAD TIRED! My body just ached all over. Have to work the job again tomorrow (yuck!) then it will be chemo day (yikes!)

Post Chemo - Day 19

I think the white water rafting trip is catching up with me. Was pretty tired today. Managed to stay up till 9pm before heading to bed.

I am starting to obsess about the next chemo treatment this Friday. For some reason I am getting nervous about it. Like...what if I feel worse after this treatment than I did my last? I have to get a shot the day after chemo to try and keep the bacteria fighting part of my white blood cells from getting too low again. Don't know what that will feel like...so..of course I am nervous about that too.

Post Chemo Days 16-18

Jim and I went white water rafting with our friends Jennifer and Rich this past weekend. It was AWESOME. We went to the New River in West Virginia. The outfitter we used was ACE. It was so much fun. We are thinking about doing it again next year.

Energy level was good all weekend. Only got really winded once when I was trying to climb this huge flight of stairs. I think that probably had more to do with the wetsuit and life jacket being so tight. Couldn't take deep enough breaths.

I did flip out of my boat once...that got me freaked out. Was able to get right back into it though. Our friend Jennifer flipped out of her boat on a class 3 rapid...that was scary. Thankfully she did not get hurt. She was a little shaken up after that...which is totally understandable.

Below are some pictures from the trip

Jim jumping off of Jump Rock

The Money Shot. Us going down one of the rapids on the New River

Post Chemo - Day 15

Had more blood work done today...and met with the oncologist. Apparently the bacteria fighting part of my white blood cells is really low (.43). It needs to be at least 1.5 for me to be able to have my next chemo treatment on Friday 9/25. Doctor put me on an antibiotic to help boost the level up.

And what do you do when your bacteria fighting levels are low? You go camping! Yes..you head out to the wilderness where there are all sorts of things that can infect you! Well...at least that's what Jim and I are doing this weekend. We are taking the white water rafting trip we had to postpone because of the first chemo session. It should be a lot of fun ..in spite of the bacteria infection risks.

Post Chemo - Day 14

Good-bye Hair! OMG...so..yesterday I started to notice SOME hair falling out...well today it was like my hair was fleeing the Titanic! It was falling out in huge amounts. I took a shower this morning and hair was EVERYWHERE. It was all over the tub....all over the bathroom....it was kind of disgusting.

So....went to Supercuts and had them shave my head. Whats really weird (besides my new bald head) is that the nurse practitioner said I would lose my hair 2 weeks after getting the fist round of chemo...Well..today is EXACTLY 2 weeks TO THE DAY of me getting chemo. Mmmm..I wonder if I could get her to pick my lottery numbers??

Post Chemo - Day 13

Its not looking good for the hair. Starting to notice some hair falling out. Its the first day I have actually noticed the hair falling out.

Had to work my magazine job today...OMG! It was like the heaviest amount of magazines to put out ever! It took me 6 hours to get them all out. I was totally exhausted when I got home.

Post Chemo - Day 12

Think I might be taking it too fast. I have worked out twice this week so far...then spent this afternoon cleaning the house. I AM EXHAUSTED. I laid on the couch and ended up falling asleep at 8:30pm.

I got a nice card in the mail from Mary - the boot camp workout instructor for the Thursday morning class. I can't believe its been over a month that I have not been to her class. I swear - August just disappeared - it went by so fast - with all the cancer related doctor appointments and procedures.

I am planning on going to the boot camp class this Thursday (if I am not to tired by then).

Post Chemo - Day 11

I am feeling as back to normal as I think I can get. Energy level is good. No weired side effects happening. The second week after chemo looks to be a good week.

Post Chemo - Day 9 and 10

Apparently chemo is a great weight loss program. Forget about getting your stomach stapled - try chemo!. I weighed 211 pounds the morning of my first chemo session. Weighed myself at the gym on Sunday - I weighed 198 pounds. I lost 13 pounds in the week after chemo!

Below are updated pictures on the status of my hair. Its weird - its like my hair is stuck in some sort of stasis mode. Its not growing - but - does not seem to be falling out either. Accoding to the chemo nurse - the 2nd week after chemo is when I should start losing my hair - so the watch is on.

Post Chemo - Day 8

Today was the first day I really felt tired the whole day. I took our dog for a walk after work, then feel asleep on the couch for the rest of the afternoon.

Caesar Salad! I was craving a caesar salad all day today! Jim and I went out to dinner with the sole purpose of me getting a caesar salad. And it did not disappoint - it was delicious.

The prescription the doctor gave me for the white patches in my mouth seems to be helping. Have also started rinsing twice a day with "Prevention" mouth wash. Its like this weird two part mouth wash - you have to combine equal amounts of each part then rinse with it. Its like some bad science experiment or something.

Post Chemo - Day 7

Amazing how fast a week goes sometimes. This day last week I was getting my first chemo treatment. The first post chemo week has been much better than expected.

I am starting to get some weird side effects. Have developed white patches in my mouth (Doctor called in a prescription to help take care of them) - and my face is breaking out with a ton of pimples. So - great - I will be bald and pimple faced with a nasty ass mouth. Who's bringing sexy back now, bitch!

I played a set of tennis today. It wasn't pretty. Didn't really have enough strength or stamina to compete.

Oh - also got some blood work done today. All the nurse kept saying is everything looks great. Have an appointment next week with the oncology doctor to go over the blood work and toxicology.

Post Chemo - Day 6

The day 5 to day 6 transition was a rough one. One of the side effects I ended up getting was insomnia. I could not fall asleep. It was weird. Physically I felt tired - but - just could not fall asleep. Finally feel asleep on the couch around 1:30am.

Needless to say it was a drag ass day. Had to work the magazine job in the afternoon. Wednesdays are the heaviest amount of magazines to put out and I was feeling it. Was exhausted when I got home.

Another weird side effect I have been having is what I can only describe as "tingly brain". Its like a weird tingly sensation in my head....its not a headache....just a mild discomfort.

Post Chemo - Day 5

Day 5 - Last day of the post chemo meds. For anyone that might be interested - I had to take (2) Prednisone pills a day for 5 days and (2) Kytril pills for 3 days after Chemo. Also had another anti nausea pill that I could take as needed.

Energy level was good today. Went for a walk and hit some tennis balls against the wall at the park.

Another kind of big milestone for me today was that I stopped drinking soda. Several months ago I had switched from Pepsi (was drinking about 6 a day) to 7-up and Root Beer to ween myself off of caffeine. I had slowly cut back to the point of only having (3-4) 7-ups a day. I have decided that if I want to come out on the other end of this cancer experience a healthier person - meaning weighing less and trying to eat healthier - I should stop drinking soda period. I am drinking a lot more water and 100% fruit juices now.

Post Chemo - Day 4

Day 4 felt like as normal a day as could be expected. Had to work my magazine job in the morning. Came home after that and pretty much laid on the couch the rest of the day..not because I was being lazy..was just feeling lethargic.

I have been really lucky so far in regards to the chemo side effects. Have not had any nausea/vomiting (KNOCK ON WOOD!), have not pee'd blood or had red pee, and although my energy level has been lower - not feeling as bad as I thought I would be.

Having some weird food cravings. Had mashed potatoes for lunch (yum!)....had chicken and broccoli for dinner (yum!) and keep thinking I want a tuna fish sandwich (will probably have that for lunch on day 5)

Post Chemo - Day 3

Ok...so...beginning to think of chemo as a big type of computer reboot for your body. You know..when your computer starts to act up or funny you do a reboot. Thats what chemo is doing to my body. Its doing a big reboot - killing all the cells and starting to regrow the good cells. Keven 2.0. To help with the reboot I am going to make a better effort to eat more fruits and vegetables with every meal. Going to start off small - you know eating apples and oranges. Will try to build up to more variety of stuff.

Jim and I are still in St. Louis. We went to Uncle Bills pancake house for breakfast (yum!), then we drove around some of our old stomping grounds. We walked around Forest Park for a bit (love, Love, LOVE Forest Park) before heading back to Louisville. It was kind of humid when we walked around the park and that kind of sapped my energy. Ended up falling asleep in the car on the way home. Also got another headache - which was not fun.

Post Chemo - Day 2

Ok...before I talk about Day 2...need to talk about the rest of Day 1. Was feeling pretty good and energetic. Was a nice day out so went for a walk in the park (1.5 mile loop) after getting off work. That might have been pushing it. Started feeling pretty tired when I got back and ended up falling asleep on the couch around 7pm. Woke up around 8:30pm and went to bed.

Ok...so...day 2 did not start off a good note. Woke up in the morning around 4am with a headache. Think it was caused by all the anxiety and stress I had built up over the chemo treatment. Took a hot bath which helped get rid of the headache.

So...Day 2....I feel like I am a potty training toddler again. One of the things they get you so stressed about are all the chemo side effects you will get. From fatigue, to hair loss, to peeing red, and being constipated. To make sure your kidneys keep working properly processing all the chemo crap they pump into you they recommend that you eat fiber (been eating fiber one bars) and take stool softeners. So, OF COURSE I have been so stressed about making sure I have regular bowel movements. So...every time I have one I am like a little kid..clapping my hands and yelling "I made poopies!".

Jim and I took a weekend trip to St. Louis today. We had planned on going white water rafting this weekend, but, the nurse practitioner recommended we postpone the trip since it was right after my first chemo treatment. We stayed in nice hotel in St. Louis, we went to Modesto's Tapas restaurants which is were we had one of our first dates 8yrs ago, went to see a movie and just hung out and relaxed. Was a nice way to try and get my mind off all this cancer stuff.

Post Chemo - Day 1

After going to bed around 11pm last night - woke up around 4am this morning. First day after chemo is going way better than I expected. I feel fine. I have taken my post chemo meds and they really seem to be working great. Have a good energy level - and no nausea.

Below are my hair loss tracking pictures. I had gotten a buzz haircut a couple of days before the first chemo session in preparation for losing my hair. Will be taking pictures every morning to track the progress of the hair loss. The chemo Nurse said I would lose my hair between 2 to 3 weeks after the first chemo session.

Chemo Day

So - as I said below - yesterday I had my first Chemotherapy session. I was very anxious heading into the appointment. I had no idea what to expect - and I was dreading having to lay in a bed for 6 hours bored out of my mind. To combat the potential boredom I brought my laptop and 3 DVDS, and some books to read. Ha - What a waste. I ended up sleeping the whole 8 hours I was there.



The really good news of the day was getting the results of the bone marrow and PET scan tests. The bone marrow was negative (no cancer in my bone marrow) and the PET scan showed the cancer cells were only in the area in my neck were the lymp node was removed. So..the cancer was labled "stage 1". The doctor felt they could cut my chemo sessions down to 3 (from 6) and then send me for radiation treatment.



Got home from the hosptial around 6pm - and was EXHAUSTED....even though I had already slept like 8 hours during the chemo session. Forced myself to stay up till 11pm so I could watch Project Runway.



Took this picture the morning of my first chemo session (I am nervous mess at this point)

So - How did we get here?

I went in for chemotherapy yesterday, but, before I talk about that, I wanted to recap the "Huh..I wonder what this lump is" to chemotherapy timeline because I swear it all happened in like a blink of an eye (actually it was a little over a month...but...it went by so fast).




So - it all started happening the 3rd week in July. I was shaving one morning and I noticed a lump on the left side of my neck (see pictures). It was painless and felt pretty solid. I decided to make an appointment with my primary care doctor to find out what exactly it was.

WARNING: HEALTH CARE RANT: I am tired of hearing people say we have the best health care system in the world - and I will give you this personal experience as an example. My primary care doctor is affiliated with Norton Health care system. My insurance is through Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Norton and Anthem got into some pissing match about their contract - so Anthem dropped Norton Health care system from its coverage. So...that left me with a mysterious lump in my neck with no doctor to go to. It took me several phone calls over a couple of days dealing with rude receptionist just to try and find a doctor that would accept new patients. Then - when I wanted to get a copy of my medical records from my original primary care doctor to bring to the new primary care doctor - I was told it would be at least a month before I could get them. Ridiculous. Hell - I was willing to go down there - bring my file to a Kinko's - make the copies - then bring the file back.


Ok..sorry..back to the timeline. I ended up getting an appointment with my new primary doctor on July 23.


July 23 - see primary care doctor. He can't explain what it is. Refers me to Ear/Nose/Throat doctor

July 30 - See ENT doctor. He can't really determine what is is. Sends me for CT scan and biopsy

Aug 7 - Get CT scan and Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy. The CT scan was weird. They inject you with some contrast dye. The nurse said I would start to feel flush in my face - the a warm sensation all over my body. Well...the first thing I felt was my asshole burning. I started freaking out. I thought that maybe the contrast dye had caused me to release my bowels..and that I was now shitting my pants. I panicked for a few seconds..then I started to get the warm sensation all over my body...so..calmed down.

Aug 12 - ENT calls with result from biopsy. Not good. They have found abnormal cells in my lymph node.. He says they need to remove the lymph node so they can do better testing on it to pinpoint the problem. He mentions words like lymphoma and low grade leukemia (yikes!) I call my Mom to let her know and I end up breaking down and crying - which I thought was weird because I am usually not that emotional of a person.

Aug 19 - Surgery to remove the lymph node. Also got a upper body CT scan done to check for any more tumors.

Aug 23 - This was a bad day. Really bad headache and nausea. Think it was from the pain meds.

Aug 25 - Follow up appoint with doctor that preformed the surgery to remove lymph node. Pathology report diagnosed it as Diffuse Large B-Cell Non Hodgkin Lymphoma. Good news is the CT scan did not show any other tumors. Also had blood work done in preparation for appointment with Oncology doctor and meet with a social worker to discuss cancer diagnosis

Aug 26 - Met with Oncology doctor. He took a bone marrow sample (OUCH!) and scheduled me for a PET Scan, an echocaridogram, and chemotherapy.

Aug 28 - Get PET Scan done.

Sept 1 - Have a chemo education class. Talk with a nurse practitioner about all the chemo drugs and the side effects. She says without a doubt I will lose my all my hair (I thought it was just a possibility - she said it is a given). Get echocardigram done.

Sept 3 - The dreaded chemo day