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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Haven't posted in a while

I have been doing alright these past few weeks. A little tired at times and people telling me I look drained and 'sick', but I have felt decent enough to do things normally (for the most part). I am not looking forward to work, but I am looking forward to start a normal routine in the week.
I will have to have surgery to remove the tumor, but not too sure when that will take place. I am guessing in January. I have an appointment to see Dr. Travis next week that should clarify it.
Christmas was good with Jen's family and I missed talking to my family on Christmas day for the first time in many years. Made me sad, but it was busy and the times just didn't happen for us. We spoke on the 27th through Skype.
New Years is ahead and I am hoping for a better year in 2011 than in 2010. Cancer is a part of my life now and I'm becoming used to the fact that I have it. I hope it goes away in 2011.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Starting to come around

I'm starting to feel a little better these days. I guess it takes a few days to get out of my system. My stomach area feels very bloated and full all the time. I felt this during the last cycle and its another things that goes away after about a week. The rash on my back still hasn't gone away but I see the Dr. Friday so that will be good for him to see it. Looking forward to a cancer free Christmas!

Monday, December 06, 2010

Not a good weekend

After a solid week in the chair getting treatment I felt my body going south on Thursday night and all day Friday. I was hoping that the weekend would bring me back to life considering that I didn't have to actually take the chemo medications, but that wasn't the case. I got worse throughout the weekend. I don't really remember it much at all. I simply laid on the couch and was a zombie. I felt the worst I have in a long time and probably since that first week. I got my Neulasta (boost WBC) shot on Saturday morning and then I got a bad rash all over my mid section. Jennifer took great care of me, but I couldn't even play with Lachlan at all. I was simply watching my family move around me and couldn't participate. I slept a little Sunday arvo and got to bed early Sunday night. Of course I woke up @ 6am wanting to eat. Thats another thing. I have gained too much weight during these last few months and I'm disgusted in that. I have put my energy into getting better and I have found that it means I eat more. Then I don't burn it off and it accumulates. I know I will get it off but it will take a long time. I also thought what was life without knowing that I had a tumor, or cancer? Will I always be thinking about the tumor inside of me? Will it hold me back from pushing beyond the comfort zone? I was so used to pushing myself to the highest limit when  I was younger, but will that change now that I have this holding me back? I'm not too sure. It has been a rough weekend and today I'm trying to get better. I just got back from a 25 min walk with Dot. Nice and easy. To get some fresh air into my lungs as I have been couped up in the house for too long.
The rash is getting better, but the last thing I want is another IV in my arm pumping me with antihistamines. My veins are shot.

Friday, December 03, 2010

Finished!

After a long day in the chemo chair and just feeling like rubbish I finally got that blasted IV out of my arm. I think it stopped working as soon as the last drop of Cisplatin went in. I think it wanted out just as badly as I wanted it out. So after a movie and some lunch (beef soup & chicken nuggets - I know a weird combo) I am  waiting for Jennifer to come home with Lachlan. His first full week of the new day care is done today also. Just a full day of celebrations. Yesterday I couldn't believe how much his hair has grown and how much he changes. Although I am around the house during treatments I am very much out of it and miss holding Lachlan and playing with him. The week goes by and he has changed before my eyes. A little disappointed that I miss that time with him during these weeks. I have to make up for it during my good weeks. Which there should be a lot of nowadays!
I am thankful for all those nurses that looked after me during my time at Highlands Oncology. They really did a great job. Now for my Neulasta shot tomorrow to boost my WBC this week. I am hoping to be back teaching by the end of the week as long as I feel up for it.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Hump Day - Round 3

Ok, so its very quite in the clinic this morning. I get here early so I can out early & have more of the day to do anything or nothing. Today I woke up a little nauseated, but I slept well. I needed a new IV put in today as my other one decided to play up on me yesterday & harden yet another vein.
The clinic is looking very Christmasy with decorations all over the place, even on the IV poles!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Day 2 - Round 3

Today went by pretty well with limited worries from any side effects. I woke up early, got there a little late, but Marsha had my seat all ready for me. You see I always pick the electric recliner so I just have to press a button and I go up or down. There is only one in the 40 or so chairs in the clinic. I have only missed out on it once in the 12 times I have been to chemotherapy. Marsha now secures it for me! She's the best nurse.
My vein did decide to harden up on me and I had to get the IV taken out. I hope tomorrow's IV is a good one and stays in until Friday's last treatment.
Feeling good and strong today.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Day 1 of Round 3 complete

Finished my first day of my, hopefully, final round today. I felt decent all day, with a slight headache after treatment. I drank about 2L of Gatorade and 1L of water and + the Lasik medication = pee a lot. I actually went 3 times in about 20 minutes, no less, and an old guy next to said " Don't drink and drive". Took me awhile to turn around and laugh, but these are the kinds of people in there next to me. (I later spoke to him and he had cancer up near his shoulder/neck area which they got rid of, then it came back in his brain, which they got rid of,m and now it has returned to its original spot - he's been dealing with cancer for too long). I also saw my 'smoker
 buddy again today. I sat in my favorite white mechanical lazy boy chair which, lucky for me, was on the side of the room to 'Smoker Joe'.
Better get to bed now, Day 2 starts bright and early.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thanksgiving & tomorrow

We all had a great time @ Thanksgiving dinner at MawMaws in Fort Smith. It was Lachlan's first one and he had a blast with his US cousins. The picture left is when Auntie JuJu and I took him out on a walk. It was about 32F (0C) when we went out so he had to bundle up.

So tomorrow is my last week of chemotherapy treatments. Dr. Travis has said that I have this one, they give me another scan and then I should be all done. I like the sound of that! I am a little nervous about getting into the chemo again. I have had about 4 weeks off of it and really started to feel good. Now I take another couple of steps back. I know this is the last round though and it will be a great Christmas when I can finally say 'I am cancer free'.

As always I will post every day throughout treatment.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving @ the Haasers


Gearing up for Thanksgiving dinner the the in laws. It's always a big meal with a big crowd. I am thankful of my family both here in US and back home is Australia.
On the cancer front, I have been feeling fantastic energy wise lately, but today my tumor area is just feeling tight and there. Noticeablely felt. But like Jennifer said it could be anything, not necessarily the tumor being active. Anyway, time to forget about it. Last treatment week starts this Monday. Not looking forward to it.
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Team 11th & back home.

(L-R Austin, Blake, Travis, Stinger, Haynie, Will, Sasse, Me)
Back from Houston with a good showing at the Regional meet. Now they take a break during Thanksgiving.... then we start our 2011 track & field campaign.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

In Houston, TX

Came down to Houston TX yesterday with Ramaker & Boys XC team of 8. Good trip so far with the guys racing this morning. Not sure of team result yet, but Will got 15th as an individual. Happy with team's effort and good investment to do it all again with this team next year. I'll post results when they are up. Movie tonight, then fly out for home tomorrow morning. Miss my wife and son.
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Still feeling great and State champs!

I haven't blogged for a few days because mainly I have been feeling good and it would be pointless to blog about the same statement all the time. So I'm feeling great and just relaxing before my 3rd and final treatment week after Thanksgiving.
A couple of weekends ago I got the go ahead from Dr. Travis to push my body a little to see how the tumor and my body reacted. Maybe it was a polite way to say, lose some weight..... I'm not sure, but I did go and cheer on the BHS XC boys and girls at the State meet. The boys were ranked 2nd going into the meet, but we knew that we were going to be tough to beat. The girls were ranked 2nd and going to have to race very well to win.
So it came down to the race and the picture to the right shows our last pre-race speech. It was a great day and the boys ended up winning quite easily for their 2nd championships in a row and the girls got 2nd by a small margin. Now the boys are going to Houston, TX on the 19th -21st Nov for the NXN South Regional meet. The top 3 teams in that race go to Nationals in Portland, OR. The boys have never gone to either meet before, so it should be an exciting experience.
This is a video I put together of the highlights of the State Meet. State Highlights

Friday, November 12, 2010

Work next week?

I am feeling good these days, still get a little tired at times, but generally not bad. Jennifer is pushing me to go to work if I feel up for it, but something is holding me back. Not too sure if its nervousness about how people will react, not sure if I feel self conscious about how I look or if I won't be able to get through the day. I do want to get back into the swing of things though. Thanksgiving week is the following week and then I have 1 week of Chemo treatment. So if I go to week next week, most likely I will have about 3 weeks off after that. I will make a decision by the end of the day and let the right people at work know @ work.
On another note, my hair is started to slowly grow back.... but I mean slowly! Hardly noticeable really.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Feeling good after yesterday

Yesterday I had a 100F (37.8C) temperature by about 7pm and I didn't want to eat anything. I basically showered and went to bed. I did, however, have to start my "if your temp gets to about 100.5F then take these" antibiotics. So I'm on those for the next 6 days. I woke up this morning is a lot better shape. Normal temperature and about to eat! So I'm back again after another bump in the road. I have a funny feeling that the bug that hit Lachie and Jen also took a swipe at me. Hopefully thats the end of it.

Storms in out lives.

I have a few blogs that I read now. I thought that if I write mind, then I should read others. The blogs I read are on the right hand column under Favorite Blog List. One of them is called "Here I Am. Send Me." This women is fighting breast cancer. Her latest post made me really think (You can get to it by clicking here). She wrote about her time in church this past Sunday and how the pastor talked about storms in our life and how they make us a better person, a stronger person. I know that this is pointed to me too. This bout of cancer has given me a new look on life. I am getting through my storm now and the clouds are clearing, but many other people are going through a longer, more violent storm. I have experienced the chemotherapy, the pain, the despair and the helplessness, but some people have got to go through that for years. I truly pray that this women heals and can move on with her live without cancer. The sun is going to break through the clouds.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

A fantastic day

Today was set to be a busy day: State Championships mid-morning to ~ 4pm, then the Reality Check fundraiser, "Dancing with the NWA Stars". With doctors orders to push my body to see if the tumor reacts I was going to have a normal day. I met with the team for breakfast @ Panera, then we went back to the Athletic offices at school to relax before heading to the course. Felt great from the time I got up this morning & trying not to think to much about the tumor. The State Championships was a great time to forget everything and just get with the team. The boys ran what they were expected to run and did a fantastic job executing the race plan. They won easy in the end. This is the 2nd year running for the boys. Before that they had not win it since 1983! So its good to get the ball rolling on a streak of victories. The girls put themselves up there early, but just couldn't hold on to the lead as Rogers HS came through the field and got them. Check out the BHS XC website that I look after for more photos and videos in the coming week.
Tonight was the Reality Check fundraiser. It was such a great night with Tommy Runnels, the guy that took my place, winning overall Dancing with the NWA Stars. They also donated $1200 towards my treatments. Thanks for all those they put votes in online. I really appreciate it. I will post pictures and video if I get it.
Tired now, but clocks go back tonight, so sleep one more hour!
AWESOME DAY!

Friday, November 05, 2010

Tumor smaller & dead

So I went to see Dr. Travis today and he said that the tumor is still there, but it is only 5cm x 2cm (2in x 1in). Now it started out at 9cm x 5cm (3.5in x 2in). So it is drastically smaller and that why I don't have pain anymore as its not pushing against anymore organs. The 'squirming' I have felt is the nerves reacting to the shrinking. But the best news was that on the PET scan it came up negative (PET scans images the biochemical activity of tumors)meaning that the cells are basically dead. So Dr. Travis suggested, as an insurance policy, that I do one more round of treatment. This will kill anymore cells that might be hiding, or not detected. After that I will take another set of CT & PET scans and if the tumor is smaller, then great, but if it is the same size then thats good too. You see the chemo attacks the alive cells and may not even touch the dead ones. I asked about surgery to take it out, but he said for this tumor it doesn't make it any better or worse with or without surgery. They will just monitor it over time.
So looks like all the prayers and positivity out there from friends and family have been answered. I should be done with this cancer right in time for Christmas! Oh yeah, now thats a Christmas present.

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Scan done, but family sick

I got my scan done today. It will show me how the tumor is going with the current treatment. I am praying that it is not there anymore, but I cannot convince myself that it is totally gone. I don't know why. But it doesn't stop me from hoping, praying and trying to push myself to believe. Jennifer and Lachlan are sick today. Haven't moved too far from the couch. Little Lachie was so cute and cuddly that I just wanted to hold him so bad, but I know that I don't want that bug. It seems like it might be some kind of stomach thing that wipes out your energy...... I think it might feel like the weeks I have chemo treatment and I hope that I don't get it in the next few days. My immune system is so down that I could get anything easily. I already cough up some good yellow green stuff today and felt like I had 'sicky' breath.... oh man oh man. Dr. Travis tomorrow midday will tell me what the CT & PET scans showed and I will also ask him about me getting this bug.I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Big day Thursday!

So I get my next CT scan on Thursday. It will show if there is anymore cancer in my body. Dr. Travis is quietly, although he liked to tell me, confident that I might not see any of it in there. Totally clear. I know I am on some serious dosage of chemotherapy, but that tumor was of a good size and if it is gone I will be a very very happy man. I won't count my chickens before they hatch. I will wait for the test results on Friday morning when I see Dr. Travis again. I will then have a choice to make: Stop treatments because there is no more cancer, or continue for 2 more cycles to make sure it is gone for good. I am undecided as to what I should do. Cross that bridge when I get to it. Full of idioms today!

Fun & Games

This was a shot I took from the webcam just before I went to dinner last night. Lachlan loves seeing himself on the computer screen and this shot just makes me laugh.
My 'tumor area' on my right side of my abdominal area has been playing up a little, but Dr. Travis tells me that it is the nerves getting the sensation of the shrinking tumor. Just like when the tumor is growing the nerves are stimulated, it is the same in the reverse. Makes sense really. I have also had like a film on the inside of my mouth. like a very think plastic covering. Very strange feeling and it doesn't help tasting different types of foods. I did, however, taste those really hot wings I had last night @ BBW. Thats why I say its only gotta be thin :-).
I have been feeling really good lately though. I have got better and better over the past 3 days. Tonight we have a get together with the boys and girls cross country state teams to go to, so that will get me out of the house and getting me back into a normal state of living. Should be good food too!




Tuesday, November 02, 2010

A short video tonight!

Sorry for the sound :-( But this was my first time trying this out

Waiting for Dr.

Waiting for Dr. Travis to come and see me. Got blood test back & all looks good. White blood cells still down, but shot boosting the baby ones. My skull has been hurting a little. Could be cold or could be shot. Not sure. Jen & l are both really hungry..... comeon doc!
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Monday, November 01, 2010

Today a great day!

Yesterday wasn't the best day, just tired and drained. I struggled around with Lachlan's first Halloween experience going to a few family and friends places. One thing got me last night though..... it was the first night that I hadn't needed sleeping tablets to head to bed for nearly 3 weeks. I went to bed thinking that I'd be up all night, or at least early (as I usually did in the days following the first round). Well, to my happiness I slept the whole night through (with a few pit stops of course) and woke up with a thought. Yes, a thought! :-) My goal was to stay active and moving my brain around all day. First it was some breakfast, some medical bill organization and then some BHS XC stuff on the web. I had a friend come over for lunch and some Fifa11 on the ps3 and that was great right through to about 1pm. I then managed to go and meet the team for practice and do their tempo workout with them on the bike. My energy is still good now, but I think I will shut it down for the night and not bite off more than I can handle. Oh, of course, I had time to play with Lachie. He's growing so fast.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Bentonville Volleyball wins state!

Congratulations to the Bentonville HS Volleyball team as they won their 3rd state championship in 4 years today.
News report here for limited time.

Lachlan's first Halloween costume.

Is a spider!
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Volleyball State Finals!

Today I got up early. 6am. Couldn't really sleep, so I thought I'd get up to change my English Premier League team around (you see I forgot to earlier in the week). Of course, they had already closed the week off and I couldn't make anymore changes.... typical of how my season is going. So I played around on the net for a little bit and had 1 liter of Gatorade. I felt like I needed something. I finally crawled back into bed about 7:15am, only to be woke up by the alarm at 7:30. So looks like I was up. After a shower and breakfast, cereal & toast, I got ready to go down to Fayetteville Highlands Oncology for my Neulasta shot. Steve and Terri stayed the night so Steve drove me down. It didn't take long and then were off to our next priority, so get the dryer fixed. There was a part that we needed to change out. After driving around for about an hour, we finally go one and put it on. Of course it worked, but the dryer still needs some work to be, should we say, less 'squeeky'. After a good lunch (ate two bowls of tuna/peas in bowtie pasta) and more Gatorade I had a rest. Now I am ready to go cheer the Lady VolleyTigers in their State Final game.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Finished well for 2nd treatment

Today was tough, but one day I had to get through. I didn't want to go in, but I knew that today was my last treatment day of Round 2. Of course my vein in my left arm was scaring me and I was praying that it held up and to my surprise, it did. I just don't think I could have had to get 'stuck' again. But you know I would have if I had to. :-) I got some good lunch in thanks to Steve and Terri (Jen's parents) coming up, today it was McAlistar's. Which is always a good choice. This week has been great with none or limited nausea. The first round just killed me with the nausea, so I'm happy the new medication did me well. Around dinner time Todd, his wife Kim, Jaclyn, and her husband Chris all came around to the house and celebrated, for the lack of a better word, the shaving of my head. I actually like it and Dad always told me I had a good shaped head. Now I just gotta get it a little more tanned :-). Enjoy the photos linked below. Jennifer has her Volleyball State championship game tomorrow afternoon, so I'm hoping to visit that and cheer on the Bentonville girls to victory over Fayetteville.


Thursday, October 28, 2010

Feeling better after some lunch, now rest time.

Ryan Botha picked me up @ 1 from the clinic and we went and got some Zaxby's. Went down well and got me back on my feet. I still need to drink more fluids as one of my chemo drugs Cisplatin (the other is Etopiside) takes fluid from my body and it can cause kidney failure if I don't flush the body. So drinking lots if a must. I have to drink about 4 liters (1 gallon for my American friends) a day during treatment, so you can imagine the toilet interruptions I have during my movies. Today I think I'm going to get "Predators" off cable. I'll let you know how it rates. Today's treatment had its up and downs. I was good at the start, then my vein decided to shut down and started to bubble up a little with the saline fluids pumping into it, so the nurse quickly got the left arm with IV in it and all was flowing nicely again. She did very well, first shot and straight in the vein...unlike Monday with a different nurse. Hopefully this IV stays good for the whole of tomorrows treatment. One day to go this week, then another blood boosting shot on Saturday and then a scan early next week. I am excited to hear those scan results. Pray that they are showing a massive decrease in tumor size.

Day 4 has begun

I'm off & running on day 4 of 5 this treatment cycle. Still tired but I expect that these days. Lachlan was so cute today, his cute face lights up my day from the beginning. Can't beat that. More reports later. Jennifer coaches volleyball today @ 1 so Ryan Botha will do the honors of picking me up. Then we'll eat some lunch. Hopefully I'm in the mood for yummy zaxbys.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Paying for a busy day yesterday

Wow, today I'm really tired and dragging. Wednesday is hump day, but always seems like the worst day for me during treatment. Just no energy to move freely and be my chirpy self. I had a good 90 minute sleep when I got here. Now I just got fluids, which I get between the chemotherapy drugs etopiside and cisplatin. So I'm nearly half way thru it all day. I think today will be laying on couch sitting in front of a good movie. No activities today.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Today finished well

Today was a good day as far as chemotherapy treatment goes. I did my treatment in my favorite chair at Highlands Oncology between 8am-12noon. Then my beautiful wife came and picked me up and fed me. Yes, I actually have my appetite this time round! During my first round I hardly ate at all and lost about 10lbs that week, but with my new nausea medicine (Emend) I am pushing through this week very nicely. Eating just about normal. My sleep has been great so far this week to. After treatment I got home and relaxed a few hours before taking a 35 minute POWER nap. Yep, had to sneak my name in there.... Then I got picked up from the house and driven to the 7A West Conference Cross Country champs where the boys and girls teams were running. I simply couldn't miss this one. We were favorite to win the boys title. I felt a little tired while I was there, but once the race started I was pumped and normal, the adrenaline was rushing through my veins. Probably right next to the chemo meds :-) The boys ended up winning and girls got 2nd. It is the first time in school history, more or less 30 years, that the boys had ever won the conference championships. Now we move to retain our State championships on Nov.6th @ Rogers High School. I should be right to go that day! Of course my day ended with seeing my beautiful wife and son. A day to remember.

Day 2 of Round 2

Slept good last night and woke with no nausea. Ate normal breakfast & now in for day 2 of my 5 day regiment. Feeling good today, which is great news because I want to go see the team run in the 7A West conference meet in Fayetteville. Looks like I'll be able to. Keep the fingers crossed that I'll be feeling good after treatment. About to watch Invictous, then might fall a sleep a little. Got 4 hours to kill.
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Monday, October 25, 2010

Trying to find the vein wasn't easy

I started my Round 2 today. That is Kim in the picture with me. She had to stab my left arm two times to get the veins to co-operate with the IV. That's a warm towel on my arm to get the veins to pop out more than usual. I cut my hair down to '#1' last night so that I don't leave hair all over the house. I mean I still will, but this was they will hardly be noticeable. Getting back to my day today. Kim is a very chatty nurse and, although very experienced, just couldn't get the IV right today. Kind of made me mad that I became a bit of a pincushion. The usual 'good IV sticker' wasn't there today. She will be tomorrow and she will get my IV right. In the end, after my treatment, I had the IV taken out (usually stays in for about 3 days so that they don't stick you everyday and my arm will get another go at tomorrow morning. My favorite nurse, Marsha, came and looked after me for the 2nd half of the day which was great. She is in fact Kim's mentor. Masha is the best.
Jennifer stayed with me for the first half, until I started my chemo drugs, then she went and had to do some volleyball stuff. They are hosting the State Championships this week, so very busy. I also started a new nausea medication today and it seems like it is working. I feel a lot better than last time, lets hope it stays that way for tomorrow afternoon, its the 7A West Conference Champs and I want to be there to see the guys and do a great pep talk before the race. They came 2nd last year and then went to on to win the State champs. We hope to go one better this year at Conference, and then retain our State Championships on the 6th November. Of course, you can follow twitter updates for the team and also I will post here throughout my daily reports.


Sunday, October 24, 2010

Pumpkin Patch and Ozark Corn Maze day.

A nice family day out @ the Corn Maze
It was such a nice day that we had to take advantage of it. Jennifer had been wanting to take Lachlan out to the big Corn Maze in Cave Springs, so we all jumped in the truck and went down there. We had our jumpers on, but soon took them off when we got there. Lachlan, of course, was wearing his Halloween t-shirt and looked great in orange. The wind was blowing a little more than usual and Lachlan loved it. Seeing all the people there was also something that kept his mouth wide open. Something he has been doing more lately. We decided to 'wing it' and not use the map in the maze. With me and Jen leading the way, we soon got lost and pulled it out for directions. We tried to ask some kids who were
Lachlan getting up close & personal with a corn stalk
 running around crazy, but they seemed to be going around as many circles as we were. After looking at the map we figured out were we were at and got out of there. It is actually shaped like a Razorback. Then we rode the tractor down to the pumpkin patch to take some pictures of Lachie around some pumpkins. He wanted to lift them up, but wasn't strong enough...yet.
It was a great day out and perfect for me to forget that I have my Round 2 of chemotherapy treatment starting tomorrow morning at 8am. I'll report on that tomorrow.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

It's started...

Ok, so I just wiped the side of my head with a wet hand and this is what I found. My hair is starting to fall out! I try not to touch my head because I don't want to 'take' the hair with me! This was clearly a test to see what the damage will be. So I'm thinking I have about a week and my hair will be gone. Oh well, I guess I don't have that much to lose.... but still I will be a little weird and cold.....

Friday, October 22, 2010

Up and Down Day, coupled with an itchy rash

Today was really a roller-coaster day. It started with seeing Lachie and Jen before they went to school which is always nice. I then relaxed around the house, then had lunch and then did some stuff around the house to get me moving a little more. I did some of the daily chores that nobody likes to do, make the bed, clean the sheets, & fold some clothes. Then I need to go and get my truck (and car very soon) tires rotated and balanced. I feel good enough to do this then. So went to tire place, via Walmart for some cream (more on that later) and milk, and they did a quick job as usual. When paying, they told me that I have one wheel that is out-of-round (OOR). Great, did I buy a defective tire? well looks like I'll be calling treadepot.com next week for a replacement. I hope they do it, they should! So ever since all that moving around I just hit the wall emotionally. Not like a sooky girl, but just quiet and rather be by myself they of emotion.
The other thing I had going today was I woke up with an itchy rash on my forehead, ears, eyes and hip bone around. Weird and kind of hit me without warning. So then I called the oncologist and got some steroid cream. Of course.... another prescription, and yet another drug (Triamcinolon). I am all dosed up. To fight the itchiness I have the cream and I take Benadryl to double combat it.

Another day at the office for a chemo patient. Gotta shrug off this 'alone' feeling and get back to fighting Mike. Tomorrow is a new day.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Feeling great, but something is squirming.

Apart from the throat still a little sore, I felt fantastic today. I could nearly say that I felt good enough to be 'normal'! Finally feeling like the old Mike again. A good and bad thing. A good thing because, well, it's nice to feel good and normal. A bad thing because I start treatment again on Monday. Round 2. Feeling good of course is all a state of mind and also relative to you have felt on previous days. Tonight, actually just as I type this, reminded me again to go take some pain medication as I can feel the tumor, kind of squirming, or moving. Sounds weird I know, but it reminds me that it is still there. I only feel it as I get ready for bed, around 9-10pm. Strange. It is a part of me.....but I want to kill it. And I will.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

My Inspiration

Lachlan got his daycare photos back today and I just had to put this one up. He is 9 months & a few days and is my inspiration as I go through this. He went to see his pediatrician today and weighted in @ 21 lbs 13 oz (9.9kg) & length 28 inches (71cm). He cried a little when they gave him his first ever flu shot in the left thigh. Tough kid though.
Lachlan is the best medicine for me right now. Sometimes I cant lift him, especially during treatment, but just to see him gives me that boost I need.
I love you Lachlan.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Sleep & Acid Reflux

So I went to the oncologist (Dr. Travis) today (weight 182lbs) to get my blood checked & see Doc. The blood count came back as expected with low WBC (white blood count) and low 'normal range' RBC (red blood count). So thats good. Spoke to Dr. about lack of sleep and inconsistent sleep. I have been constantly been getting up in the night to go pee and maven't been sleeping well. Crazy dreams last night. First time I have dreamt in weeks. So he gave me tamazapam which is the good stuff and also the stuff I would take on those long haul flights from Melbourne to London back in the pro days. Started taking tonight. I have had a sore throat that last few days and was wondering if I was getting sick, so showed Dr. Travis. He said it was acid reflux, which I have felt the last week, and that I needed more meds. This time the insurance didn't hardly pay for it, wanted $150 bucks for it, nah wasn't gonna pay that, so I got Prilosec over the counter, cost $22. Of course Dr. Travis told me to do this if the original meds weren't covered.
So more meds, for all those symptoms. I am starting a collection!

Todd & Lachie snuggle up

My assistant coach, Todd, and his wife, Kim, came over tonight to help with Lachie. Little lachlan had so much fun that he pasted out early for nite nite.
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Monday, October 18, 2010

Made it into work

Ok, made it into work today. Got through the staff development A.M session. Had lunch @ Firehouse subs along with a bunch of people from BHS. Now laying on futon in volleyball locker room wishing I was watching a movie @ home. I am feeling decent enough to be here, but starting to get a bit tired now. Had a little pain during staff development, but like I said I got through. PLC meeting starts @ 12:30.
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Sunday, October 17, 2010

Pegfilgrastim finally hit me today.

So this drug (shot in the stomach) was given to me last Tuesday when I was in a bad way. It's for the bone marrow to stimulate the growth of white blood cells. Chemo kills the cancer, but also kills white & red blood cells. So I need this drug to boost me up. Anyway, the Dr. said it was make my bones hurt. I thought that makes sense, but wondering how it feels. Expecting the drug would hit me pretty much straight away, I was ready. I didn't feel anything for days. Actually thought it might not affect me like they said it would. Saturday was alright walking around @ Chili Pepper. Slept horribly last night & woke up to feel 'not right'. The drug had finally started to work. My hips, femurs, sternum, lower back all started to ache. Every now & again my hips would be weak when I got up off the couch. Crazy feeling really, but that drug got the better of me today.
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Saturday, October 16, 2010

Feeling good these days

I am feeling good this week. After a great day @ Chili Pepper Festival (The guys got 3rd in the team race this year!). I am looking forward to a great week coming up. No teaching on Monday, only a Health teachers meeting, and then an easy week of teaching. 2nd round of chemo is from 25th-29th of October. Not looking forward to it, but then again this is what will will kill the cancer, so it's very worth the while!
I'll continue to post on this site as well as Facebook.

Friday, October 08, 2010

My favorite nurse!

Thanks for looking after me my beautiful wife.
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Wasn't feeling great today.

Had a 8:15am appointment with Dr.Travis, so got up about 6:30am. Didnt sleep all that good & felt nauseous all morning. Came in to Highlands & the girls got me the right meds to get me back on track. Feeling a little better now, but still sleepy & drained of energy.
Saw Dr. Travis for a little bit & he said 2nd opinion of biopsy still not back from Indy but he's chasing it up this morning while I'm here. Jen just left for work, but will be back to pick me up later.
Constipation becoming an issue because of all the meds I've been on. But nurse Marsha is on the case with her 'Brown Bomb' concoction. Milk of Magnesia mixed with prune juice. Now doesn't that sound tasty people! "Drink it & stay close to the toilet" are the orders.
Just finished pre-meds, now onto first chemo drug. About to sit back & listen to some music.
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Thursday, October 07, 2010

Nearly done with Day 2

Had a great day. After lunch, played some mancala with Jen & won best of 3 games. Always competitive! Haha. Sleepy now & about to start cisplatin treatment. Nurse Kelli doing a great job.
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Round 1 : Day 2

Half way thru treatment & feeling good. Sitting by the window today. Listening to my ipod w/ Tiesto podcast playing some good tracks. Jennifer out to get lunch : Arby's chicken salad sandwich.
IV in left forearm, will be there a for 3 days. Kate looking after me today & Marsha is around & about. Jen just got back with lunch. Time to eat!
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Thursday, September 02, 2010

Well well well


ok, i just remembered that I had this blog. Maybe I should start writing again. I dont really have time, but I feel as though I should because its been sooo long and also I need to keep in touch with friends and family more often.... I'm bad like that.

Lachlan Michael Power was born January 15th, 2010.