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.

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.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3

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.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3

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.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3

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.

My favorite nurse!

Thanks for looking after me my beautiful wife.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2

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.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2

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.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2

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!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2

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.

New Teacher meetings finished.

So last week was all about new teacher orientation. We went through a few 'development' days and all the benefits meetings on Friday. This week gives us more meetings with the High school teachers and also with the BPS teachers, which I suspect will involve a lot of people!

Back In Northwest Arkansas and a new job!

Ok, so I've been very very slack in writing on my blog and I feel I need to start it back up again. Jennifer and I have finally made our permanent move back to Northwest Arkansas. We are about to start jobs at Bentonville High School. I will be coaching boys cross country and track while teaching freshman health class and Jennifer will be the assistant (to Michelle Coens who was a teammate of Jen's at the U of Ark.) volleyball coach while teaching American History and also Civics.
We really feel comfortable being back here and the we are still settling into our new home (which we are renting). I think we have found a tenant for our Pyramid Drive property, so that will be a relief once that has been rented out for a year.
I plan on starting another blog for the Bentonville Boys Cross Country and Track team in the coming weeks so that will be exciting. Keep you posted.

It's good to be back!

Its been a long time!

Well it has been a great 2007 so far for me...so good that I have been forgetting to add anything to this blog. I am fresh off getting married last week, which was the best thing that I have done. I know it will change how we do things together for the better and will no doubt make having a family somewhat closer to reality. I had some long time friends part of the wedding and its something that I will never forget for as long as I live. It was only missing my parents and family & friends from Australia, but we will, please God, see them all safe and healthy for Christmas. We also have bought a house in Mississippi ! yes...we will be officially be FROM the funnest state to spell out loud. I hope to keep this updated a little more during this year and leading into a very exciting 2008.