The Answer

Using my mental capacity that sometimes makes a 40 watt bulb seem bright I want to declare that I have fixed the dry mouth problem associated with glow juice.  First, lets look at the advances made in teeth straightening.  Teeth straightening you might say did they aim that beam at his head?  No, but the way now is called Invislign. Here is the site  http://www.invisalign.com/Pages/Home.aspx  Now in the low humid areas of the southwest they use misters.  http://www.aquamisters.com/  Why not combine the two into Acquamisters.  This product could actively mist your mouth as you sleep soundly throughout the night.  Of course a few warnings would need to be attached like: this product could cause drowning, disorientation

Pass the WD-40 Please

A new sensation has come to fruition.  I call it the Sticky Cheek Syndrome.  It started last night and due to a lack of moisture in your mouth your cheeks and lips will fuse to your teeth.  A funny sensation to say the least. So on the night stand you reach for that trusty H2O and like WD-40 your cheek/tooth marriage ends quicker than a Las Vegas divorce and off to sleep you go.  That lasts for about 1 hour and the elopement takes place once again and the process starts all over again.  That happened a lot last night but things could be worse, I could have no teeth or cheeks.  Feel better now, today glow juice and no Chemo for 3 weeks.  But that is is the system, chemo busts your butt, you get your butt back in order, then another chemo busts your butt, then you get your butt back in order, then bust it again.  Thats three busted butts mixed with 35 glow juice shots.  Sounds like a New Years Eve drink. Actually reminds me of the early Army days when we would mix 180 proof with Orange Juice.  It would not only bust your butt, it would take days to put your head back together.

Teenaging at 70

I feel like a teenager again.  Last night I went to bed at 10:30 and got up at 8 am.  Then a bowl of cereal, then to Barrrett and a bag of salt water and my daily dose of glow juice.  Then home at about 12, ate a sandwich and teen-aged (called sleeping) it until 5:30.  Up at it in full gear, French toast, milk and of course the ever present H2O.  The anti-nausea drug is really something and especially the first 3 days after chemo.  Take 2 every 12 hours for nausea, it's hard to be nauseous if you are sleeping, at least for me.

Now writing this blog and looking forward to reading a little.  I really like WEB Griffin's books and he has a new one called  The Vigilantes.  I asked Santa for a copy and lo and behold I got it.  I started reading it the day of chemo.  It is about a terminal cancer patient name Curtis and he has only killed two people so far, but there are many pages to read.  He will get caught because the hero of Badge of Honor  series is SGT Matt Payne and he never loses.

Well that just about covers today but will probably teenage it again tonight and tomorrow with the most important three R's you'll ever need; Recliner, Remote and Relax.  PS I purposely set my appointment to 11:30 so I would always miss The View.

Steroids for Sleepless Nights

A little late today.  Last night was fun. I couldn't get to sleep, later found out is was because of the steroid shot they give during treatment. I wonder if the Radiation Therapists can notice any difference?  I know I feel stronger drinking out of a 32 ounce bottle instead of a 16.  So I watched a  Johnny Lang concert at 1 pm only to wake up to the "Abmaster Deluxe"  As I have sold my speedo, I changed the channel to learn "How to Make Millions In Real Estate Without Any Money".

On the water like a duck in a flood, they will call me Peeeeee Yates and they all say keep drinking (water that is) as much as you can and take electrolytes.  Would not the complete "Flush Treatment" include a catheter?  The "Radiation Therapists" cut eye holes in my mask so I could look at the ceiling murals.  Met with the Chemo-Man (The Doctor) and he said that the 4 to 6 week period is the worse because the radiation and chemo get together and tell Little c to get out.  Little c makes that one last gasp like a guy dying in western movie and then it is uphill from there.  Had to get 1000cc Sodium Chloride today (the flush job, one again tomorrow)  The nurse looked like Sarah Palin and is a blues fan so that was interesting.  No I did not ask her if she could see Alaska from her house.  Still bothers me to hear patient DOB.  Today 1975 from the women next to me and she is on a 13 week regimen.  How blessed I am!

Waiting room observations.  Today I noticed that the patients bring their support group with them.  The patient usually looks a little bland while the other three have designated jobs.  One was reading the National Enquirer, another was reading hospital stuff.  The other was the designated eater, she ate 5 Slim Jims, then strawberry twists, then 2 diet cokes and all the time kept talking.  She even swapped a Slim Jim for the National Enquirer which I thought was a fair trade as they both are trash derivatives.

No Longer Drug Free

GOOD NEWS:   Of my own free will I have entered the "Drug Zone"  No, no, nothing like Haight/Ashbury, commonly called Hashbury in the 60's.  This is the "Legal" drug zone.  Today I had my first chemo and radiation.  I clearly discovered a couple of  medical games.  The Chemo Game first.  Sodium Chloride has now become my beverage of choice while doing IV drugs.   It is kind of nice no pop-top, broken bottles, returns to save,  just empty the bag and throw it away.  But what about the game you may ask?. The game is to see how many times you have to pee during this procedure and how well you can "drive" the 6 wheeled bag support. You learn pretty quickly!   1000cc Sodium Chloride (a little more than a quart), followed by 500cc  Cisplatin, then another 1000cc Sodium Chloride.  Now the Radiation Game.  You are almost done except for a little glow juice (radiation) while your head is "bolted" to the table.  The nurses in radiation are too pretty so they do not cut the eye holes out and you can't see them.  Another game you might say.

But then I wonder if the Barrett Cancer Center were a bar what would I order?  Barmaid approaches and places a napkin on the table bending in such a manner that a tip has become  mandatory and says, "Hey Big Boy, what may I bring you to drink?"  As I casually refrain from "eyeballing" I say in my best professional announcer school, Barry White, type  voice, "I'll have The Cisplatin salt back and front with a pinch of radiation".

NOT GOOD NEWS:  Next to me were two people and before they were given drugs they must state their name and DOB.  One women looked like she had been through hell and was  born in 1950, the man on the other side was born in 1962, had all of his teeth pulled because they were so bad and lost 30 pounds.

THE REAL GOOD NEWS:  Jesus Christ is  in charge, enuf said.

Pre-Trial Confinement

Today Is Sunday and the fun  begins.  I am to drink as much water as possible today to flush my system and hydrate before the chemo tomorrow.  Also it is snowing again.  Therefore I am now in Pre-Trial Confinement.  I don't know if this a legal term but I think I have a Snow-urination issue.   (No not a spelling problem)  This reminds me of the winters growing up in Massachusetts where the good storms were called "Nor-Easters"  The bad storms just didn't count. Tomorrow they will get a Nor-Easter.  The doc says drink so much water that your urine is clear.  When I was little my Grandpa had to drink his own urine because, according to the doc he was losing too much good stuff.  This article says it cures cancer.  http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/urine-the-bodys-own-health-drink-467303.html

OK so tomorrow I go to the doc and say hold the Chemo, but pass the urine please or maybe to Applebees and order a meal and the pretty waitress (all waitress's are pretty at my age, but they are sooooo young)  says what will you have to drink and you say a cup of urine will be fine.  I think I'll stick with the chemo and radiation if you don't mind.

A Day To Reflect

Christmas day.  What a wonderful day to just reflect on why we are here and why Jesus was sent to the world.  His mother was engaged and became pregnant, then she told her soon to be husband that it was from the Holy Spirit.  Joseph was going to move on until an angel told him to marry Mary.  Simplified but I am reflecting on how many times I just wanted to "move-on" and not handle the current situation.  I am now in a situation that I could clearly "move-on" and let life take its course but through God and his Son Jesus Christ supporting me I don't need an angel to tell me to do the the right thing: cancer will be defeated through God and the Doctors guided by Him.

Merry Christmas

Was  going to write more but suffered BBS (Blank Blog Syndrome)  Just Merry  Christmas to all.

Like Looking Like Forward to Like Monday

Called the Oncology Nurse to determine what the first treatment will be like (used like here, like ya know, in case any teenagers are like reading this blog).  I will arrive by unmarked automobile at  Barrett Cancer Center at 9 am.  Then about like a one hour IV of enriched water of some type, then 3 hours of chemo drip, then another hour of enhanced water.  Then off to the radiation department, maybe like half an hour or so.  this makes it a long day but as some famous person like The Medical Genius, Dr. Treatment Interuptis said, you have to Glow and Puke to get better.  After watching our elected representatives at work this past couple of weeks I hope that the Cancer Center does a few things different like:  1. Read the Instructions Before Using the Medicine and Equipment. 2.  Do the job as intended; 3 chemo shots and 35 radiation shots and not do them all in the last week; 3. Don't start an argument over which way to treat me. 4 Don't call each other names such as "Madam President, my friends on the other side of the patient are filibustering  this treatment or Mr President  this patients insurance does not cover reading materials so he'll be reading the 2900 page health care bill. After he is through THEN we will start treatment, actually probably won't need treatment as he will be like through."

Treat Instead of a Treatment

Today is Tuesday and find that we did not bring all the papers we needed from Florida but took care of it.  These trips back and forth require some planning and sometimes the best plans fail.  As the "Big Guys" say, "You fail to plan, you plan to fail".  I wonder who are these "Big Guys"?  My treatment will start on Monday the 27th.  I remember the great advertising slogan ""For a treat instead of a treatment, I recommend Old Gold cigarettes."   So off to the store I go.  Sorry we don't have any Old Golds but my cousin buys old gold said the clerk with an accent that made me think of the compute repair guy I called last spring.    I said no I want cigarettes because I want my cancer treatment to be a treat.  With his face very puzzled I left the store and thought do we really belief the advertising we see or are we brainwashed?  Of course not,   I just liked the commercials  .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZRzBGpLsB8

All Set to end Little c

Yesterday was my last pre-treatment visit to the UC Cancer Center.  Had my mask made, complete review of  the procedure and a start date of December 27.  There will be 3 chemo and 35 radiation treatments and then a follow-up PET scan to see if I still glow from the cancer hot spots.  The first day I will be Iv'd with a liter of "hydration juice" commonly called water and then the chemo and then radiation.  So it will be quite a day, but the first step on my 7 week journey.  After 2 weeks my white cell count will be down so have to be careful and not get sick, any sickness and to the hospital. Other than that no great things except the Bengals game is blacked out so that gives all some hope.

Another Day, Another Doc

Today I got hosed again at the ENT Doc's.  I am starting to like it a little and maybe I need a 12 step program to stop the hose.  But first I cannot really admit I have a problem, it's just starting to feel good!  Could be a song here like "It's My Party and I'll Cry If  I want To"  maybe something like "It's My Nose and I'll Hose If He Wants To"  Now I have seen the complete set of Docs; Dentist, Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, Ear Nose & Throat, Speech Therapist (My Fav), and of course my thousands, er hundreds, well OK 3 of my unlicensed friends that are guiding me through this process.  They will have a Team meeting today and decide the course of action but the ENT said chemo/radiation would do it
This Doc's Opinion:
I am  Stage IVA: any invasive tumor (T4a), with no lymph node involvement (N0) or spread to only a single same-sided lymph node (N1), but no metastasis (M0). Or, any cancer (T) with more significant nodal involvement (N2), but no metastasis (M0).
I am also N2B:  N2b: cancer has spread to more than one node on the same side as the tumor, but none measure larger than 6 cm.  PET scan cannot see it but he thinks it.  Tomorrow I get my mask and final instructions.  I think I'll stop seeing Docs because eventually one will be a "Doctor of  Burial Services"!

Visit to the Chemical Man

Today I went to see the Medical Oncologist (The Chemical Man).  Learned a lot.  I am stage 4 A, T-2, N-0, M-0.  Ok what does that mean?  The stages of cancer are confusing.  Here are the Doc's explanation.  I am stage 4A.  That means it is not anywhere else but they will treat it as if it is.  The A means that is is operable, B means inoperable and C it has spread everywhere. T is the size of the tumor, mine is T2 to T3. N=0 means they cannot see it in the lymph nodes. M means the spread rate, mine is 0) that's good.  I will receive Cisplatin every 3 weeks during radiation (5 times per week for 7 weeks).I know  you'd do the math.  It would be 2x if you round up it would be 3x, it depends on how the treatment is going and how I am tolerating the treatment.  After 3 months they will biopsy and see if it is gone.  If not then there other options to deal with because some schools of thought say radiate again and some say don't radiate, just operate.. I guess it is like an Oncology Yogi Berraism; "When you get to the fork in the road, take it!"  Another appointment tomorrow with the "Tubeoligist" (ENT Doc) and another tube job, I guess I should say I am getting hosed frequently.  Friday will be Halloween and I get fitted for my mask and then informed of the treatment process.  Should start on December 27.  Maybe a 60's type song would be titled:  "Shoot Me With The Juice Bruce", or maybe 70's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" or maybe 80's "Lost in The 50cc's Tonight"

Cancer and the Old Days

Being a seasoned citizen means many things.  You have seen and heard a lot and and as the saying goes I've forgotten more than you'll ever know.   At least that's what the "old" people say.  But I do remember as as little kid the saying; "They opened them up and as soon as the air hit the cancer, they just sewed them back up".  We have come a long in the treatment of Little c ..... but ..... if  I see any type of "opening device"  I'll just say keep the air off and we will be alright

Vitamin D and Cancer

Yesterday was a great day, daughter and family visited, snow , fireplace going and the Bengals.  OK so 2 out of 3 ain't bad.  Then 60 minutes and heard President O comment on John Boehner's skin color. Inappropriate but OK I guess and then IT happened.

We have Direct TV (1300 channels, we watch at most 7 or 8).  It was an 8:30 to 9 Infomercial and IT disclosed that our government and big Pharma were working together to make sure we all get cancer because they are withholding vital information about Vitamin D.  The infomercial offers FREE Vitamin D for life.  http://impitv.com/products/vitamin-d3/  Then they said:

"The statements made within this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and the products of this company are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." 


I KNEW it was a conspiracy of the highest magnitude!

Now I had heard of, but not participated in,  the following conspiracies: Right-wing, Left-Wing, JFK, Hoffa, ..... etc.  So I thought I would investigate the latest that I call "The Big D Conspiracy".  I checked Wikileaks, no luck.  Then right to the top.  Let's just start with the President; Barrack Hussein Obama, no "D" there, George W Bush, no "D" there, William Jefferson Clinton, no "D" there, Richard Milhouse Nixon.  I go no further I found it!  Richard Nixon "Little d"  broke into the Watergate complex (DNC headquarters, "Big D") to get information on "The Vitamin D Conspiracy"  Solved!  But wait another frequent target is Dick Cheney, another "Big D"  Therefore I have concluded that Dick Cheney is in cahoots with the DNC.

"The statements made within this blog have not been evaluated by any competent Mental Health Professional. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease but are intended to demonstrate that a mind is a terrible thing to waste"

Great Friends

I have received so many comments and suggestions to assist me in this battle.  Actually battle is too strong a word considering what our young men and women are doing overseas.  So lets just say Trial.  Many have told me of their bout with little c and they are my heroes.  To see the crap some of them go through and the way they endure losing body parts, hair, and dignity I want to salute  all of my friends that are on trial, have won and and those that gave it their very best. I think this says it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuoVM9nm42E

God and Cancer

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7838292

The story above made me think.  The Westboro Baptist church says that God gave Elizabeth Edwards cancer as a punishment and they are protesting at her funeral.  So I ask myself did God "give" me cancer or did God give me a "faith" challenge?  I still pray that my cancer will be gone before treatment starts but then I feel guilty for asking for something so trivial when there are many others in far worse condition than myself.  Right now God is pretty busy just trying to get the world to work together for the betterment of all.  I think he is trying to get our leaders to at least make some sense in their decisions here in the US first and become "leaders and focus on unity" instead of seeking the lowest level possible.  If all of our elected leaders received cancer today would they react as a victim or accept the "Faith" challenge?

Many Questions?

Today I want to answer some of the questions I have received from my fans (ya right).  Here is a short review.

I will have to see a Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, Speech Therapist, Ear, Nose and Throat  person and some kind of mask builder.  The purpose of the mask is to "bolt" your head to a table and make you glow a little (radiation dose is complete when glowing begins).  I have seen the radiation guy and Speech Lady.  She was very nice looking and asked me if I always stuttered.  I said no and looked at the wall and my voice came back!

ENT person on December 16 and the Medical on December 27th.  So treatment will not start before those visits are complete.  Rumor has it (nurse level) that I will get both treatments at the same time.  So I should have a good Christmas and New Years and then start treatment.  It will be 35 radiation treatments (5 per week for 7 weeks) but until we see the Medical guy will not know how much chemo I will get.  Also not sure if I will need a port for chemo or feeding tube installed.  My research (real dependable, hehe) says if it is only a couple of chemo's no port and probably no feeding tube.  Radiation guy says no feeding tube is required but if chemo port is required get a "2 for 1" special and both at the same time.

Thanks for your interest.

In His Service

Another Day at The Docs

Went to see the Speech Therapist today.  Why are they all so young?  Learned how to swallow a little different today in case my throat swells during radiation.  Also got a great picture of the tumor, Not sure good enough for the Cincy Art Museum but now I have a clear picture of what they are about to destroy.

I will say this; they all ask about smoking and smoking history.  Real horror story if you smoke.

Another Day at The Docs

Went to see the Speech Therapist today.  Why are they all so young?  Learned how to swallow a little different today in case my throat swells during radiation.  Aldo got a great picture of the tumor, Not sure good enough for the Cincy Art Museum but now I have a clear picture of what they are about to destroy.

I will say this; they all ask about smoking and smoking history.  Real horror story if you smoke.