Treatment #5 update

While it’s been a full week since I last posted it certainly hasn’t been a dull week. As you know there was Helen Ihde’s LiveSTRONG challenge dinner and that was quickly followed by a trip to northern Virginia for Erin’s graduation from George Mason.

As far as treatment #5 itself is concerned the pattern of side affects appearing sooner and lingering a bit longer then usual is continuing. So that there’s no doubt on what this means let me make it clear that this is NOT a good thing. Only a couple of days into the IV treatment for this round and I was already feeling some discomfort in my mouth and a general aversion to eating. I knew right away this was a big, “uh oh”. Other then not being able to eat well, and dropping to a weight I probably haven’t seen since high school, I’m hanging in as best I can. I’m definitely driving Amy nuts at this point but the process of being extremely hungry yet unable to eat just messes with my head and mood. My visit to Dr. Richards office today didn’t shed any new light on this other then we can look forward to there being only one more treatment before a probable “rest” from the chemo process. In addition to the Neulasta injection I took on a full liter and a half of IV fluids without even thinking about having to go to the bathroom. Can you say, “dehydrated”?

Despite my inability to really partake in the festivities that were specific to eating we had a nice day for Erin’s graduation in Fairfax, VA yesterday. Amy and I will be heading back down bright and early tomorrow for round 2 of the festivities.

Hello Amy's Army. Thank you for the flowers and watermelon that appeared during the week!

And of course, my parting update on Mintz’s Mentschen exploits. As Dan Nies has reported we gained some new TEAM members in conjunction with LiveSTRONG Challenge day and now have a grand total of 56 team members. Our TEAM fundraising is now at $15,690. Helen’s fundraising dinner was an incredible success on Tuesday. In addition to raising over $2,000 Helen was able to organize a fun and tremendously meaningful evening for all that attended. Barbara Rabinowitz from the Meridian Health System spoke about survivorship myths and Helen delivered a heartfelt message about her personal mission in support of cancer-related causes. As I had hoped, everyone from my family was able to attend (except Erin down in VA), as well as my parents, and brother. Phyllis and Jack even made it on time from Colorado. As usual, thank-you just doesn’t seem to do the evening justice but it’s about all I can say. On behalf of my family, many hugs and thanks to Helen as well as all that were able to attend.