Busy Busy Busy

WOW.... it has been a really long time since I posted. I feel like I don't have time to think these days. Delbert just started his 5th treatment yesterday. We are finding that he has trouble sleeping the 2 days that the pump is on. When he finally gets the pump off, then he has 2-3 days of uncontrollable restroom issues. He only leaves the house a couple of time during a 2 week period. I do most of the running around. Between that and work, gym, and school, I am just beat most days. So far, with every treatment, he finds a new side effect. He has the first bite jaw pain and cold sensitivity so bad that he says it feels like he has a mouthful of 9-volt batteries. He has off and on paralysis on the left side of his right hand which makes it tough to use the mouse. He sometimes seems to drift away in his thoughts and seems tired more. In some cases, he seems to have trouble concentrating and in other cases, he can't seem to get something out of his head. He has some bouts of depression but only for a couple of days during the meds. This last treatment, at the chemo lab, he starting getting nauseated but was able to push through it. I am sure that he gets tired of me asking him if he is ok all the time... It's just a helpless feeling. He is trying to keep up on his treatment videos but I can say that the first couple of days, he isn't much up to talking.... those are the days that his mind seems to wander more.

On a personal note, I started hitting the gym mid December and go 6 days a week... most days at 6 am so that I can be back before work starts. So far, I have lost 15 lbs. I have also started back at school. Started with an Intro to Programming class. I figured it should be easy and can fill in some of the gaps in my programming education.

Well, I will try to do better at keeping up on this. Bye for now.

Treatment Number 3

Well, Delbert went in for his 3 treatment today. So far so good... He is 1/4 of the way done with his treatments and down to single digits with only 9 left after today. So far he isn't sick or having mouth pain like last time, but he also isn't trying ice cream anytime soon. I get a little worried that this may all be too much for him, but I do know that others have conquered this with a lot more side effects than he has had. At least the holidays were between treatments so we were able to enjoy them. We had a great Christmas dinner with the kids and a very quiet New Years. We didn't even stay up until midnight... guess we are getting old. I will let you know more tomorrow on how he is doing. If this holds par for the course, he won't be having such a great next few days. 

Not as well as last time

His pump was taken off today. Overall I don't think he did as well as the first time. A little more nauseated this time, his "first bite pain" seemed to be more than just the first bite of food, and his sensitivity to cold food just about killed him. He said it was like putting a pack of 9 volt batteries on this tongue and it seemed to last a lot longer this time. He took a nap today and he seems to be having some bio issues today. Seems like it is related to the infusion because it seems to happen within a few hours from being disconnected. 

I am a little worried that the side effects will become more intense as the treatments go on. I just hope he can keep his spirits up and remember that he is doing this to be around for everyone who loves him.

Second Chemo Appointment

Here we sit getting ready for his second chemo treatment. It has been 14 days since we started this. Blood work is still good. We are hoping that his side effects are minimal again. I spoke to a lady at Starbucks over the weekend who had gone through this same treatment for colon cancer. She said that she started off with no side effects but the more she went the worse they got. Really hoping that is not the case here. 

He is eating me out of house and home... literally eating all the time... gained a pound in just a week. He seems to be able to eat anything he wants and not be sick. He is still chilled a lot... He has his office heater turned up and seems to be ok while in there. I am sure that he would like for it to get a little warmer here. 

Currently he is sleeping pretty good. No hand tingling, rashes or mouth sores anymore. Of course that may all change after this treatment.

Just wanted to get you all caught up. Will post more as the day goes on. 

Treatment Day 7

OK. Here we are at day 7.... One week since his treatment started. He had a appointment today to see the doctor and have blood work done. Doc says that blood is great. We asked the doctor if maybe they gave him a sample dose or something because the chemo in the chair only took 2-3 hours and not the 6 that everyone is telling us. Also, the fact that he really didn't have too many major side effects. Doctor says he got a full dose and that not everyone has side effects. We also discussed with him what he thought we could expect with the future doses. He believes that his side effects should not be too different than what he has already experienced. If that is the case then we are going to be rockin.... To sum up his side effects this week... He took two 3-hour naps, felt nauseated 3 times, a couple of mouth sores, and a small heat rash. Maybe this won't be so hard on him as it is on others. Makes us feel almost guilty that he is doing so well while others are having so many issues. Well his next chemo appointment is on Thursday afternoon. Hopefully it will all go just as well. Please keep us in your prayers.

Treatment Day 5

Well this weekend didn't go as expected for Del. He is beginning to think that people are "punking" him about this chemo stuff. The only side effects so far is a couple of 3 hour naps, one day where nothing really sounded good to eat and some mouth sores. He is eating whatever he wants.... even had Burrito Chili and Cheese for dinner. He is wondering if maybe they gave him a starter dose of this stuff to see how he reacts. Sure would like to know if they do that. If they did, it would have been nice to know that.

Been baking all weekend so didn't have time to get on here, but like I said.... very uneventful which is a great thing. 

Treatment Day 3

Yesterday was a good day. Delbert was still on his pump and was up and working. Very, very little nausea so far. He was even eating normally at this point. The doctor decided to prescribe Coumadin for him. He is not happy about it but he is taking it.

Today they disconnected his pump. He had a little bit of pain when they disconnected it from his port but the nurse said that was only because it was new and still sensitive. He still seems to be eating normally. He is tired a lot right now. Took a nap for about 5 hours this afternoon and it has only been 3 hours since he got up and he says he is ready for bed again. 

I have been reading another blog from a lady who has colon cancer and is about 6 weeks ahead of Delbert's treatment. She is a wonderful person and full of faith. Her attitude alone should get her through this. On a lighter note... while he was sleeping, I was able to get out and get a couple of things off the Christmas list. While there, I decided to go down the condom aisle. Since he is in treatment, they say to use them to protect against the poisons. I never knew there were so many kinds. I grabbed a variety box, hid it in the cart and ran away from the aisle. 

We hear that the next couple of days should be rough. I will keep you posted.