Aspiring to Glide

Been a while since last post.  Been worried, tired, sick and tired (did I mention I have been tired?).  Starting to feel human again. Been thankful for our neighbors that have been going on daily walks with me.  Getting my strength back...even if it is a 4-block walk.  This has been helping me get ready for Nichelle and I's trip to Seattle next week to see Trenten graduate from college, magna cum laude even! Still have neuropathy in feet and hands (although hands are getting better).  My appetite is not there yet as most things do not taste well right now.  Hoping this to change shortly. Did scans last Thursday and reviewed with my oncologist this Monday, good news is that tumor is a little less than half the size it was last November before treatment.  We are taking a break from treatment to give my body a rest because of so many complications but worth going through all of them to get the effectiveness of the treatment. Next up is to meet with radiol...

Some of my blood counts are still low so continue waiting for chemo to resume.  The good news is on Monday they remained the same from last Thursday and yesterday the counts went up from Monday.  Plan is to resume with Chemo Treatment #5 next Thursday (and counts seem to be agreeing with that plan).  Last Thursday, Ollie and his mother saw me leaving for what was supposed to be a chemo treatment.  We all exchanged "good mornings" and went on with our days.  The next day, Ollie's mother delivered 2 wonderful drawings that Ollie did at preschool.  He wanted to cheer me up and he certainly did.  One he calls "The Rainbow Tornado" and it is an aggressively colorful ray of light coming at me to attack the cancer and protect me.  Such a thoughtful kid.  :)

All settled in with no chemo to take.  Nichelle and I arrived at cancer center ready for my day of chemo infusion.  Blood drawn prior to admission of chemo showed low platelet count so #5 delayed a week to allow #s to rebound. So until Thursday, here are some pics of the awesomely comfy and clean infusion rooms at Frauenshuh Cancer Center.  Wonderful staff and facilities!

Started Tuesday off with double vision and dropping right eye.  Ct and mri scans of head showed cancer did NOT spread to brain and also ruled out stroke as possible cause.  After further research and testing it was determined that likely cause was immunotherapy treatment overly aggressively attacked right nerve in my face resulting in drooping right side of face, a rare side effect of medication.   To reverse effect, treated with aggressive infusion of steroids and protein antibodies to calm down immune system.  2 daily treatments later, vision and face are back to normal.  3 additional treatments will be done on out-patient basis st infusion center inside my cancer center located at the hospital.  This will affect my overall treatment for my cancer in some way, to be determined before next chemo treatment in 2 weeks. In meantime, glad to be back home with Nichelle and be able to go back to work to focus on other things. View of Minnehah Creak in St Lo...

So far so good.  Mid chemo treatment ct scan shows 50% reduction in lung masses.  Thumbs up on that.  Plan continues with bone strengthener added. Appreciate having Nichelle and Trenten with me on this journey and, of course, all you.  Your positive thoughts and prayers are much appreciated!

Been just a little over 1 week since latest treatment and each gets tougher...as my doctor informed ahead of time.  Super tire, in fact slept most of the weekend and weekdays get about 12 hours of sleep a day.  Get exhausted very easily so anything is a chore to do.  Outside of my work I still try to maintain the house so Nichelle can focus on work and own well-being. Good news is we have finalized our trip to Seattle to attend Trenten's graduation from college.  Just under 3 months away now and will be bringing Nichelle's grandmother with.  This is a nice goal for us to strive for as we continue follow our motto through this whole mess, "One day, one moment at a time..." Other than that, here is my new favorite hat that expresses my true feelings.  :)

Got to spend the whole Valentines Day with my awesome, caring, loving wife while I received Chemo treatment #2 at Frauenshah Cancer Center .  I don't know what I would do without her and Trenten! Dealing with some side effects again but will work through them as I did with first treatment. Biggest difference is now going through with this without hair.  Honestly hit me harder than I thought.  I realize it is superficial and will grow back after in remission and treatments are done but now it is another big reminder of everything.  We have to constantly go back to our motto, "One day, one moment, at a time..." A few pics from our Valentine Day chemo room: Nichelle and I as treatment #2 begins 💕   Nichelle holding her work meetings from chemo room (always busy working 😀) Never to be shown again, a pic of me without hair, only for you special people checking in on us here. Back with the cap on!  🤠 Increased side effects with #2: nausea, tiredness, neuropath...

Ups and downs for the 2 weeks since first chemo treatment but nothing meds and rest haven't taken care of.  Overall, main thing needed has been extra rest, several small meals a day and texts/calls/messages from friends.  Appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.  Chemo treatment #2 is Valentines Day, a different way for Nichelle and I to spend the day together.  :)

Had first chemo treatment Friday.  This is 1 of 6 total proposed treatments with 3 weeks between each treatment.  So thankful for Nichelle being at my side the entire day while receiving the treatment and the following days while dealing with side effects.  Proud of Trenten as he pushes forward with his education and still keeps tabs on his old man.  

So Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) results came back for primary source of cancer and diagnosis is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).  Not sure likely cause of this as have been a non-smoker all my life but goes to show life can be dangerous, no matter precautions taken. 2 weeks of radiation was just completed on Friday and cancerous lesion in pelvic bone seems much better.  Reduced pain in hips and legs where nerves were going through lesion.   Chemo therapy and immunotherapy begins this Friday with 4-6 treatments spaced 3 weeks apart. With this treatment a bone strengthener will be added also to help build back the break in the pelvic bone caused by the lesion and strengthener will also facilitate the regrowth of (hopefully) healthy bone where the lesion was. The chemo therapy/immunotherapy is aimed at killing off: 2 cancerous spots found on the tissue of my lungs cancerous cells in my right arm lymph node and any lingering cancerous cells traveling through my bo...