He didn’t sleep for 20 years and he didn’t grow a long beard, but Tom has found that it’s easy to fall asleep on Friday and Saturday following his chemo treatments. He’s also found that it’s easiest to let his beard grow for a couple of days so that he doesn’t have to maneuver in the shower with his Superman cape (to protect his port from getting wet) and doesn’t have to risk exposure to Kryptonite (a cut from his straight edge razor). So after treatment number two, he’s only experienced hot flashes and extra tiredness as side effects. His blood counts have held steady so far with his hemoglobin dropping a little after his first treatment. He met with Dr. Danzo and he gave Tom the O.K. to start taking iron supplements to build that up his blood a bit more. That was a relief to Tom because he was worried that he would have to start including liver in his diet. That was also a relief to Peg because she didn’t want to be the one to have to cook it.
As each day passes beyond each treatment, Tom gets stronger and feels better. People who see him are surprised at how good/healthy he looks. He’s had some of his best golf games (at least the ones that he talks about) since he has started playing again and he decided that it would be worth it to purchase a season golf pass at Currie. He plans to golf enough to make it worthwhile even if only plays nine holes or less.
He continues with his acupuncture treatments, one before and one after chemo. We feel that it is helping. His acupuncturist, Shirley Moore from the Family Wellness Center in Midland , spent some time working and studying at Sloan-Kettering where acupuncture is an accepted part of all their cancer patients’ treatment. They have found that it shortens healing time after surgeries and can really help lessen the side effects from chemotherapy; which we have found holds true so far with Tom.
Tom has attended a number of Loons games and plans to get to as many home games as he can. He continues to climb the “umpteen gazillion” steps to the top and doesn’t use the elevator. Peg drops him off at the front gate so he doesn’t have far to walk and they use the Loons’ paid parking lot so that they don’t have as far to walk to the car after the game. (Unfortunately the parking fees mean one less beer that Tom can buy at the game.)
Treatment number three will start this Wednesday and once Friday rolls around, he will have completed 25% of his treatments. We appreciate your continued support and prayers that everything continues to go well for Tom as he continues his fight---even when he is sleeping!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Ready, Set, Go!
Tom has now completed his first round of chemo. He got hooked up at the hospital (doctor’s office) infusion room on Wednesday morning while sitting in a big Lazy Boy- like chair. We were told ahead of time, “it’s just like being in Archie Bunkers living room”; so Tom felt right at home. First thing in his “cocktail” was anti nausea medicine, then he got a two hour dose of one kind of drug, after which they gave him another kind of medicine via his pump, which he wore home. He has worn the pump in a fanny pack for two days and nights and got it unhooked Friday morning. The only thing “bad” about the pump is the pumping noise it makes every 30 seconds which really is only noticeable at night while lying in bed. Peg thinks it sounds like one of those cartoon snores and Tom thinks it sounds like a bird pecking at the window. Very minor issue considering that he will only have to wear it 11 more times for 46 hours per time.
Nurse Amy read through all the possible side effects of the drugs, so that Tom would know what to possibly expect: nausea, mouth sores, diarrhea or constipation, loss of appetite, insomnia and peripheral neuropathy to name a few. It sounds like all the disclaimers to the meds they advertise on TV. She said with the drugs he will be taking, he probably will not lose his hair. He told her, “It’s too late, it’s already happened. But since this drug does not cause hair to fall out, does it cause hair to grow? She laughed and said she’d have people lined up to take chemo if that was the case.
Anyway, here’s the good news. Tom hasn’t experienced any of the major side effects with this treatment. (Knock on wood.) We feel that the acupuncture treatments are really helping in this regard. The only thing he did experience were a few hot flashes. Yes, ladies, I said hot flashes. Peg has had to bite her tongue as Tom has gained new insight to many “female” experiences through this ordeal: an incision similar to a caesarean or hysterectomy, bloated stomach, wearing a girdle and hot flashes. Actually, Peg gives him credit for handling all the above without too much complaint.
Tom is feeling better and stronger everyday. He’s beginning to do some light yard work and mowing the lawn. He takes a nap when he feels tired. He’s enjoying reading books and watching baseball games and hockey on TV. He’s looking forward to more Loons games, Bullock Creek softball and baseball games and going out on the golf course. His plan is to return as much as possible to a normal routine that includes time with friends and family, breakfasts at the Boulevard, occasional trips to the Casino, and looking at (not working on) Peg’s honey-do list; all worked around chemo, blood tests, acupuncture and doctor visits. He is no longer an invalid; he enjoys visitors; he likes to get out of the house. Feel free to call or drop by for a visit; if he is tired, he’ll say so. He’s being cautious (Peg told him he’d better be) and careful and listening to his body (it makes some very interesting sounds).
So now we’re in countdown mode--only 11 more treatments to go—a 48 hour treatment every two weeks. Keep tuned in as Tom continues on his Road to Healthy.
Know that your prayers and encouraging, positive comments are helping immensely.
Nurse Amy read through all the possible side effects of the drugs, so that Tom would know what to possibly expect: nausea, mouth sores, diarrhea or constipation, loss of appetite, insomnia and peripheral neuropathy to name a few. It sounds like all the disclaimers to the meds they advertise on TV. She said with the drugs he will be taking, he probably will not lose his hair. He told her, “It’s too late, it’s already happened. But since this drug does not cause hair to fall out, does it cause hair to grow? She laughed and said she’d have people lined up to take chemo if that was the case.
Anyway, here’s the good news. Tom hasn’t experienced any of the major side effects with this treatment. (Knock on wood.) We feel that the acupuncture treatments are really helping in this regard. The only thing he did experience were a few hot flashes. Yes, ladies, I said hot flashes. Peg has had to bite her tongue as Tom has gained new insight to many “female” experiences through this ordeal: an incision similar to a caesarean or hysterectomy, bloated stomach, wearing a girdle and hot flashes. Actually, Peg gives him credit for handling all the above without too much complaint.
Tom is feeling better and stronger everyday. He’s beginning to do some light yard work and mowing the lawn. He takes a nap when he feels tired. He’s enjoying reading books and watching baseball games and hockey on TV. He’s looking forward to more Loons games, Bullock Creek softball and baseball games and going out on the golf course. His plan is to return as much as possible to a normal routine that includes time with friends and family, breakfasts at the Boulevard, occasional trips to the Casino, and looking at (not working on) Peg’s honey-do list; all worked around chemo, blood tests, acupuncture and doctor visits. He is no longer an invalid; he enjoys visitors; he likes to get out of the house. Feel free to call or drop by for a visit; if he is tired, he’ll say so. He’s being cautious (Peg told him he’d better be) and careful and listening to his body (it makes some very interesting sounds).
So now we’re in countdown mode--only 11 more treatments to go—a 48 hour treatment every two weeks. Keep tuned in as Tom continues on his Road to Healthy.
Know that your prayers and encouraging, positive comments are helping immensely.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Who shot J.R.?
We’re sorry that we have kept you in suspense for so long. Most all of you know what happened to J.R. but on our last blog we left you wondering: Did Tom ever make it to the Loons game? Will he ever get his 27 staples removed or will he have to beware of magnets forever? And what about that Philly Cheese Steak sandwich?
Ok. First things first, Tom did get to a Loons game, two in fact, but he opted not to go to opening night. The weather was too darn cold. At the first game he attended (last Friday night), Peg dropped him off at the front of the stadium so that Tom could take the elevator and not have to take the umpteen gazillion steps (Peg’s opinion) to the top. After she parked the car and met him at their seats she learned that he had indeed climbed the umpteen gazillion steps contrary to her orders. That gives you an idea of how well Tom is healing; especially if he is willing to go against the advice of “Nurse Ratchet”. He followed doctor’s orders and didn’t eat any peanuts or popcorn, but he did get his ballpark favorite of a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and loved every bite of it. Friday night at the ballpark went so well, that they went again on Saturday night with Chad, Jeanette and the kids. They left when the temperature dropped about 20 degrees in 5 minutes. It felt like January in April.
Two games, two breakfasts at the Boulevard. They have nothing in common other than the number “two” and the fact that the Boulevard breakfasts were another of the firsts in Tom’s recovery. He loved getting out from under Peg’s thumb and B.S.ing with some of his buddies.
Tom had his staples removed yesterday and he said it didn’t hurt at all. The Doc was amazed at how well he is healing and told him it was “back to business as usual”. He can start adding different foods to his diet a little at a time and the real biggie is – HE CAN DRIVE again!
We met with Dr. Danzo, the oncologist, yesterday as well and he explained that Tom will get a line (port) put in just below his collar bone which he will have for the next 6 months. That way, he will have part of his chemo treatments at home through a pump that he will carry with him. He will have chemotherapy appointments every two weeks; the first two hours of treatment at the hospital and then the other 46 hours of treatment at home. His treatments will start next week on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Dr. Danzo sounded very optimistic about Tom’s treatment getting rid of any renegade cancer cells. Towards that end, the early treatments will be heavy duty, high dose chemo cocktails.
So we’ve taken one more step on the path to “healthy”. We appreciate your prayers for successful chemo treatments and hopefully very minimal side effects.
Ok. First things first, Tom did get to a Loons game, two in fact, but he opted not to go to opening night. The weather was too darn cold. At the first game he attended (last Friday night), Peg dropped him off at the front of the stadium so that Tom could take the elevator and not have to take the umpteen gazillion steps (Peg’s opinion) to the top. After she parked the car and met him at their seats she learned that he had indeed climbed the umpteen gazillion steps contrary to her orders. That gives you an idea of how well Tom is healing; especially if he is willing to go against the advice of “Nurse Ratchet”. He followed doctor’s orders and didn’t eat any peanuts or popcorn, but he did get his ballpark favorite of a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and loved every bite of it. Friday night at the ballpark went so well, that they went again on Saturday night with Chad, Jeanette and the kids. They left when the temperature dropped about 20 degrees in 5 minutes. It felt like January in April.
Two games, two breakfasts at the Boulevard. They have nothing in common other than the number “two” and the fact that the Boulevard breakfasts were another of the firsts in Tom’s recovery. He loved getting out from under Peg’s thumb and B.S.ing with some of his buddies.
Tom had his staples removed yesterday and he said it didn’t hurt at all. The Doc was amazed at how well he is healing and told him it was “back to business as usual”. He can start adding different foods to his diet a little at a time and the real biggie is – HE CAN DRIVE again!
We met with Dr. Danzo, the oncologist, yesterday as well and he explained that Tom will get a line (port) put in just below his collar bone which he will have for the next 6 months. That way, he will have part of his chemo treatments at home through a pump that he will carry with him. He will have chemotherapy appointments every two weeks; the first two hours of treatment at the hospital and then the other 46 hours of treatment at home. His treatments will start next week on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Dr. Danzo sounded very optimistic about Tom’s treatment getting rid of any renegade cancer cells. Towards that end, the early treatments will be heavy duty, high dose chemo cocktails.
So we’ve taken one more step on the path to “healthy”. We appreciate your prayers for successful chemo treatments and hopefully very minimal side effects.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Bowling and Baseball
It’s only been a week since Tom got home from the hospital, but he actually bowled a game Friday night; one game on our Wii and he bowled a 183! His healing is going very well. He feels better and stronger every day. He’s also enjoyed watching “my Tigers” on television including “my Red Wings” and “my Pistons”…. if he can stay awake. Of course, we watched the “Final Four” and this weekend, he's having fun watching the Masters.
Both Tom and Peg had acupuncture appointments this week—to speed healing for Tom and to help Peg relax and relieve some stress in her back and neck.
Wednesday afternoon was spent at Urgent Care. Tom had a swollen and inflamed elbow. We were concerned about infection. The doctor drained the elbow and sent Peg over to the lab with the fluid to get it tested. He gave Tom a shot in the hip with an antibiotic and topped it off with a Tigger band-aid. Although we don’t have all the lab tests back yet, the initial reports indicated that it might be gout. We can live with that.
Tom’s incision sight is healing nicely. He wears a wrap-around girdle every day to help hold things in place. Thursday night he slept without his girdle on and said it really felt good for a change.
As he feels better and has more energy, Tom says that he hasn’t felt this good in at least a year. Looking back, he now realizes all the times that he didn’t go to a Bullock Creek football game or a basketball game or chose not to do things that he normally would have because he was “tired”. Little did we know………..
Anyway, Tom has a new goal while healing. He’d like to go to the Loons opening game next week (a local minor league baseball team). He’s walking everyday and doing some limited stair climbing to get ready. We’ll see how the weather is and how he’s feeling. Don’t worry; we won’t push it, if he’s not ready. We know there will be more games, but it is a goal and it’s something to work towards, so wish him luck and cheer him on.
The family is going to Peg’s brother’s house for Easter dinner. He offered to do the cooking so that Peg wouldn’t have to this year. We appreciate his thoughtfulness and we’re glad that he’s a good cook. It will be nice for Tom to get out of the house for a couple of hours.
Thank you for all your prayers, cards, e-mails, phone calls, food and visits. They lift our spirits and keep us facing forward with positive thoughts. Have a blessed Easter.
Both Tom and Peg had acupuncture appointments this week—to speed healing for Tom and to help Peg relax and relieve some stress in her back and neck.
Wednesday afternoon was spent at Urgent Care. Tom had a swollen and inflamed elbow. We were concerned about infection. The doctor drained the elbow and sent Peg over to the lab with the fluid to get it tested. He gave Tom a shot in the hip with an antibiotic and topped it off with a Tigger band-aid. Although we don’t have all the lab tests back yet, the initial reports indicated that it might be gout. We can live with that.
Tom’s incision sight is healing nicely. He wears a wrap-around girdle every day to help hold things in place. Thursday night he slept without his girdle on and said it really felt good for a change.
As he feels better and has more energy, Tom says that he hasn’t felt this good in at least a year. Looking back, he now realizes all the times that he didn’t go to a Bullock Creek football game or a basketball game or chose not to do things that he normally would have because he was “tired”. Little did we know………..
Anyway, Tom has a new goal while healing. He’d like to go to the Loons opening game next week (a local minor league baseball team). He’s walking everyday and doing some limited stair climbing to get ready. We’ll see how the weather is and how he’s feeling. Don’t worry; we won’t push it, if he’s not ready. We know there will be more games, but it is a goal and it’s something to work towards, so wish him luck and cheer him on.
The family is going to Peg’s brother’s house for Easter dinner. He offered to do the cooking so that Peg wouldn’t have to this year. We appreciate his thoughtfulness and we’re glad that he’s a good cook. It will be nice for Tom to get out of the house for a couple of hours.
Thank you for all your prayers, cards, e-mails, phone calls, food and visits. They lift our spirits and keep us facing forward with positive thoughts. Have a blessed Easter.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Laughter and Healing
Now that Tom is home from the hospital and we’ve made it through the first two nights of “Patient Tom and Nurse Peggy”, we will be updating the blog on an occasional basis.
Until we have our next doctor’s appointment with the surgeon or meet with the oncologist, we’re hoping for nothing major to report. Besides sporting events, we plan to watch some funny movies during Tom’s healing time. It’s said “laughter is the best medicine”. We welcome suggestions of any favorite funny or inspirational movies that you might have seen.
Tom road his golf cart down the driveway to get the morning paper today. He plans to begin walking that distance at least once or more a day to start building endurance and because he needs to move to avoid blood clots. We need to remind ourselves that his surgery was less than a week ago and he will get tired very easily, but we plan to see some improvement everyday.
Tom’s soft food diet isn’t too bad. It’s actually opposite of what they want us to do these days. You know, eat lots of fiber; so no nuts, no whole grain items, no raw vegetables, etc. We’re glad that he’s tolerating solid foods and that his digestive system is starting to work like it is supposed to.
Peggy is putting a sign-up list on the garage door each day for visitors who want to see Tom. Numbers will be handed out starting at 7:30 AM each day. Just kidding. Tom has some friends who think Peg is too strict with her visitor regulations. So if you call and want to see Tom…..don’t talk to Peg first. As far as he’s concerned, Tom’s visiting days and hours are at any time.
Thanks again for your support, encouraging words and most of all, your prayers.
Until we have our next doctor’s appointment with the surgeon or meet with the oncologist, we’re hoping for nothing major to report. Besides sporting events, we plan to watch some funny movies during Tom’s healing time. It’s said “laughter is the best medicine”. We welcome suggestions of any favorite funny or inspirational movies that you might have seen.
Tom road his golf cart down the driveway to get the morning paper today. He plans to begin walking that distance at least once or more a day to start building endurance and because he needs to move to avoid blood clots. We need to remind ourselves that his surgery was less than a week ago and he will get tired very easily, but we plan to see some improvement everyday.
Tom’s soft food diet isn’t too bad. It’s actually opposite of what they want us to do these days. You know, eat lots of fiber; so no nuts, no whole grain items, no raw vegetables, etc. We’re glad that he’s tolerating solid foods and that his digestive system is starting to work like it is supposed to.
Peggy is putting a sign-up list on the garage door each day for visitors who want to see Tom. Numbers will be handed out starting at 7:30 AM each day. Just kidding. Tom has some friends who think Peg is too strict with her visitor regulations. So if you call and want to see Tom…..don’t talk to Peg first. As far as he’s concerned, Tom’s visiting days and hours are at any time.
Thanks again for your support, encouraging words and most of all, your prayers.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Home Sweet Home
Believe it or not, Tom is home! His blue Lazyboy recliner was ready and waiting for Tom’s familiar butt. The chair will get more than its fair share of use over the next weeks and months. It has been less than three weeks since the colonoscopy, initial diagnosis, to surgery and back home again. Wow! We feel we have a higher power looking in on Tom and making sure that he is progressing in a timely manner in order to win this battle.
He was released about 4:00 PM after passing all his “Dr. Tests”. He upgraded to a soft food diet today and will remain on it until he sees the surgeon in a couple of weeks.
Yes, he will be able to have visitors, but please call first and plan to limit the time of your visits, at least for a while. If you just want to touch base with Tom, calling his cell phone (for those who have his number) is a good idea so that if he’s sleeping, he won’t be bothered by the phone. He’s still got mega healing to do, but every day he’s a little bit better and a little bit stronger.
Thanks again for all your prayers and positive, healing thoughts.
He was released about 4:00 PM after passing all his “Dr. Tests”. He upgraded to a soft food diet today and will remain on it until he sees the surgeon in a couple of weeks.
Yes, he will be able to have visitors, but please call first and plan to limit the time of your visits, at least for a while. If you just want to touch base with Tom, calling his cell phone (for those who have his number) is a good idea so that if he’s sleeping, he won’t be bothered by the phone. He’s still got mega healing to do, but every day he’s a little bit better and a little bit stronger.
Thanks again for all your prayers and positive, healing thoughts.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
“Moving”……
Hurrah! Things are starting to “move” again. Today was a good day. Tom is feeling much better; he slept most of the night. That’s the first time in quite a while. They removed his catheter, his oxygen, and his morphine pump, but he’s still not cordless. He’s now on pain medication “as needed” that they will insert directly into his IV and he really hasn’t needed much today. He’s still running a slight temp so they’re making sure that he’s doing his breathing exercises faithfully; he doesn’t need pneumonia. He graduated from ice chips to a clear liquid diet today—things like fruit juice, jello and broth (no Budweiser).
He walked three times today and each time a little bit further than the last.
We got the pathology report today; not the best news and not the worst news. The cancer was found in a number of lymph nodes as well as the colon. Even though we pretty much knew this coming in, we were still not ready to hear this news out loud today. We were wishing that miraculously the report would be different. However, the doctor removed all the lymph nodes and the cancerous part of the colon so here’s what we’re up against—possible renegade cancer cells that are so microscopic that they don’t show up on any screening tests. So as soon as Tom heals from the surgery (about 4 weeks, we hope), he will start chemotherapy. Dr. Danzo will gear the chemo specifically to this type and stage of cancer. We won’t know more until we meet with Dr. Danzo, but at our initial visit, he indicated treatments at two week intervals over a period of 6 months.
We know how important the help, encouragement, positive thoughts and prayers from everyone are going to be in the months ahead. Right now to move forward on Tom’s "Road to Healthy", we need to focus, think positive thoughts and pray for speedy healing and a quick recovery time. The sooner Tom can start treatment the better.
He walked three times today and each time a little bit further than the last.
We got the pathology report today; not the best news and not the worst news. The cancer was found in a number of lymph nodes as well as the colon. Even though we pretty much knew this coming in, we were still not ready to hear this news out loud today. We were wishing that miraculously the report would be different. However, the doctor removed all the lymph nodes and the cancerous part of the colon so here’s what we’re up against—possible renegade cancer cells that are so microscopic that they don’t show up on any screening tests. So as soon as Tom heals from the surgery (about 4 weeks, we hope), he will start chemotherapy. Dr. Danzo will gear the chemo specifically to this type and stage of cancer. We won’t know more until we meet with Dr. Danzo, but at our initial visit, he indicated treatments at two week intervals over a period of 6 months.
We know how important the help, encouragement, positive thoughts and prayers from everyone are going to be in the months ahead. Right now to move forward on Tom’s "Road to Healthy", we need to focus, think positive thoughts and pray for speedy healing and a quick recovery time. The sooner Tom can start treatment the better.
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