September 24,2008

Today was the first day of the chemo and radiation therapy. We arrived at the KU Mid West facility at Midland dr and I-435 at 8:45 a.m. . They put us in a small treatment room and used my "port" to draw blood. Then then began to pour bags of fluid down the tube aattached to the "port", Dacordron , Ativan, Alloxi, and Magnesium sulphate/calcium gluconate they are all 4-6 once bags. They all act as to combat the naseuas induced by chemo. Oxaliplatin is then induced (the strong chemo that I will receive every 3 weeks) and then the attach a pump filled with 5-FU (chemo) to the tube and I have a fanny pack. This will allow the 5-FU to flow 24/7. We finished there about 2;30 p.m. and then went to the Radiologist at Olathe Med Center. They had previously set me all up and it was just a matter of lieing on the table for about 10 minutes while they administered the radiation front and back. We went out to dinner with some friends and everything seemed to go pretty smooth. I was tired but had trouble sleeping becase the one of the chemo anti-naseous.
Wed.9.3.08
This was a tough day. The heavy dose of chemicals the day before caused me to stagger and slur my speech for a little while. I went to radiation and when I got up I staggered out of there and didnt think I could make it to the car. Went to meet with my group and had lunch with some buddies and at least felt okay to drive home. Lounged around the rest of the day and started feeling a little better. Went to bed about 10pm and woke up at 4am this morning. I feel very good and am looking forward to going for a walk and doing some projects around the house.
there is a way for you all to post on this---and also to join but I am not sufficiently versed to give you a how to---so if you dont know how just email me at either rebeldog109@gmail.com or wcleaver40@comcast.net. If any of you have poetry---yours or others send it on. If you have commnents "make them". Thanks for all your good thoughts---keep them flowing they are reciprocated. Keep my friend Bob and sister Darlene, my friend Al and his grandaughter in the flow and if there is anyone that needs special thoughts let me know and I will certainly put them on my list. My little sidekick (the continuous chemo companion that I carry around my neck or in a fanny pack) is not as distracting as I thought it would be. I set it on the night stand next to the bed and have no problems sleeping with it---I havent forgotten to grab it when I get up---as some of have to do in the middle of the night.