Finally

It's about G.D. time! We finally got some good news today in the midst of this big mess we find ourselves in. Last Friday I went to the imaging center to have a CT Scan performed on my chest. The purpose of the scan was to determine if the chemotherapy is having any effect on the cancer in my lungs. I'm am quite happy to be able to report that yes, the chemotherapy is doing it's job. Allow me to quote from the radiologist's Impression:

"Significant improvement in multiple cavitary masses in both lungs largely evidenced by decreasing solid components of the masses. This is quite dramatic along the left hemidiaphragm and in both upper lobes. There is less dramatic improvement in the right lower lobe, where there is likely tumor superimposed upon chronic scarring from a previous severe right lower lobe pneumonia. No new areas of disease."

To paraphrase: The known tumors are getting smaller. There are no new tumors. The lower right lung is too FUBAR'd to begin with so we can't really tell from the pictures if it's working in that area.

I am really pleased with this. The doctor seemed really upbeat about it. He also complimented me on my blood pressure spreadsheet saying that he'd never seen anyone be that thorough about their BP before. It too is headed in the right direction, so on the health front this was a GREAT Tuesday.

The doctor also granted my wish for an additional week off so that I can go on my motorcycle trip. w00t w00t! It happens to come at a good time during my treatment because it'll be the half-way point of the six to eight cycles. (A cycle is defined as three weeks: Two weeks with drugs, one week without. Wash, rinse, repeat) He said it might actually be good for me to have the extra week off to allow the rest of my body to recover a little more from the chemotherapy. So, it looks like my trip is actually going to happen. I've got to begin making real plans starting today. I've also got a viable solution to my NLDS conundrum thanks to Sarah Cofer. She made the suggestion that I fly home in the middle of my trip, go to the games, and then go back to my motorcycle (wherever I left it). Now why I didn't think of that? Checking prices from Denver to Cincinnati and Denver to Columbus, it looks like it might be doable. Stay tuned.

I'm glad that I'm on the right track and I love being able to write about positive happenings! I hope your day is awesome too. Thanks for reading.

Torn

It's been an eventful two weeks since I last wrote. First, thanks to Mike and Sarah O'Donnel and By Golly's in Milford, OH for the benefit on September 12. Also thanks to everyone who came out and donated money, time, gifts for the baskets, and just for showing up. Your support is greatly appreciated by me and my family. It was nice to see everyone and an all around good time. Too bad Cincinnati's professional football and baseball teams weren't more cooperative with providing victories to celebrate. This Saturday September 18, there will also be a benefit organized by our friends at and taking place at Clintonville Academy. The following link is to the event's Facebook Page. Come on down and hang out at this family friendly event if you are in town.

Health-wise the last week or so has been a bit bumpy. The last treatment wasn't too bad, but it was complicated by coming down with a cold so I couldn't tell if I was feeling bad from the cold or the chemo Thursday through Saturday. My blood pressure has also been through the roof (which apparently is a side effect of one of the drugs that's being administered) and the doctor has put me on meds for it but so far there really hasn't been any change. As always "We'll continue to monitor the situation." Now for the meat of my musings:

With the theme of "Ride On" I've hatched a little plan to take a solo motorcycle journey. I seem to have come down with a wee case of the wander lust. I'd say it's inspired by the travels of Ewan McGregor in the "Long Way Round" or Neil Peart in "Ghost Rider" but I have neither that kind of time nor the energy to be able devote to my endeavor so it will be quite an abbreviated trip. I had first planned to take my next "break week" in my chemotherapy cycles and ride to Colorado to stay with some relatives and some friends for a few days and then turn around and come home. I've never been to Colorado and it seems to be absolutely gorgeous from all of the pictures I've seen. I'm thrilled by the prospect of being able to see it with my own eyes. Recently I've been struck with a strong desire to get away from everything and spend some time by myself.. What better way to do so than to travel 2500+ miles by motorcycle? The route I'll take to get there, the route home and the amount of time to take are kind of fluid as of now. As I started roughing my plans together, Laela suggested that I speak with the doctor and see if we can postpone my next cycle of therapy for a week; thereby, giving me two weeks for my journey. Needless to say, I leapt at the chance and will be discussing it with the doctor on Monday.

As my plans are coming together, the prospect of the Cincinnati Reds actually participating the the 2010 post season is looking more and more like a reality. To that end, Laela had entered the lottery for the opportunity to purchase tickets to the National League Divisional Series (NLDS) should the Reds qualify. Lo and behold her name was drawn and we are now proud owners of tickets to the first two home games that the Reds will play in the NLDS. What a boon for a Reds fan, right? Not so fast. According to the MLB Postseason Schedule the NLDS will take place between October 6 and October 13. That's right in the middle of my October 2-October 15 time frame. So what's a fella to do? On one hand, I could selfishly go on a motorcycle trip by myself and get the solo time and adventure that I crave, or go see the Reds in a playoff situation knowing that it might be my last opportunity. I can't really put off the trip for an additional three weeks because I'd have to contend with a MUCH stronger possibility of inclement weather in the form of snow. On the other hand going to the NLDS would afford me the opportunity to spend time with my girls and make memories for all of us, not just me. I am torn like an old sweater and I don't see an easy answer. I'm not complaining that I have this decision to make, it's just hard to commit one way or the other.

Speaking of the Reds, we're going to a bunch of home games over the final couple of weeks. Tuesday night we went to "Bark in the Park" at Great American Ballpark. Laela submitted some of our photos to Jamie Ramsey, author of the Red's blog "Better Off Red" and he featured them in a the following "BoR" post. We also have tickets for September 29th vs the Houston Astros and for October 2nd vs the Milwaukee Brewers in addition to the playoff games. It should be a great couple of weeks for baseball.

That's it for now. In the immortal words of the American philosopher Ed McMahon: Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.

Routine

It's the beginning of September and I'm starting to settle into some kind of schedule now. Vacations are over. Autumn is nigh. School is back in session. Laela is working. Me? I'm at home and beginning the second cycle of my treatment. I think I'm starting to know what to expect out of it and can kind of plan my weeks accordingly.

rou·tine [roo-teen] –noun

1.a customary or regular course of procedure.

2.commonplace tasks, chores, or duties as must be done regularly or at specified intervals; typical or everyday activity: the routine of an office.

3.regular, unvarying, habitual, unimaginative, or rote procedure.

4.an unvarying and constantly repeated formula, as of speech or action; convenient or predictable response

One of the hardest things about dealing with my new routine of the sitting around the house is the sense of aimlessness. When having a good day, it is really odd not having someplace to go, something to do, or people that are relying on you. One would think that I'd have all of this free time for personal enrichment and reflection, but I find myself increasingly being lured to distraction by television and more insidiously...the Internet. I'm trying to read more books which is somewhat gratifying, but it too seems kind of aimless. I guess I need to put together a task list of things I need to take care of around the house and commit to doing a certain number of them a day. It's not just little things around the house that need to be taken care of. It's also long term items for the family's well being, piece of mind, and comfort. There are many things that I could be taking care of to make things easier on Laela. She does so much and now that I'm the "house husband" it's the least I can do. Hopefully it will bestow upon me that sense of purpose that I'm seeking.

On the treatment front, my doctor visit on Tuesday August 31 was very upbeat (Monday's scheduling SNAFU aside). The symptoms caused by my illness are better and I tolerated the first cycle of treatment very well. My oncologist was shocked that I walked a half-marathon on Sunday. Nothing makes me feel better than accomplishing something that people think that I can't do. We've got a plan of action and I'll be getting a CT scan on my chest before my next cycle begins to see if there is any shrinkage in the tumors. Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. The bad news is that I've put on nine pounds in three weeks. I really need to stop throwing caution to the wind with my diet or a heart attack is going to get me before the cancer does. I'm not very far from flirting with my all time highest weight. That kills me after all of that work that I did to lose it and keep it off.

As expected, Thursday afternoon/evening was rough. I started the day off feeling a little down because my mustache was continuing to fall out in clumps. I decided to take matters into my own hands and remove it myself. I figured that I'd rather do that than have it slowly taken away. It was definitely one of those defining moments. My reaction after the deed was done surprised me. I didn't think I'd take it that badly. After all, it's only hair right? At any rate, to combat the melancholy that was starting to set in, I decided to get my endorphins pumping by getting out exercising. I rode my bicycle 21 miles and was in a much better place between my ears by the time I got finished. Thursday evening, the fatigue and ache started to set in and I essentially spent the rest of the evening on the couch. Miranda and I watched "Top Gun" on Netflix. It was nice to have a little escape.

Friday morning, I slept in until about 11:00am. I was still physically feeling run down, but managed to get up and go out to lunch. I'm feeling better as the day progresses but for the most part, today will be a day of rest. With a busy Labor Day weekend ahead of me, I'm hoping that I'll feel better when I wake up tomorrow.