Chemo Education

[kimbottles]

Yeah, I am still rather optimistic about the whole thing. it could be worse!

[BeauV]

Kim's a beast - still riding his trainer and carping about not putting out enough power. Geeesh! He's still stronger than I am.

I gave him a call to ask some bike questions and what did I get: "Well, you've already got weenie gears and you're light so you just need to get in shape." Nothing like a good friend to tell it like it is!

He's actually a great bike training coach. Except, his student (me) is too cheap to buy the cadence meter or whatever you call the crank RPM meter. Instead, I found a song I like with the right cadence and sing it. Only a Dutch guy can out-cheap a Scot!

Now that I'm trying to get my flabby self back in shape rather seriously with the road and mountain bikes, I have a newfound respect for how strong Kim really is. He is a beast on a bike, even in his depleted condition.

[kimbottles]

Kim's a beast - still riding his trainer and carping about not putting out enough power. Geeesh! He's still stronger than I am.

I gave him a call to ask some bike questions and what did I get: "Well, you've already got weenie gears and you're light so you just need to get in shape." Nothing like a good friend to tell it like it is!

He's actually a great bike training coach. Except, his student (me) is too cheap to buy the cadence meter or whatever you call the crank RPM meter. Instead, I found a song I like with the right cadence and sing it. Only a Dutch guy can out-cheap a Scot!

Now that I'm trying to get my flabby self back in shape rather seriously with the road and mountain bikes, I have a newfound respect for how strong Kim really is. He is a beast on a bike, even in his depleted condition.

No I am not, I am a slug compared to pre chemo.....

[LarryHoward]

Kim's a beast - still riding his trainer and carping about not putting out enough power. Geeesh! He's still stronger than I am.

I gave him a call to ask some bike questions and what did I get: "Well, you've already got weenie gears and you're light so you just need to get in shape." Nothing like a good friend to tell it like it is!

He's actually a great bike training coach. Except, his student (me) is too cheap to buy the cadence meter or whatever you call the crank RPM meter. Instead, I found a song I like with the right cadence and sing it. Only a Dutch guy can out-cheap a Scot!

Now that I'm trying to get my flabby self back in shape rather seriously with the road and mountain bikes, I have a newfound respect for how strong Kim really is. He is a beast on a bike, even in his depleted condition.

No I am not, I am a slug compared to pre chemo.....

You are doing fine. Being a bit slower than normal is par for the course and you will recover once it's over.

[kimbottles]

Kim's a beast - still riding his trainer and carping about not putting out enough power. Geeesh! He's still stronger than I am.

I gave him a call to ask some bike questions and what did I get: "Well, you've already got weenie gears and you're light so you just need to get in shape." Nothing like a good friend to tell it like it is!

He's actually a great bike training coach. Except, his student (me) is too cheap to buy the cadence meter or whatever you call the crank RPM meter. Instead, I found a song I like with the right cadence and sing it. Only a Dutch guy can out-cheap a Scot!

Now that I'm trying to get my flabby self back in shape rather seriously with the road and mountain bikes, I have a newfound respect for how strong Kim really is. He is a beast on a bike, even in his depleted condition.

No I am not, I am a slug compared to pre chemo.....

You are doing fine. Being a bit slower than normal is par for the course and you will recover once it's over.

Yes, of course I will recover......But patience was never a virtue for me.......

[SemiSalt]

My morning program consisted of a visit to Hematology/Oncology at the hospital for a blood test and a chat with an NP. While waiting for the labs, I could hear a phlebotomist describing her visit to Applebee's for dinner last Friday. Great I thought, who is better placed to be superspreader than a phlebotomist? I believe she also said her daughter was going to "Disney" sometime soon. I assume that means Florida. Why would anyone who can read go to Florida at this time?

I was happy when my blood was taken by the other phlebotomist.

[BeauV]

Semi - our family used to go to Disney World a lot before COVID-19. They were talking about re-opening. They are NOT talking about it anymore, aren't even re-opening Disneyland in LA. My granddaughters are heartbroken, as we would be there about now according to our 2019 plan for this year.

I continue to be amazed at the number of folks who just think this bug will blow by in the next few weeks..... ah well.

[kimbottles]

I continue to be amazed at the number of folks who just think this bug will blow by in the next few weeks..... ah well.

But, But, But the president said it would...........moron.

Chemo yesterday, can’t sleep. Great stuff to hear on the ham bands At this hour Mainly listen to CW (Morse code stations.) Up since 3am. Will nap later today. Naps are good.

[Olaf Hart]

I think he was talking about the moronavirus Kim...

[Ajax]

My mother watched 2 of her friends die from lung/esophageal cancer because the radiation therapy torched their esophagus to the point where they couldn't take in enough sustenance and they perished.
She pitched a fit about this to her doctor, who promised her that the radiation therapy has advanced since then. Mom was not convince.

So, the doctor reduced the intensity of the dosage, but added a week. Mom thought she was getting a reduced dosage for the same period and was pissed off when she learned about the extra week.
So I called her to deliver a pep talk. I told her "Don't get mad, get even." I told her that if she's worried that swallowing will be painful, that I'd send her a case of MRE's so she could bulk up early on. An MRE typically contains 4,000 calories to support an active war-fighter who's humping from village to village.

She starts next week, I believe.

[kimbottles]

I am going to really check this radiation thing out before we start, it is still a couple months away.

I want to maintain as much of my CV system as possible because you never know when I might ride with Eric and i don’t want that young lightweight kid to be able to drop me on the hills.

Chemo brain is active today. Have to reread anything I type to make sure it makes at least some sense.

[BeauV]

I am going to really check this radiation thing out before we start, it is still a couple months away.

I want to maintain as much of my CV system as possible because you never know when I might ride with Eric and i don’t want that young lightweight kid to be able to drop me on the hills.

Chemo brain is active today. Have to reread anything I type to make sure it makes at least some sense.

Kim, you're making as much sense as you always do (which is a lot). We'll let you know when you're off the rails.

Checking multiple independent sources on the amount and frequency of radiation treatments is a great idea. Just don't go down the rabbit hole of "certainty" or "perfection" vs "as good as it gets".

[Panope]

My father's radiation therapy (tumor in sinus) torched his sense of smell and taste, and is salivary glands. It seems to have torched the cancer also.

In the aftermath, I remember him saying that he wished he had researched something called "Proton Therapy". Allegedly it is a more focused beam that causes less collateral damage.

Is this a real thing? Or a marketing gimmick?

[LarryHoward]

My father's radiation therapy (tumor in sinus) torched his sense of smell and taste, and is salivary glands. It seems to have torched the cancer also.

In the aftermath, I remember him saying that he wished he had researched something called "Proton Therapy". Allegedly it is a more focused beam that causes less collateral damage.

Is this a real thing? Or a marketing gimmick?

A lot of research is going on with various targeted therapies. Basic idea is to use multiple beams to intersect in a 3 D fashion within the tumour with “submillimeter accuracy” while exposing healthy tissue to much smaller doses. In my case, I received 5 doses of “image guided” Therapy over 5 days. Supposedly hit the tumor with the same dose or higher dose than 6 weeks of conventional therapy with no skin reddening, etc. Absolutely minimal side effects.

[Panope]

That sounds like some good technology, Larry. Hopefully it will be ubiquitous when it is my turn.

[Tim Ford]

I gave him a call to ask some bike questions and what did I get: "Well, you've already got weenie gears and you're light so you just need to get in shape." Nothing like a good friend to tell it like it is!

Good one, Kim!

[kimbottles]

I gave him a call to ask some bike questions and what did I get: "Well, you've already got weenie gears and you're light so you just need to get in shape." Nothing like a good friend to tell it like it is!

Good one, Kim!

I was just trying to be helpful.

[Ajax]

That sounds like some good technology, Larry. Hopefully it will be ubiquitous when it is my turn.

Yeah, I wish Larry's procedure was offered to my mother. Probably would have greatly reduced her anxiety. It may not be appropriate for her situation though.

[BeauV]

I gave him a call to ask some bike questions and what did I get: "Well, you've already got weenie gears and you're light so you just need to get in shape." Nothing like a good friend to tell it like it is!

Good one, Kim!

I was just trying to be helpful.

Kim is the perfect coach for me! I respond very well to: "Quit complaining and work harder!" It took me right back to high school running cross-country: "If you want to win it will hurt. If you can't deal with things that hurt, quit now. I don't want a bunch of losers on our team." That was the pep-talk from our coach. Inspiring isn't it?

[Ajax]

Oh man, can I get into this club?? I'm feeling left out!

Visited the doctor this morning for a lump on my shoulder. Hopefully just a lipoma (non-cancerous) but I'm going in for an ultrasound tomorrow morning. The next likely candidates are: sarcoma or Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

With my luck, I'll have lymphoma but I'll have grumpy, homely nurses instead of Kim's "Dream Team" of oncology hotties to look after me.

[kimbottles]

Oh man, can I get into this club?? I'm feeling left out!

Visited the doctor this morning for a lump on my shoulder. Hopefully just a lipoma (non-cancerous) but I'm going in for an ultrasound tomorrow morning. The next likely candidates are: sarcoma or Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

With my luck, I'll have lymphoma but I'll have grumpy, homely nurses instead of Kim's "Dream Team" of oncology hotties to look after me.

Oh Rich, I have my fingers crossed for you to NOT have cancer.

[BeauV]

Rich, I was looking a little like the Hunchback of Notre Dame when my daughters said: "Dad! This thing is getting really ugly." My understaning is we old guys grow lumps. I'd have a drink and not worry until someone tells you there's something to worry about. (Fingers crossed it's just a lipoma like mine was.)

I now have a lovely scar on my shoulder and get to tell the young crew that it's from an old sabre duel!

[Ajax]

Grrrr... I misread my appointment. It's August 5th, not today. I get to spend 2 more weeks wondering if this thing is slowly killing me or not.

[JoeP]

Grrrr... I misread my appointment. It's August 5th, not today. I get to spend 2 more weeks wondering if this thing is slowly killing me or not.

I know how you feel Rich. Waiting to have the tumor removed from my stomach made me fairly anxious.

[Tim Ford]

OK, it's been almost 3 months since we had health updates (I think) and inquiring mimes need to know about Kim and Rich...and Larry and....jeez, I hope no one else. One of Annapolis's more famous and well-liked Group 3 sailors dropped dead of a heart attack yesterday. What a year!

[Slick470]

Tim, I saw that sad news this morning about Geoff and I was shocked. Feeling pretty mortal today. I didn't know him personally, but he seemed like a really good guy.

[kimbottles]

Sorry, I should have updated you all.

I am almost half way through radiation (will hit 50% tomorrow.) I have less side effects than chemo, but these aren’t much fun.

Sunburn like skin rash which requires various lotions applied properly and a Domeboro soak several times a day. Sleeping on my back only which I do not like.

Restriction in my lower throat which make eating a bit of a challenge. Soft foods and as we once learned as children: Small bites and chew completely before you swallow, kind of stretches out eating. No alcohol, no soda, no hard foods, etc.

I will be really happy to get this year behind me.

[kimbottles]

............Feeling pretty mortal today..........

Yeah, me too!!

[LarryHoward]

Other than normal “old guy” stuff like somewhat diminished kidney function the nephrologist blames on the longer term impacts of high dose Chemo and lots of contrast solution for scans, I’m doing OK. Get a follow up scan on the 27th to assess the results of the Proton therapy and then schedule surgery. Expect mid to late November for that, right at 3 years since the last surgery. With no chemo this time, it’s almost like not having cancer......almost.

[Steele]

Hang in there guys. I know going through this with the pandemic must be no fun, but if you had to pick a year to miss out on this is it. Small consilation 'eh.