Scantlings

What the hell. OM was probably right. Shouldn't pollute the sailing threads with updates.

First Chemo M-Th of last week. Felt good Fr/Sat and OK Sunday. M-W was pretty bad. No worse than moderate seasickness but no energy And just felt puny. Blood test Tuesday told the story. WBC in the tank. RBC low but just a but below low normal which is really low for me. Add in some significant dehydration and I was not well. In semi isolation at home and on antibiotics to avoid exposure to infectious folks.

Started feeling better yesterday and pretty good today. Blood work this afternoon has WBC low normal and RBC recovering. Off antibiotics and back to civilization. Seems my immune system kicked back in strongly. The perverse part is that allows them to continue high dose Chemo that will cycle me into the pits for about a week/month and I'm good with that.

Learning that I have to force myself to eat despite lack of appetite and push lots of fluids.

Overall, two weeks into aggressive treatment, I'm doing Ok. My scalp has started itching and burning a bit. Apparently that means my hair will start coming out in the next week. OM tells me it's a good look.

OM beats a random toss with an effect size of 0.5 and hopes you have at least a little lanugo coming in before it gets cold down there.

Want me to visit and break the toilet?

Rob McAlpine wrote:Want me to visit and break the toilet?

But you swore it would swallow a rabid squirrel. Just what were you doing to it?

LarryHoward wrote:What the hell. OM was probably right. Shouldn't pollute the sailing threads with updates.

First Chemo M-Th of last week. Felt good Fr/Sat and OK Sunday. M-W was pretty bad. No worse than moderate seasickness but no energy And just felt puny. Blood test Tuesday told the story. WBC in the tank. RBC low but just a but below low normal which is really low for me. Add in some significant dehydration and I was not well. In semi isolation at home and on antibiotics to avoid exposure to infectious folks.

Started feeling better yesterday and pretty good today. Blood work this afternoon has WBC low normal and RBC recovering. Off antibiotics and back to civilization. Seems my immune system kicked back in strongly. The perverse part is that allows them to continue high dose Chemo that will cycle me into the pits for about a week/month and I'm good with that.

Learning that I have to force myself to eat despite lack of appetite and push lots of fluids.

Overall, two weeks into aggressive treatment, I'm doing Ok. My scalp has started itching and burning a bit. Apparently that means my hair will start coming out in the next week. OM tells me it's a good look.

Hang tough Captain, we are pulling hard for you!

That report sounds pretty good, better than some I've known. Fingers crossed think keep on track.

There are so many unknowns with healthcare, it's great to hear things are progressing according to plan.

Jamie wrote:There are so many unknowns with healthcare, it's great to hear things are progressing according to plan.

At least we are moving aggressively on a plan. We won't know how well it's working until we take a look at another CT in a month or so.

My hair forcast was optimistic. Started coming out pretty fast yesterday afternoon.

LarryHoward wrote:

Jamie wrote:There are so many unknowns with healthcare, it's great to hear things are progressing according to plan.

At least we are moving aggressively on a plan. We won't know how well it's working until we take a look at another CT in a month or so.

My hair forcast was optimistic. Started coming out pretty fast yesterday afternoon.

What is that old Sailing Anarchy saying: Pictures or it didn't happen!

I think I'd be extraordinarily UGLY as a bald guy. I know my Dad was when he had multiple myeloma. My kids bought him a set of wigs, including a great red/orange clown wig which he loved to wear to the Yacht Club.

Hang in there. Glad to hear things are on-plan.

Good luck with the hair Larry, I lost most of mine a while back the organic way- you get used to it. Sounds like you understand the need to do things that will help you even though you don't feel like it- my boat co-owner who did chemo described himself as a plodder, and felt it stood him in good stead- he just kept plodding along even when he didn't feel like it.

The tenacity to be a plodder is vastly under rated.

We could use more plodding in the tech industry. Folks win when they get stuff finished, not when they get past the first few steps. I have always felt "founders" ought not to get as much credit as "liquidity providers". Any fool can start something, it takes real grit to finish it. I think Larry is in the real grit category.

Larry my next trip down to the boat I’ll pop in and share coiffure tales. I like bald as an egg . bar of soap and a razor. I’ll bring the entertainment. See you shortly. Cheers Ed

Back in the hospital for round 2. "The tougher one" according to the doc. Be here through Sunday afternoon it's been suggested the bottom will drop out a bit quicker and for a bit longer and I might experience a couple of days of confusion (who would know?).

Lynne is babysitting OM's place while he and Mrs OM are out. I caught he eyeing the good wine this morning.

Hospital is in a bit of an uproar with Congressman Scalise in the building. What a crazy morning that was.

Following your progress and keeping you in our thought over here on the other side of the Pond Captain.
Stay tough like I know you will.

Hope to visit you someday.

Fingers crossed that round 2 goes the same way as round 1.

Hang in there Larry.

Larry, hope for the best. If that hospital doesn't deliver, complain to management . Seriously, fingers crossed it's not too bad.

Our hearts and minds are with you, Larry.

50% update. Tolerating these sessions well. Great staff as usual. They had so many complaints about the motion mattresses and since most of us are pretty mobile, they decided to ditch them. Much belter

Clinical and Surgeon have decided to do 4 rounds before looking at surgery given my tolerance and recovery from Chemo (more is better?) so I'm on this routine for 6-8 more weeks. In about 5 days, my counts will crash again and I'll feel like hell for a couple of days but no worse than a bad GS crossing.

Might need to call in some Thai food. Menu is pretty boring.

Hey, buddy, if you're thinking about food you're doing GREAT!!! Hang tough!!!

I really need to visit more...

Sorry to hear about your challenges, Larry. Terrific group here to lean on. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Another decent stay. Tolerated this set well with no nasty reactions. Now a few days before the blood count drops and I feel crappy for 3-4 days.

LarryHoward wrote:Another decent stay. Tolerated this set well with no nasty reactions. Now a few days before the blood count drops and I feel crappy for 3-4 days.

You are a tough old bird, that's for sure. We are holding you in the light and tell Lynne thanks for the quiche, greens, etc!

Thinking of you Larry, keep at it.

LarryHoward wrote:Another decent stay. Tolerated this set well with no nasty reactions. Now a few days before the blood count drops and I feel crappy for 3-4 days.

Better "recovery period" than I could have hoped and finished today with a "let's check progress" CT scan. Excellent news of a 30% reduction in tumor size to date and no signs of any metastasis at all. Tells us the diagnosis is spot on, the treatment is appropriate and we are on the offense.

Next Chemo session starts Thursday.

LarryHoward wrote:Better "recovery period" than I could have hoped and finished today with a "let's check progress" CT scan. Excellent news of a 30% reduction in tumor size to date and no signs of any metastasis at all. Tells us the diagnosis is spot on, the treatment is appropriate and we are on the offense.

Next Chemo session starts Thursday.

Wow, what marvelous news! This will really make my 4th.

Fuckers just had to peek, didn't they?

Orestes Munn wrote:

LarryHoward wrote:Better "recovery period" than I could have hoped and finished today with a "let's check progress" CT scan. Excellent news of a 30% reduction in tumor size to date and no signs of any metastasis at all. Tells us the diagnosis is spot on, the treatment is appropriate and we are on the offense.

Next Chemo session starts Thursday.

Wow, what marvelous news! This will really make my 4th.

Fuckers just had to peek, didn't they?

He said he knew I wanted to know but when I told him on Friday it was up to him, he said we would do it.

Great news Captain!!

LarryHoward wrote:
He said he knew I wanted to know but when I told him on Friday it was up to him, he said we would do it.

Yeah, yeah, just drive those health care costs up.