T minus 6 days.
The past couple of days have gone by with no major events. Most of the time was spent taking pain medication napping, watching some movies and recovering from surgery. Which I must say has gone remarkably well, besides a slight tightness where the sutures are I am back to normal - even typing with 2 hands again. Yeah. Now if I could only eat and not end up with the annoying back pain! - that is what I am really looking forward to.
We are going to be busy this weekend scrubbing the house down, spring cleaning you could say. Which is ok when it is more then -40 with wind chill. No need to go outside.. It is important for us to have the house as a bacteria and germ free environment as Chemotheropy has an impact on the immune system. So random hand sanitizer, bathroom disposable hand towels, strict food preparation practices (which we should follow always anyways) and a consistent wipe down with Lysol. To help strengthen the immune system picked up a new tea from Davids Tea Shop as well, called Secret Weapon. This stuff is pricey but hopefully effective in helping. Otherwise, a little more basic exercise, eating balanced meals and getting lots of rest will keep me in fighting condition.
Next week is going to be a busy 1 with lots of appointments leading upto Friday, Tuesday is my only appointment free day so far. In he upcoming weeks look for some updates about our Relay for Life and how you can help. This upcoming event in June is going to be very empowering to prep for and alot of fun. Something to really look forward to.
Have a few more movies to watch, already went through horse flicks, Seabiscuit and Secretariat are both pretty good with solid messages. To bad Toby Meguire is annoying in Seabiscuit I enjoyed that one otherwise.
Thursday is Rocky Day. All day Eye of the Tiger.
Have a great weekend everyone and keep smilin.
Jason
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Power Port implant a Success
The day went fast - checked in at 10am and heading home by 230 sporting a fancy new Power Port. Was a quick procedure, only wish I was knocked out instead of the local freezing. That was the weird part - could not see anything, nor any real pain - but could feel them poking around. Hearing the metal tools clanging was creepy as well.
Now the name Power Port is the actual product name, I did not make it up. The only bummer was the accessory pack was a Rubber bracelet, keychain ring and a product ID card. Interesting enough the ID card is for those situations when I have to advise people there is an implant in my chest. Situation such as, setting off the metal detectors at the airport, leaving a store which may trigger the security system or just to let the doctors know what to do.
So now chillin in the crib with T & my T3's. Watchin some tube, having the occasional nap and healing.
Going to have to take it easy over the next few days.
Chat soon.
Jason
Now the name Power Port is the actual product name, I did not make it up. The only bummer was the accessory pack was a Rubber bracelet, keychain ring and a product ID card. Interesting enough the ID card is for those situations when I have to advise people there is an implant in my chest. Situation such as, setting off the metal detectors at the airport, leaving a store which may trigger the security system or just to let the doctors know what to do.
So now chillin in the crib with T & my T3's. Watchin some tube, having the occasional nap and healing.
Going to have to take it easy over the next few days.
Chat soon.
Jason
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Port Install day on Wednesday
Slow day today. Getting ready for the minor surgery tomorrow. Really hoping they put me out though from what I have read - may only be a local. (yucky)
Here is an explanation of what is being done.
A port catheter, or subcutaneous implantable port, is a permanent device that consists of a catheter attached to a small reservoir, both of which are placed under the skin similar to tunnel catheters. This catheter is placed completely under the skin. The patient's skin is punctured every time the catheter is used, but there are no restrictions on showering or bathing.
Follow this link for more information:
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=vasc_access&bhcp=1
I will update late Wednesday or Thursday morning. maybe some pics :)
Jason
Here is an explanation of what is being done.
A port catheter, or subcutaneous implantable port, is a permanent device that consists of a catheter attached to a small reservoir, both of which are placed under the skin similar to tunnel catheters. This catheter is placed completely under the skin. The patient's skin is punctured every time the catheter is used, but there are no restrictions on showering or bathing.
Follow this link for more information:
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=vasc_access&bhcp=1
I will update late Wednesday or Thursday morning. maybe some pics :)
Jason
Monday, February 21, 2011
Enjoying these days
Thank you everyone for your love and support over the past 2 weeks while trying to understand what is going on. Everything has happened quickly and with every encouraging word we have grown stronger to face the battle ahead. I know there are a great deal of people behind us while we charge forward, and it is this tremendous power which is going to help beat this. After this weekend and the additional holiday, preparation will be full steam ahead.
This weekend was a chill out weekend with Teresa, it was really special. I am not feeling 100% though while hanging out with my wife makes it all go away, there is no pain, no ill feelings and no worries. Just the moments and the odd not so good movie. Along with time spent with Teresa, we were out for dinner last night with some family and friends and it was an excellent evening of very little critical illness talk. Just some games and some well needed laughs.
Now - I am looking for some suggestions to inspirational movies.
My list so far I have
Rudy starring Sean Aston.
And of course the Rocky Anthology will be played through.
Movies which have the odds stacked against and some hard work brought success to overcome the odds.
Cheers for now.
Jason
This weekend was a chill out weekend with Teresa, it was really special. I am not feeling 100% though while hanging out with my wife makes it all go away, there is no pain, no ill feelings and no worries. Just the moments and the odd not so good movie. Along with time spent with Teresa, we were out for dinner last night with some family and friends and it was an excellent evening of very little critical illness talk. Just some games and some well needed laughs.
Now - I am looking for some suggestions to inspirational movies.
My list so far I have
Rudy starring Sean Aston.
And of course the Rocky Anthology will be played through.
Movies which have the odds stacked against and some hard work brought success to overcome the odds.
Cheers for now.
Jason
Friday, February 18, 2011
Upcoming Dates for the next steps.
So now the count down begins. We have received notice of the surgery schedule and the start of Chemo.
Feb 23rd - Port install day.
The port installation just to clarify for your tech people out there. This is not a USB port or any other access for connecting a cell phone or other peripherals to me. That would be cool, imagine a USB port to charge your phone or have an app to take vitals or perhaps a printer to print what is on my mind creating new digital art. No none of that. The port is for IV treatment so they dont have to poke my arm with the big nasty IV needle everytime. The port will be connected directly to the blood stream.
Feb 28th - Second consult day.
Meeting with another doctor at the Cancer Clinic to double check the treatment suggestions and be sure we have the most aggressive regiment. The doctor we met with so far was great, a second look though is always better.
Mar 4th - Chemo Begins.
The big day - now it will all begin. Really looking forward to this day as this is the beginning of getting better.
That is it for today. Time to go spend the day with my wife as she has the day off.
Feb 23rd - Port install day.
The port installation just to clarify for your tech people out there. This is not a USB port or any other access for connecting a cell phone or other peripherals to me. That would be cool, imagine a USB port to charge your phone or have an app to take vitals or perhaps a printer to print what is on my mind creating new digital art. No none of that. The port is for IV treatment so they dont have to poke my arm with the big nasty IV needle everytime. The port will be connected directly to the blood stream.
Feb 28th - Second consult day.
Meeting with another doctor at the Cancer Clinic to double check the treatment suggestions and be sure we have the most aggressive regiment. The doctor we met with so far was great, a second look though is always better.
Mar 4th - Chemo Begins.
The big day - now it will all begin. Really looking forward to this day as this is the beginning of getting better.
That is it for today. Time to go spend the day with my wife as she has the day off.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The days of discovery and a new chapter begins.
Feb 7 / 8 2011 will be remembered as the days which forever changed the lives of Teresa, myself and all those close to us. While not feeling well since December 25th, what the doctors discovered was wrong was not on my list of possibilities or suspected ailments. The shocking news confirmed with a CT Scan and a biopsy is Advanced Stage 4 Rectal Cancer. Thank fully no real prognosis, just "you have it and it maybe treated, 5 years ago we would have said nothing we can do, but with advances in Chemotherapy in the last 5 years there is hope."
Time to go home from the hospital and digest this diagnosis. (4 blocks from the hospital)
By the time we arrived home Teresa and I were well underway going through the stages of Grief. The final stage, acceptance would only be a couple of hours later. Some tears, big bear hugs and a few laughs got us there quickly. Together we have been faced with a challenge, we accept this challenge and will do whatever it takes to overcome the challenge. The only thoughts we have now are:
when can we start treatment? and what do we need to do to prepare?
Friday Feb 11 we met with the Oncologist at the Allen Blair Cancer Center here in Regina. During this meeting we were advised of the Treatment. I really like the shortform name: Folfiri (full-fuery) which includes the FU 5 treatment. (great names - agree?) There will be other possible treatments as well Avastin and we are inquiring about Eloxatin. http://www.avastin.com/avastin/patient/crc/avastin/benefits/
The additional treatments have been noted to have outstanding effects when combined with the above noted treatments and fighting this form of Cancer.
Now we wait for a date to have a Port surgically implanted for IV access. This will replace the need to poke my arm every 2 weeks for treatment. Once this is done then treatments can begin. Treatments will occur every 2 weeks for 4-6 months to start, after 3 months a CT Scan will provide progress updates. Each treatment will consist of 3 appts. 1 for Blood work, 1 day (6-8 hours) receiving treatment and then a 3rd appt to remove a take home IV bottle which is a 48 hour treatment.
While waiting though - the preparation begins. Need to ensure I keep a strong immune system, energy levels high with proper food intact and a great frame of mind. My upcoming posts will bring you how I go about this task and stories which accompany this journey through our new chapter in life.
Look out Big C - here comes the stubborn Frenchman Big JTee.
<a href="http://www.hypersmash.com">HyperSmash.com</a>
Time to go home from the hospital and digest this diagnosis. (4 blocks from the hospital)
By the time we arrived home Teresa and I were well underway going through the stages of Grief. The final stage, acceptance would only be a couple of hours later. Some tears, big bear hugs and a few laughs got us there quickly. Together we have been faced with a challenge, we accept this challenge and will do whatever it takes to overcome the challenge. The only thoughts we have now are:
when can we start treatment? and what do we need to do to prepare?
Friday Feb 11 we met with the Oncologist at the Allen Blair Cancer Center here in Regina. During this meeting we were advised of the Treatment. I really like the shortform name: Folfiri (full-fuery) which includes the FU 5 treatment. (great names - agree?) There will be other possible treatments as well Avastin and we are inquiring about Eloxatin. http://www.avastin.com/avastin/patient/crc/avastin/benefits/
The additional treatments have been noted to have outstanding effects when combined with the above noted treatments and fighting this form of Cancer.
Now we wait for a date to have a Port surgically implanted for IV access. This will replace the need to poke my arm every 2 weeks for treatment. Once this is done then treatments can begin. Treatments will occur every 2 weeks for 4-6 months to start, after 3 months a CT Scan will provide progress updates. Each treatment will consist of 3 appts. 1 for Blood work, 1 day (6-8 hours) receiving treatment and then a 3rd appt to remove a take home IV bottle which is a 48 hour treatment.
While waiting though - the preparation begins. Need to ensure I keep a strong immune system, energy levels high with proper food intact and a great frame of mind. My upcoming posts will bring you how I go about this task and stories which accompany this journey through our new chapter in life.
Look out Big C - here comes the stubborn Frenchman Big JTee.
<a href="http://www.hypersmash.com">HyperSmash.com</a>
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