The trial has begun.

Good Day

Spring is almost here how about some jokes to warm ya up.   Some good chuckles always work for me.

Q. When do monkeys fall from the sky? 

A. During Ape-ril showers!

Q: What flowers grow on faces? 

A: Tulips (Two-lips)!

Q: What does the Easter Rabbit get for making a basket? 

A: Two points just like everybody!

Monday March 10th was day 1 of the clinical trial.   Arrived at 930 and out at 4pm, considering treatment is actually only an hour a long day of waiting around.  Lots of waiting around then more waiting while trying to leave downtown Toronto.  Right after treatment was nice to not have to coup with nausea or deal with totting a "bottle" around for 3 days.  The minor side effects I have started to experience is a skin rash - on my face - starting to look like a 13 year old covered in pimples.  Yupp pizza face once again.  Went back on March 17th for a routine check up and all looks good so far.  There are some odd side effects for us to watch for and some severe rare side effects.  And by severe there could be blindness, fluffing of skin (skin falling off) and liver failure.   Now those are rare side effects and no need to be worried.  This risk is worth the reward. 

That is really it for now.  Treatments will now go on for now - no defined end as of yet.  That is the hope that this trial will bring us.  Another step forward.  

For now - thanks for checking in and looking forward to summer.

Bye for now and keep on smilin.  

Jason

Crazy couple of weeks.

Good Day

Here are some obvious one liners for your enjoyment.

How many sides does a circle have? Two: an inside and an outside.

What cruises down the riverbed at 60 mph? A motorpike with two side carps.

And to go along with the past couple of weeks and events:
What did Tarzan say to his wife? "Jane, it's a jungle out there!"


 CT Results:  in summary - crappy.    The scan showed progression in the liver spots and spots in the lung.  Which means the chemo treatment being administered has stopped working allowing the cancer cells to grow.   Now that this has happened the Doc will stop this first line treatment and look at another standard treatment - short form name FolFox.  Similar to the first treatment FolFuri the main drug is just changed.  So that is the standard process and treatments.  Once first line stops working move to second line.  Then once second line stops working move to third line.  Once third line stops working - well hope there is something else out there.   

The opportunity I have though is slightly different.  Because of the genetic testing performed back in October I am able to participate in a clinical trial at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.  This will begin on March 10th.  Had to go through a number of tests and exams before being approved and all appears to be good.  Was a long day of 5 apts some lasting almost 2 hours.  

Not only did the scan show cancer cell progression, it also showed some obstructions to the right kidney causing improper function.  So the specialist has recommended having a stent (a tube) inserted between the bladder and kidney to prevent the pinching or blockage.  So this was done on March 4th.  Non invasive procedure which I was extremely happy to be knocked out completely for. Cause the only way to gain access to your bladder without making an incision is to up through exit already there.    Stent is done - beside a little discomfort - recovering quickly.

Then between all that there is an issue with high blood pressure - so now I am on blood pressure medication.  This chemo stuff is really making a mess of me.  Skin irritations, bad blood veins, and now high blood pressure.  What else is there to do though.  Nothing - gotta do what needs to be done.        

Other News  We were planing a trip for the end of March to visit Dallas for a few days, spend some time with Ryan and Barb and my cousin Kathy and Ron.  Then we were off to New Orleans for a few days. where we were meeting up with some friends from Kitchener.  Now with the clinical trial I had to cancel. The Doc will not allow me to leave the country during the initial cycles of the trail.  I have encouraged Teresa to go to New Orleans with everyone else and enjoy herself.   She deserves it.  It has been rough since the CT results.  


That is it for now.   

Still smilin and hanging in there.  and encouraging you all to keep smilin - it will brighten any gloomy day.  Try it.  

Jt