Thursday, January 31, 2013

January 31, 2013

And here she is, the very last of January days. It was quite appropriate for a month named after the two-faced Roman god to be so bipolar weather-wise, no? I thought so. These are my daily musings as I sit in my chair in the living room - how I can compare Roman gods to the weather...sad, sad times. Snap out of it kid.

Katie got shot up with the good stuff yesterday (counteracts her Addison's disease). Appropriate that I went to a high school named after a man who was known for being inflicted with that very disease (JFK). Comparing my dog to legendary United States presidents...sad, sad times.

Through the unbelievably generosity of friends, I have the opportunity to go to see my New York Rangers play some puck tonight at the Garden. I've been saying how I've wanted to get to a game for years now, but never have because of timing, school, etc. It has to have been 10 years since I've been to a game, back before they had nets on top of the glass behind the goals. This is some treat that I'm truly grateful for...excellent, excellent times.

Overall folks, it's a great day to be alive, isn't it? Giddy up.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

January 30, 2013

Can't believe it's almost the end of January already. It feels like yesterday I was getting rushed into Sloan with seemingly no blood pressure and that ridiculous fever and spending New Year's there....ohhhh the dayssss.

Dense fog covers the landscape here; this weather is so bipolar. Frozen tundra one week, 60 degrees the next, and potentially back again? Come on now make up your mind mother nature. Wafflin' more than John Kerry in '04.

Here's an interesting article that Katie had mentioned something about recently. I originally didn't believe her claims about the subject matter, but it turns out she's got a base for her disdain towards the feline race. Well played, mutt.

Rest and relaxation continues as we gear up for round 5 on Monday. Hope all is well with you readers out there. Later gators.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

January 29, 2013

Caught the beginning of GoodFellas last night. Some great flick that is.

Hit up the Sloany today just to hang out. Kidding, but kind of not really. Got some blood taken, reaffirm the boss nature of the rebound of said blood, and learned a little about clinical genetics. Always a good time for a little biology lesson, no?

Snuck back in the house just a few minutes ago to wake Katie up from her mid-morning/early afternoon slumber. She's always the mushiest at the wake up stage, like "I'm asleeeeeep OH MY GOD IT'S YOU JUST PET ME RIGHT ON MY BUTT OH THIS IS THE BEST WAKE UP EVER" type of deal. Then just as quickly you're her lackey and she's like "come on take me out and feed me". Standard.

Grabbin' some fresh air today. It's time. Farewell all.

Monday, January 28, 2013

January 28, 2013

These pro bowls are getting insane with the scoring. It's practically the no-defense bowl. Tiger's playing like a boss, love to see that. As is my annual prediction, I've got him winning the Masters. Katie's very anti this prediction given her disdain for felines. We'll throw paws later (she's, of course, sleeping).

The snowfall is just excellent. Though it's only about an inch or so, still looks great. First time I got to see the snow fall at home this winter I believe; all the other times I was stuck in the hospital or the snow fell at night. It really looks great around here - very Norman Rockwell-eqsue.

 Got a little blood check tomorrow then chillin' out until a radiation simulation on Friday. Should be a niiiice, quiet week at the Modico Compound. Talk to ya later.


Sunday, January 27, 2013

January 27, 2013

Just nommed on some hot soppressata. Man is that stuff good. Ah the perks of being out of neutropenia: for one, antipasti. Delicious.

Hanging in this weekend. Gonna grab some good food, watch Tiger and perhaps some basketball, and relax. Essentially mimic Katie as closely as humanly possible. (Maybe even bark at Largefoot some as well. What???? Katie started it.)

By the way, when did the Rangers learn how to score goals? Little 4 goal 3rd period yesterday? Hope that it's a turning point. We'll see how it goes!

Enjoy the views of Torrey Pines today everyone, that's my recommendation. Until another time, adieu.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

January 26, 2013

And we have arrived at what I consider the first of many weekends that contain true Kentucky Derby prep races. It's too early to be getting Derby fever, right? Wrong. Never too early.

A nice dusting of snow here in the valley, providing a real nice view out the windows this morning. Katie has been cuddling with her baby ram, and life is good.

Going to grab some fresh air today; I've been avoiding the cold long enough, I think. Plus, I'm finally feeling like my body temperature is back to being regulated well. That's one interesting side effect of the chemo - my body temperature fluctuates and is influenced very easily, but oddly, it bounces from between 96.5-98. No fevers unless I'm sick, but 98 feels hot! Very strange.

Let's go Tiger. Have a great weekend everyone.

Friday, January 25, 2013

January 25, 2013

Rebounding like bosses. Bone marrow was like "Nah, son." to the whole not producing white blood cells thing and decided to start up the engine a bit early. Righteous. A whole nine days of non-neutropenia. I can hardly contain my excitement.

Katie is currently doing her pig in a blanket impersonation. Don't tell her I said that. Largefoot (Mom) said she looked cold, so I guess the fur coat wasn't enough? She should try being bald. That'd be a sight.

Getting ready for a nice weekend of relaxation; no football though, so methinks a little golf is in order. Very nice. Farewell for now all.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

January 24, 2013

About time the Rangers got in the win column.

Time is flying by isn't it? Already past MLK day and powering towards the Ides of February (yikes). To this I say GOOD! Wouldn't want these days to drag any longer than they possibly must.

Having a decent week here. No energy but also no infection, which is quite nice. Spending any more time than truly necessary in the hospital is severely uncalled for; plus, being home has just been very comfortable on these quite cold days. Hoping these counts are back by tomorrow this way I can have two whole weekends of non-neutropenia...what a steal that would be. Not that I go out on the weekends or anything but it just adds to the count of days that are better than others, in terms of foods I'm allowed to eat. Hooray for the little things!

On to handicapping...so what if Aqueduct isn't running? Giddy up Gulfstream and Santa Anita! Later everyone.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

January 23, 2013

Haters gon' hate. I see you out there hatin' on my Katie dog. She's giving you the paw right now...you don't even wanna know.

Neutropenia has kept me in medical isolation these past few days. It's been a downright party in this joint, of course. Might have a direct correlation to being newly tatted up, I'm just a huge party animal nowadays. As my good friend would say, "Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll! Minus the sex and the drugs." Though I could make a case for the inclusion of the drugs I'm on...they're just not the same. Sigh.

Time to watch some new TV shows; Netflix-ing out naturally. Should be a nice relaxing day...take care everyone - and stay warm!

Monday, January 21, 2013

January 21, 2013

Well I'm certainly glad the football games have been entertaining because the Rangers certainly haven't been, unless you're into that whole misery and angst thing.

This round of chemo hasn't been so nice to me. For whatever reason, it surely has taken its toll on my stomach. Hang in there, Estomago. I know you're reading this blog just like everybody else. (Yeah it's strange, he likes to go by his Spanish name for some reason. Makes him feel "saucier". I just acquiesce.)

All else is relatively quiet on the western front. Katie is currently slightly chilly and is sleeping with her paw over her nose to keep warm, so there's that visual for you all. 

Guess I'll kick back, watch some MLK day hoops, and try to eat something. Heck, maybe I'll even try to conjure up the energy to play a little WiiGolf later. Take it easy everyone.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

January 20, 2013

Championship Sunday, 3 of the 4 teams back from last year with one predictable absence. Rangers stunk as well. Tough stretch here.

So finally out of the chemo week and into the cruddy week but hey, progress is progress right? Feeling relatively tired, to be expected, and trying to catch up on some sleep. It's fun-ish.

The Christmas decorations have finally come down. 'Tis the worst time of the year. The Ides of February staring us down. The worst.

So what we'll do here is pray for a good week, relax a bit, and hope those counts...

Saturday, January 19, 2013

January 19, 2013

Home, finally. As of late last night, I am home. Deaccessed now (no needles) and avoiding the infection bug like the plague.

Back to bettin' horses and chilling with Katie the dog. These are the things that one lives for. Well, I guess I do at least...uh oh.

So this past chemo was quite the tough one, I must say. Five straight days of the stuff is...wooooof. Eventually towards the end of the week I battled nausea a bit but hopefully coming out of that cycle now. No good.

Who's ready for some hockey? Rangers tonight woooo. Great to have hockey back. So I'll just lay back and try to enjoy that tonight.

I'm really working my way to Charlie Villanueva status with some more hair loss. Almost there...see you later everyone.

Friday, January 18, 2013

January 18, 2013

Alas, the final day of chemo round 4 hath arrived.

Toiling through this last day; it's been a long week! Treatments everyday, not sleeping well, and being removed from home is just a recipe for a rough one. Throw in some nausea side effects that past two days and, well, it hasn't been fun! Nevertheless, powered through and almost done now. Let's keep the infection bug away so I don't have to head back into the hospital, okay? Great good.

So after chemo and hydration today I head over to get tatted up by the radiation people. Things that we never thought would happen...Nicky Mo with tattoos. They don't really count though, little dots to make sure the machine is in the same spot each time I get zapped up with the rays. No artwork type deals here.

Also realized I've been more or less flashing the people that work in the offices across 67th street. To all of them I say, "You're welcome." Later everyone.


Thursday, January 17, 2013

January 17, 2013

Day 4. Moving along slowly but surely.

Leading a very boring life down here at the Sloany, but that's surely a good thing versus the alternative.

Heading to integrative medicine later today to see what they may or may not recommend as an addition to current treatment, such as the addition of some natural remedies perhaps. Should be interesting.

Definitely missing home and the Katie at this point. Only one more night down here...hopefully...then back to the compound, where I belong! Ready to be out of this joint.

Also incredibly disappointed, but not surprised, by the faux girlfriend gig run by the Notre Lame Fighting French linebacker. I mean come on, you really think we're going to believe that you got duped for how long? Never having actually met your "girlfriend" who was inflicted with leukemia? Yeah okay. Not buying it.

Well, until later everyone.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

January 16, 2013

Day 3 of the full week of chemo.

So far so good. A little cold in here I must say, but luckily Largefoot convinced me to bring my blanket from home to Sloan today. Great call, true warmth. Katie will be miffed that it wasn't left at home for her to sleep on.

Quite tired today, as a result of not sleeping and the anti-nausea meds. Napping all morning and maybe even part of the afternoon coming up. Really working on that Katie schedule - up to eat and go to the bathroom, sleep all other times. So far, I can't knock the dog's gig.

Two more days of chemo this week. More than halfway there. Giddy up. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

January 15, 2013

We're off to a great start.

The MRI came back completely clean and, so far, I won't be having to get shots twice a day 'til kingdom come. Hallelujah!

Yesterday's chemo went well, no hiccups which is just excellent. (Figurative hiccups that is, but also no literal hiccups.) May be a bit tougher as the week progresses, but hopefully not!

And so end my days of yelling "LANCE!" to every bicyclist we pass on the roads. These are sad, sad times, but even I don't have what it takes to accuse these professional exercisers of being dopes. I mean dopers. I mean steroid using cheaters. Sigh.

School started up at BC yesterday; I wish everyone there and elsewhere a great semester. Keep on keepin' on everyone.

Monday, January 14, 2013

January 14, 2013

And so it begins.

Five days straight of chemo! Eeeeesh. Hopefully not too bad of side effects...

Some really entertaining football games this weekend. Nice change from the previous weekend which were entertaining but more in a technical, low-scoring (not exciting) way.

So far so good down here - had a 2+ hour MRI to kick off the morning. How wunderbar. That'll check in on the suspicious activity around my mediport...which hopefully turns out to be just nothing. Fingers crossed.

Will be checking in again tomorrow morning. Until then, I bid thee adieu.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

January 13, 2013

Another great day of football...so good I almost forgot to blog.

A quick update then...about to head down for my week-long stay in the city for this round of chemo. Like I said it's a new one so hopefully it goes smoothly! Test for my heart first...confident everything will be okay with that.

Seahawks lost. Disheartening. Guess I'll be pulling for BC guy Matty "Ice" Ryan the rest of the way.

Be back with a more extensive post in the morn. Later all!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

January 12, 2013

If I really think about it, I can't help but feel like I'm one of these doctors' science projects. And then I ponder...has a science project independently ever been such a badass? Sure you have your exploding volcanoes and whatnot, but I'd like to believe I'm on the next level.

Nice couple of football games to watch today, which is excellent. Also, perhaps more importantly to me and far less notable to most of you, today is the running of the Fort Lauderdale Stakes down at Gulfstream Park in Florida. It's the race (and this, the weekend) that the family usually heads down to attend and grab some sunshine in the process before I head back to school. Although we obviously were unable to be down there, I'm sure we will be watching it online. Pretty bummed out about it, but I'm just looking forward to going next year.

The weekend is shaping up to be a relaxing one, which is wonderful. Long chemo week, new drugs, potentially new side effects all on the horizon. What better way to prepare than to just marinade in the comforts of home? Go ahead and try to deny this face.

Later everyone.

Friday, January 11, 2013

January 11, 2013

I still have trouble writing 2013 for these blog titles. Every time I roll out 2012 and have to correct it. New Year's problems.

I wonder what having a positive visit to Sloan and walking out unscathed feels like. We were so darn close yesterday! Last stop was a test they forgot to order while I was in the hospital all last week...and of course something suspicious shows up on my mediport. Lucky me. Could explain the 105 fever though and also might explain not being able to get blood return that day a while back (and a few times since). We'll get it nice and checked out.

Nice front page article about Kennedy potentially moving to the CHSAA (for those who don't know, the Catholic HS Athletic Association) in the paper this morning. I'm all for it; it's about time. It'll be interesting to see how they perform there.

Gearing up for a nice weekend here before round 4 commences Monday. I'm currently watching Katie snooze and maybe will be joining her in a bit - gotta get all the sleep I can now because I won't get any next week of course. Maybe I'll even play some Wii today (Wii Golf, of course)...watch out world. I'm lethal with a virtual 3-iron.

Later everyone.






Thursday, January 10, 2013

January 10, 2013

Heading to Sloan to meet up with the doctors and some new doctors (radiation) today. How wunderbar.

Real lull in the sports world...patiently waiting for those Saturday NFL games to come around, and of course patiently waiting for the NHL opener between the Bruins and Rangers next Saturday. Talk about a light at the end of the chemo tunnel - get out of the hospital on Friday night and Saturday get to watch the blueshirts. Real nice.

I have studied the mutt recently and seen that she adjusts her position on the floor to include at least part of her body in sunlight coming through the windows at least every half hour. It's a spectacle to watch; I'd compare it to the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - nay, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. So proper. Such ceremony. What class.

Talk to you all tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

January 9, 2013

Ah yes, another gawgeous day here in the Valley. Looks like temps may even creep into the 50s today and definitely by the weekend? Gross. It's January.

Couldn't help but feel some good karma would be heading my way given the abomination that was the past week with the whole fever/low blood pressure gig. Test results are back and showing that I'm reacting well to the chemo. The tumors that line the bones of my spinal column, thighs, and shoulders are all showing signs of shrinking. The inflammation/abnormality in my lung is gone; the tumor in my kidney that was kind enough to provide live cells to biopsy and finally diagnose this thing also took a train outta town - gone. Doctors think the one tumor that really caused the symptoms that sent me into the hospital in the first place would benefit from some radiation treatment - so we'll add that wrinkle to the 4 more cycles of chemotherapy and power on. The next 3 rounds of chemotherapy are a bit different than the last 3: they're 5 days long (Mon-Fri), and involve the use of different drugs. Hopefully I won't develop any new side effects...actually hopefully I'll drop off a couple of side effects from the last drugs and it'll be a bit easier! Round 4 starts on Monday.

Folks - we're moving in the right direction. Of course, it couldn't and wouldn't happen without the love, support, thoughts, and of course prayers that you all provide on a daily basis. I send my sincerest gratitude out to you all. Let's keep on keepin' on.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

January 8, 2013

I don't even know what I watched last night; sure wasn't a football game. Typical men against boys...typical Notre Lame Fighting French. (We are BC!)

Gorgeous week here in the Valley, except for some rain due on Friday. Will be taking frequent jaunts outside to grab some of that fresh air. Maybe I'll even let Katie roll with, if she promises not to complain about how slippery the snow is. (Like come on Katie you've got retractable nails don't be such a crybaby.)

Getting things done around here today. That's the goal. Patiently waiting to hear back from the docs and, as always, praying for the best...and listening to Katie snore.

Roll Tide.

Monday, January 7, 2013

January 7, 2013

It's so great to be back at the ranch. A little eggo action for breakfast after a nice night's sleep where I wasn't woken up every 4 or less hours for vitals or something else is severely underrated.


Right before I left the hospital the nurses pulled a fast one on me and gave me some benadryl. Talk about a low blow. I was passed out nearly instantaneously. They're sly those nurses, let me tell ya.

I'm already lamenting the removal of Christmas decorations at home and around town. Come on everyone let's just leave 'em up and do it again January 25th. No? Fine. You all must be South Pole Elves.

Still no real word back on the scans, will be getting a full report from the docs sometime this week I'm sure. Anxious but optimistic of course. Also looking forward to hopefully a good game tonight, but I really only have one thing to say in parting...

Roll Tide.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

January 6, 2013

I have been sprung. It's been too long since I've been home...snuck in on Katie who was still passed out on the couch to surprise her with my return. She was unamused...what a fickle woman. You would think she would be enthralled, enraptured, even overjoyed to see me again. I think she's over it now; nothing a treat or two can't fix.

It's about time. I was done with being stuck in there; only to realize I'm stuck in there for another week starting the 14th. Ugh. But hey, gotta do what ya gotta do. I'm gonna really do my best to enjoy this week home.

And so we're back, sitting in front of the TV watching horse racing. Life is good, life is great. I'll catch you all later.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

January 5, 2013

I have a feeling we're getting closer to possibly breaking out of this joint. I've got a poster of Raquel Welch on the wall and have been chiseling at the wall for days. My roommate is supportive and therefore has been great a a lookout for the whitecoats and nurses.

Patiently waiting for the blood counts to recover. Need a rebound here...it's coming though. Slowly but steadily. Scans are complete, reports pending. Fingers crossed everything's working like it should be.


Nice little football action all weekend, will be following all the action even though I don't have a horse in the race. Guess I'll pull for the Seahawks, I like their whole gig. Plus, Russell Wilson seems to be a real cool dude - even if his wife doesn't know how to react to good news like a normal human being.

Hope all is well by you guys out there. Until later everyone.

Friday, January 4, 2013

January 4, 2013

I don't know what's going on. I look over last night to see Mom curled up in the EXACT same position as her soft predecessor, Dad. It immediately reminded me of King Julien from Madagascar - "They're just.....a bunch.....of pansies." Sigh.

Hate when I have to get scans and such because then I can't eat or drink anything but water from midnight, no matter when the scan is scheduled for. Completely lame deal. Soooooo let's say the scan is at 7 PM...the entire day of food is lost. Lost I say. Ruined. Gone to meet it's maker. My scans are scheduled for 3 PM...wish me luck!

Just hanging out down here otherwise. Numbers are still bottomed out (expected) and so into the weekend we head. Good news is there's football to watch on both days, hooray! (Mom is particularly overjoyed...) Stay well everyone.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

January 3, 2013

Just chillin' out down here at Sloan. The days are flying by! ...No they're not. But I've taken a liking to "Frasier", and have been watching a solid 2 hours of that per day. So that's cool.

Depending on the day, I'll either have a normal face or a Captain Chipmunk Cheeks look going on. Dad calls it "steroidface", thanks to a nurse uttering the phrase. It's unbelievable how meds can change your appearance even on a day to day basis.

Hopefully will be getting some strength back and feeling better heading into the weekend. Would be wonderful. Could really use the numbers to bounce up a bit early so I can get sprung from this joint. Plus, the doctors in here have to be getting tired of me...I sandbagged the psychiatrist into thinking I truly needed to have a discussion with him before revealing my underlying issue was the New York Giants. But then again, maybe it wouldn't have hurt to get my feelings about them out...

From my sources in the far north, I have ascertained a certain mutt was the subject of a bathing exercise around the 20:00 hour last night. What was once a stanky mutt is now....a slightly less stanky mutt. I'm sure she was overjoyed with the experience. She'll lay on the couch and we'll have a talk about it when I return to the homestead.

Stay well all.


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

January 2, 2013


Daytime TV can be oh so cruel. The good news is the hospital doesn't get the Food Network, otherwise I'd be slaying people left and right for some tasty food. The bad news is it's still daytime TV.

The old man passed out like such a sissy girl last night; it was hilarious. Wish I had a picture. Curled up and maybe even had a little thumb in the mouth action...cannot confirm that one though. I'll check the security tapes.

Looks cold outside folks. I can easily tell this because there's no colony of doctor ants along the sidewalks at lunchtime on York Avenue like there would usually be should it be a halfway decent temperature outside. In fact, those sidewalks are looking pretty bare. But I must say, it's a nice view from this room. Lots of natural light which is a welcomed change for such an extended stay.

I'm gonna go take in the sweet aroma of the Asian food from my roommate's meal from the outside...later folks.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

January 1, 2013

All is quiet on New Year's Day. Well, relatively quiet.

Looks like I'm stuck here in Sloan into the weekend. Rats. But much better to be observed and make sure everything is coming back together smoothly rather than have some unknowns going on up at home.

Got slightly inebriated on sparkling apple cider last night as some of you may have seen on Facebook...stuff is dangerous. Hide it from your kids, I say. In reality, I made it up until midnight, and it was swell to ring in the new year with Mom. Dad took care of ringing in the new year with Katie; the blonde bandit even rattled around some pots I heard. Not really though.

Watching tons of football today and trying to relax down here. Hope you all are doing something along those lines. Well 2013 is off to a good start, let's keep it going!