Saturday, March 30, 2013

March 30, 2013

Home from Sloany.

Got out mid-afternoon yesterday and have been doing some big time resting and relaxing since my arrival. As was expected, this latest round of chemo was quite tough. Nevertheless, it has been powered through - and here we are. Now to avoid the fever. Please, oh please, let me just avoid the fever.

Michigan State went down, and with them any chance my brackets may have had at success. Oh well. Boston College commences what looks like a big-time uphill quest towards the Frozen Four in college hockey tonight, so I'll be tuned into that.

Easter Sunday tomorrow...the bunny is well on his way to all, I'm sure. Stay well, and have a great holiday everyone.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

March 28, 2013

A very boring day down at Sloany Ketts, which is real nice.

Hydrating like it's nobody's business. I think I slept 75% of the day in there, maybe more - catching up on all that lost sleep with this backpack hydration at night. Just really fun stuff. If all goes according to plan I might be able to skip town mid-afternoon tomorrow. That'd be real swell.

Hopefully I'll make it up to watch a little March Madness tonight, we'll see how long I can last before passing out. Catch you all tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

March 27, 2013

March 27, 2013...certainly not where I thought I'd be on this date - but I'm here nevertheless. And, if the scans allow it to be so, by the grace of God, this will be the last day I received high dose chemotherapy.

Though I'm in here until Friday, that's for hydration measures. This chemo cycle will be tough to recover from, sure, and the battery of tests that will ensue in late April will provide anxiety to an extent previously unknown in the Modico household. However, seven full cycles of chemotherapy are complete. I mean I guess I knew what I was getting into, but I also didn't know what I was getting into, but it didn't really matter now did it? You gotta do what you gotta do. Fight for your right to party.

We march on. As previously stated, the scans will determine how I'm doing and what the course of action from that point on will be. All signs are pointing towards the maintenance chemo regimen for a while (however long I can handle it, really), and maybe trying to put my life back together a bit. Luckily, it never really fell apart thanks to the love and support I've received from seemingly every corner of the globe, but some things still need taking care of...like let's say graduating on May 20th.

And so we've come to, and passed, another milestone. It feels good to still be here, no matter the physical torture the whitecoats try to put me through. I plan to be here quite some time longer. Here's to the good life.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

March 26, 2013

Day 1 complete, one more day of high dose chemo (then two of hydration) to go. Pumped isn't strong enough of a word.

Sloany Ketts is swell, as always. Grabbed my suite today for a 4 day stay, puffed the pillows and unpacked my things. Naturally, I was a tad bit dismayed at the lack of mints on the pillow; needless to say a note will be sent to the manager, but I digress. Four and a half stars, of five.

Relaxing after the long first day, which includes, but is not limited to, a preliminary complete blood count to ensure chemotherapy is possible, a meeting with the team of doctors and nurse practitioners to take vitals and confirm the program, receipt of "suite" (chemo room), accessing of the mediport (BEST part of the day...not. I hate needles.), checking the urine to ensure it's dilute enough to administer certain chemo drugs (one particularly affects the bladder), administration of pre-meds (protectorants), and finally the chemo drugs themselves. So, "I'm going in for chemo!" (said enthusiastically, of course) is quite the process. Add into the mix that these chemo drugs are administered over a 6.5 hour period, and, well, you have yourself a nice little day. At the end, your reward is the backpack, chock full of fluids to pump into you throughout the night. Tomorrow's a bit better, with most of the preliminary work out of the way. Looking forward to a little less.

Figured I'd give you a little insight into the process...hope you never have to see it firsthand! Until tomorrow folks!


Monday, March 25, 2013

March 25, 2013

After a brief hiatus from the blogosphere, and chemo for that matter, I'm back.

Great weekend up Boston way. Had a nice little boost of energy for the weekend or maybe was running on adrenaline a bit. Either way, it was awesome to see the roomies and friends again.

So the Eagles lost in the Hockey East tournament for what feels like the first time in...ever. Sigh. At least BU didn't win the championship game. Luckily, we still received an at-large bid for the NCAA Ice Hockey Tournament. In another interesting twist of events, if both teams win their first game we'll have a Providence Regional Final of Boston College vs. Quinnipiac University. My cousin and I will finally get to settle once and for all who has the better hockey team this year. Hopefully it happens...then again we lost to Colorado College in the first round two years back so who knows.

Chemo week is here. The 7th and final high dose chemo if all continues to go according to plan. Sweet. I'll start it tomorrow, since it's only a 4-day cycle (really 3.5, which is even nicer). Though these drugs seem to take a harsher toll on the body, hopefully I won't get the nausea that accompanied the more recent cycles of drugs that I was given. Fingers crossed, as always. Let's knock this thing out.

Here's to a great week folks.

Friday, March 22, 2013

March 22, 2013

Pulled a bit of a quick one on the BC kiddies it appears...I'm in Boston!

Back at the old stomping grounds, Modular 30B of Boston College, just in time to watch the boys rattle some BU cages in a little puck game. It all started with a Snapchat photo of Gasson Hall on campus, stating, "Scavenger hunt...find me." I was found eerily quickly...these children are top notch.

Right off the bat it was just great to see all of them again. Luckily I'll be around for tomorrow too, so I'll catch up with a few more people. Making the rounds as they say, including seeing some professors and administrators. They're all so great; it's just an overall astounding place.

Madness is not letting us down people! These basketball games have been out of control. Bracket = toast, but what else is new? Pittsburgh really burnt my chances at the prize - what a fail by them. Nevertheless, can't stop watching. Let's go State tomorrow wooooo.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. To the good life!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

March 21, 2013

Let the madness commence.

I've got Sparty going all the way. Michigan State and its coaching and rebounding prowess have won me over for the 10th year in a row...so hopefully this works out, finally.

The buttburn is healing at an insane rate of speed. Naturally, even before the buttburn, I take a peek at that rotund thing of beauty daily and I must say it's rebounding...like a boss. Hopefully the platelets are as well; I'm confident in them.

Life is quite boring currently, but that's good. Not much to talk about, just R&R and watching a ton of sports. You know, just living the dream.

Catch you all soon. Let's go State.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

March 19, 2013

Rangers win!!!

Lived a day in the life of Katie the Mutt (who is a purebred, but nevertheless quite mutt-like) today. Got up like a grand total of 3 times and snoozed. Food Network, Netlflix, and hockey. Can't get much better than that, can it?

Really soaking up this extra week off, as you can tell. I'll get out and move around a bit more tomorrow - was limited by the extensive inclement weather. Probably should've cleaned my room, but where's the fun in that? Mwahaha.

So hopefully tomorrow will be a bit more lively. But not in an overly exciting kind of way.  The upcoming days are all about doing this.

Catch you later everyone.

Monday, March 18, 2013

March 18, 2013

Radiation. Complete.

I wish you could hear the pure, unadulterated "WHAT?" I shrieked when I was told that my buttburn was looking "great!" by the doc today. Shocking, really. This thing is toasted. But I do enjoy me a good moon every now and again, so it was a good time.

On schedule to begin the 7th and final chemo right on time, next Tuesday. This is astounding news. Let's get it over with, right? Next round of scans scheduled for late April, giddy up. So I'll try to get some things done this week, maybe even schoolwork and cleaning my room (if Bigfoot is lucky).

I really enjoy the snow. But it's time for spring. Let's get this (hopefully) last snowstorm over with too. Good luck shoveling, all.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

March 17, 2013

Happy Saint Patrick's Day everybody.

Getting really pumped up to head into Sloany tomorrow. Last radiation treatment. Buttburn once more and then on the road to getting it nice and healed. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Things are going pretty well - not feeling too bad. Have this whole week off, post-Monday, and hope to really bounce back with everything in order to head in for that last round of high dose chemo. Never looked forward to a round of chemo so much, ever. Pretty messed up - "Yes let's go pump those toxins in woooooooooo!" Then again, I've always been a pretty messed up guy, in the head at least.

Watching the ESPN 30 for 30 on Jim Valvano's 1983 NC State team now. It's pretty awesome so far. By the way, how wrong was I about Syracuse yesterday? Some comeback from Louisville. Going to be one interesting NCAA tournament for sure.

Catch you all tomorrow, at which point ALL 31 treatments will be in the books. Great stuff.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

March 16, 2013

Blogosphere, greetings. Salutations.

Currently watching the Big East men's championship basketball game, looks like a runaway for Syracuse.  But who cares about college basketball, right? It's all about the cawlidge hawkey, and our BC Eagles are marching on everybody wooooo. Hopefully Coach York gets well quickly after another detached retina. Stuff is scary. I had the whole temporary blindness thing happen to me when I had that 105 fever/ridiculously low blood pressure - it ain't fun folks.

Got some great texts/pictures from Beantown from the festivities occurring this weekend. Gotta love it. Had me recalling last St. Paddy's Day....which I don't recall at all. Classic.

Hope everyone has/had a great celebration. Everyone's Irish on 3/17. Take care world.

Friday, March 15, 2013

March 15, 2013

Ah yes, the Ides of March. Down with tyranny, am I right?

So it wasn't too bad a day for my Boston College Eagles sports teams. The basketball team showed some serious signs of coming together as a cohesive squad despite losing to top-seeded Miami, and the hockey team won their game 4-2. The postseason push begins; hopefully more games will be on national television so I can watch some more. School pride. For Boston.

Last radiation treatment on Monday. Mr. Buttburn can't wait for that to come and go. Sizzle sizzle.

It's all going quite well nowadays. Stuffing my face with good eats all week long, and it's just not getting old. Missed New York food while I was up Beantown way. So at least there's that benefit of having to come home, right?

Well here's to a great weekend, filled with pretty solid sports fixtures. Enjoy everybody.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

March 14, 2013

Currently living the dream, folks.

Although my color apparently hasn't come back (whatever that means), I'm feeling pretty darn good. Sure the whole back/butt burn is a pain in the you-know-what, literally, but I mean it's not all that bad relatively speaking. I keep thinking back to the pain that initially kept me up and night and sent me to the doctors in the first place, and that may still be the worst I've ever experienced. So this, well - this is nothin'.

Relaxing and radiating. Two more left...unbelievable really. To think I'm already at the end of the sixth week of this is incomprehensible. But it's true. It'll be nice to be able to sleep in for a week before the next chemo, really let the body recover. Can't wait to regrow some hair too...I can feeeeeel it.

Until tomorrow all. St. Paddy's Day around the corner....uh oh.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

March 13, 2013

Dearest Followers,

I come to thee with deepest apologies for lack of blogging activity yesterday. I grabbed some transfusion action, plus some platelets, and in order to achieve this without allergic reaction and/or fever I was given Tylenol and Benadryl. Game, set, match. There's simply no beating the monster that is Benadryl; it is a one way ticket to the sandman, do not pass go, and certainly do not collect 200 clams.

As a result, I slept about 15 hours yesterday, and blogging was simply a dream in the mist. But fear not, I am back, and better than ever. Well, getting better than ever. And with a streamlined, new, bald look. Well, that's not new either. Okay I'm back.

The countdown of radiation treatments has reached 3. Trois. Tre. And in honor of the new pope: tres. Speaking of the new Vicar of Peter, got to say I'm a bit disappointed the Conclave is over. My feelings about it as it was in session are best described with the quote from Willy Wonka when he said, "The suspense is terrible.........I hope it lasts." Two days, too easy. I needed a little more struggle out of these Cardinals. But this guy seems legit, so maybe next time.

Rangers stink, that's all there is to say about that.

Katie is running the show here, bossing it up as always. No worries about her, all. She's currently giving me the business because she smelled the scent of Erin (cousins' dog) on me after I visited there. I'm simply a cheater in her eyes now, nothing more. I'll have to re-earn the mutt's trust. Such a fickle beast.

To bed I go. Catch you all tomorrow.

Monday, March 11, 2013

March 11, 2013

Can count on one hand how many radiation treatments I have left...........sweeeeeeet.

Got some stuff done today. Feels good to be back on these recovery weeks and actually be useful rather than just laying on the couch relatively listless. That might actually be one of the worst feelings throughout this whole ordeal - the pain and all is to be expected, but not being able to contribute/accomplish anything is quite miserable. Luckily I was finally able to get some schoolwork done, and to be honest it felt incredibly nice completing the assignment and sending it in. Not in your normal relief kind of way either, but that actual sense of accomplishment, although I shouldn't get too excited, it's one assignment, I know.

Trying to keep this butt burn from getting too crazy. So far, so good. Getting there, one day at a time. Until tomorrow, later world.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

March 10, 2013

Tiger got the job done, eh? So did the Rangers, ehhh? Nice Sunday.

Was just watching a 60 Minutes report on the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain. What a work of art, and just to think - I was lucky enough to see it in person. Just a lucky dude. The rest of Barcelona was pretty awesome too. I liked Spain, maybe one day I'll be able to go for another jaunt through it.

A truly relaxing day, including a great breakfast, Sunday drive, and solid sports. Gotta love the added hour of sunlight too. I can almost smell it......yes.....baseball season is just around the corner. Real sweet.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Here's to a great week.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

March 9, 2013

I think I'm out of it. Getting really in tune with how my body feels in each stage of these cycles, and I think neutropenia has hit the bricks. But we'll make sure on Monday.

Slept in until 8 today. Felt so right. Getting up early for radiation is a bit of a pain...but necessary. As a result, sleeping in on the weekends is sa-weet. Luckily, only 6 more radiations left though! Gettin' it done. Next thing you know I'll be growing hair again....watch out world.

Relaxing and really enjoying this upcoming third week of the cycle. Maybe even getting some of those birthday festivities in that I missed out on due to chemo. Woo 22!

Later everyone.

Friday, March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013

Only one more full week of radiation!...and then one more Monday.

This is good news, because I'm starting to get a good burn on the butt. A radiation burn, which is kinda like a sunburn, but....darker. And not as fun to get: whereas the sunburn means you were likely frolicking in the sun, the radiation burn means, well, you know.

Chowed down on some pork chops and pierogies for dinner tonight. What a win. Hopefully bouncing out of neutropenia this weekend and back into good counts next week. I've got a good feeling.

Rangers played a little sluggish tonight, but to be expected given the schedule. We'll look for a rebound from them; they'll take notes on how to rebound like bosses from my blood counts. Let's go. See you all later.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

March 7, 2013

Let it snow...spring break '13 wooooo!

This is probably the best snow; well, so far. It's not sticking to paved surfaces so there's no clean up, but it looks good sticking to the trees and grass. Hope it stays that way...but it probably won't.

Hanging out watching the Rangers. They're playing pretty okay lately, enjoyable. Unsure if I'll make it through the third period before passing out, though I did take a nice hour and a half nap today so perhaps there's a chance.

So 7 more radiations. Just gotta get out of neutropenia now so I can get back to eating all my favorite foods...you only want them when you can't have them. Ugh the worst. And there's Katie rubbing it in my face, eating the bark off the fake tree like, "Yeah...I can have it all." What a friend.

Catch you all tomorrow...almost the weekend.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

March 6, 2013

Another radiation in the books: only 8 to go.

Saw the radiation oncologist today. What a doc. She said that I'm currently going through radiation therapy as smoothly as she's ever seen. Like a boss. What else did she expect? Does she not realize who she's dealing with? Nicky Mo don't do it any other way, baby. Giddy up.

That being said, it's pretty apparent all the prayers are doing their job. I'm so grateful for all the outpouring of love and prayers everyday; you all really don't know how much it means.

Heading down for counts again tomorrow...hopefully no transfusions!! Fingers crossed. Until later, everyone...enjoy the nonsense snow if you're in its path!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

March 5, 2013

Keep on keepin' on. Life's a garden - dig it. I watched Joe Dirt yesterday, could you tell?

I need everyone to know that I was forced to delay this blog post in order to place bets for my parents on the ponies. Addiction is stanky cologne. Classic.

Bro-ed out hard with the mutt today, watching some Food Network and relaxing. Isolation isn't fun but you make it your own in certain ways. I'm feeling up to driving (Mediport is sometimes uncomfortable), so I isolated myself in the car for part of today. Gotta make some sort of activity or cabin fever sets in real fast. I love driving, and it was a beautiful day, so it was a great activity.

Gotta say the nausea and overall cruddiness of chemo week has seemed to dissipate a bit faster this time, which is wonderful. I'll go catch some more radiation tomorrow, come home, and wait for "Saturn" to arrive. Really disturbed by this whole naming of winter storms still. So lame.

Enough complaining out of me. Later everyone.


Monday, March 4, 2013

March 4, 2013

Down and back from Sloany Ketts.

Made out like a bandit...got the blood test and came back with good enough numbers not to need a transfusion. What a win.

Katie came over to the couch today at a point in the day where I was particularly dissatisfied with television. It's almost like she sensed it. I thought, naturally, that she was just trying to bogart her way onto the couch (as always); but not this time - she swept under my hand with her head and just stayed there, waiting for me to pet her. It was either a stroke of brilliance by a needy dog or the chick is losing her marbles. Needless to say she got the requested rubdown.

I think about this blog and my direction with it often, and I have to say this: it's wonderful that all the readers here are fully aware how much I adore Katie the Wondermutt. This is no new thing; Katie and I have been tight homies ever since I carried her sleepy self back on my lap from the puppy farm upstate in '99. My good friends up at school knew about me and the mutt, mainly due to the picture of Katie that was in each of my dorm rooms since freshman year; but now everybody knows about me and the mutt. And that's a good thing. She deserves some extra street cred.

A throwback of me and the Kater...she looks the same. I'm workin' on it.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

March 3, 2013

Hangin' in. That's the motto.

Thank the heavens that the full week chemos are over (hopefully...never know what these doctors may spring on you next). So getting ready for a week of absolutely no immune system, radiation, and a constant terrible taste in the mouth. I'll be in hiding, with Jolly Ranchers, as long as possible until those white cells come back.

It has been a much needed weekend of nothingness. Not that I can do much, because I'm certainly not feeling up to it, but at least I didn't have to go down to Sloan everyday for radiation or transfusions. So there's that.

Otherwise status quo here. Let's have a great week.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

March 2, 2013

Still kickin'. All the haters can sit down now.

So after a brief hiatus thanks to another wonderful round of the finest chemotherapy science has to offer, I'm back. Yes, yes, it's true I did turn 22 yesterday - downright old some may say. I'll take 22 more.

Although, of course, it was not the ideal setting to celebrate a birthday, everyone was so nice and excited about it down at the Ketts. Ice cream cake, posters, etc., what a crew. Not to mention the sight I got to come home to last night (but photographed this morning)...shout out to Mom's Bible Class for the decorations and gifts!


What a ham, always getting in all the pictures...if she asks how her coat looks one more time...

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone. Like I said before, here's to 22 more. Stay well folks.