Sunday, August 25, 2013

August 25, 2013

Everyone: huge news in between blog posts - Bigfoot got a year older. Ew ew ew ew ew. She celebrated by knitting in a rocking chair, cleaning her dentures, and re-watching her most recent television spots. Good for her.

Tough week in the chemo world. These pills are just gross, totally mangle the stomach to no end. However, that's the halfway mark with the pills. Yes, it's true, the pills are half over. After this week, maintenance chemo will be half over. Astounding. Ready to put this baby in the books.

Also, while I was away, my partner in crime "El Gato Malo" (aka Old Man Wrinkle's automobile) crossed with 300,000 mile mark. Much to my chagrin, photographic evidence of the event was not obtained and therefore lost forever. These are the saddest of times. He still runs strong, however, crushing all mile barriers in his way. Stud car.

Hoping for some nice weather today (so far, so good), should be one of my last possible pool days here at the compound. Back to the chemo grind tomorrow...and Pittsburgh in less than a week. Let's go Pirates baby. Later everyone!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

August 21, 2013

So I really enjoy driving, and I really enjoy hitting a golf ball. The great irony here is that I hate driving a golf ball. I've gotta figure that out relatively soon.

You know what else I've gotta figure out? Unpacking. I'm so not into it right now. I just feel like maybe it'll get itself done somehow...but it's just...not. Also, I haven't golfed in weeks. Weeks, I say. You'd think I was working hard on something else well HA! You'd be incorrect. Unfortunately. Perhaps it's time to reassess my priorities to keep the mind sharp through the fall. Keyword there: perhaps.

It's good to be home, but I of course miss Mickey and Minnie Mouse...those savages. Get to stay in the happiest place on Earth forever. Sharing is caring, rodents, didn't anyone ever teach you that? Bottom line you and I both know Mickey's still holding a grudge over originally being named Mortimer. Tough. Name.

Am I absolutely tearing up the lower Hudson Valley with the dirty blond spiked out hairdo? I know silly question. You know I am. Dirty blonde with needles protruding from the chest is about to be all the rage. Trendsetter extraordinaire. Don't hurt your neck trying to sneak a peek at my style when I roll by - if you kindly email I'll send a sample modelling photo.

Catch up with you all again soon. Hasta luego mundo.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

August 18, 2013

So it looks like it went the way of silence from the blogger for the past week.

In essence, that's how you could tell I was busy having a great time I suppose? In case it's still up in the air for you - it was a great time, of course. Disney's that "happiest place on Earth" for a reason, and you pick up an appreciation for something new every time you go. Past times it's been the intricacy with which Disney is planned and operated, from the detail of Main Street U.S.A. to the hidden "cast member" (remember, it's all one big show) entrances and exits. This time it was how each cast member went about their particular role with enthusiasm in order to make every visitor's time memorable. You can easily see how this has a profound effect on the younger ones. Although we may not think of it as the time is there, because life is short and the window of maximal effect Disney can have on a child in my estimation is somewhere from 4-8, I believe it's one of the most incredible experiences a parent can offer a young child. Of course there are many roadblocks to making the trip, namely financial and time constraints, but with proper allocation and planning, this is a trip that is very much worth it.

Moving on to big boy things, emphasis on big (but the food was so good...). The normal schedule is 2 weeks of chemo, one week off, repeat. Thanks to this trip I took two weeks off - doctors promoted it, have stated it doesn't change the efficacy of the drugs, etc., so I said why not. Astoundingly clutch move. I'm almost thinking of recommending adopting this extra week off at the midway point of treatment into the regimen. There are of course 2 problems with that: 1) I'm not at the midway point, but I'm close (done with 5 cycles of 12) and 2) not everyone does 12 cycles. But maybe there are other patients like me, and maybe my recommendation can help them out a bit too. We'll see.

Now why is this extra week off so great? Well for one, and perhaps most obviously, it allows the body to recover and extra whole week. Bone marrow gets as much of a vacation as the brain, if you will. Another reason is the amount of energy I pick up as a result; last time I went in for counts I noticed an "L" missing (signifying "Low") - turns out it was next to the red blood cell count, which is now back in the normal range. (NORMAL ha! What a loaded word.) Throw on two more weeks since then, and I can only imagine what that level is at. Oh wait! I was able to walk around all of Disney World for seven days versus barely mustering the strength to get out of the living room chair. I think I know where it's at. Last, and perhaps most importantly, this extra week provides a bit of hope. It shows how I could be feeling post-chemo - and December's right around the corner folks, I know you've all started Christmas shopping for me already. No chemo + presents...gawgeous.

Until another time everybody.


Friday, August 9, 2013

August 9, 2013

The last picture was undeniably cool, trust me I know. Perfectly appropriate on all levels, down to the horse named "Economic Forecast" winning a race named after a finance and marketing major's graduation. Boom goes the dynamite.

Where have I been, you ask? Great question. Next question. Kidding, I'll fess up. Alrighty, so the past cycle of chemo wasn't as kind to me in that my stomach tended to be in knots more often than not during the two week stint. Unfortunately, it was tougher to deal with; fortunately, it's over! This past week I've been doing as much as I possibly can, as always, making the most of my off-week time. What does this entail? Well for one, a round of golf or two is literally a shoe-in. If your life depended on in and you had to guess one activity that Nicky Mo has probably done in the past 48 hours, you'd guarantee another sunrise with a response of "placed a parimutuel wager" and you'd toe the line with "played golf". So you're welcome for that cheat sheet, because we all know this life or death scenario is coming to a theater near you sometime soon.

Gotta say it really is a bit strange but when you've gone through it I guess the experience sticks with you: in November I couldn't walk standing straight up. Literally could not walk without looking like Quasimodico, the hunchback of Putnam. Now I play a round of golf, no problem - full swings despite the mediport and all. The science of medicine really is something, and the bounce-back-ability of the human body is even more impressive. I've been pumping poison through these veins for a solid eight months now, yet I stand (caught me I'm sitting but stand packs so much more of a punch, right?) here today feeling better than I've felt in about a year and a half. Amazing. It's also amazing that this is what's almost expected, I guess. Doctor Wexler said he was confident he could get me to remission from day 1 - it's staying here that's the challenge. So while the tumors are in my rearview I'm very aware they're trying to catch up with me, just the nature of this disease. But while they're trying that, I'm living to the fullest - 'tis the only way.

And with that, I bid thee adieu. Next stop, Orlando. Bringing some rodent repellant to the Magic Kingdom, no worries. Also, this could go one of two ways: either you won't hear from me until after I return or I'll be practically live-blogging my trip to Disney World. Time will tell. Later everyone!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

August 6, 2013






How sick, right???? I'll be back from my hiatus in a little, just needed to finally get this picture out there because it's so sweet. Giddy up.