Sunday, September 29, 2013

September 29, 2013

Greetings everyone.

Made it through cycle 7 this week and beginning the recovery. It was an interestingly long feeling chemo week, probably because of this absurdly nice weather just staring me down the entire time. Nevertheless, here we are, moving forward. Luckily, the weather pattern we've had looks like it'll be holding up for a while. You know I'll be on the links.

Let's just not talk about football.

The latest household project to be undertaken is painting. You don't truly realize how dirty a house can get until you power wash the siding...totally gross. The decision was also made to change up the colors a bit, so we'll see how it all plays out. So far it looks pretty good.

And so the anxiety begins to build with scans looming on Thursday. Though I've openly stated I don't really get anxiety about these things, this time around it's starting to hit me a bit. Maybe because time seems to be moving so quickly; it's already been 3 months since the last scans...unbelievable. Praying as always that things are lookin' as good as my fresh dirty blonde hair on those scans.


Until later people. (Let's go Giants ugh there I said it...the pain. The torture. The cruelty.)

Monday, September 23, 2013

September 23, 2013

Couldn't have been more right about the Giants, could I have? How gross? Bottom line sad truth: closer to vomiting from that performance than from any chemotherapy treatment. You've actually got to be kidding me.

Thank the sweet Lord for fantasy football because otherwise Sundays would be unbearable (this is of course assuming you don't have any members of the Giants on your fantasy football squad, which I, because I trust any member of the team you may name negative 10%, do not).  Meanwhile in reality world, golf finished up in a relatively lackluster fashion with Stenson running away with this weekend's tournament. Still amazes me to see these guys hit these shots, just awesome.

Into the week 2 abyss we roll. Really not an abyss at this point, considering we know exactly how this is going to play out. The great part about going into Sloan today and getting all my blood counts checked out was asking what the ANC (absolute neutrophil count) number was and getting the number "1.9" as a response. Let's dissect this: I could not get chemo two weeks ago because the count was 1.0. I was given the green light to get chemo last week because the count was a robust 1.1. AFTER a week of chemo...the count was 1.9. And I thought I had a sense of humor...my bone marrow is even funnier. My humerus is of course the most humorous. Gross, can't believe I just did that.

In other news, if you haven't been reading the comments to the blog (which I of course do, love hearing from you all when you can), Mrs. V is hanging up the cleats after 35 years on the ballfield. Of course this immediately brings two things to every reader's mind: 1) WOW. 35 years teaching - unreal commitment from and unreal person. 2) WOW. Nick's blog is quite possibly the best breaking news source out there. In all seriousness, from a former student on behalf of league of former students, thank you Mrs. V for your years of dedication, compassion, and friendship, and good luck with your future endeavors! (Nick's blog is currently not hiring...will gladly write recommendations, though.)

Enjoy what looks like some weather week out there folks. Later all.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

September 19, 2013

He's back, and back on the juice. Day 4 of chemo round numero 7. Feeling the effects of course, and not particularly enjoying such - nevertheless we power on. The counts didn't bounce back as strongly as I thought they might following an extra week off, but apparently it was still good enough to start treatment. And so, here we are, cheeming out again.

How did my last off week end up? After learning I'd be receiving that second week off I set out to play just about as much golf as possible, raking in 99 holes for the week (or 8 days, Sunday-Sunday). The weather is perfect for it and I was full of energy so I simply did what had to be done. Felt right.

Things that are not making this any easier: 1) The New York Giants. What a farcical showing it has been thus far. 2) Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Can't have them during chemo weeks due to high acidity...but they're so good. Judge away. 3) This weather. Unbelievably nice week and of course I'm stuck inside feeling like, well, a chemo patient. Cruel and unusual punishment, indeed.

Things to look forward to: 1) The next off-week(s). Always. 2) The New York Rangers. Sorta...this one could get ugly fast. 3) Today starts the TOUR Championship...a little golf to watch and nod off to certainly helps during chemo weeks.

Almost time to get those Halloween decorations out. Great time of the year. Enjoy everybody.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

September 11, 2013

Every year this day rolls around and sparks all kinds of emotions: anger, sadness, confusion, and even pain. Yet despite their intentions, look where America still happens to be: on top. Why? Because our ancestors earned it and we've maintained it; nothing can stop this nation. We continue to defend our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and this, along with the days that others tried to take these rights, we shall never forget.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

September 10, 2013

Greetings, world.

He's back, and better than ever. Well I guess that depends on who you're asking; you ask me and yeah man I'm doing superb. Feeling great, looking even better of course. Ask my bone marrow, and you may not get a response because the white blood cell department is on vacation. Not neutropenic, which is mahvelous, but not enough of the fighters to get chemo this week. It's not a big deal really, just means the marrow is taxed from, well, 10 months straight of chemo and needs some time to bounce back. You know what that means....off week city!!

So what to do? Well I did just get back from Boston, a great long weekend up there visiting friends and watching the Boston College Eagles casually notch another win. Not a huge deal, just matched last season's win total, like no biggie. I'm hearing warm things about the upcoming weather, looks like I'll have to hit the links. It's a struggle, but someone has to do it, you know? Might as well be Nicky Mo (third person, don't act like you don't absolutely love it).

If you need to reach me, I'll be in the middle of the fairway. Okay who am I kidding I'll be in the woods. Later all.


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

September 3, 2013

Back to school time, either today or next week for everyone. Except those that have graduated permanently in the spring...gross.

I guess I'd be more cut up about this being my first not back to school September if I was actually in school last semester. I don't know, something about the whole leaving school quite prematurely last year makes not going back now not a huge deal. Or maybe it's the fact that I don't have to start a real job and therefore don't miss the laziness that is "school". Or maybe I have cancer and none of these things really matter because I'm just focused on trying to feel halfway decent. OR maybe it's a huge deal and I just want to go back to my dorm room and football tailgates and "class" (sleeping through some) now please and thank you. I'll settle for a combination of all the above I guess.

I'm back from a hiatus, yes, as I was feeling quite miserable from chemo last week and had to rally to get myself prepared for the trip to Pittsburgh. What a trip - great seeing most of the roommates and watching the first place Pittsburgh Pirates (no big deal). It's a tough life being king, you know, heavy lies the crown and such, but the Pirates are doing it with style. Loving it. A huge thank you to all those involved in making it an amazing experience. In parting, a photograph - later everyone.