My whole family was able to attend and support me in the celebration.
I will now enjoy my first summer of no school since the High School years and start my Masters in Mass Communication in the Fall.
Monday, April 25, 2011
The Graduate
A week ago today I graduated from college receiving a Bachelors of Arts in Communication. I am celebrating my week mark with a little chemo party at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego! It should be a good time. I may even bring out the chemo dance as a part of the week celebration.
My whole family was able to attend and support me in the celebration.
I will now enjoy my first summer of no school since the High School years and start my Masters in Mass Communication in the Fall.
My whole family was able to attend and support me in the celebration.
I will now enjoy my first summer of no school since the High School years and start my Masters in Mass Communication in the Fall.
Thanks to Nicki and Mary
Easter was very kind to me this year. I also received this awesome Baseball Easter Basket from my Awesome friends Mary and Nicki. They are good friends of mine and we enjoy Karaokeing (I don't know if that is a word) together!
Thanks for the Baseball Easterness. You know me too well!
This summer will be full of fun times!
Thanks for the Baseball Easterness. You know me too well!
This summer will be full of fun times!
Thanks to Leah and Cassie
Two Fridays ago I had my second round of chemo. As usual I sleep pretty much the day away. As I awoke around 3 or so a.m. to relieve myself in the restroom I trip over a Easter basket walking from my bed to the bathroom. (Mind you this is still 9 days until Easter.) I was super confused by seeing a Easter basket but being too tired and high on drugs I went about my business and then returned to bed to continue sleeping.
When I awoke the following morning I can better see what I had tripped over. It was a WONDERFUL Get Better Pre-Easter Basket brought by these two amazing women!
Here are the contents of the basket: My favorite part was the Mr. Bubble and relaxing bubble bath both of which I have used to my advantage.
Also in the basket was this awesome puzzle card.
On the back it read: Cancer Sucks (as we all know)
But you never, ever let it show
We hope this finds you in your lowest low
And a chemo side-effect will make your hair re-grow!
Love,
Leah & Cassie
THANK YOU LEAH AND CASSIE! YOU ROCK!
When I awoke the following morning I can better see what I had tripped over. It was a WONDERFUL Get Better Pre-Easter Basket brought by these two amazing women!
Here are the contents of the basket: My favorite part was the Mr. Bubble and relaxing bubble bath both of which I have used to my advantage.
Also in the basket was this awesome puzzle card.
On the back it read: Cancer Sucks (as we all know)
But you never, ever let it show
We hope this finds you in your lowest low
And a chemo side-effect will make your hair re-grow!
Love,
Leah & Cassie
THANK YOU LEAH AND CASSIE! YOU ROCK!
Tap Class
This past semester I took a tap dance class. It was a great time and I enjoyed learning the steps. I am contemplating continuing tap the upcoming fall semester.
I was the only boy in the class so I kind of stood out. It was a fun semester and the whole class became a family and we enjoyed spending time together twice a week in class.
Once I was re-diagnosed I was no longer able to go to class and after a while my classmates asked my teacher why I was no longer coming. She spilled the beans (those were her words like I was trying to keep it a secret or something.)
For the final day of class we had a little party and I was able to attend. They presented me with this awesome card!
On the cover are pictures of a few legendary tap dancers. (Eleanor Powell, Fred Astaire, Shirley Temple, and Savion Glover to name a few)
Inside of the card:
Thank you to the whole tap class! Also thanks to Quintin my tap buddy and maker of the card! It is awesome!
I was the only boy in the class so I kind of stood out. It was a fun semester and the whole class became a family and we enjoyed spending time together twice a week in class.
Once I was re-diagnosed I was no longer able to go to class and after a while my classmates asked my teacher why I was no longer coming. She spilled the beans (those were her words like I was trying to keep it a secret or something.)
For the final day of class we had a little party and I was able to attend. They presented me with this awesome card!
On the cover are pictures of a few legendary tap dancers. (Eleanor Powell, Fred Astaire, Shirley Temple, and Savion Glover to name a few)
Inside of the card:
Thank you to the whole tap class! Also thanks to Quintin my tap buddy and maker of the card! It is awesome!
Sorry
I apologize for the lack of blogging. I had a rough weekend following my last round of chemo. I had a cough that I could not get control of that would send me into cough attacks that would eventually lead to triggering my gag reflex leading to some throwing up.
I went to the doctor got some legit cough syrup and some antibiotic and I am coming back to the real world.
So that mixed with my family being in town for my graduation from college it has been hard to find time for blogging, but I will be back to blogging every few days to keep everyone up to date on the fight against cancer.
I will be having scans this upcoming Friday to figure out the future of treatment/surgery so there will be a update after that.
Thanks for the well wishes! The most asked question is to post pictures of my boxer blanket. Those will be coming soon.
I went to the doctor got some legit cough syrup and some antibiotic and I am coming back to the real world.
So that mixed with my family being in town for my graduation from college it has been hard to find time for blogging, but I will be back to blogging every few days to keep everyone up to date on the fight against cancer.
I will be having scans this upcoming Friday to figure out the future of treatment/surgery so there will be a update after that.
Thanks for the well wishes! The most asked question is to post pictures of my boxer blanket. Those will be coming soon.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The Day After: Chemo Round 2
I had my second date with chemo yesterday. Our relationship must be improving because she seems to be enjoying her time with me. Here to hoping that she is nice to over the weekend.
As My friend Jessica Sullivan and her husband came to my treatment to keep me company. It was great to have company because it helps the time go by faster and is not as boring. So a special shout-out and thanks to them!
Also, I have been getting A LOT of question about the exact chemo I am currently receiving. So here is a detailed list about both of them.
So here it is:
Drug #1: Vinorelbine
Trade Name: Navelbine
Category: Chemotherapy Drug
Classifications: Vinorelbine belongs to a general group of drugs known as plant (vinca) alkaloids
Actions: Vinorelbine disrupts cell division, resulting in cell death. This drug cannot distinguish between cancer and normal cells, so some normal cells are affected, causing side effects.
How Drug is Given: Vinorelbine is given intravenously over 5-10 minutes
Precautions: Tell nurse immediately if you have any stinging or burning in the vein during or after the drug is administered.
More Common Side Effects:
Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
Numbness and tingling in hands and/or feet
Darkening of vein used to give the drug
Constipation
Less Common Side Effects:
Nausea
Vomiting
Sores in mouth or on lips
Hair Loss
Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
Drug #2: Gemcitabine
Trade Name: Gemzar
Category: Chemotherapy Drug
Classification: Gemcitabine belongs to a general group of drugs known as antimetabolites
Action: Gemcitabine disrupts growth of cancer cells. The drug cannot distinguish between cancer and normal cells, so some normal cells are affected, causing side effects.
How drug is given: Gemcitabine is given intravenously over an hour
More Common Side Effects:
Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
Decreased platelet count causing increased risk of bleeding
Decreased red blood cells with anemia
Fatigue
Less Common Side Effects:
Diarrhea
Sores in mouth and lips
Skin Rash
Hair thinning
Nausea
Vomiting
If you have anymore questions about any aspect of the treatment feel free to email me. I am very open and love to help others better understand the world of cancer. It can be a scary world, but there is hope!
Needle pokes: 3
Pills: 13
Happy Saturday! More post to coming in the next few days so if you want your questions answered now is the time to do it. You can either facebook them to me or submit them through email. There is a page on my blog entitled "Submit questions." Even if I don't know you and you have been blog stalking me your questions are still welcome!
As My friend Jessica Sullivan and her husband came to my treatment to keep me company. It was great to have company because it helps the time go by faster and is not as boring. So a special shout-out and thanks to them!
Also, I have been getting A LOT of question about the exact chemo I am currently receiving. So here is a detailed list about both of them.
So here it is:
Drug #1: Vinorelbine
Trade Name: Navelbine
Category: Chemotherapy Drug
Classifications: Vinorelbine belongs to a general group of drugs known as plant (vinca) alkaloids
Actions: Vinorelbine disrupts cell division, resulting in cell death. This drug cannot distinguish between cancer and normal cells, so some normal cells are affected, causing side effects.
How Drug is Given: Vinorelbine is given intravenously over 5-10 minutes
Precautions: Tell nurse immediately if you have any stinging or burning in the vein during or after the drug is administered.
More Common Side Effects:
Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
Numbness and tingling in hands and/or feet
Darkening of vein used to give the drug
Constipation
Less Common Side Effects:
Nausea
Vomiting
Sores in mouth or on lips
Hair Loss
Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
Drug #2: Gemcitabine
Trade Name: Gemzar
Category: Chemotherapy Drug
Classification: Gemcitabine belongs to a general group of drugs known as antimetabolites
Action: Gemcitabine disrupts growth of cancer cells. The drug cannot distinguish between cancer and normal cells, so some normal cells are affected, causing side effects.
How drug is given: Gemcitabine is given intravenously over an hour
More Common Side Effects:
Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
Decreased platelet count causing increased risk of bleeding
Decreased red blood cells with anemia
Fatigue
Less Common Side Effects:
Diarrhea
Sores in mouth and lips
Skin Rash
Hair thinning
Nausea
Vomiting
If you have anymore questions about any aspect of the treatment feel free to email me. I am very open and love to help others better understand the world of cancer. It can be a scary world, but there is hope!
Needle pokes: 3
Pills: 13
Happy Saturday! More post to coming in the next few days so if you want your questions answered now is the time to do it. You can either facebook them to me or submit them through email. There is a page on my blog entitled "Submit questions." Even if I don't know you and you have been blog stalking me your questions are still welcome!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thank You J-Port
A few days ago my good friend Jessica Sullivan came to visit me. We have known each other since our freshman year here at BYU. We both lived in the wonderful Deseret Towers (R.I.P.)
For some reason during that freshman year I gave her the nickname J-Port. Her maiden name is Porter so that is where the nickname came from.
Since then she has graduated and become a second grade teacher.
She had the awesome idea to make me a book to help me get better. It is entitled, "To Help Me Feel Better" by: Mrs. Sullivan's Class. Each student wrote me some advice to get better and drew me a picture.
When she stopped by to drop of the book it came with a basket for of goodies! The basket consisted of candy, an itunes gift card, and a cute stuffed animal. These three things were the consensus of what would make me feel better.
I took a picture of a couple of my favorites:
This one was written and illustrated by Denim. It says: "When I feel sick I like to sing a lot and A LOT. That's what I do to help me feel better. I hope it makes you feel better too."
I included this one because I enjoyed the story that accompanied it. Jessica told me that when he was writing and drawing he was singing "Shot through the heart" by Bon Jovi. This kid sounds pretty legit.
This second picture was done by Jack. It says: "When I feel sick I take a bath then take a nap. That's what helps me feel better."
I included this one because I really like the detail of his drawings. The pink part on the left side of picture is the sink with a toothbrush on in as he is sitting in the bath tub. I also liked how the bath tub was gray and the bed is blue. Gotta love kids!
Thanks J-Port! It was a great surprise that brightened my day! I love all the drawings and wonderful tips on how to get better.
For some reason during that freshman year I gave her the nickname J-Port. Her maiden name is Porter so that is where the nickname came from.
Since then she has graduated and become a second grade teacher.
She had the awesome idea to make me a book to help me get better. It is entitled, "To Help Me Feel Better" by: Mrs. Sullivan's Class. Each student wrote me some advice to get better and drew me a picture.
When she stopped by to drop of the book it came with a basket for of goodies! The basket consisted of candy, an itunes gift card, and a cute stuffed animal. These three things were the consensus of what would make me feel better.
I took a picture of a couple of my favorites:
This one was written and illustrated by Denim. It says: "When I feel sick I like to sing a lot and A LOT. That's what I do to help me feel better. I hope it makes you feel better too."
I included this one because I enjoyed the story that accompanied it. Jessica told me that when he was writing and drawing he was singing "Shot through the heart" by Bon Jovi. This kid sounds pretty legit.
This second picture was done by Jack. It says: "When I feel sick I take a bath then take a nap. That's what helps me feel better."
I included this one because I really like the detail of his drawings. The pink part on the left side of picture is the sink with a toothbrush on in as he is sitting in the bath tub. I also liked how the bath tub was gray and the bed is blue. Gotta love kids!
Thanks J-Port! It was a great surprise that brightened my day! I love all the drawings and wonderful tips on how to get better.
Chemo: The Day After Round 2
I had my second date with chemo yesterday. Our relationship must be improving because she seems to be enjoying her time with me. Here to hoping that she is nice to over the weekend.
As My friend Jessica Sullivan and her husband came to my treatment to keep me company. It was great to have company because it helps the time go by faster and is not as boring. So a special shout-out and thanks to them!
Also, I have been getting A LOT of question about the exact chemo I am currently receiving. So here is a detailed list about both of them.
So here it is:
Drug #1: Vinorelbine
Trade Name: Navelbine
Category: Chemotherapy Drug
Classifications: Vinorelbine belongs to a general group of drugs known as plant (vinca) alkaloids
Actions: Vinorelbine disrupts cell division, resulting in cell death. This drug cannot distinguish between cancer and normal cells, so some normal cells are affected, causing side effects.
How Drug is Given: Vinorelbine is given intravenously over 5-10 minutes
Precautions: Tell nurse immediately if you have any stinging or burning in the vein during or after the drug is administered.
More Common Side Effects:
Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
Numbness and tingling in hands and/or feet
Darkening of vein used to give the drug
Constipation
Less Common Side Effects:
Nausea
Vomiting
Sores in mouth or on lips
Hair Loss
Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
Drug #2: Gemcitabine
Trade Name: Gemzar
Category: Chemotherapy Drug
Classification: Gemcitabine belongs to a general group of drugs known as antimetabolites
Action: Gemcitabine disrupts growth of cancer cells. The drug cannot distinguish between cancer and normal cells, so some normal cells are affected, causing side effects.
How drug is given: Gemcitabine is given intravenously over an hour
More Common Side Effects:
Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
Decreased platelet count causing increased risk of bleeding
Decreased red blood cells with anemia
Fatigue
Less Common Side Effects:
Diarrhea
Sores in mouth and lips
Skin Rash
Hair thinning
Nausea
Vomiting
If you have anymore questions about any aspect of the treatment feel free to email me. I am very open and love to help others better understand the world of cancer. It can be a scary world, but there is hope!
Needle pokes: 3
Pills: 13
Happy Saturday! More post to coming in the next few days so if you want your questions answered now is the time to do it. You can either facebook them to me or submit them through email. There is a page on my blog entitled "Submit questions." Even if I don't know you and you have been blog stalking me your questions are still welcome!
As My friend Jessica Sullivan and her husband came to my treatment to keep me company. It was great to have company because it helps the time go by faster and is not as boring. So a special shout-out and thanks to them!
Also, I have been getting A LOT of question about the exact chemo I am currently receiving. So here is a detailed list about both of them.
So here it is:
Drug #1: Vinorelbine
Trade Name: Navelbine
Category: Chemotherapy Drug
Classifications: Vinorelbine belongs to a general group of drugs known as plant (vinca) alkaloids
Actions: Vinorelbine disrupts cell division, resulting in cell death. This drug cannot distinguish between cancer and normal cells, so some normal cells are affected, causing side effects.
How Drug is Given: Vinorelbine is given intravenously over 5-10 minutes
Precautions: Tell nurse immediately if you have any stinging or burning in the vein during or after the drug is administered.
More Common Side Effects:
Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
Numbness and tingling in hands and/or feet
Darkening of vein used to give the drug
Constipation
Less Common Side Effects:
Nausea
Vomiting
Sores in mouth or on lips
Hair Loss
Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
Drug #2: Gemcitabine
Trade Name: Gemzar
Category: Chemotherapy Drug
Classification: Gemcitabine belongs to a general group of drugs known as antimetabolites
Action: Gemcitabine disrupts growth of cancer cells. The drug cannot distinguish between cancer and normal cells, so some normal cells are affected, causing side effects.
How drug is given: Gemcitabine is given intravenously over an hour
More Common Side Effects:
Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
Decreased platelet count causing increased risk of bleeding
Decreased red blood cells with anemia
Fatigue
Less Common Side Effects:
Diarrhea
Sores in mouth and lips
Skin Rash
Hair thinning
Nausea
Vomiting
If you have anymore questions about any aspect of the treatment feel free to email me. I am very open and love to help others better understand the world of cancer. It can be a scary world, but there is hope!
Needle pokes: 3
Pills: 13
Happy Saturday! More post to coming in the next few days so if you want your questions answered now is the time to do it. You can either facebook them to me or submit them through email. There is a page on my blog entitled "Submit questions." Even if I don't know you and you have been blog stalking me your questions are still welcome!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
"Grandma" came to visit
This past week my "grandma" was in town and wanted to say hello. She is not my grandma by blood, but she is the grandma of a good friend I had while growing up. So I consider her my grandma.
Here are a few pictures of our time together.
This picture was taken just minutes before my first round of chemo
This picture is us at dinner at La Jolla Grove. It is an amazing restaurant in Provo. Their beef tenderloin medallions are in my top 5 meals I have ever had. Yes! That good.
Thanks again Grandma!
Here are a few pictures of our time together.
This picture was taken just minutes before my first round of chemo
This picture is us at dinner at La Jolla Grove. It is an amazing restaurant in Provo. Their beef tenderloin medallions are in my top 5 meals I have ever had. Yes! That good.
Thanks again Grandma!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Food Brings People Together
During this current semester I have been enrolled in "Cooking Class" here at BYU. I decided to take this class for two reasons (1) I consider myself a foodie (which means I LOVE everything about food) (2) I needed extra classes to fill my schedule because a student must earn at least 120 credits at BYU to graduate regardless of how long or short their major is. I will be graduating (in two weeks from today) with exactly 120 credits. (I am proud of this because it means that I did waste any time during college. I came, I took classes, and I conquered.)
Throughout the duration of the semester this class has become one of my favorite classes that I have ever taked during my time as a BYU Cougar.
I mean who would not like to have a three hour lab every Thursday morning that ends with the class eating together and talking about food! (I never had to eat breakfast on Thursdays because I knew that I would be getting a pretty good meal for lunch!)
The greater reason I loved this class is because of the professor. Her name is Mrs. Dana Adcock and she has become one of my favorite professors at BYU. During the first week of lab she went around and talked to everyone individually to get to know them. During my "interview" I told her about me being a foodie and that my travels are centered around restaurants and food rather than the landmarks and city. we hit it off from there talking about good restaurants each week.
Yesterday was the final lab day. It was the lab that the whole semester builds up to where your group creates their own menu and meal. (My health has not allow for me to attend classes as much as I would like to.)
However, Professor Adcock and my two cooking partner came and visited me at home and delivered my a plate of food. It was a fabulous! I enjoyed the food, but appreciated the visit more. (When you are going through chemo treatments you never feel that great. This prevent you from leaving your home often because you are weak, tired, or in pain, and therefore, you do not have much human interaction)
After handing me the plate of food my professor handed me a yellow gift sack. (This was greatly unexpected.) I opened it and to my surprise it contained a HOMEMADE apron that THE WONDERFUL Dana Adcock had made herself. I was super surprise and touched by the sincere care and thought that went into it. I almost had a tear come to my eye. (But my manly side fought it back) It is an amazing apron!
Here are some picture of the Apron!
Me modeling the apron
Throughout the duration of the semester this class has become one of my favorite classes that I have ever taked during my time as a BYU Cougar.
I mean who would not like to have a three hour lab every Thursday morning that ends with the class eating together and talking about food! (I never had to eat breakfast on Thursdays because I knew that I would be getting a pretty good meal for lunch!)
The greater reason I loved this class is because of the professor. Her name is Mrs. Dana Adcock and she has become one of my favorite professors at BYU. During the first week of lab she went around and talked to everyone individually to get to know them. During my "interview" I told her about me being a foodie and that my travels are centered around restaurants and food rather than the landmarks and city. we hit it off from there talking about good restaurants each week.
Yesterday was the final lab day. It was the lab that the whole semester builds up to where your group creates their own menu and meal. (My health has not allow for me to attend classes as much as I would like to.)
However, Professor Adcock and my two cooking partner came and visited me at home and delivered my a plate of food. It was a fabulous! I enjoyed the food, but appreciated the visit more. (When you are going through chemo treatments you never feel that great. This prevent you from leaving your home often because you are weak, tired, or in pain, and therefore, you do not have much human interaction)
After handing me the plate of food my professor handed me a yellow gift sack. (This was greatly unexpected.) I opened it and to my surprise it contained a HOMEMADE apron that THE WONDERFUL Dana Adcock had made herself. I was super surprise and touched by the sincere care and thought that went into it. I almost had a tear come to my eye. (But my manly side fought it back) It is an amazing apron!
Here are some picture of the Apron!
Me modeling the apron
Here is a close up. After she made the apron she had my entire lab section write well wishes on it for me.
This is one of the coolest things I have ever received. However, I am too scared to use it in fear of ruining it.
I just want to publicly thanks the students in my lab section, my cooking partners (Kendall and Megan), and the WONDERFUL SIS. DANA ADCOCK!
You are wonderful and I am glad I got to spend this semester with you. I will never forget it. I hope that our friendship will not end when finals do.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Once a Wish Kid Always a Wish Kid
During this past semester I have had the opportunity to be an Intern at the Make-A-Wish Foundation here in Utah.
My desire to intern at Make-A-Wish is to pay it forward. My cancer journey began when I was 16 years old, I had just started my junior year of high school when I went in to have surgery on my right thigh to remove what doctors believe was a clump of blood vessels. It turned out that it was actually a cancerous tumor instead.
During my first bout with cancer I was able to be a wish kid and have my wish come true (which was to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef). This experience allowed for me to feel like a normal kid for a while. It was a needed escape from my unfortunate reality.
It was this escape that I wanted to pay forward to other kids who are in similar situations that I was in. Every kid deserves the opportunity to be a kid and not have to face the daily grind of being a cancer patient, or dealing with other life threatening diseases.
Little did I know that this internship would provide a way for the people at the Make-A-Wish Foundation to once again brighten my situation during my fight against cancer. Today I went to visit those at the main offices because they said they had a little gift for me.
This is what was waiting for me when I arrived:
Just wanted to publicly thank everyone at Make-A-Wish of Utah for the get well card and huge basket of wonderful goodies! They really did spoil me!
Thank you Make-A-Wish you once again brought a smile to the face of a Wish Kid.
My desire to intern at Make-A-Wish is to pay it forward. My cancer journey began when I was 16 years old, I had just started my junior year of high school when I went in to have surgery on my right thigh to remove what doctors believe was a clump of blood vessels. It turned out that it was actually a cancerous tumor instead.
During my first bout with cancer I was able to be a wish kid and have my wish come true (which was to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef). This experience allowed for me to feel like a normal kid for a while. It was a needed escape from my unfortunate reality.
It was this escape that I wanted to pay forward to other kids who are in similar situations that I was in. Every kid deserves the opportunity to be a kid and not have to face the daily grind of being a cancer patient, or dealing with other life threatening diseases.
Little did I know that this internship would provide a way for the people at the Make-A-Wish Foundation to once again brighten my situation during my fight against cancer. Today I went to visit those at the main offices because they said they had a little gift for me.
This is what was waiting for me when I arrived:
Just wanted to publicly thank everyone at Make-A-Wish of Utah for the get well card and huge basket of wonderful goodies! They really did spoil me!
Thank you Make-A-Wish you once again brought a smile to the face of a Wish Kid.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Chemo The Day After
Yesterday was round one of the Heavy weight title fight Chalk v. Cancer
I went to the doctors for my 10:30 chemo appointment. I walked into the community treatment room and I immediately dropped the average age which was currently in the 60's.
I took a seat at my chair and set up shop. I pulled out my three different pill containers. Two of them are anti-nausea medication called Zofran and Ativan, because chemotherapy play tricks on your stomach and digestive track. I imagine it to feel like the symptoms of a combination of swine flu and SARS (although I have never had either of these diseases so this is pure speculation). The other jar of pills is a pain medication because one of the tumors is in the lower part of my left lung which causes quite a bit of pain and it is hard to find a comfortable position to sit, lay, or stand.
So after I get my pharmacy set up I took out my blanket and sat down in the chair to get "comfortable." I spread out my blanket to cover me and the lady in the corner says (borderline yells) THAT IS A CUTE BLANKET. Now up to this point in time she had had earphones in which was hooked up to her new ipad (which I was quite jealous of). But anyways, I informed her that it was handmade by my mother and what she used my old boxer shorts for the material.
From then on she felt it was her duty to inform everyone else in the room about my mother-made blanket. For the first time I was the popular kid on the block with the coolest new toy.
I was then poked in the right arm and was administered the chemo. I kept true to my new superstition and listen to Dynamite by Taio Cruz three times (one for each time I have had cancer). From then I was either sleeping or chit chatting with the other patients which seemed to be a club meeting for either the AARP or Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. It was good to have the company to make the time pass.
After four hours of receiving treatment I was heading home to rest for the day. Since then I have basically been in bed relaxing, sleeping and watching baseball to pass the time. The fact that I can watch baseball as I am lazy and relaxing is only another reason that I know cancer knows I like baseball, because had this been just last week I would have had to wait for a week before the new baseball season started.
Well that it is it for now. I will now change the channel from baseball to general conference, although I do not know how effective it will be since I will be watching it while I am in bed.
Needle pokes: 2
Pills: 2
Thanks to everyone for the phone calls, prayers, texts, emails, and positive thoughts. I appreciate all of them. It is good to know that their are people out there who care about me and are pulling for me to get through this fight!
I went to the doctors for my 10:30 chemo appointment. I walked into the community treatment room and I immediately dropped the average age which was currently in the 60's.
I took a seat at my chair and set up shop. I pulled out my three different pill containers. Two of them are anti-nausea medication called Zofran and Ativan, because chemotherapy play tricks on your stomach and digestive track. I imagine it to feel like the symptoms of a combination of swine flu and SARS (although I have never had either of these diseases so this is pure speculation). The other jar of pills is a pain medication because one of the tumors is in the lower part of my left lung which causes quite a bit of pain and it is hard to find a comfortable position to sit, lay, or stand.
So after I get my pharmacy set up I took out my blanket and sat down in the chair to get "comfortable." I spread out my blanket to cover me and the lady in the corner says (borderline yells) THAT IS A CUTE BLANKET. Now up to this point in time she had had earphones in which was hooked up to her new ipad (which I was quite jealous of). But anyways, I informed her that it was handmade by my mother and what she used my old boxer shorts for the material.
From then on she felt it was her duty to inform everyone else in the room about my mother-made blanket. For the first time I was the popular kid on the block with the coolest new toy.
I was then poked in the right arm and was administered the chemo. I kept true to my new superstition and listen to Dynamite by Taio Cruz three times (one for each time I have had cancer). From then I was either sleeping or chit chatting with the other patients which seemed to be a club meeting for either the AARP or Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. It was good to have the company to make the time pass.
After four hours of receiving treatment I was heading home to rest for the day. Since then I have basically been in bed relaxing, sleeping and watching baseball to pass the time. The fact that I can watch baseball as I am lazy and relaxing is only another reason that I know cancer knows I like baseball, because had this been just last week I would have had to wait for a week before the new baseball season started.
Well that it is it for now. I will now change the channel from baseball to general conference, although I do not know how effective it will be since I will be watching it while I am in bed.
Needle pokes: 2
Pills: 2
Thanks to everyone for the phone calls, prayers, texts, emails, and positive thoughts. I appreciate all of them. It is good to know that their are people out there who care about me and are pulling for me to get through this fight!
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