Week 2, Day 1 May 19, 2025
Not sure if it was clear based on the last post… still figuring out a blog and thought flow, but the current schedule is:
Monday – blood work, chemo doc check, radiation, then chemo at the end of the day.
Tuesday – radiation
Wednesday – radiation doc check, radiation
Thursday & Friday – radiation
Weekends – off
Throw in an additional blood test every other week, a hearing test every 3, and a nutritionist follow up every 4. Its alot to add to a work schedule. Its alot to add to any schedule.
I spent the first 14 years of my professional career trying to avoid radiation in the Navy and at nuclear plants and now here I am intentionally getting shot.
The weekend was a bit of a reprieve with no doctors appointments, but it didn’t stop the nausea and little fireball that is developing in my throat.
The schedule part is not a mystery anymore. Today they take blood, I visit the chemo doctor, radiation in the afternoon and then chemo after work. A good bit of today will be working from the hospital.
It is odd, sometimes in private moments I still tear up. I guess I’m still processing.
I would like to say thank you to everyone who reached out with thoughts. It is humbling – truly.
So driving from the office to the hospital, listening to Linkin Park getting myself psyched up. It’s hard to be sad when you’re driving a Porsche. I know…
Curiously as I pull into the hospital parking lot there is a small SUV doing some weird bouncing all by itself as I walk by there are people inside. I’m not one to judge, but in the parking lot of a cancer center is an odd place for that. Just sayin…
They check my vitals… blood pressure 125/80, heart rate normal, weight same. Am I actually desensitized to this now ? Last week it was 160/95.
Only two vials of blood this time so not bad. Nothing new from the chemo doc except that as the nausea progresses, we have better drugs. I told him to hold off for this week and we’ll talk about it next week.
I’m getting stomach cramps… intense cramps. I fear the nausea meds and stool softeners are waging battle in my intestines.
Lunch at the hospital and then radiation at 2
More meetings at the chemo building and then chemo started at 4:45. Similar protocol to last time, except a little shorter and wait for it… no flaming butthole this time. Its the little things you appreciate. The steroids were a much smaller dose this time.
Will be growing a miserable beard because can’t shave the neck or face on my right side until this is over.
Text between my daughter and I on the blog and chemo;
I asked the nurse how long he had been doing this and he said four years. He said he was in surgical nursing before and I asked which one he preferred he said oncology so I went with the obvious question, why? And he said it feels like I found my purpose. I said wow, that is a really great answer.
I got home to a very happy dog and had a popsicle. I can already feel the fire starting again in my throat.
All of the end of the day healthcare stuff.
Its been a long day.
Day 2
Violence – When I say violence, I mean Saving Private Ryan kind of violence. You made it, but just barely, and there will be scars.
My natural laxatives didn’t seem to be working, so I backed them up with a product called Dulcolax. It is described as an “overnight stimulant”. Both effective and predictable.
When I hear that I think of waking with the sunrise, hearing the birds chirping, having a cup of coffee, letting my dog out and letting nature take its course.
I found that the marketing was a bit off. The part that was correct was “effective”. The thing that was off was the “predictable” piece. And not even by a little…
I was awakened at 1:30 by someone whispering in my ear that we have an emergency that will require sprinting. It also may require cleaning of linens, carpet and possible wall painting. I sprinted from my bed to the bathroom with a serious condition of bubble-gut (descriptive, no ?). The violence that ensued thereafter was not for the faint hearted, but as I said it was effective. 30 minutes of effective.
I thought it was over. It just a pause in the festivities because the second round was about to appear. I made it through, but just barely. Back in bed around 2:30.
I woke up with a minor sore throat, but otherwise OK. Expecting nausea sometime today because of the chemo yesterday but I’ll wait for that before taking the nausea medicine because of the, you know, “side effects”.
At work now going thru morning routine… ah the gift that keeps on giving… fighters are you ready ? Round 2, and go… sprint to the restroom. Replacing the carpets at work is much more awkward than at home. A short burst. Hopefully this is now over and not a head fake. Again effective, but not predictable.
Radiation at 10:30 and you can request music so this time we went with Pink Floyd. I must say that was a good choice.
Then back to work. A bit hoarse and sore throat but 1-2 out of 10
I am aware that things will get worse as we move through this process, but I’m trying to take it one day at a time right now.
I picked up my dog from doggy daycare, changed and then fell asleep on the couch. Two hours, I’ve never slept like this before. I was really hungry tonight so meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn.
At the end of the day, mouth care stuff and then in bed.
Day 3
Woke up with a sore throat and a bit of a dry mouth, otherwise fine-ish. Tylenol for a minor headache. My mother is now calling daily to check on me. No real changes, but she’s a mom and won’t take “I’ll let you know when things change” as an answer. Dropped Koda at doggy day care and off to work.
Radiation doc appt at 1045 , weight same, blood pressure and heart rate high… they seem nice, but it still feels like I’m in a somewhat abusive relationship with these people.
Over an hour and 15 minutes waiting on this doc. Apparently, he doesn’t own a watch. He spent five minutes with me and everything is on track.
I had lunch at the hospital and everything is tasting very strange right now. I have some taste, but it’s like the highs and lows are all gone and just a bit of a bland middle.
One more round of radiation with Pink Floyd. When it was over they told me next week because of the holiday I get to come in twice on Wednesday… to catch up. That should be fun.
Had to take a nap again after work
Nightly mouth care with fluoride and baking soda, rinse and off to bed
Day 4
My saliva is starting to get thicker. It felt like I woke up with a wet mouse in my mouth. It is pretty disgusting at this point.
I had a protein bar at work and it tasted like paste. Ick.
Radiation again today.
This experience has given me the opportunity to catch up with some old friends that I otherwise would not have and for that, I am grateful. Thank you for reaching out. Its meant alot to me.
My mouth tastes like I’ve been chewing on a dirty sock.
More daily healthcare, and then off to bed
Day 5
Rough night. Nausea, jaw pain, dirty socks in my mouth and thick spit… starting to sound like a country song.
Everything tastes like cardboard, including water. Seems like just doing the basics takes so much more effort. Tired… working from home today with radiation later this afternoon.
Just before lunch, Ifelt sick. First time so far near puking. I took the O pill and it calmed my stomach enough to get down a sandwich and an apple. Now, focusing on trying to hold this couch down. Had to take the P pill as well. Getting thru radiation with the mouthpiece feeling nauseas is rough. I was gagging for a couple of minutes before I could settle enough for the mask.
Home again and still nauseas, ugh.
Mouthcare and then bed.
Day 6
A day off and I need it. Annual maintenance on the car at the thousand-dollar store. Thats what I call the porsche dealer… nothing is going to happen in this place for under $1,000.
Very weird, I still tear up for no reason. Not sure what that is.
I’m eating bacon at breakfast and taste almost nothing… very sad. Et tu, Brute ?
Tried to eat a burger today for lunch and it felt like I was chewing on glass. Only got about a quarter of it down.
Luckily it is a long holiday weekend, so hopefully a chance to recover a bit before we jump back in the fire.
THE NEW NORMAL 