Final Chemo treatment down, two radiations to go, then recovery mode!

Well, it's been a long 7 weeks, and we are nearing the home stretch for treatments.  Only two left.  Of course, as we get closer to the end of treatments, now the Doctors start laying out what post treatment is really going to be like.  Basically a few weeks of lows before stabilizing, then have to start eating normally and get the taste buds back so I can get rid of this feeding tube.  Today is day 4 after chemo (so saturday afternoon) and I am not doing so well.  Seems like day 4 and 5 are the worst for me which coincides with the days I stop taking the steroids so it makes sense.  I felt really good Thursday and Friday but today was a long one.

My throat is on fire as well which doesn't help but the new pain meds help.  I just can't wait to get another month or two down the road to HOPEFULLY get some taste back, some energy back, and feel like a productive person (hold down your comments please) again.

But more importantly what's a week without an adventure involving another member of our family.  This time it was our dog Shelby.  She has been summering with her friend Ellie at my sister/brother in law's house and all was going great.  Until this week when she got a little bite on the leg while playing.  No biggie but just to make sure it wasn't going to turn into a bigger problem we had her go to the vet for a quick medicine treatment.  Amazing the little things that go haywhire when you aren't around.  Of course the vet sends messages that ellie needs to be quarantined and blah blah blah...how to make a mountain out of a molehill.  All's well there so we move on.

I keep getting awesome letters/notes/gifts showing support and you have no idea how much that helps.  People I don't know are following, people I barely know are sending thoughts and prayers, I have candles lit for me going in London, a couple in France, bunches here in the states.  It's just amazing what people bring for encouragement on a daily basis.  I received a button today (thanks Gina B) that says "This is what a Cancer Survivor looks like".  I'm not necessarily the best model, but I'll be wearing it proudly once that statement is confirmed true!

Which leads us to the next phase.  This whole time during treatment I went in with only one optional verdict which was cancer free at the end.  I know it's going to take a long time to know for sure, but I sure still feel positive.  There is no room for doubt in my mind as that just can get in the way of healing, right?  From what I understand the first pictures are taken in 3 months to get an early read but truly knowing the outcome takes a year of it being gone.  Not the most favorable of terms but terms we need to live by so let it be and bring it on.

Dr. Margolit was great in our meeting Thursday.  She has been impressed with the positive approach and says she thinks Denise and I have gotten even more positive as the physical side has gotten tougher.  I think the past two weeks were easier on me due to the side issues being fixed so for me it's been much easier mentally dealing with the chemo even as the radiation has kicked into high gear and wreaked havoc in my throat over that same time.  Denise and I both love meeting with Dr Margolit and Susan.  They never rush anything, they ask a million questions and make sure we aren't holding back any issues at all, and they are willing to deal with me which says a lot right there.  Unbelievable people who have made this thing so much easier on me and Denise.  They both just make you feel like your are family, not patients to them.  It's just an incredible bond they create so seamlessly.

Dr Haddad who oversees the Chemo side of things and the overall progress along with Jason Glass who has been a godsend to us especially through the sugar issues are also great favorites of ours.  Denise loves Dr Haddad's laugh when I'm able to get him to laugh which isn't as often as the others.  I think he misses my sarcasm sometimes but he is still a fantastic Dr and very patient as well during our meetings.  I couldn't have asked for better people or a better place to get treated for this life changing event than at Dana Farber.  I hope nobody reading this ever needs to go, but if you do, PLEASE PLEASE do all you can to get into one of these top rated hospitals.  The care is amazing.

Thank you all.  Bending your ear once a week in this blog is my outlet.  Your feedback has been my strength.  I will continue to write, please continue to pray.  It ain't over by a longhsot!

Cheers
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