Crawling From the Wreckage

May 24, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 2 Comments

Recovery from chemotherapy is slow and gradual. Just last week I started working on projects that I have been walking past for five months. I have the desire and the ability to do woodworking and gardening, but my energy level is medium and strength is catching up.

I tore up some old decking boards on a walkway next to our house. I can only work about 20 minutes at a time, then get a drink and catch my breath. Then back at it. Besides, it was 90 degrees out there. Just two weeks ago I got very dizzy just standing up from tying my shoes but not this week.

My hair is slowly growing back, along with facial hair. I’m ready for the third haircut this year. The sores in my mouth are gone and the numbness/tingling in my fingers happens less often.

To boost my immune system I drink a concoction of cider vinegar/herbal extract with V-8 every day. Yum. (Yoder’s Good Health Recipe; Cider vinegar, water, apple juice, grape juice, and tinctures of ginseng, goldenseal, echinacea, valerian, ginger, black cohosh, chamomile, black walnut, licorice root, anise, cinnamon, cloves, chickweed, fenugreek, potassium sorbate.)

Jumpy Bob

April 4, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 3 Comments

Alright, now that the cancer is gone, what next?

Yesterday I received my last dose of chemotherapy. At our first meeting the doctor proposed four doses, then the PET scan, and he assured me it would be clear. He was right. But they scheduled six doses to assure all the cancerous cells would be gone. One of the nurses told me of one patient who stopped at four and came back a couple years later after her cancer had returned and the chemotherapy was stronger and longer. No thanks. Hit me now, not harder later.

This dose feels about like the rest. I think they remove my blood and replace it with sand.

The side effects of Prednisone are energy, but not ability. Last night I went to bed at 10 and was wide awake at 12:30, time for breakfast. I see a project I want to tackle but I get dizzy just bending over and standing up. Dragging the trash can to the curb is exhausting. I feel like I have a fever but my temperature is 96.3. All along I have looked forward to April, but May should be the time when I recover.

During the first week after chemo my immune system is gone. Especially tomorrow. This weird box attached to my arm will make beeping noises at 7:00 pm and pump more meds into me that will boost the white blood cells. It’s designed to be administered at home to reduce the risk of infection, assuming no one at home is sick.

So, this Stay at Home order is just fine with me. For the next five days I’ll hunker down and if I need to venture out I have a mask and gloves and sanitizer.

Under Siege

February 3, 2020February 6, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 1 Comment

No, not me, but the disease in me is under siege by many medicines. The oncology team has put together a barrage of chemicals to surround, infect, isolate, and destroy the cancerous cells that were trying to kill me. The treatment is winning this slow, internal battle. There is some collateral damage like my hair and various other cells, but they will grow back.

I’ve just finished round three of chemotherapy last week. In two more weeks I will get the fourth and last round. Then a scan to see if the cancer is gone.

The picture of a siege reminds me of Psalm 59 where David was surrounded like dogs by Saul’s armies, determined to kill him. “Deliver me from my enemies, oh my God.” You can sense his fear and the darkness of the situation in this psalm but he concludes:

“But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength;
Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For You have been my stronghold
And a refuge in the day of my distress.
O my strength, I will sing praises to You;
For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me loving kindness.

**Proverbs 18:10**
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.

Awake

February 1, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 3 Comments

Most people like to sleep in on a Saturday but the morning after chemo has me wide awake at 3:00 a.m. I feel fine but the meds coursing through my veins make my heart beat faster, telling my brain and lungs that I am alert and ready to wash the car!

So, I read the news, emails, Facebook, and daily devotions while even the cats tell me to turn off the lights and be quiet. The clinking of my spoon in the cereal bowl arouses Boo Boo who begs for milk. No, go to sleep. This upcoming rainy day will be perfect for taking a nap or two.

I’ll pick up where I left off reading David Fairchild’s tales of plant exploration in the early 1900’s.

A Good Week

January 27, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 2 Comments

It seems like everything has stabilized: Appetite, blood pressure, energy level, sleep pattern. I feel fairly good. My response to the question of How you Doing? is “Better than yesterday”.

I’m mid way into chemotherapy. I’ve had two doses out of four and the third will be this Friday. I’ve wondered if they get better or worse. Worse makes sense. More cell-killing medicines pumped into my veins every three weeks, then my body reacting. The last one took about a week until I had good energy level. I get a little dizzy just tying my shoes. That’s been the biggest adjustment-feeling drained.

My wife and I are usually polar opposites on weekends. She likes to unplug, unwind, sleep in, relax, chill, etc. I can hardly wait to get out of bed and do things; gardening, woodworking, home improvements, wash the vehicles, check off some chores at the church, etc. But since chemotherapy I have not had any energy for physically demanding work. So now I read, watch TV, sit at the computer like now and do a few household chores.

Our teenage son has become more helpful. If I can pry him away from the computer screen I point him at a chore and direct him. He did a fine job helping my wife spread frost fabric over all the vegetable plants last week.

Mackintosh apple pie with a few blueberries.

Yesterday was pretty good. Church in the morning, then I made a pot of chili from scratch and an apple pie. I started a woodworking project but stopped after 20 minutes because I needed paint. All that appeals to my need for activity and the desire to accomplish something while not working up a sweat.

Speaking of food. I feel a little guilty. I have not lost one pound…yet. I actually looked forward to shedding maybe 10 pounds but thank God I have not had any side effects that cause weight loss. I’m eating healthier, drinking more water, eating a lot more fruits and vegetables, less salt and less junk food. All cravings for Twinkies and Doritos are gone.

My taste buds are only slightly affected. It’s as if I just gargled with baking soda water. So when I eat something it tastes a little off at first, but not bad. My wife said the pie tastes great. Now I’m satisfied.

Sleep

January 18, 2020February 4, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 2 Comments

Have you ever drunk one gallon of water in one day? Sure, you landscapers, gardeners, exercisers are used to hydrating to compensate for perspiration loss. So you drink a lot of water. And you seldom visit the restroom.

Since chemotherapy started I no longer garden or do physically demanding things, but I still have to drink one gallon of water every day. It helps flush out the chemo…often. Day and night.

Now I’m used to the rhythm of nocturnal bathroom visits: Every two hours. Bed at 9:00 PM, up at 11:00 and 1:00 and 3:00 or 4:00 (now), and finally up at 6:00.

Chemo has irritated the lining of my nose and mouth, slightly. Like a mild head cold. Both nostrils work on and off, partially, making my mouth do all the breathing work. So when I wake up my mouth is as dry as sandpaper. Drink more water. Repeat soon.

Relief

January 17, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 1 Comment

For the last six days I thought I was teetering between having a stroke or a heart attack. I was wrong.

The last round of chemo caused my blood pressure to elevate. I will not mention my specific BP’s or heart rate because everyone has their own baseline. But we have a blood pressure cuff and I’ve been monitoring it every couple of hours and tracking it.

Recently my blood pressure rises then some tightness in my chest. My family doctor gave me a number to be concerned about and I hit it every day. Then I would take a nitroglycerin pill that immediately dropped it by 30 points. I doubted that this should be a daily event.

Today I went to my family doctor to address the issue. I showed them my records and symptoms and the attending nurse asked “Why didn’t you call 911?” They immediately gave me an EKG that came out normal. After a pow-wow they realized this might not be a heart problem. Now to the expert.

Finally, to resolve the issue, I went to a cardiologist this afternoon. I could not believe a busy specialist suddenly had time for a new patient. After reviewing the tests done in the cardiolab, he gave me solid information and sound advice. The numbers my doctor gave me were over-cautious. Everyone’s BP changes through the day. My variable blood pressure can be higher and is acceptable to all of us. The discomfort in my chest is not heart-related, it’s just chemo damage. Put the nitro back on the shelf. Rest easy. This too shall pass.

Flashing

January 11, 2020January 11, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 6 Comments

After getting two hours of sleep I woke up with a very dry mouth and pounding heart. And a strange little light flashing from an unknown source. Sitting up I drank some water and the light source changed. Going into the bathroom it followed behind me. It’s the electronic patch on the back of my right arm, delivering medicine and slowly strobing to let me know it’s working.

The racing heartbeat is certainly from mountain of med’s coursing through my veins, but mostly the Prednisone, an immunosuppressant. Side effects: loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, etc. After gauging my blood pressure this morning I can see it going down just by drinking more water. The doctor surprised me yesterday saying I must drink at least one gallon a day! Cheers.

Hair Be Gone

January 4, 2020February 27, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 4 Comments

They warned me that chemotherapy will cause hair loss, so I’m prepared for temporary baldness. But nothing has happened for two weeks…until yesterday.

I have thick hair (with a little balding beginning in the back) so this is going to be a mess. Last night in the shower I shampooed and rinsed and noticed, not dozens, but hundreds of hairs on the floor. Then when towel drying, hundreds more came off in the towel! At this rate, in couple of days I’ll be a chrome dome.

What about body hair? I’m not quite Sasquatch but that’s going to make a dramatic cosmetic change…no details offered. (Although as a preview they had to shave various regions of my chest for the port install and electrodes at last week’s cardio-tests. I look like an old teddy bear mauled by the family dog.)

Brother Wayne tells of his sister’s chemo experience. She lost all her hair, including her nose hairs. Imagine their purpose of filtering and protecting, gone.

Maybe all those old-man-ear-hairs will vanish too. But, can I keep my eyebrows?

Masked

January 1, 2020February 4, 2020 ~ Bob Cook ~ 4 Comments

Chemotherapy severely limits the immune system, making the patient susceptible to catching and keeping typical diseases like a cold and the flu. My doctor said “You don’t have to be a hermit.” but avoid crowds. We are told to keep away from schools, concerts, crowded restaurants, theaters, stores, etc. to avoid sick people. So, when shopping, consider wearing a surgical mask.

I’ve been doing this for a couple of days. I feel like a bank robber. Going to Publix today, once parked, I get out the mask, slip it on and make sure it fits right. Then grab a cart and clean the handle with a provided sanitizing wipe and start shopping.

When you wear a mask, people look at you funny. Most give a quick glance and look away. No one smiles. Some stare, always with a serious face. One lady saw me and quickly vered away, afraid to catch whatever disease I was trying to contain.

I used to wonder why some people wore surgical masks when shopping. What are they hiding? I assumed they were sick and did not want to pass it on to others. Or, maybe they had some disfigurement that we all should not see. Maybe they are germaphobes. Now I know better. They might also be undergoing chemotherapy and can’t afford to get any sicker.

Then there is communication. When people can’t see your mouth, they have a hard time understanding everything you say. I had to repeat a common name of a product I was looking for at Walgreens because the lady couldn’t fully hear what I was asking. It’s not like I have a sock in my mouth but reading a person’s face is a vital part of verbal communication.

This also changes the way I shop. I’m used to hitting one store for the lowest price on garbage bags, the next store for their coffee, the next for the best value on cereals, and finally the next for all the rest. Now I need to shop where I can find nearly everything I need under one roof, with the fewest people to interact with.

Small price to pay for recovery.