Dr. G and the Chemo team.

Had a nice meeting with Dr. G, the head of the Hematology/Oncology dept at UVA. She was a very nice Doctor and so welcoming to me and Sheila. I gained another fan of my tattoos and of the artist that donned my body with them, Mr. Kenny Brown Esq. aka Dreamboat aka Woodbooger. 

 She informed me that I'll be getting at least 2 doses of Cisplatin a chemo drug via IV. If I am up for it, I'll get one more at the very end.  We'll see about that last one..I might just soldier up and accept it to be rid of this monster. 

Dr. G went over the side effects with me and how the doses will work. I'll get a bag of regular fluids, then the Cisplatin, along with something for pain and nausea. She said they've come a long way with the Chemo drug and hopefully I won't get sick at all.

There is a chance though, I'll get a fever. If I do, I'll need antibiotics, which will mean, another case of the Thrush.

At least this time, we'll be ready for it and can keep it at bay while I finish the antibiotics. Im hoping I won't get the fever, but knowing me, I probably will.   We'll deal with that later. 

The first day of rad will be a long one, as I'll go for the rad, then have my first chemo session. I can imagine it will feel like I've been hit by a train, but we'll stay positive and will deal with it as it comes.

I am so anxious to get this over with, I hope the 6 weeks flys by.  I really do. 

It will be hard not having Sheila there with me. I know I can make it, but man, it's going to fucking suck not having her around..

At least, she'll be able to take a week off near the last part of it, to be with me and take care of me. She takes such awesome care of me too, I am so lucky to have her. 

I am still sore and relaxing from the neck surgery. At least I am sleeping a little better though. That helps. 

Going back to see Dr. Shonka on the 30th and have a CT scan with the rad group, in addition to being fitted for the mask I'll wear during radiation. Im not too afraid of it anymore either.

I have a lot of strength in me to continue and finish this fight. This Cancer has taken a lot of things away from me and Im real pissed about that.  Im using that energy to toughen up and FINISH THIS BITCH.

More soon, god bless and thanks for continuing to follow me.  

Im half way out of hell and can't wait to get to the other side.   Oh, I'll be posting pics soon of the amazing people at UVA that have been caring for me. I have a pic of Dr. G and will capture the others before posting...more on that soon! 

T

Final post surgery pathology report!

I received a call yesterday from Dr. Nguyen regarding the tumor board meeting and my pathology report. I enjoy speaking to her, she has an excellent bedside manor about her and I can tell she really cares about me. (they all do, I just hear from her more via phone..)

There was excellent news! The 2 nodes that were stuck together and since removed were in real bad shape, but no other nodes tested positive for the Cancer spreading!!!

 :)

 A huge relief washed over me like I can't even explain.

 I have so much to look forward to with being a new Father come Feb 2013 and can't wait to be able to take care of Sheila and our first child.

I go back on 8/16 to the Hematology/Oncology dept, to meet Dr. G to discuss the chemo regiment.

more soon and Thanks for reading!

 God bless you all and peace.

 T

Update on yesterday's visit to UVA and a race against Cancer!

Yesterday we spent all day at UVA, bouncing around between appointments. Sheila was a real trooper for me and passed out for the night, an hour or two after getting home.

I learned that I might need a few doses of Chemo after all. 

Dr. Read the head RAD/ONC MD, with Dr. Wilson, told me that there was a study done by Univ of Washington in Seattle, that 100 cancer patients took part in. Basically, 2 out of every 50 that declined a few doses of a certain Chemo therapy, ended up having their Cancer return later and it was worse for them.

I told him, I have so much to live for with our first child on the way. I need to be able to take care of Sheila once she gets to her 3rd trimester and that I am only taking this Cancer ride ONCE.

I told him I was ok with the Chemo, if it meant this monster can never come back and haunt me. 

The pathology report will be ''broken down'' by the entire team treating me this Thursday. Dr.s Levine, Shonka, Jameson, Nguyen, Read, and Wilson from the Rad dept. will all be present at this meeting.

(I wish I could be there too..I think it would be interesting to hear them discuss my case) 

Dr. Read was the last appt for me yesterday, but knows I am in full support of his decision and will communicate that to the others.

Granted, I was upset at first when at my earlier appt Dr. Nguyen and Shonka mentioned the slight possibility of Chemo. 

Once I was with Dr. Read and Wilson, I felt more calm about the idea upon his counsel to Sheila and I.  

I took one look at my wife and knew in my heart, it had to be done. I don't want to have to repeat this journey ever again, nor put her through the emotional throes of it again either. 

Im still healing from the dissection and was given the DVD of PT therapy that survivor/volunteer Larry created. I'll begin those exercises today.  I go back to UVA on the 30th for my follow up and will then get a CT scan and be fitted for my radiation pet mask. 

Onward and forward into battle!!  LET'S DO THIS. 

P.S. An incredible friend of mine named Thomas is running in my honor for this year's DetermiNATION race sponsored by the American Cancer Society.  If you have 1 dollar to donate, or 5 dollars, or whatever you can give, to help further the destruction of this horrible disease, please donate.  

Your simple gesture of kindess and love, will go a long way to ensure that a child, teenager, or adult gets to make it to another Birthday. 

 Here is the link to his page, its tax deductible too.  He doesn't race until October, so there is time. 

Please if you can, donate. Even if its just one dollar....that one dollar will go a tremendous distance. 

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=29856259&pg=personal&fr_id=47552&fl=en_US&et=2UtS_mE3i8SN30rwXxQk5w&s_tafId=975667

 with love and more soon, God bless!
  

A big day ahead of me..

Tomorrow I've got a big day ahead of me back down at UVA. 


We'll hit the dental dept first at 9am to pick up the appliance I was molded for a few weeks ago. I'll use this to soak my teeth in a special rinse each night for 15 min, once I start radiation to protect my teeth from breaking down. I've been great about my oral hygiene for years now, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.


Afterwards, we'll head over to see Dr. Shonka for another follow up and he'll have the pathology results from my neck dissection surgery. I know I'll get good news, I just know it! 


Then, we'll head over to Sheila's grandparents to relax since my Dr. appt is at 11am, and I'll have a light lunch before heading back to UVA at 2pm for my appointment with Dr. Reed and the Radiation Oncology dept.  I'm glad Sheila will get to meet this part of the team finally too. They're amazing people and I can tell they care a great deal about me. Dr. Reed came up with the "Tomo method" of Radiation therapy. He's a brilliant and blessed man. 


I think I am being fitted for my pet mask, so I am getting myself prepared mentally for that and am thinking nothing but positive thoughts. 


A good friend of mine told me yesterday, "You're going to be so much stronger when you get through this.."  


He was right and I am glad he reminded me.  Because I am. 


Im still pretty uncomfortable with the nerve endings ''waking up'' and am about out of the pain control they wrote for me on Sunday July 29th. 


(it would make your head spin if you knew how many pills I've gone through, to keep the pain at bay. The shit is serious people. To quote my friend Larry "It's Cancer, not the flu...") 


 I only have enough left to make it to tomorrow. My muscles still ache and my collar bone, neck and shoulder are pretty swollen still. 


See you on the other side...when I get back. 


Wish me luck!  :) 


p.s. Each day i am reminded and amazed at the people i know, the friends i have and how their love knows no bounds. wether we've ever met or not, know that you mean so much and that your energy, vibes, strength, love and caring are safely tucked away inside my <3.  I am so blessed and fortunate for each and every one of you and I thank God for the routes my life has taken. When I trace each route back to the beginning points, all I can do is smile and say Thanks.

More breakthroughs!

Today was a better day for me in the arena of swallowing and eating.


It seems in the past 24 hours, my body has started to readjust to swallowing. Its like my body is adjusting itself/me, and helping to train me to swallow hard again, on its own.


(meaning, just as you grab your bottle of water, fork, spoon, or handful of food, and its down the hatch nice and normal, without a thought, effort, or feeling..)


It feels great.  I am able to put a little more on the fork or spoon now and am gaining tremendous confidence with each bite. 


Thank you God!!  :) 


I still will tilt my head to the Left for safety, but during dinner tonight, I found myself getting more comfortable with getting back to a normal swallow. 


My mashed potatoes just got a little more exciting too, by adding some shredded beef. It was like the first time I've had a complete meal in over a month. 


I forgot how harmonious the flavor that is paring meat with potatoes. 


It was like heaven. 


Had a couple of strawberries this morning for the first time too.  I forgot how refreshing and clean their sweet flavor was. 


 It took me back to when our Nana would cut and prepare them for us as kids. 


I think she would add a pinch of sugar, or powered sugar and they would soak in this sweet nectar for a night before we'd destroy them.  :) 



 I even had my first piece of toast with butter for breakfast, and was able to get through it just fine. 


 Slow and steady wins the race! 

Love and a Prayer, all the way from Japan.

A friend of mine named Benko stopped by the Harajuku Meiji Shrine in Japan and left a prayer tablet for me and one for his 96 year old Grandfather who just learned he might have lung cancer. 


 Another special moment that pulled on my ♥ and gives me strength. 


 I am praying for your Grandfather, Benko and am sending him all my energy and vibes.


 I humbly ask my audience, to offer his Grandfather a prayer too.   


Sheila asked me to thank you Benko, and sends her love.

Sensations of pain.

Theres this sensation of pain that washes through the nerves on the side of my neck, from my ear on down.


 My doctor, told me it would be normal, considering what I went through with the neck dissection.


 Sheila thinks it might be the nerve endings 'coming to' from the trauma they endured. 


 I dunno..I was hoping to ween myself from the pain control, (haven't needed any since 2am yesterday) but I have to go back down the rabbit hole. 


 I am 8 days out from surgery, and need to remain patient and focused. The pain in my throat from the tonsilectomy has really cut back a lot. Swallowing still remains to be a challenge, but each day gets better. 


 I couldn't be more thrilled!  


My voice is coming around too. :)  Talking for extensive periods of time wears me out still, Im ok with it though. Being at home alone, gives me ample time to rest it and work on my tongue-sweep exercises.


During parts of the day my voice will sound really good. Then at other times, the saliva and or mucus gets kicked into overdrive and the quality of it begins to fail. I sound like I am part deaf at this point, with a lot of saliva moving around. 


Things turn into a rinse and spit marathon at this point for me. However, I am able to keep hydrated which is vital to recovering and obviously health. Yes, I do drink enough water/fluids throughout the day. I know the signs of dehydration (dizziness, headache..) 


I remember a football coach telling us in High School to not drink too much water during practice. His mantra was, "Your mouths are the only thing thirsty, not your stomachs! If you swish and spit, you'll be fine!!  Yes, do drink some water, but not enough that you fill up on it and begin to cramp!"


He couldn't have been more right.  


Thanks Coach, I am glad I held onto that advice. It's really helping me tremendously. 


Hope you all have a nice weekend, more soon.