Final Taxotere

When I last saw my Oncologist he said that I had enough Chemo and that I did really well. He wanted me to start on Radiation. I told him that my Medicare would kick-in by June and could we wait for it. He replied that I should then have at least one more Chemo to hold me over. Since the last Chemo was so brutal, I asked if I could have one more week of near-normalcy and he agreed. So, I had my last Chemo yesterday, 10 May 2013.

Since the Taxotere seems to build-up in my system, I know that the next 2 or 3 weeks will be tough. Last time I had a hard time getting the motivation to write in my blog. That is why I am trying to get through this now.
I have found that wearing my Yoga Toes helps greatly with my peripheral neuropathy in my feet. But, just like diet and exercise I sometimes forget or slack-off until I find that I need to wear them again. I try to wear them every other day. And, I drink a lot of SoBe Lifewater and grapefruit juice. I used to buy other fruit juices but they are putting artificial sweeteners in everything these days! I enjoy a soda pop now and again but they mainly taste too sweet and not enough carbonation. However, I do like Jarrito's Mandarin soda! I also have a bowl of Frozen Yogurt every evening because it seems to keep me from getting acid reflux. I know that if I don't eat a bowl for two or three nights that I get an upset stomach or acid reflux.
The past two weeks, as I have been out and about, I am always astonished to hear people tell me how positive I have been and how well I am doing. Especially when I feel so tired and my hands and feet hurt so much. But, I accept their observation. And, most of them follow it up with how the power of Prayer works so well. I mention that because I have prayed to the Lord to let my Clowning be a ministry. A ministry of Love and Smiles and a testament to the Lord's plan for all of us. But, I have told the Lord that I am not comfortable in initiating a witnessing. He has heard my prayers. When I am visiting businesses and nursing homes and shut-ins and elderly, it is they that begin talking about the Lord. He opens the door for me to give my testimony and listen to theirs. The Lord is great and he answers prayers.
From the very beginning I was never scared. At first I experienced a sadness that it might be my last Summer or my last Christmas. But, I put it out of my mind and told the Lord that I would accept his plan for me and go wherever he needed me--whether it was Heaven or here on Earth.
I prayed for those that were going through this Cancer thing and for the people that had loved ones that were going through it. I prayed for Strength and Comfort and Peace and Healing for them. I prayed that they would trust in the Lord. And, I prayed for Blessings for everyone that was experiencing heartaches and difficulties and doubts. I prayed for our Leaders in the World that they would make the right decisions to end suffering and Wars. That they would lead with compassion and forgiveness and understanding.
I wear a button that says, "Almost Famous". This is an admonition that I am just a servant. When I am Clowning, I bring smiles and humility. I am the Stumble-bum, the ne'er-do-well, the Clown who tries to get it right. I stay on "Almost Famous" or "Nearly Famous" or "Soon to be Famous". I stand on the edge, knowing that to keep something beyond reach will keep me moving in the right direction.
There are so many things that I want and need to do. I can't wait for my energy level to come back up so that I can accomplish more. My mantra everyday, though, is to at least accomplish one or two things because it keeps me feeling that I am still able to do some things. My priorities, then, are if I can't do everything, at least I should do a few things!

I am so thankful that I have my friends and family and my wife and Clown buddies and church family and Facebook friends to share with. And, I pray that I can be there when they reach out to me.
I am going to try to get a lot of clowning and errands done this weekend. And, the next two weeks I will see how this Chemo treats me. I always think that I will be able to work around the side-effects or get use to them...never seems to happen. But, I will come out the other side feeling stronger and I believe that this summer will hold a plethora of opportunities for clowning and activity!
Life is Good...Life is an Adventure !!!

Fighting Back to Normalcy

I saw my Oncologist on the 11th of April to see if I was able to handle another Chemo and, to also get the results of my most recent PET scan. Good News !!! The tumors in my neck and left lung show no uptake...which means that they are not active. And, they are shrinking. There are still some nodes in both lungs that are insignificant and the doc said they didn't appear to be cancerous. He felt that I should continue with 2 or 3 more treatments and he was also going to talk to a radiologist to see if I could benefit from some radiation to finish off the tumor sites.
Originally, when I was first diagnosed--December 2011,  after 3 biopsies (2 needle and 1 w/scalpel) there was not enough tissue samples to give a specific call on the type of cancer with which I was being  taunted. He had not wanted to try radiation at that time because if it was a certain breed of cell the radiation would have caused it to explode and spread. Now he has enough information that he can be safe with some radiation.

I had the Chemo on the 15th and everything went well. I usually am tired for 4 or 5 days afterward and then start returning to normal. I wonder if this Chemo builds up in my system though. I guess it must because I was Really Tired and Weak. I usually go out visiting during the day and try to clown around some. This time, however, I found that after being out and about for half an hour--I need to get back home and lie down. Also, there was a stomach virus that roared through the local nursing home that I like to visit and I stayed away from there. Thanks to a resident who texted me with the warning to stay away !  I have also been lax in that I have been clowning in crowds and with a compromised immune system I guess I have just been lucky. This round I had decided to be a little smarter and just visit people one at a time and one day at a time.
But, the Chemo really got to me. Aside from being very weak, on about the 3rd day I awoke in severe pain in my legs and shoulders and back and neck. This kept up for several days and really wore me out. I usually take my pain meds as needed--or every 6-7 hours. However, the only relief I got was taking them every two hours in the evening times. And, every 3-4 hours during the day. I found myself going to bed more often than usual because I was so weak and in so much pain. Although I still can't get comfortable and wake every night out of a ridiculous nightmare (not scary, just grippingly and startlingly bizarre!) It just usually signals that I am in pain and need to get up.
My hands look and feel like they have been slammed in a car door. The nails have turned brown and the skin is peeling from the knuckles. And, when I try to twist some balloons I get cuts. The literature on the Taxotere says to refrain from shaving because a razor cut could become infected. However, I only get a few stray whiskers every few days, so I use an electric razor maybe once a week.
My hair fell out after the first Chemo and it has grown back to a "peach" fuzz...but no further ! My lower legs and feet swell ever so often but as long as I elevate them and use Arnica gel and wear ankle socks, the swelling doesn't last long. Walking in socks is painful---the threads feel like wire or glass, so when I am walking around I go barefoot (inside the house). I have also noticed that I can't walk very far and it is really difficult to walk in the first place. I have noticed that my toes are curling under and maybe that is the problem with my ambulation.
My appetite is still good and my weight has remained at 160 lbs. since I was first diagnosed in Dec 2011 ! But, my taste buds change up now and again. I still rely on SoBe lifewater and Grapefruit juice (not from concentrate) and eat an egg every morning. I eat liver and onions once or twice a week for the iron and B12. I eat a lot of spinach and beets. I don't seem to like lettuce anymore. Other vegetables don't taste good to me..except canned, diced tomatoes with green peppers that I put on my spinach and eggs (when I microwave the egg---I usually eat boiled eggs). I still enjoy frozen fish fillets. And, salmon--as long as I know where the salmon came from. I'm losing my taste for snicker bars and spearmint lifesavers. I still like cinnamon rolls and tangerines. I like Kona coffee with a teaspoon of Ovaltine. I eat bratwurst now and again if I can find the right mustard (always a challenge!).
When I approached my Doctor about my various complaints, he assured me that they were the result of the Chemo. That is comforting in a way. It means that after the Chemo that they should go away. A lot of the complaints that I have would normally be classified as having to do with aging...but not mine, ha. So, I guess I am missing out on the growing old creaks and aches.
I still try to accomplish some small tasks every day. I think that it is vitally important to stay active and try to do constructive tasks. If one just gets up and eats and decides it is too painful or hard to do anything and then goes back to bed--well, your body will just get weaker and your self-worth will slide and you become a great candidate for depression. I would rather attempt something and find that I am unable to finish it than to not try at all.
Speaking of which...I am working on a new hat:

All in all I am winning this battle---with the help of excellent Medical staff and a wise and caring oncologist. My friends and family along with their caring and prayers have helped immensely. My Church is always there for me--even when I can't attend as regularly as I would like.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am making sure to put graffiti on the walls of the tunnel and continue to dance along the tracks of said tunnel !!!
Life is Good....Life is an Adventure !!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Time I Snuck a Cigarette

I had my 3rd Taxotere on Tuesday, 19march2013...everything went fine and my blood levels are still pretty normal. I have a PET can scheduled for the 2nd of April to see if this new treatment is effective. The only side effects so far are some feet swelling(fluid retention) and painful neuropathy in my toes and extreme weakness that comes and goes. But, enough of that...I have decided to take a break from relating my problems or victories for this blog installment. Instead, I think I will lighten it up a little with a story from about 30 years ago. The only time I have snuck a cigarette:

I was working out of a Day Labor office and they had sent a group of us workers to a warehouse in the suburbs that had been leased to a major Department store. They were getting their Spring fashions into the warehouse and we were assigned to unpack them from the cartons and hang them on racks, sorting them by size. I was working in the area of Women's dresses and suits. It was easy work and a nice environment. Unlike most of the jobs that the agency sent us to work at.

Well, 2 hours or so into the work, I found it necessary to go to the bathroom. For some odd reason, the restrooms were in the middle of the warehouse, free-standing like one would see at a park. Not out,on the edge of the building, but in the middle of the floor. I ducked into the Men's room and was immediately met with a wall of cigarette smoke. "It's OK!" someone said, rather loudly. For a minute I thought they must be smoking pot. No, it was only cigarettes. There were, of course, signs forbidding smoking. I was a smoker so I thought, "This is cool, I can have a smoke while I am in here."

I had never snuck a cigarette before, not even in High School (I don't think I even smoked back then). This was a forbidden desire and I didn't warm to it right off. In fact, I thought it was rather juvenile. I was in my mid-30's, as were most of these characters and it seemed decidedly stupid and silly. Well, I took a leak and then noticed someone exiting a stall. The temptation got to me and I ducked into it thinking that if the fools by the sinks got busted that I would be safe because I would be locked in a stall with a toilet bowl to toss my cig into.

The minute I closed the door the stench hit me. The toilet was stopped up. Oh well, the cigarette would mask the smell and the methane would mask my smoke, I reasoned. I lit up and decided to sit down to have a relaxing time. I noticed toilet seat covers and decided this would be good since the seat was most likely contaminated with who knows what. I spread it over the seat and decided to sit right down. I had smoked maybe half of my cigarette when I heard someone say, "I think it's a boss!"
I took a long, quick drag and tried to toss the cig in the toilet while I was still sitting. Not a good idea...that toilet seat cover was highly flammable and the escaping methane from the stopped-up toilet probably contributed to the conflagration! My jeans began to burn and I quickly beat the fire out while I was still sitting. I jumped up and grabbed the toilet seat cover and threw it in the toilet and flushed it---knowing that I would have to run because it was going to flow over.

Luckily, there was no boss that had come in, but the other guys gave me a weird look when they saw my smoking jeans. I just said, "Always stand up before you throw your cigarette in the toilet...". They chuckled, I splashed some water on my jeans and washed my hands and went back to work, wondering why I hadn't just waited another half an hour for break time and gone outside for a smoke. It sure wasn't fun sneaking a smoke and I don't see the forbidden adrenaline rush fascination for doing something that sophomoric. So, I have never been tempted to do it again.

But, a year later, while I was in the large Public Library downtown I decided to roll a Bugler cigarette in the middle of the lobby and a security guard rushed up to me and demanded that I put it out. Some quick thinking on my part got me out of that one....I'll tell you about it and another similar incident in my next blog--if you'll let me!

Hey, Life is Good....Life is an Adventure !!!

The Right Word

Last year, when I was trying to discover a way to describe my peripheral neuropathy, I struggled for 9 months or more with terms such as "tingling", "numbness", "stabbing" and "burning". While I was outside one evening looking at the constellations in the sky, I noticed that my feet were getting cold--as well as my hands. It hit me then. The feeling you get when your feet begin to freeze because you have been standing in the snow too long. That is the exact condition that I felt in my feet with the neuropathy!! Your feet hurt and burn and tingle...yet, they are also numb!

So it is when trying to figure out what I could use to describe the extreme lack of energy that I have experienced with this new round of Chemo. "Tired" doesn't do justice. I felt an over-whelming tiredness during my First round of Chemo drugs: Carbo/Taxol. My joints hurt and I felt as if I had an unending case of the Flu. A really, really bad case of the Flu ! I was tired all of the time but it wasn't debilitating, wasn't keeping me from going for long walks or running errands or visiting friends. I was simply worn-out most of the time.

The Second Chemotherapy, Alimta, had a decidedly different story. I was tired all of the time. When I did too much physical activity, I reached the edge of collapse. I learned to pace myself. I began each day with case of fatigue. I would eat a boiled egg and drink a glass of grapefruit juice, take my folic acid and a B12 capsule (the nurse would also give me a whopping shot of B12 before each treatment) and a small little pill of Folic Acid. I would drink a cup of coffee and go out to greet the day. I am certain that the boiled egg gave me 4-5 hours of stamina. I learned fairly quickly through experience and, also, searching the Internet that increasing activity would run me over--run me down like a bad car battery. I asked my oncologist and he said that the Alimta worked by shutting down my metabolism whenever my cells began requesting nutrients. So, I was able to dodge collapse and deal with the energy highs and lows.

Along comes this Third Chemo...I had read where the Taxotere would cause Fatigue. Well, isn't that what the Alimta did? I figured that I could deal with that--but, No! This was different. I had already been able to start back to work (driving a shuttle/car a couple of days per week) and I asked my Dr. if I would be able to continue doing it. "Probably not," he said. "You will be very tired."
"I was tired with the Alimta," I begged.
"This is different. Your blood counts will change. They will have to be monitored closely," he explained. "You will be very tired."
A bit flippantly I shot back, "Well, I don't see how it could be worse than the Alimta!"

Wrong! This so, so much worse. In fact, I have spent whole days in bed. Sometimes I get up and have a boiled egg, grapefruit juice---the whole regimen, then shuffle to my laptop to check my email only to find that I can barely log in and open the first message. If I manage to open an email I am never able to respond to it. I turn off the computer (not even logging-out most times) and wade through the tiredness back to the living room where I plop down in my chair and turn on the TV. I change the channel 3 times with no luck finding any substance worth viewing, turn off the TV and go back to bed. Ad infinitum.

"Energy" is a term I was using often. Energy--where is it? Energy--how can I get some? Energy--I need it!! I didn't even have the energy to search for ways to increase mine. I couldn't go to the computer for help. I couldn't describe the dilemma either. I could only state that I was out of energy, but I knew that I wasn't! I had energy, motivation, goals, direction. What was I experiencing? It wasn't Tiredness (as in First Chemo). It wasn't Fatigue (as in Second Chemo). What the heck was it.

I consulted the Oracle: MyOncologist. He nodded his head...knowingly...with a slight smile...an understanding. "I see you are experiencing a lot of Weakness. It is the Chemotherapy. Most people cannot tolerate it for very long."

Eureka !  Weakness ! I was never so happy in my life so as to be thought of as a Weak Person! Hallelujah!  I am Weak. I am Weak! Hear me roar (well, not roar but I can mouth the word with a determined look of glee and fire). Weakness is exactly the word that described the condition my condition was in. I didn't feel tired or on the verge of collapse. I just couldn't do what I wanted to do, which was Anything!  So, problem solved yet no solution. My blood levels were still in the normal range but they were teetering to their upper and lower limits and there was nothing to do about it.

I had a Birthday Party to attend last Saturday and I fixed myself some liver and onions with yams on Friday. Liver has B12 and iron and yams usually enhance the redness of my hair--though I have lost my hair again this time around.

I made it to the party and twisted balloons for a time until I felt my legs turning to wood and my feet feeling like fire. I walked around the birthday-cake table, all the while the children were encircling me and following me while tugging at my coat and hollering, "Make me a Dog", "Giraffe", "Sword", "Flower"! I would make a balloon, joke with the child, ask their names, walk around the table, honk my clown horn and then make more balloons. I had a lot of fun.

When I got home, I re-heated some liver sans yams in the microwave and sat down for some TV. After awhile, I got up to put my plate in the sink and found that I could hardly walk. My wife asked if I was going to take off my clown make-up. "After awhile," I said, though I knowingly was thinking that I might leave it on all week because I was afraid I would be to weak to ever clown again and I wanted to have my make-up still on should a situation come up where I could run out and do some more clowning. I alternated watching TV and struggling out of my chair to grab some Jelly Beans for several hours before I finally gave in and removed the clown face.

My left leg was swollen and my feet were burning and I stayed up all nite wondering if I would be able to get back out of bed should I decided to go there. Well, I did and I did and last nite I took a short walk on the sidewalk out front. I walked about 20 yards and then gave up. But, when I got back inside, my lungs felt full and clear and the stiffness in my legs was leaving and my feet felt looser, more relaxed. I am making myself a promise to take increasingly walks every day. I told my wife she would have to walk with me so that I would be assured of making it back home. I am hoping that this will be a solution to easing myself through this round of Chemo. I know that I will be weaker and weaker. The walking should keep my muscles fluid and my lungs busy and clear, though. I am very optimistic that I can wade through this weakness until the Oncologist stops the treatment.

Life is Good....Life is an Adventure !!!

My Giddity-up and Go Went Somewhere

I have been trying so hard to update this blog. Usually, I cook it up in my mind for a few days. I have so many ideas running through my mind that I want to share. Sometimes I write and re-write the blog in my mind so much that I end up throwing out everything and starting fresh. However, for the past few weeks, I haven't had the energy to do much more than think, "I need to work on my blog...". In fact, I usually spend my evenings checking my email accounts and reading blogs and traveling the Internet. I spend 2-3 hours on Facebook. Not so much this month, though. I have been coming to the computer and opening an email account and I read a message or two and am exhausted. So, I try Facebook and read a few posts and want to join in the fun and am too exhausted. I was doing fairly well after my first Docetaxel (as generic or under the trade name Taxotere)treatment. I was really worried about it because it seemed to have some difficult and treacherous side-effects. And, my oncologist said that it would make me tired...TIRED ?!!! The Alimta that I had been receiving was a killer when it came to energy levels. I had learned to deal with it though because it collapsed me if I did too much physical activity. I learned to pace myself and was able to keep a modicum of energy level. I knew what I could and couldn't do and I knew how far I could push it. This Taxotere has drained me and I haven't figured it out completely. The doctor said that the fatigue would be caused by changes in my blood levels, mainly. The past two lab tests, though, show my blood to behaving normally. The various readings show well within their limits. My oxygen level is good. My weight is steady. My appetite is still very good. I don't feel stressed, a little discouraged and scared maybe, but the main thing that is defeating me is the desire to do things. Simple things. Make some phone calls. Watch TV. Surf the Net. Anything. I get motivated to do something and the moment passes before I can act. Anyway, this is only my second treatment and I am sure my strength will return soon enough. I have already lost my hair. Which is not a bad thing because my little orange hat looks good on my bald head. Of course, my brown felt derby slips down over my eyes! I may have to stuff it with newspaper! So, I was really looking forward to TechFest this year: The event was held on the 16th and 17th of February at Sinclair College in downtown Dayton. The Mars Society had a booth and display at the event. I always work with them. I have been there every year since 2006. Except for last year. I was so disappointed that I had to miss last year...but I was sick.... So, I was "Over the Rainbow" when I knew that I could attend this year. It was cold out, in the 20's F. I drove down to Dayton and the parking garage was full. I drove around downtown for a half an hour looking for a metered space. Finally found on about a block from the Building. I had my balloons with me and my dog, JoJo. "Is that a real dog?" "Of course it is!" "No it isn't!!!" "Well, it is a hamster that I have disguised as a dog so that he won't be eaten by a cat or varmint!" The moment I got inside and to the Mars Society booth and started to make some Alien balloons, a line formed and I was busy for the next 2 1/2 hours! I really wanted to visit with the other members of the Mars Society (and, I did get a few moments) but everyone wanted a balloon ! I had to leave earlier than I wanted because a lady had called me a week before to see if I could do a birthday party. It was for two children, a boy of 1 year and a girl that was turning 7. I decided to do it because I had done parties for the families before and was also interested in knowing if I could accomplish 2 gigs on one day--given my delicate condition, ha ! I left TechFest at about 230pm and drove home to eat a bite and change into my Clown uniform. The birthday party was in Springfield at 5pm. I got there and stayed until about 730pm. It was a great time. I came home and was feeling a little tired, but was confident that I would be able to make TechFest again on Sunday. Not so...when I woke up on Sunday, my hands and feet were swollen. My skin must have gotten brittle from all of my Chemos because I had myriad cuts on my hands. I ate some breakfast and tried to get ready for the Dayton event again. It soon became obvious that my feet and hands were not going to cooperate so I had to give up. Really bummed me out. And, the energy level was low and stayed low until now...I have some energy because of the recent (Monday the 25th) treatment. I get steroids the day before, the day of and the day after the treatment. It gives me a false energy. More a nervousness or agitation than anything else. I will see what the coming days will bring. It is cold out, well it is Winter, and if the weather warms a bit I will do some walking. I am confident that my Giddity-up will revisit me soon. If not, I will just have to find a way to soldier through it! And, the Lord will strengthen me, I know. Praise God ! Life is Good...Life is an Adventure !!!

A New Chemo

I had my first treatment today (Friday, February 1, 2013) with Docetaxel (Taxotere). 
I was apprehensive about this initial treatment, but everything turned-out fine. This 
particular drug builds up in your system so the next few weeks should be interesting. I 
imagine it will be much the same as my initial Chemos last year--in that I will lose my hair,the Chemo-brain will return, and
the peripheral neuropathy will increase; I will have flu-like symptoms. This particular drug
also wreaks havoc with your blood counts and I will be fatigued and extremely vulnerable to
infections and pneumonia. I will just have to tough it out. 
I worked Thursday night and stayed over at the Hotel instead of going home because my wife was out of town and I rarely hear alarm clocks!  In the morning, when my boss came in for his work shift, we retired to the break room for some intercessory prayer. My treatment lasted for 5 hours and I was alert and calm throughout!

Hopefully I will be doing TechFest in Downtown Dayton at Sinclair College on the 16th and 17th of February. I will be with the The Mars Society (Ohio Chapter)...

Here is an Invitational video from TechFest2013:



I will be answering questions about Human Mars Exploration, but I will also be making some Alien Sword Balloons and Alien Princess Wand Balloons. Luckily, there are other members of the Ohio Chapter of the Mars Society that will be doing most of the talking and explaining !!  Over 3000 people come through TechFest during the weekend and most of them want a balloon! The Wright State biology department is usually across from us and they will let you hold a Tarantula or Madagascar Millipede !  There are many, many hands-on exhibits and I love to walk around and look at them. Darth Vader and his team are usually there to provide Security for the event,also.

So, everything is going pretty well, although I had to quit my job. I went back to work in November of last year and was really enjoying it. But, I am not sure how bad the side effects from this new Chemo will be. I will return to work as soon as I can, My job involved a fair amount of driving and I don't want to put people on the road in jeopardy.

 Life is Good, Life is an Adventure !!!!  Clown around and Go to Mars !!!