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 !!!

Twisting...balloons !

Went to the Holiday Open House at Wright State University for A Special Wish Foundation, Dayton, Ohio. Vanngo went with me, her sister, Linda drove her there. Our clown alley, Giggles and Grins, provides clowns for the annual event. Alto did a Magic Show and I saw Mickey, Sparklelee, and Lullabelle doing face-painting. Zilcho was twisting balloons. Plucky, Tindy Ducks and a few more clowns were wandering about. It was an awesome time. A Special Wish is a great organization and does a lot of events and grants many special wishes through the year. You can learn more about it here:  A Special Wish .

Vanngo did a very good job of handing Yo-You balloons to the children and blowing a loud horn and announcing the arrival of a "Princess" whenever I made a Princess Wand balloon for one of the girls. I also made hats and alien swords and dogs.

                                                       Vanngo and Careful

                                                     Alvin and the Chipmunks

                                                                    3 Clowns

I have been doing pretty good, feeling more normal. I am still tired a lot and get fatigued, but I am learning to pace myself. One thing though, I have been practicing driving a car again--after a year of no driving, and have noticed that when I do a lot of physical activity (I have been attempting to exercise more), even though I pace myself so as not to be fatigued to the point of collapse, I end-up with sore muscles that take several days to go away. It used to be that I could chalk that up to the age process. It seems more likely to be a combo of aging and chemo.

I made myself some liver and onions yesterday. I prepared the meal the way my mother used to make it. Caramelize the onions with butter and sugar and then lightly flour the liver and fry it in some butter. It came out really tasty. I hope the iron and nutrients that the liver and onions provide will help repair my sore joints and muscles. Although, the mechanism of the Alimta is to starve the cells that ask for nutrients.

I have noticed that I have lost several inches from my waistline. I haven't weighed myself lately, but my last visit to the Oncologist showed that I weighed 161 which has held steady since February. I weighed 180+ going into this whole ordeal, had a robust belly which I could do without. So, getting down to 160 or so is not a bad thing. I graduated High School weighing 158 ! Of course, I fear I may be losing some muscle mass. I will have to ask the Doctor how my body is supposed to repair and replenish itself when the order of the Chemo is to deny it !

So, everything is going smoothly. My next event is in December. Our alley provides clowns for a Rotary Christmas Banquet for Special Needs children in Springfield. It is also a fine time and a lot of fun!

Life is good...Life is an Adventure !!!

TechFest2012

I was

talking to Jerry from the Ohio Chapter of the Mars Society the other day...TechFest is coming up in a couple of weeks and I really hope that I can attend. I have been going there to volunteer since 2007. It was also the inspiration for the Mars Camp we had at the Mars Society Convention that we had here in Dayton a couple of years ago. I started out volunteering for the Mars Society and one time I decided to twist some alien sword balloons...it was a huge hit and brought a lot of people to our display. There are usually over 3000 kids during the 2-day affair and I know I made a lot (a LOT) of balloons !!! Sunflower came down to help me one year, even! I usually take my Segway and JoJo the Robot also. I let the kids play with JoJo and they are very good with him. The local battallion of the Star Wars Storm Troopers and Darth Vader provide security for the event. Across from the Mars Society display, the Wright State department of Insects lets visitors hold a tarantula and giant Madagascar centipede ! There are many, many hands-on activities for the families that attend. Every year now, when I show up, the organizers always ask if I will be doing balloons--that people are asking where I am at. I had originally wanted to just talk about Mars Exploration but now do balloons...of course, I do a lot of patter about Mars while I am doing the balloons so everything works out. Here is the link to the TechFest for this year--it is their 10th year !!!  http://www.ascdayton.org/TechFest/

I went over to Gary and Susan's Saturday. They were having a small birthday party for one of her former health aides. I did some magic and some balloons. I only clowned for a few minutes because I was tired from all of the stuff these past two weeks--biopsies, etc. And, medication. I will be happy when I can greatly reduce the medication. Of course, on the 9th I will be finding out about Chemo and that might take a little something out of me. As long as they can take away the swelling in my neck it will help. It feels like I am wearing a shirt that has a way too-tight collar.

  At least my appetite hasn't suffered...I getting ready to make myself some Tuna Salad and have a couple of sandwiches. Life is Good...