Good news

This last Wednesday, I received some good news from my Oncologist at the Infusion/Cancer Center. Week before last was, to me, was the week from HELL. I had no, NO energy, my mouth felt like a mouth full of needles, I lost most of the feeling in my fingers and toes, some of my hair started to fall out (which I expected that since I am going bald anyway), and I was becoming irritable and short tempered, which I never wanted to do. The Doctor said, "That is what I wanted to hear." I replied, "You did, and why." "That means you hit your max so now we can stop the Chemo."  I was surprised and glad. I said, "Why didn't you tell me that" "Because I knew you were a tough guy (me 'tough'?) and wanted to go until you could not stand any more, so when you said 'the week from Hell, I knew we hit your stop time."  

Now that does not mean I am in remission. That will still be testing for remains of the cancer. If there are none then I am good, but if there are, we continue with some more chemo.  And then there is a CT Scan in July too. I asked him about the infusion port removal. I guess we'll get that taken out after Nancy and I get back from Africa in late August. It does not bother me anyway.

Typically when you stop the treatments, it is semi-customary to go up to the nurse's station and ring a brass bell to tell the other patients and world you are done. But I did not do that. I just wanted to hugs the great nurses that was SO caring to me and the other patients that come in there. I could not do their job and watch some of the patient dwindle away. Especially the kids. I may have shed a tear or two as I exited the center. Let me admit it, Cancer really sucks and no damn fun, and I feel I had the light version. The nurses and the great staff made my time bearable sitting there for 3 hours while being infused with chemicals that basically kill your immune system and in return give you pain and and plenty of 'inconveniences'. God bless the more serious patients and their journey. And God bless the nurses that hold your hand and treat you like family while you endure it all. They are angels. Truly.

Now I can almost get back to a semi-normal life, as long as I get rid of the brain-fog and needles in my hands and mouth. I maybe able to feel a nut or bolt and get my taste back and feel the pleasure of cold ice cream and iced tea soon. We'll see.

Until then, you can have some as my alter ego and tell me how it was. So take it easy, stay safe and comment and follow me.