Observations From Hadleyville: breast cancer

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

SECOND DAY OF CHEMO-THERAPY

SIT-REP 08-21-12 I have begun my second Chemo-Therapy session.

I haven't posted about my cancer since the first treatment, July 31st. There have been some developments.

FIRST, "Chemo week" begins on Monday with preparation pills. Tuesday is chemo day. Tuesday through Thursday is nausea pills fun time. Thursday through Monday I give myself subcutaneous injections for white blood cell production. So the chemical treatment lasts a whole week, Monday to Monday.

SECOND, Because my heart is unable to withstand the more aggressive schedule I have been changed to a every-three-weeks schedule. Since I'd been originally been told I'd need eight sessions, I expected to finish on Christmas week. However, my oncologist informed me that I'd only need six sessions on this particular medication schedule. That means I only have four more to go. I'll be done by the middle of November, giving us all something to be thankful for this year.

THIRD, My hair is GONE. Funny, I last had chemo three weeks ago, but the effect on my hair did not happen until two weeks afterward. Last Tuesday my hair began to fall like a bad case of dandruff. By Friday I put on a hat to hide the Agent Orange-style deforestation (gruesome picture to follow).

FOURTH, Following chemo on Tuesday I self-administer subcutaneous shots for five days--Thursday through Monday--to stimulate white blood cell production. This has the effect of putting my bone marrow into high gear. If feels a bit like a bad case of arthritis and was the worst part of chemo week as far as I was concerned. I'm only supposed to take Tylenol which I find useless. However, my oncologist approved Advil which I prefer. Since I'm performing a wedding in San Diego this weekend I'm praying I feel much better this time.

FIFTH, Since chemo is every three weeks, the two weeks between "chemo week" is like a vacation; I resumed many of my normal activities and swim laps for thirty minutes nearly every day. I'm hoping that the exercise--which I was not able to do between surgery and the first chemo--will mitigate pain this time around.

SIXTH, Fight's ON!

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

MY CHEMICAL BROMANCE

Ever since I found out I had breast cancer, not a week has gone by without someone assuring me that men get breast cancer too. Thank you. Fact is, parts of the system are not--but definitely--set up for treating men. When I went for initial scanning and my biopsy I was purposely sequestered from the women patients. Some methods bordered on the absurd: I was herded through back hallways--DARK back hallways--to avoid patient areas.But here I am. The system has worked quickly and has focused on my comfort and care. I cannot complain about my treatment at the hands of medical personnel.

As for friends; WOW. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern, prayer and offers of help. My faith in God has strengthened me beyond expectation. Without belaboring the point, cancer is scary. And one person has gone out of his way to frighten me into compliance. I honestly don't know how anyone could go through this threat without the hope and peace that God provides.

QUASI-LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Don the Baptist considers himself to be both intellectually deep and extremely humorous. Don the Baptist assumes no responsibility for blog browsers who cannot tell the difference between the two. Blog browsers are advised to consider any "Observations from Hadleyville" content that makes no sense to be the result of a lack of intellect or sense of humor on the part of the blog browser and not that of the blogger. Don the Baptist is a non profit guy so don't bother suing Don the Baptist as it would be a waste of time and resources.

WORDS OF WISDOM FOR WRITERS

The secret of becoming a writer is that you have to write. You have to write a lot. You also have to finish what you write, even though no one wants it yet. If you don't learn to finish your work, no one will ever want to see it. The biggest mistake new writers make is carrying around copies of unfinished work to inflict on their friends.

I am sure it has been done with less, but you should be prepared to write and throw away a million words of finished material. By finished, I mean completed, done, ready to submit, and written as well as you know how at the time you wrote it.
-Jerry Pournelle

WHAT'S THIS HADLEYVILLE THING?

Those of you familiar with Mark Twain’s works might recognize my blog title. As Samuel Clemons grew older, he became increasingly disillusioned with humanity. Towards the end he began referring to the Damned Human Race; employing the secular and religious epithet at one stroke.

I find I’ve not reached that level of despair myself. I still believe in redemption and I still see signs of nobility even among we fallen, damned creatures. So, I could not bring myself to call this blog “On the Damned Human Race.” I do however, resonate with another of Clemmons stories; “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.” And viola, there you have it. “Observations From Hadleyville.”