A bit of an Update…

It’s been a tough weekend. They increased the dosage of the Chemo (I guess they thought I wasn’t suffering enough) and it is stronger. My legs feel like they’re tingling (almost on fire), joints ache, a few bouts of what I guess is nausea, reduced appetite, sleepless nights due to legs and generally feeling somewhat weak.

Starting to feel better (I have to – clients from Bulgaria arrive later today to work for a few days.) Don’t think I’ll be in my normal party mode with them, but I will try to ensure they get their money worth out of me. Underpromise and Over-deliver!

Other things that seem to be different – my skin seems very dry and I’m now moisturising (something I’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.)

I’ve had a PICC line in my right arm for over two months now. Basically, this is a tube that is inserted into a vein and delivers the Chemo closer to my heart and also allows them to draw blood to test what’s going on. Last week, the line moved (OUT) and is now what they call a Mid-line; (they can use it to deliver drugs; but unable to draw blood.) This has allowed me to have limited numbers of needles (something I’ve got a bit of a phobia about.) 

Well; due to the change – they now need to go to my left arm and insert another line. They also won’t remove the other until the new one is inserted. Because this thing is dangling from my arm (I look like a Borg [Star Trek reference]) – it means I’m not supposed to use the arm to lift things, etc. It’s amazing how quickly I’ve lost muscle tone in that arm. I really look like an old man with no muscle tone at all – I plan on hitting the gym – this is NOT on!

The minor problem seems to be that they are unable to insert the new line until the day after I’m scheduled for my 5th Chemo Treatment (only two more to go, yeah!!!)

I’m pretty sure that I’m going to request that they go back to the previous strength of the Chemo – I don’t know if I’m feeling this way because of a cumulative effect or because of the increased strength. Either way – I don’t like it.

Anyway, nothing exciting, humourous – just a bit of information to keep you all updated. I’m gonna come out of this thing initially weaker – but stronger in the end. I still won’t know the final word until the 11th of November.

But, here’s my reality: on the fifth of July at noon I was told I had 12 weeks to live – we’re now 11 weeks in and I’m not going anywhere just yet. (Actually, I’m gonna go into the kitchen and get another cup of coffee – more to come after the Bulgarians depart.)

FYI   The photo above is kind’ve what I look like now. It was taken at Sales Makers Annual Retreat that we ran on Sanibel Island back in the 80’s and 90’s. Eddie Tock decided that it would be funny if he and Ray wore skull caps during one of my presentations. Who knew it was a prediction? (Unfortunately, I’m not that skinny any more, was I ever that thin?)