Daily Quote: "Hope keeps our minds at ease, lowers stress and improves physical health. Researcher studying heart-disease patients found that optimists were more likely than nonoptimstic patients to take vitamins, eat low fat diets and exercise, thereby reducing their overall coronary risk. A study of cancer patients revealed that pessimistic patients under the age of 60 were more likely to die within eight months than nonpessimistic patients of the same initial health, status and age." --Talli Sharot, Article "The Optimism Bias," Time Magazine, June 6, 2011, pg 42.
My hope and optimism is sky high due to finishing my first phase of my cancer battle, which was six weeks of radiation focusing on my tongue, neck, and lymph nodes. Today starts my second phase of my cancer battle, which will shift the radiation and chemotherapy to focus on my right lung.
Today I arrived at Dr. Treadwell's office with anticipation on what will be the preparation for my second phase, having another cat scan as to determine the cancer targets, and getting three tattoos to form a triangulation so that my body will be perfectly aligned with the computers.
The cat scan and tattoos were done within thirty minutes and the technician made my next radiation appointment for June 22nd at 7:30 a.m., yes that's correct, I won't receive any radiation for the next two weeks!! Originally I was told that I would rest for one week before the second phase, but I do believe my body could use the much needed extra rest and hopefully my poor throat will have extra time to heal before the next phase. The second phase will be six weeks of chemotherapy on Tuesdays and radiation therapy on Monday-Friday focusing on my right lung.
Even though I won't be having radiation therapy for the next two weeks, I will still be continuing my chemo-therapy appointments, which are every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m and lasts for about three hours...nevertheless, without radiation therapy my body will have plenty of time to rest during the remainder of the week!
The technician gave me a souvenir...my molded face mask that I had to wear during my radiation treatments on my face and neck, I'm treating the mask as a trophy and it now stares down onto the computer from a shelf in the office. It's definitely better than a Jackalope!
My seniority date for Checker Cab Company is June 21st (driving for Checker Cab for 21 years), which means I'll need to renew my T.A. Permit and my DOT Health Card soon, that also means I have to attend the annual T.A. Safety Class that takes three hours as well. No matter how long a driver has been working as a cab driver it's mandatory by law to take this long, silly, class! Now that I don't have to awake at 6:30 a.m. for the next two weeks makes it a little easier to take care of business.
Thanks for all the support everyone has given me during the last six weeks, every one of you kept my spirits and hopes up! I doubt my optimism would be as high without my support team!!
I need to go to bed soon, but don't need to set my alarm clock for 6:30 a.m. for two whole weeks!!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Update On Future Radiology Testing
Daily Quote: "People who know they have cancer have a motto: 'Make every day count.' I have done that. What I have not done is make every person count. My life has been filled with the best of me. What it has not been filled with is the best of others. I now know that Robert Frost was right. I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." --Dr. George Sheehan.
Today after my 7:00 a.m. radiation therapy I had an appointment with my radiologist, Dr. Treadwell. The first thing he asked me was, "How was driving a cab for 12-hours during Memorial Day Weekend feel?" I told him the truth, it was very stressful and exhausting. He then said, "Bruce, you are one tough son-of-a-bitch!" Remember, Dr. Treadwell strongly encouraged me to take a medical leave of absence during my first consultation with him, with scare stories how men who are athletes couldn't finish two weeks of chemotherapy and radiation therapy...essentially, although he didn't know it, he threw down a gauntlet for me to prove him wrong. Plus, I can't afford to take 12 weeks off from work, which would be a short cut to bankruptcy for me and my wife.
Dr Treadwell said that my next four radiation treatments (Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday) will be solely focused on tumor on the back of my tongue, my lymph nodes and neck appear to be clear now! Yup, only four more radiation treatments on my tongue and and then I go into the next six week phase of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on my upper chest and right lung! My throat should be less sore next week!!
Next Wednesday, June 8th, I have an appointment with the Radiologist at 1:00 p.m., which will start my second phase of my chemotherapy and radiation therapy. I won't have any radiation that day, nor will I have any radiation therapy for a week as to prepare the computers, lasers, etc. for therapy on my upper chest and right lung! Next Wednesday I'll be getting tattoos on my upper torso where the radiation therapy lasers will eventually be targeted. Another FIRST...I've never had a tattoo before!
He mentioned that after all my future treatments are over, the radiation will still have a half-life in my body and will continue to shrink whatever cancer is left for several weeks later.
I'm so full of confidence and positive thoughts with the realization that I'm half way through my cancer battle, which appear I may be winning!! Thank you all for your positive thoughts and prayers...where would I be without you? Every one of you counts.
Today after my 7:00 a.m. radiation therapy I had an appointment with my radiologist, Dr. Treadwell. The first thing he asked me was, "How was driving a cab for 12-hours during Memorial Day Weekend feel?" I told him the truth, it was very stressful and exhausting. He then said, "Bruce, you are one tough son-of-a-bitch!" Remember, Dr. Treadwell strongly encouraged me to take a medical leave of absence during my first consultation with him, with scare stories how men who are athletes couldn't finish two weeks of chemotherapy and radiation therapy...essentially, although he didn't know it, he threw down a gauntlet for me to prove him wrong. Plus, I can't afford to take 12 weeks off from work, which would be a short cut to bankruptcy for me and my wife.
Dr Treadwell said that my next four radiation treatments (Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday) will be solely focused on tumor on the back of my tongue, my lymph nodes and neck appear to be clear now! Yup, only four more radiation treatments on my tongue and and then I go into the next six week phase of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on my upper chest and right lung! My throat should be less sore next week!!
Next Wednesday, June 8th, I have an appointment with the Radiologist at 1:00 p.m., which will start my second phase of my chemotherapy and radiation therapy. I won't have any radiation that day, nor will I have any radiation therapy for a week as to prepare the computers, lasers, etc. for therapy on my upper chest and right lung! Next Wednesday I'll be getting tattoos on my upper torso where the radiation therapy lasers will eventually be targeted. Another FIRST...I've never had a tattoo before!
He mentioned that after all my future treatments are over, the radiation will still have a half-life in my body and will continue to shrink whatever cancer is left for several weeks later.
I'm so full of confidence and positive thoughts with the realization that I'm half way through my cancer battle, which appear I may be winning!! Thank you all for your positive thoughts and prayers...where would I be without you? Every one of you counts.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Only Seven Weeks of Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy Left
Daily Quote: "To many people growing old seems like the endgame in chess: life winding down in a series of small moves with lesser pieces. As I age I have discovered this is not true. I am not an elderly king stripped of my powers, reduced to a ragtail army of pawns. My life is not a defensive struggle of restricted options. Growing old is a game of verve and imagination and excitement." --Dr. George Sheehan
I'm a chess expert and distance runner, imagine my surprise when I read the above quote from the running philosopher and runner, Dr. George Sheehan, who wrote the above quote in his weekly column in 1968 in the old local newspaper, the Red Bank Register. I've read several of Sheehan's books when I was a beginner runner a decade ago and now I'm discovering more golden nuggets from him. Not only do we have the bond of running and chess, but he also had cancer, he died in 1993 from prostate cancer.
Only seven more weeks of chemotherapy & radiation therapy left (I've completed five weeks of chemo therapy and radiation therapy)...I'm hoping that next Monday my radiologist will shift his focus from my neck and tongue and transfer the therapy to my right chest and lung. It would be nice to be able to swallow again without pain once the radiation therapy leaves my throat. I'm stubborn...I still haven't used my feeding tube yet, which might be a mistake as my weight is down to 162.4.
Last weekend was a tough weekend being a cab driver!! Memorial Day Weekend brings many Californians with thousands of extra vehicles on the road. It's tough driving non-stop when I'm healthy; a real struggle when I have no stamina nor endurance, and due to my need to stay constantly hydrated, always in need of a bathroom. My fatigue was a factor too, I often felt I was in a Zombie state, without feelings and emotions, just keeping pushing the cab onwards...sort of like the feelings during my last 50k ultra-marathon.
Monday night after work I headed home and was so drowsy I pulled off the road as to allow my eyes to close for a short time...two hours later I awoke in a sweat and continued home. My wife was awake and was very upset as I didn't have my cell phone turned on and was very worried about me. She called the cab company and knew I left the cab yard at 12:10 a.m. I've never seen her so mad at me, I'm still in the dog house! Needless to say I'll always have my cell phone on in the future; when we refuel the cabs at the end of our shift we have to turn off everything electrical due to the highly flammable nature of propane gas used in the cabs, often I just leave the cell phone off as I would be home in 30 minutes anyways and the wife is usually asleep.
Damage report: My inside throat is still very sore, hurts even when I swallow water; my outside skin on my whole neck is burnt bright red, but the previous heat blisters are now healed. My beard had turned gray and appears I've been losing small patches of the beard due to the radiation therapy. The hair on my head is thinning and also turning gray; I've cut my hair short as to grow accustomed to less hair, which seems to work on a psychological level.
I've lost much of my upper body mass, and my legs have lost most of its tone, and needless to say my endurance is not what it used to be. Lately I've lost the urge to even walk, lift weights, and sometimes even playing chess...long naps are my current body's craving, and I've been allowing my body to have that rest. Doesn't really matter, once the seven weeks of cancer therapy is over, I'll be gradually returning to running with a passion!!
I'm a chess expert and distance runner, imagine my surprise when I read the above quote from the running philosopher and runner, Dr. George Sheehan, who wrote the above quote in his weekly column in 1968 in the old local newspaper, the Red Bank Register. I've read several of Sheehan's books when I was a beginner runner a decade ago and now I'm discovering more golden nuggets from him. Not only do we have the bond of running and chess, but he also had cancer, he died in 1993 from prostate cancer.
Only seven more weeks of chemotherapy & radiation therapy left (I've completed five weeks of chemo therapy and radiation therapy)...I'm hoping that next Monday my radiologist will shift his focus from my neck and tongue and transfer the therapy to my right chest and lung. It would be nice to be able to swallow again without pain once the radiation therapy leaves my throat. I'm stubborn...I still haven't used my feeding tube yet, which might be a mistake as my weight is down to 162.4.
Last weekend was a tough weekend being a cab driver!! Memorial Day Weekend brings many Californians with thousands of extra vehicles on the road. It's tough driving non-stop when I'm healthy; a real struggle when I have no stamina nor endurance, and due to my need to stay constantly hydrated, always in need of a bathroom. My fatigue was a factor too, I often felt I was in a Zombie state, without feelings and emotions, just keeping pushing the cab onwards...sort of like the feelings during my last 50k ultra-marathon.
Monday night after work I headed home and was so drowsy I pulled off the road as to allow my eyes to close for a short time...two hours later I awoke in a sweat and continued home. My wife was awake and was very upset as I didn't have my cell phone turned on and was very worried about me. She called the cab company and knew I left the cab yard at 12:10 a.m. I've never seen her so mad at me, I'm still in the dog house! Needless to say I'll always have my cell phone on in the future; when we refuel the cabs at the end of our shift we have to turn off everything electrical due to the highly flammable nature of propane gas used in the cabs, often I just leave the cell phone off as I would be home in 30 minutes anyways and the wife is usually asleep.
Damage report: My inside throat is still very sore, hurts even when I swallow water; my outside skin on my whole neck is burnt bright red, but the previous heat blisters are now healed. My beard had turned gray and appears I've been losing small patches of the beard due to the radiation therapy. The hair on my head is thinning and also turning gray; I've cut my hair short as to grow accustomed to less hair, which seems to work on a psychological level.
I've lost much of my upper body mass, and my legs have lost most of its tone, and needless to say my endurance is not what it used to be. Lately I've lost the urge to even walk, lift weights, and sometimes even playing chess...long naps are my current body's craving, and I've been allowing my body to have that rest. Doesn't really matter, once the seven weeks of cancer therapy is over, I'll be gradually returning to running with a passion!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Only Eight Weeks of Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy Left
Daily Quote: “Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing.” --George Sheenan
My cancer fight is the biggest challenge I've ever had to face, I can't say that I'm happy with my struggling and enduring cancer, but my cancer fight is making me more disciplined in living a more cleaner lifestyle and a deeper appreciation for my family and friends. Undoubtedly, once I'm in remission, I'll be a very happy camper and ready for an easier challenge!
I was pretty depressed last weekend as I couldn't play online chess nor visit my favorite running sites as my home computer, which was twelve years old burnt out last Friday. I was using online chess as an escape from the stress of cancer and not being able to run, the loss of the computer gave me a very sinking feeling as we really could not afford fixing the computer.
Our friend from Arizona, Brenda Boswell, just happened to be visiting Vegas this weekend and helped Suzie with looking for a new computer and setting it up...imagine my surprise when I came home early Monday morning and on my desk is a brand new working computer!! My wife bought a "Lenovo" computer that was a steal for $250.00! She knows how important the computer is for me and bought a new one without my consultation...as she knew I would have sacrificed the computer as to keep paying my medical bills...Suzie Robison you are so caring and loving, what would I do without you?!? Today was my first opportunity using our new toy...it's so fast, quiet, and has the new Windows program too! I'm going to have to spend more time on learning all the new bells & whistles this computer can accomplish.
Damage report: My inside throat is very sore, hurts even when I swallow, but now the outside of my throat hurts too...my whole neck, front and back is bright red like I've been sitting under a heat lamp for eight hours, plus the radiation has burnt off small lumps of my beard, which gives me that patchy grizzly look. I'm not suppose to use a razor at this time as shaving irritates the skin, which makes radiation on the neck more irritating. I now have six heat blisters on my neck skin, which is normal and Dr. Treadwell says that the blisters will get worse. Last week I stated that my beard has gone totally gray, this week my head has followed suit and has gone gray...at least my hair hasn't gone bald, yet!!
I can still eat soft foods and still fighting against the idea of actually using my feeding tube, but may have to surrender if my body weight continues to drop...I'm now 164.7 pounds on a six foot frame. Note: my first six weeks of therapy is done on my neck, throat and tongue, the next six weeks of therapy will be on my right chest...I'm hoping that once the first six weeks are done with my throat, that I may not need the feeding tube, therefore, if I can just complete the next two weeks of radiation on my tongue, throat and neck, might give my swallowing a chance when the radiation therapy shift goes to my right chest. I must keep my nutrition up and stay focus on eating more quality calories whether or not I'm hungry.
Last week I decided I must do some form of easy exercising as I can tell my large weight loss can be seen with my legs and arms losing muscle tone. I've been walking for thirty minutes every morning and after work I have a small dumbbell workout. It's better than nothing, but feels so insufficient to me, I must focus that I only have eight weeks left and than I can return to running...of course with the mantra, "baby steps--baby steps!"
My cancer fight is the biggest challenge I've ever had to face, I can't say that I'm happy with my struggling and enduring cancer, but my cancer fight is making me more disciplined in living a more cleaner lifestyle and a deeper appreciation for my family and friends. Undoubtedly, once I'm in remission, I'll be a very happy camper and ready for an easier challenge!
I was pretty depressed last weekend as I couldn't play online chess nor visit my favorite running sites as my home computer, which was twelve years old burnt out last Friday. I was using online chess as an escape from the stress of cancer and not being able to run, the loss of the computer gave me a very sinking feeling as we really could not afford fixing the computer.
Our friend from Arizona, Brenda Boswell, just happened to be visiting Vegas this weekend and helped Suzie with looking for a new computer and setting it up...imagine my surprise when I came home early Monday morning and on my desk is a brand new working computer!! My wife bought a "Lenovo" computer that was a steal for $250.00! She knows how important the computer is for me and bought a new one without my consultation...as she knew I would have sacrificed the computer as to keep paying my medical bills...Suzie Robison you are so caring and loving, what would I do without you?!? Today was my first opportunity using our new toy...it's so fast, quiet, and has the new Windows program too! I'm going to have to spend more time on learning all the new bells & whistles this computer can accomplish.
Damage report: My inside throat is very sore, hurts even when I swallow, but now the outside of my throat hurts too...my whole neck, front and back is bright red like I've been sitting under a heat lamp for eight hours, plus the radiation has burnt off small lumps of my beard, which gives me that patchy grizzly look. I'm not suppose to use a razor at this time as shaving irritates the skin, which makes radiation on the neck more irritating. I now have six heat blisters on my neck skin, which is normal and Dr. Treadwell says that the blisters will get worse. Last week I stated that my beard has gone totally gray, this week my head has followed suit and has gone gray...at least my hair hasn't gone bald, yet!!
I can still eat soft foods and still fighting against the idea of actually using my feeding tube, but may have to surrender if my body weight continues to drop...I'm now 164.7 pounds on a six foot frame. Note: my first six weeks of therapy is done on my neck, throat and tongue, the next six weeks of therapy will be on my right chest...I'm hoping that once the first six weeks are done with my throat, that I may not need the feeding tube, therefore, if I can just complete the next two weeks of radiation on my tongue, throat and neck, might give my swallowing a chance when the radiation therapy shift goes to my right chest. I must keep my nutrition up and stay focus on eating more quality calories whether or not I'm hungry.
Last week I decided I must do some form of easy exercising as I can tell my large weight loss can be seen with my legs and arms losing muscle tone. I've been walking for thirty minutes every morning and after work I have a small dumbbell workout. It's better than nothing, but feels so insufficient to me, I must focus that I only have eight weeks left and than I can return to running...of course with the mantra, "baby steps--baby steps!"
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Only Nine Weeks of Chemo & Radiation Left!
Daily Quote: "Because weight loss is a common side effect of cancer and/or cancer treatment, you may need about 500 extra calories per day to reach and remain at a healthy weight." --"Living with Cancer Magazine," Spring 2011, pg 33.
Only nine more weeks of chemotherapy and radiation therapy left! I start my countdown weeks on a Tuesday since that's the day I started both chemo and radiation. Once my radiation ends, my chemo ends as well...that means my last day of therapy will be July 19th.
Damage report: My throat is very sore, hurts even when I swallow, I can still eat soft foods, but may eventually need to use my feeding tube in the near future. Note: my first six weeks of therapy is done on my neck, throat and tongue, the next six weeks of therapy will be on my right chest...I'm hoping that once the first six weeks are done with my throat, that I may not need the feeding tube. I also have five heat blisters on my neck skin, which is normal; my radiation doctor, Dr. Treadwell says that the blisters will get worse. Interestingly, I haven't lost any hair yet, but my beard has gone totally GRAY!!
Catching up since my last post:
Wednesday, 5/11: First visit from my Home Nurse, who will visit my home every Wednesday for a health check-up and to keep an eye on any feeding tube complications. His name is Charlie Derzotti, RN., who works for "Family Health Care Services," was very friendly and positive. Today he showed my how to clean my feeding tube and the stomach connection, how to add new gauze twice a day, and I must clean the feeding tube itself every 12-hours whether or not I use it for feeding. He also brought me extra boxes of gauze and tapes, several piston tube syringes, Wound Cleanser (Name brand, Skintegrity), Adhesive Tape Remover Pads, Protective Wipes, etc. I showed him my blog as to show my great support group, "Team Bruce." He stated, that when he saw the "Team Bruce" pictures he actually had a tingles running up his spine! Charlie eventually left after two hours.
Thursday, 5/12: First home visit from my dietitian, her name is Joanna Gorman who also works for "Family Health Care Services." She brought a booklet called, "Tube Feeding At Home." Asked me questions about my knowledge of nutrition; explained to her that as a runner I keep my food ratio to about 50% carbs, 25% protein, and 25% healthy fats, but I will probably add more protein and less carbs since I'm no longer running. She said that I'm not like most people don't have such a deep knowledge of nutrition nor any idea what are their nutritional needs. I said I have read several nutrition books from a runner's viewpoint and showed her my two running nutritional books, "Performance Nutrition For Runners," by Matt Fitzgerald, and "Nancy Clark's Food Guide For Marathoners, by Nancy Clark, MS, RD" She was particularly pleased with Nancy Clark's book as she noted the author is also a nutritionist. She then proceeded to take my weight with her own electronic weight scale, I currently weigh 166.2 pounds, which is the lightest I've been in many years. She stated that most doctors would strongly want me to weigh at least 180+ pounds as to assure that I'm not becoming malnourised...but she is very confident that I'm fullfilling my needs at the current time. She calculated that I should be consuming at least 2,200 daily calories. In the future I may need to eventually use my feeding tube and consuming enough quality calories would be problemetic, therefore she recommended the product, "Resource 2.0," that would easily provide nutrition needs as it's calorically and protein dense (480 calories and 20 grams of protein per 8 fl oz box.) Just in case, the THC Pharmacy has my name on file, and would deliver a case of "Resource 2.0" anytime I call and will deliver the product at anytime as it's open 24 hours!
I haven't been on my computer very often as I've been hard pressed for extra time due to my working 12-hours days, treatments, visits, and being totally exhausted most of the time. I had a very big surprise when I visited my favorite running forum at "about.com running/jogging site, where the "Bruce's Team" resides...the following picture was posted:
Only nine more weeks of chemotherapy and radiation therapy left! I start my countdown weeks on a Tuesday since that's the day I started both chemo and radiation. Once my radiation ends, my chemo ends as well...that means my last day of therapy will be July 19th.
Damage report: My throat is very sore, hurts even when I swallow, I can still eat soft foods, but may eventually need to use my feeding tube in the near future. Note: my first six weeks of therapy is done on my neck, throat and tongue, the next six weeks of therapy will be on my right chest...I'm hoping that once the first six weeks are done with my throat, that I may not need the feeding tube. I also have five heat blisters on my neck skin, which is normal; my radiation doctor, Dr. Treadwell says that the blisters will get worse. Interestingly, I haven't lost any hair yet, but my beard has gone totally GRAY!!
Catching up since my last post:
Wednesday, 5/11: First visit from my Home Nurse, who will visit my home every Wednesday for a health check-up and to keep an eye on any feeding tube complications. His name is Charlie Derzotti, RN., who works for "Family Health Care Services," was very friendly and positive. Today he showed my how to clean my feeding tube and the stomach connection, how to add new gauze twice a day, and I must clean the feeding tube itself every 12-hours whether or not I use it for feeding. He also brought me extra boxes of gauze and tapes, several piston tube syringes, Wound Cleanser (Name brand, Skintegrity), Adhesive Tape Remover Pads, Protective Wipes, etc. I showed him my blog as to show my great support group, "Team Bruce." He stated, that when he saw the "Team Bruce" pictures he actually had a tingles running up his spine! Charlie eventually left after two hours.
Thursday, 5/12: First home visit from my dietitian, her name is Joanna Gorman who also works for "Family Health Care Services." She brought a booklet called, "Tube Feeding At Home." Asked me questions about my knowledge of nutrition; explained to her that as a runner I keep my food ratio to about 50% carbs, 25% protein, and 25% healthy fats, but I will probably add more protein and less carbs since I'm no longer running. She said that I'm not like most people don't have such a deep knowledge of nutrition nor any idea what are their nutritional needs. I said I have read several nutrition books from a runner's viewpoint and showed her my two running nutritional books, "Performance Nutrition For Runners," by Matt Fitzgerald, and "Nancy Clark's Food Guide For Marathoners, by Nancy Clark, MS, RD" She was particularly pleased with Nancy Clark's book as she noted the author is also a nutritionist. She then proceeded to take my weight with her own electronic weight scale, I currently weigh 166.2 pounds, which is the lightest I've been in many years. She stated that most doctors would strongly want me to weigh at least 180+ pounds as to assure that I'm not becoming malnourised...but she is very confident that I'm fullfilling my needs at the current time. She calculated that I should be consuming at least 2,200 daily calories. In the future I may need to eventually use my feeding tube and consuming enough quality calories would be problemetic, therefore she recommended the product, "Resource 2.0," that would easily provide nutrition needs as it's calorically and protein dense (480 calories and 20 grams of protein per 8 fl oz box.) Just in case, the THC Pharmacy has my name on file, and would deliver a case of "Resource 2.0" anytime I call and will deliver the product at anytime as it's open 24 hours!
I haven't been on my computer very often as I've been hard pressed for extra time due to my working 12-hours days, treatments, visits, and being totally exhausted most of the time. I had a very big surprise when I visited my favorite running forum at "about.com running/jogging site, where the "Bruce's Team" resides...the following picture was posted:
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Feeding Tube
Today will be a first, I'll be having my very first surgery ever, I'm having a food tube inserted into my stomach, yup, I'll be part cyborg, but not as radical as the above photo. I'm apprehensive about the food tube, it's like this foreign object invading my body and have to clean (even if I don't use it, I must keep the tube and the hole around the tube connection clean) this thing for the next 10 weeks.
My wife and I arrived at Valley Hospital at 1:00 p.m. in her Silverado Truck; I thought that the truck would be easier for me after the surgery because I wouldn't have to stoop down into a car seat.
We were immediately breezed through admittance (I pre-admitted yesterday and did all the required paperwork and insurance information) and was taken to the waiting area where my wife took away all my valuables as requested from the front desk. I guess they are worried about liability if something valuable shows up missing.
After about ten minutes I was told to leave my wife temporarily as they prep me for surgery. The nurse led me to a large room that was divided my many curtains into small modules. My module looked like the size of a van and had all the equipment you would expect in an ambulance. The nurse told me to strip down and put on one of those infamous back-opened gowns and put my clothes into this big plastic bag.
I spent about fifteen minutes waiting when they allowed my wife to visit me in the module until I'm wheeled into the operating room. As usual when I'm nervous, I told her a bunch on one-liners, and comments about the nurses...like when one nurse stopped and asked me if I was Robert...sorry, no patient named Robert here. The nurse quickly left and I said with gentle sarcasm, "that does make me feel so secure." I must be watching too many "House" television shows.
Finally, after arriving at the hospital for over an hour, I was wheeled into the operating room where I was introduced to my anesthesiologist. He explained what he was going to do, how long it would take, etc. The nurses put all these gadgets on me, a finger HRM, stickers with attached tubes on my chest for the computers, etc.
Thirty minutes later my Surgeon arrived with a internist in tow, the doctor drew on my chest with a black marker where the incision would be and the anesthesiologist put in my mouth a tube for oxygen. A male registered nurse also appeared in attendance, now we have a full house.
My Surgeon, internist, and anesthesiologist are all of Indian descent, my registered nurse is Black...as I started to doze off I heard bantering from the team...The Black nurse joked, "Hey, we have three Indians in pajamas here, that can't possibly be allowed," The Surgeon joked, "What? I'm your brother from a different mother!" That's the last I heard before I fell into a deep sleep.
I awoke about an hour later still in Surgery, but was alone. I was freezing and asked for a nurse. She placed this hose that looked like an extension from a vacuum cleaner and placed it underneath my sheet, I immediately felt warm air, and went back to a short snooze. My throat was parched and the nurse brought me a small bottle of apple juice, which I puked five minutes later. Appears that the Surgeon cleans out the stomach with air, and sometimes the air gets trapped in the stomach...hence, when I swallowed juice it met a barrier and returned from whence it came, my mouth.
Awoke again with horrible pain in my stomach, felt that I was being stabbed by a knife. The nurse said that I'm ready to go and my wife will be waiting in the prep-dressing area. My wife was great! She helped me to get dressed and gave me soothing comments about going home. Couldn't see my feeding tube as my chest was full of gauze tape and cotton.
The nurse placed me in a wheel chair and we left for the Emergency Area. Wife went to pick up the truck. I had difficulty entering the truck as I was extremely dizzy when I stood up. The pain of stooping getting up and sitting down had a horrible effect on my stomach.
The hardest part of going home was every little bump caused me to groan in misery and my wife started sobbing uncontrollably...in all my years of marriage she's never seen me suffer in pain before, even in my last ultra-marathon I was smiling at the end. I was always the healthy one. My wife suffering so much make me feel horrible and guilty.
Once home, I immediately went to bed. The rest of the day and night I slept fitfully as I couldn't find a comfortable position without causing pain. I was in bed for eleven hours! We realized that I wouldn't be able to work on Friday night and Suzie called me in sick.
I did work Saturday night for 12 hours, it was simply a crazy weekend, being fight night (Mosley vs Pacquiao) as well as Motor Cross Championship at Sam Boyd Stadium, and Mother's Day. The whole weekend, especially Saturday, was very painful as getting up and out of the cab hundreds of times gave me stabs into my stomach. I brought two bottles of Aloe Vera Juice to work, which helped coat my stomach and prevented nausea...thanks again Allen for the tip on Aloe Vera!
Getting a feeding tube is a precaution, just in case I won't be able to swallow food in the near future. Today, my mouth is clear of soreness, but it's already getting somewhat difficult to swallow food down my throat. My plan is to eat softer food as long as I can and later drink liquid foods before I even consider using the feeding tube.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Letter From Jeanette
The following e-mail was sent to my wife from Jeanette Ely in response to my wife asking about nutrition drinks. Jeanette studied nutrition at Bastyr University and currently lives in Bellingham, Washington. She's a good friend who I think of as my own cousin, I should pick her brain in the near future about other nutritional information.
Hi Aunt Sue,
The nutrition drinks I was talking about are Ensure and Boost type drinks. Also, the old time favorite Carnation Instant Breakfast has extra calories and stuff, if he needs it.
When/If Bruce starts having a hard time swallowing, then try things that are cold, smooth, and soothing. For example: Ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, smoothies, pudding. If it gets to a point where Bruce can only handle swallowing things that are puree'd try mashed potatoes with gravy, or throw the meal in a blender (the kind of blender you'd make a milkshake in). Some people will even buy baby food because it is already puree'd for you. (Add a little gravy to make it taste better.) Fruit smoothies are a good choice. Try using some frozen fruit, with half a banana, and add a "liquid" base. I like to recommend whole milk, half and half, or a high fat yogurt (like the Greek yogurt) as the base for a smoothie if a person needs to add calories.
Taste changes are very common. Like your doctor said, some of the taste buds will be damaged by the radiation. But remember that they will heal, so what tastes bad this week may be okay next week. Also things that Bruce hated his whole life may start to taste good. Keep that in mind when you are trying new foods and experimenting with some of those things I put above.
If nausea is a problem, try allowing things to cool just enough that there isn't too much smell. The smell fo foods usually trigger the nausea, so again cold things are good here too.
What else.....hmm... I can't think of anything else at the moment. A feeding tube is a good idea. Oh, and if the doctor hasn't already said it, cut back on the running. I don't think he has to stop all his activity. Doing some walking on the treadmill, and using his weights for some very light muscle training may be okay.
Love you two, and I will be thinking of you.
Jeanette
This morning I have a radiation appointment at 7:45 a.m. and afterwards will visit Valley Hospital to pre-register for food tube surgery on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Should be a very busy day, now if I can only get to sleep.
Hi Aunt Sue,
The nutrition drinks I was talking about are Ensure and Boost type drinks. Also, the old time favorite Carnation Instant Breakfast has extra calories and stuff, if he needs it.
When/If Bruce starts having a hard time swallowing, then try things that are cold, smooth, and soothing. For example: Ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, smoothies, pudding. If it gets to a point where Bruce can only handle swallowing things that are puree'd try mashed potatoes with gravy, or throw the meal in a blender (the kind of blender you'd make a milkshake in). Some people will even buy baby food because it is already puree'd for you. (Add a little gravy to make it taste better.) Fruit smoothies are a good choice. Try using some frozen fruit, with half a banana, and add a "liquid" base. I like to recommend whole milk, half and half, or a high fat yogurt (like the Greek yogurt) as the base for a smoothie if a person needs to add calories.
Taste changes are very common. Like your doctor said, some of the taste buds will be damaged by the radiation. But remember that they will heal, so what tastes bad this week may be okay next week. Also things that Bruce hated his whole life may start to taste good. Keep that in mind when you are trying new foods and experimenting with some of those things I put above.
If nausea is a problem, try allowing things to cool just enough that there isn't too much smell. The smell fo foods usually trigger the nausea, so again cold things are good here too.
What else.....hmm... I can't think of anything else at the moment. A feeding tube is a good idea. Oh, and if the doctor hasn't already said it, cut back on the running. I don't think he has to stop all his activity. Doing some walking on the treadmill, and using his weights for some very light muscle training may be okay.
Love you two, and I will be thinking of you.
Jeanette
This morning I have a radiation appointment at 7:45 a.m. and afterwards will visit Valley Hospital to pre-register for food tube surgery on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Should be a very busy day, now if I can only get to sleep.
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