April 06 Day 4
Up at 0800, drove to Poppel, BE for fries 11-1230
Slept 13:30 - 1600, 2000- 0800
April 07 Day 5
Hearing Test revealed some loss of right ear hearing, would advise
oncologist that further chemo treatment may require some changes
April 08 Day 6
Other than the past 3 days of general nervousness, and fatigue, the uneasy stomach, and coughing an uneventful day. Experienced some shortness of breath, and a feeling my stomach an d brain are disconnected fro the pas t couple days
April 09 Day 7
Today is my birthday - 62, gifts and celebration with my wife Theresia (Trees) was emotional
Back to reality - blood test and Dr Goey appointment…where he talked about 6 week rest after chemo before radiation starts, possible clinical trial candidate status, congestion, and meds for reflux. Arranged appointment with Dr Kessels , my original lung doctor for about the end of May timeframe. The good news was progress was positive, and this 4th cycle of chemo would be my last one
Calls from Tammy, Chris, and Tracy from Canada with birthday wishes
Family visits from, Nel & Andre, Kees, Anne Marie, & Ruby, Stella & Renee were enjoyed as part of the birthday traditions here
April 10 Day 8
Chemo IV required numerous attempts for insertion (Owch!)
Two different vomiting episodes, + headache all day - the nausea side effect has definitely become a reality after escaping in the first 2 cycles
In spite of all this, today is the last chemotherapy treatment…YES!
April 11 Day 9
Sleep all afternoon - heavy fatigue
April 12 Day 10
Up at 0700 to start a day of feeling very hyper. My sister Marlene called in the late evening to inform us Joe was hospitalized and needed a heart valve replacement, to be confirmed by Monday
April 13 Day 11
A day of migraines and vomiting starting at 1600
April 14 Day 12
Migraine and vomiting continues
April 15 Day 13
Headache and nausea finally gone
We booked a vacation trip to Kos in the Greek Islands, an all inclusive package.
April 16 Day 14
An uneventful day….feeling quite ok actually.
April 17 Day 15
Today was a final CT Scan and blood work for Dr Goey last appointment . Some physical fatigue and headache again.
April 18 Day 16
Woke at 0630 with slight headache, got up at 0800 still with slight headache going on
Brother in law Joe has heart surgery scheduled for noon MST time ( 8 hours later than here)
Appointment with radiologist , Dr de Brouwer at 1600 - he described procedures, scope, side effects and schedule ( 3- 5 weeks, 5 day per week) to be determined after CT scan ( April 21) allowed him to determine size of target area, and involved lung, nerve tissue and lymph nodes
He explained the side effects of esophagus irritation I might expect
April 19 Day 17
0300-0330 a nose bleed for 30 minutes started by blowing nose very hard……a scary symptom reminder from December
Spoke to sister, Joe came through surgery fine, will be many weeks of recovery for sure..
April 20 Day 18
Another day of heavy fatigue, slept 1100-1330, 1830-2100, 2230-0730
April 21 Day 19
Wake at 0730
Final Appointment with Dr Goey was positive, main tumor is more than 80- 90% gone…..hardly visible to my eyes on the CT scan, so very good results
Had CT Scan and tattoo layout for radiation treatment target area.
April 22 Day 20
Slept 1200 - 1400, otherwise uneventful
April 23 Day 21
Final day of final chemotherapy cycle was spent preparing for vacation flight tomorrow.
We are off to Kos, a Greek island in the Aegean sea hear the coast of Turkey/Greece tomorrow April 24 until next Thursday
When I get back I start radiation on May 7th for 3-5 weeks…main tumor is more than 80-90% gone…..hardly visible to my eyes …great news!!
Packing is slowly beginning here
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