Cancer Chic - A new style for a new millenium...

Ok, so I may be going a little over the edge here, but
I can't stop thinking about a new look that could sweep
the nation. I call it "Cancer Chic" and here's how it works:
- The first thing to do is shave your head. Hair is way overrated
  and it simply isn't necessary. Hats will become the new shoe.
- Then, throw away your pants and buy some serious pajamas.
  Everyone knows that pajamas are the most comfortable
  clothes on the planet, so why not wear them every day?
  With a variety of patterns, you're sure to find something you love.
- For a top, wear something comfortable. A sweater looks great
  with pajama bottoms. So does a short-sleeve shirt. You can't
  go wrong (and this may even encourage the destruction of
  all ties -- I don't like ties).
- Finally, purchase some comfortable slippers. Shoestrings
  just get in the way. Slip on. Slip off. It's that easy. Shoehorns will
  become obsolete. And that's a good thing.

You put these together and you get... well, you get me. And a lot of
other survivors. If we can convince everyone to see things my
way (and why wouldn't we want everyone to see things my way?)
and dress this comfortably, then maybe there will be less arguments
in the world. Maybe the fashion industry would be turned on its head.
And maybe I'd get a nice shiny plaque for my idea. Or a pony.

So what a week this was, huh? Here's what happened. I'm walking
on air Monday morning because I'm headed in for my last chemo
treatment. The treatment goes well (I even get a little work done),
and I'm headed home. After eating some delicious food, I take
a little nap because I'm a bit tired. At around 4pm I wake up and
I can barely move, I feel so lousy (cold, shivering, achy, my head
hurt, etc.). I end up calling for some help.
My fever is at 105.5! We take the temp over and over to confirm
the news. We try to get the fever down by putting ice bags under
my armpits and on my head. Nothing worked. So to the
Emergency room I go.

I end up staying Monday and Tuesday night. They take several
blood tests (all negative) and watch my progress. Fortunately,
my temperature went down Monday night, but I stayed Tuesday
night for observation. I was home by lunch on Wednesday.

I had an IV inserted into my right arm whilst in the hospital and
I thought I'd be a clever boy by keeping it in until Thursday morning,
when I was due to get a CT scan to reevaluate my condition (I'd
be getting an IV then anyway). On Thursday morning, they take
a look at my IV and cringe. It doesn't work, so they remove it and
put an IV in my left arm. I had a bit of an infection at the insertion
point, but it looks a lot better now.

The CT scan was pretty easy. I had consumed a bottle of Barium
Sulfate the previous evening and another Thursday morning. They
used the IV to inject (with a "power injector") contrast into my veins.
I didn't feel anything, but I did get a slight metallic taste in my mouth.

I had planned on having a celebratory dinner with several of my
closest friends on Wednesday, but that got canned because of my
fever. I'll have to reschedule. I did, however, have dinner
at Phil and Molly Brock's, with Zoë and Ginger in attendance, on
Friday evening. It was a really great evening. I'm looking forward
to throwing a big party at the end of all this.

On Saturday evening, I was treated to dinner and a movie by
another family I know (Larry, Bridget, and Ryan).

Then on Sunday, I went to the Gordon's (Scott & Miranda) to watch
the Super Bowl. A lot of people were there and I had a great time.
I had only watched a single game before watching the Super Bowl,
but that was probably a good thing. As most of you know, it was a
real nail-biter, going to the last second.

So what's happening this week? On Tuesday, I meet with a
radiologist to discuss my radiation schedule. This is a really
important meeting because I'll find out exactly how well chemo
worked. If I ever needed your prayers, it's on Tuesday.

Since this is my last chemo week, I'll be stopping the weekly
updates (please, stop sobbing). Instead, I'll update as I go. It
may be weekly, biweekly, or option C -- other.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. I'm very optimistic and
will keep you up to date with all the latest.

m