Chemo treatment #2

My dad had his second chemo treatment yesterday and will have his third in three weeks. Here’s an update, in his own words:

Thanks so much for your wonderful responses to the Blog, and yes, I'm very fortunate to have a loving daughter that's talented in ways that continue to fill me with pride and happiness. I finished my second Chemo yesterday along with one of my Zometa treatments. The Zometa is for strengthening the bones which are weakened by taking Lupron, the anti-testerone stuff that's got me looking forward to the AARP Magazine more than the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit issue. I’m every three months on that stuff, and it keeps me VERY save in all female circles. The Chemo went well. I had three people that were there at the last treatment and it was like old home week. We laughed a lot, and they commented about the amount of hair I had on the first treatment. I wore my French beret, and they welcomed me to the "Hat Club". Good people. I am encouraged by the strength I've been feeling. No pain at all which was quite intrusive prior to the radiation last fall. So far, it's been absent and I've had a great appetite, even gaining weight. I’m walking the dogs and extending the length of time, and even breaking out a sweat. Hot flashes have subsided since taking some type of medicine for that. I have the same empathy for women that I discovered when I forgot to put the toilet seat down one evening years ago. At a 3:00 AM urge, I damn near settled in the water as I sat on the porcelain. I have dutifully replaced the toilet seat since. Didn't realize what hot flashes were like but do now, and have a new found respect for what women go through.

A high School buddy called me the other day and suggested we go to a place to hit golf balls. I love golf, as you know, and hadn't had a club in my hands for 5 months, so I agreed immediately. It was at an indoor Junior Golf School where you hit into a net some 15-20 yards away. Half hour for $5.00, unbelievable price. We shared the range with two 5-year-olds, and two 8-year-olds. I am going to take my grand-daughters there for a lesson. I tried to give them a lesson last summer in Colorado, by myself, and it lasted around 4 minutes before they lost interest in the sage wisdom I was attempting to pass on. Back to my visit, I was golfed-out after 25 minutes, but shots were pretty impressive. Ball didn't have much time to hook or slice, so I felt every shot was straight, far, and accurate. Love that place. Am looking forward to next visit and to spring season.

Some things have changed, some remain the same. When I was at it full time, and had a project, presentation, task, negotiation, etc. the next day, my mind was always active in my dreams. I'd go over the presentation, often getting up early and making last minute tweaks. I'd play 18 holes in my mind on the course, and often had many pars and birdies (this didn't really transfer to my game unfortunately, but my mind was always active). The change now is I think of what I'm going to fix Babs and me for food the next day - planning out breakfast, lunch and dinner. The same is that the mind is such a wonderful thing. Had an old college buddy send me an email calling me Jubilation T. Fleabone. That struck a memory of my first year in college where I played a flea in a play and sang a song, "Just blew in from the windy city, the windy city is mighty pretty but they ain't got what we got, no siree. They got stacks up to seven stories but they don't have any morning glories, no they ain't got what we got, no siree." Ah yes the mind is a wonderful thing. I'm blessed to have mine flash back on many pleasant memories of all of you which give me great pleasure and joy. Thanks for them all.

With Love,
Howard