tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73210202009-11-09T00:39:58.575-06:00A semi-daily dose of miscellaneous treats that started out detailing the construction of Janine's and my new ICF home. It's now a series of disparate ramblings as they occur.BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-37232949645425616312009-11-03T12:33:00.008-06:002009-11-04T09:44:13.377-06:00

Ol' Big Puss has been on quite a roll recently. He has shortened his sleeping to only 22 hours per day so that he has more time to eat, as well as fit in a new book on his favourite subject -- animal magnetism. That's because Puss fancies himself to be quite the bon vivant with all the dolly birds out there. Even though he never gets his fat ass outa the house! This month he's really into

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-53818073819850382082009-10-27T12:33:00.012-05:002009-10-27T20:32:53.149-05:00

I'm still hangin' in and getting a bit better every day. I have put on a couple of pounds but still look like a thumbtack when I wear a ball cap. The only thing that really bothers me now and then is the peripheral neuropathy in the soft tissue of the bottom of my feet. The numbness and tingling can be quite annoying at times, especially after a lot of walking. It could take months to subside

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-39442941636569176782009-10-16T13:45:00.008-05:002009-10-16T14:10:28.808-05:00

I BelieveI believe in mind over matterI believe in the human spirit to prevailI believe in miracles and blessings, both great and smallI believe in possibilitiesI believe that hurdles in life are meant to be jumped over,not as something to stop usWe believe in you.That was on a great card we received from some good friends in Edmonton this past week and it hit the nail on the head perfectly. I

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-77308001684582398882009-10-09T12:01:00.013-05:002009-10-16T14:06:07.540-05:00

With all the rain we have been having, Vanilla Ice Fred relaxes under the front courtyard overhang to stay dry. And to poop.I'm sill progressing and feeling pretty damn good. I have not put on any weight -- I'm bouncing between 135 and 139 lbs. But, my muscle tone is getting better in my upper body, where most of it withered away recovering from the surgery. I walk regularly and am eating well.

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-7206741532688251102009-10-05T17:21:00.005-05:002009-10-16T14:06:23.518-05:00

I will post something with more detail tomorrow, but suffice to say that I am doing very well. I walk the block 3-4 times a day and am up and down to the loft media room with no trouble. Still eating light due to the stomach surgery part, but can eat most anything as long as it's not spicy or fibrous. I sleep pretty darn good (like the Big Puss!) and the only real bother is the ache in my

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-91681106357217603442009-09-30T13:49:00.010-05:002009-10-16T14:06:43.713-05:00

Tonight and tomorrow night I will be able to stay across the street in the Safra Family Lodge, where Janine stayed and then my brother John took over the room when she left last Sunday. It's a full hotel-type room with 2 double beds so I will have peace, quiet and darkness for the whole night. I can hardly wait, as I shall sleep like the Big Puss.They give out these passes when a person is

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-84882276459221430052009-09-27T15:50:00.024-05:002009-10-16T14:07:05.285-05:00

First of all, Janine and I would like to thank the many, many people who have emailed, texted (never do this for Janine's cell -- it's Greek to her) and left voice messages. Last night was the first night I had the energy and wherewithall to fire up the PC in my room and start through it all. All of it us both very, very deeply and I cannot thank you all enough and nor can Janine. The only people

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-82159304363517039402009-09-22T13:55:00.006-05:002009-09-22T14:36:27.516-05:00

I have been here at the NIH/NCI since Sunday evening. I have had blood work, a PET scan, a CT scan, an EKG, an echocardiogram, a pulmonary breath test and been interviewed by Internal Medicine as to medical history. The only thing that has turned up, other than the existing tumors (some still shrinking!) was in my heart -- the PET scan showed the love of our 4 pusses there!Today's CT scan showed

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-19424852281768029112009-09-15T21:06:00.001-05:002009-09-15T21:10:04.281-05:00

Patrick Swayze's death yesterday had a noticeable effect on our household. What with he being in the movie business and also being diagnosed two months before me, with the same adenocarcenoma. He was a kindred spirit to me. May he rest in peace.

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-62112150964663035042009-09-10T12:20:00.006-05:002009-09-10T13:36:53.380-05:00

Today's book of the month club is done by Big Puss and Ralph. I didn't even know that Ralph was interested in books, but he seems to be spending a lot of time around the Puss nowadays (??) so maybe something is rubbing off on him.The Help is about the intriguing lives of household help (i.e. maids) in 1962 Mississippi and it was written by Kathryn Stockett. Until Janine told what it was about,

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-22191100442451739832009-09-06T12:34:00.006-05:002009-09-06T12:49:28.408-05:00

It's amazing what weather we have had for the past 3 days. 69-72F in the morning and never more than 88 at its peak. I have had a real burst of energy since Friday, likely due to the fact that I am off chemo for the 4 weeks before surgery. Not having chemo this past Tues/Wed has allowed my RBCs and hemoglobin to finally keep building and I actually did an hour's work in the yard yesterday and

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-68726573642732757792009-08-31T19:54:00.012-05:002009-09-03T08:44:44.476-05:00

My brother, Mike, and his wife, Darlene, live in a gorgeous home on the water in Indian Arm, on the North Shore of Vancouver. They are on vacation in Nova Scotia. Last night, their home burned to the ground -- totally destroyed. Fire boats and trucks from above (it's about 180 steps down a 100 foot cliff-side from parking to the house) fought it to no avail. Neighbours had to be evacuated

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-67027831370333312722009-08-22T14:01:00.015-05:002009-09-02T13:45:50.446-05:00

That's all I can think to say right now. I got back last night about 6:30 from the NIH/NCI, where I had gone for my latest blood work and CT scan. The blood work is fine, except for some minor elevations in a couple of liver numbers, but that's to be expected due to the chemoembo I had, plus the GEMOX I'm on here. But it was the scans that were cause for concern -- HUGE, HAPPY, GLORIOUS,

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-50284326880930294232009-08-18T12:15:00.002-05:002009-08-18T15:05:33.042-05:00

Never ending days of 97 - 101F... please stop!I am slowly progressing re: the anemia and my lethargy because of it. I got another shot of Aranesp last Tuesday to help boost by RBC production, which will in turn help boost my hemoglobin. It's been bouncing between 8.8 and 9.1 and a male really needs it over 9 to function with any degree of normalcy -- like being able to walk upstairs to the media

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-53837674060546975592009-08-11T21:02:00.004-05:002009-08-11T21:29:28.025-05:00

First of all, sorry for your wait for this post. We got home this past Sunday at 7:00 PM from Bethesda, MD and I have been catching up with things and then chemo IV at UT Southwestern this morning. Thus, I'm very tired. The chemoembo went well again, and they took their big guns out at the 2 of the 4 right lobe tumors that didn't respond as well. But, that's OK because no mets progression is

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-13067881499646322912009-08-03T17:42:00.003-05:002009-08-03T20:38:23.895-05:00

Momma, being the diva that she is, is taking over for Big Puss this month, as he's much to busy eating, sleeping and pooping.When I first started dating Janine, I wowed her with my cooking (as did she, back to me). But, I cooked first! I'll always remember her nice comment "You are quite the gourmand, aren't you?!" She is also, and we have always cooked a lot together, exploring new recipes,

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-56391045230204181702009-07-29T20:38:00.013-05:002009-07-30T11:16:31.052-05:00

This morning, as I was getting ready to head to UT Southwestern for chemo, who did I see at the front door but Fred! He was all alone and didn't bring any of his other brothers Fred with him, but what the hell. It was the first time in 2009 that we have had him in the yard. Every other year they have first shown up in late Spring. They still wander all about the 'hood just a block west of

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-7799464844486046362009-07-26T11:09:00.005-05:002009-07-26T11:31:48.246-05:00

It's been quite a week. I'm still recovering, energy-wise, from the chemoembolization I had 2 weeks ago at the NIH. My temperature is still bouncing up and down like a yo-yo, indicating tumor kill. My trip to the NIH this past Friday has confirmed what we supected -- the chemoembo is working and the right lobe liver mets is shrinking! My CA19-9 maker is down (at UT Southwestern the week

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-55686636462141198902009-07-22T12:31:00.007-05:002009-07-26T15:17:18.298-05:00

My lovely sweetie and I at Oscar's in Metairie, LA this past May, after we got back from our Bubbas, Bayous and Drives trip. Just 2 blocks from Janine's sister's home, too. It's a great spot for burgers and roast beef po'boys, and the walls are covered with Marilyn Monroe shots. Quite the historic neighborhood watering hole and a very good sandwich place.My new chemo regimen (gemcitabine and

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-64867239176307868932009-07-18T14:13:00.003-05:002009-07-18T14:17:15.532-05:00

I am still quite fatigued during the day, but am sleeping well -- 9 hours or so. No nausea or anything, so that's good. My appetite is somewhat down, but I am still eating normally. These are all side effects of the chemo or the chemoembolization procedure. We march forward and will be at the NIH next Friday for CT scans to see how things are going.

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-37974145981583478572009-07-14T16:50:00.003-05:002009-07-14T17:00:43.824-05:00

Late yesterday afternoon the weakness and lethargy started to build and today at chemo at UT Southwestern it was no different. I found out why. It's because the chemoembolization starts to "peak" on days 6-8 and that's where I am. It has caused me to become very anemic. My RBC is at 2.84 (should be closer to min. 4.27) and my hemoglobin is at 7.7 (should be closer to min. 13.2). I will be

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-78604141456966683022009-07-09T12:13:00.004-05:002009-07-09T12:23:22.006-05:00

Things are going very well here and the chemoembolization procedure, to "zap the mets" in my right lobe, went off without a hitch. Dr. Levy performed the procedure (he's an Interventional Radiologist) and he and his team do great work. Not to mention that he has a very effective bedside manner and keeps you involved in every aspect of what's going on. I was awake, but sedated, so being the

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-79437885650290500292009-07-03T09:29:00.006-05:002009-07-06T08:23:36.401-05:00

For all you down here, have a great one! We will be relaxing and doing a few yard things early, due to the oppressive heat forecast for the next 3 days. I am totally pumped for my trip to the NIH on Sunday, for my Tuesday chemoembolization. I'll post back after that.In closing, since when do squirrels eat green tomatoes? Bloody thief!

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-71373108974575449622009-07-01T12:02:00.005-05:002009-07-03T09:37:52.103-05:00

'nuf said, eh!

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321020.post-9468878660010277882009-06-24T17:29:00.019-05:002009-07-01T10:50:26.424-05:00

"But I, I could never follow... No I, I could never follow..." and that's why the NIH clinical study is so important to my sweetie and me. So, where is this post going, you may be asking? This way... the long way around...My sweetie and I both love the Dixie Chicks. I have loved them since they were the original sister trio and I saw them play live, then after a 5k run, at Annette Strauss

BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484712220268611138noreply@blogger.com6