A Wookies return.....

So today my hemoglobin went up one point from last night which is what the docs were looking for, they gave me just enough blood and iron to hit that number……win

Chemo doc came in and said blood loss could have been a combo of things including the fact that one of the tumors grew. …..fuck

So since I was already going to stay another night he arranged to have them give me a half dose of the Vectibix I was afraid of. One of the nurses stood by at the foot of my bed to make sure someone was there IF I had issues with this drug. A couple of hours has passed and all I feel is the effects of the Benadryl……win.

So this new drug coupled with an oral chemo pill is supposed to do wonders…..we’ll see.

Being alive tonight and typing to tell about it……priceless.

I may get released tomorrow so everyone please cross your fingers for me.
 
Frank said:
So today my hemoglobin went up one point from last night which is what the docs were looking for, they gave me just enough blood and iron to hit that number……win

Chemo doc came in and said blood loss could have been a combo of things including the fact that one of the tumors grew. …..fuck

So since I was already going to stay another night he arranged to have them give me a half dose of the Vectibix I was afraid of. One of the nurses stood by at the foot of my bed to make sure someone was there IF I had issues with this drug. A couple of hours has passed and all I feel is the effects of the Benadryl……win.

So this new drug coupled with an oral chemo pill is supposed to do wonders…..we’ll see.

Being alive tonight and typing to tell about it……priceless.

I may get released tomorrow so everyone please cross your fingers for me.
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Happy about the wins, fuck the fuck. Stay strong.
 
Frank said:
Like sands through the hourglass……

Well my cough got a little better, but I was still weak as hell…..actually had me a tad worried, good thing. Tuesday I went to chemo and the drew my blood and ran it like normal, but this time Rikki walked up to me all serious and said “we have a problem”. She call Dr Amin and returned saying “here is a prescription for a CT scan, go to the hospital now!” Ok now I’m nervous. I drive over to the hospital, next to the lab, and barely made it to the desk. An elderly gentleman volunteer recognized I was struggling and he was kind enough to bring me a wheelchair. I got through to the ER pretty quickly after I told them my hemoglobin had dropped 4 points. So I ended up seeing about 8 doctors, specialists, and at least a dozen nurses during the day. During that time I received X-rays, CT scans, and I was even violated by a thick fingered small woman. At about 9pm I finally was brought to a room in the oncology unit which was arranged by my buddies wife. She thought with everyone sick, it would be the safest place for me.

So I got all settled in my room and my roommate has the exact same condition as I. Nice guy. As I was relaxing I found out that a) I didn’t break any ribs in my fall. and b) the gastroenterologist determined from the CT scans that I had no internal bleeding……phew. Before was admitted Rikki indicated that it was possible that I injured my spleen, either way I was happy. So the next step was to monitor me overnight and check vitals often and they drew blood at 5am. The results were not great, my hemoglobin dropped again and was at 6.5. Those not in the know….thats bad. It’s what was causing my shortness of breath and my dizziness. They were all concerned that if it dropped further it could negatively affect my heart and brain. Now I’m a bit scared. So I tried to get some sleep, difficult with that storm beating on the window 2 feet from me, but I managed a few hours even though my stomach was growling due to the fact that I was on a “clear liquid diet”.

This morning I’m awakened at 5 am by this huge dude with a Jamaican accent who just said “I take some blood”. I was pretty groggy so I just extended my arm and happily he was good at his job, barely felt it. I then went back to sleep and was awakened by my Oncologists partner and he confirmed the CT results. About 30 seconds after he leaves the hospital doctor walks in and confirms again the CT results and that I was no longer on a restricted diet……I could have kissed the guy. So I call dietary and order lunch as that’s how late it got. I was apprehensive as I’d always heard about hospital food and I couldn’t remember what I had 2 years ago, or if it was any good. Well I got a Penne and chicken lunch that was amazing and devoured everything. You see it 6 am the prior day that I had food. Dinner was equally good Teriyaki steak….damn, I don’t want to go home. After lunch they cautiously started a transfusion and I took on bag just fine. Now for one more and sadly I have to wait until at least tomorrow to be released, but I’m not holding my breath.

Today I had 3 visitors, Mrs Wookie, my friend Gary, and my brother. Gary went down to the lot and got my “Chemobak “ which has all the stuff I need for chemo day like chargers for my phone.
I’m once again blown away by the calls, FB Messenger messages, and texts. Thank you all as it brought a big smile to my face. I would also like to express my eternal love for those who contacted Cindy with offers of help. I’m blessed

Tomorrow starts day 3, so we will see what awaits me…..at least I ordered and awesome breakfast.
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Things like these are things that people going through treatment experience that people dont realize. “Small” things that are made much more serious because of treatment. Thank you for sharing, your strength is inspiring.
 
Update!!!
Doc visit went well today. My hemoglobin levels went up to 11.5 which is a very nice increase. I also survived a FULL dose of the new drug Vectibix, which is awesome…..I will just have skin issues. In 2 weeks I will get another dose and start chemo pills.
After my doc visit I went to the lab to talk to Rikki and she was really happy with all the news. Somehow her approval means so much to me. So now I guess I’m on the good part of the rollercoaster.
 
Frank said:
Update!!!
Doc visit went well today. My hemoglobin levels went up to 11.5 which is a very nice increase. I also survived a FULL dose of the new drug Vectibix, which is awesome…..I will just have skin issues. In 2 weeks I will get another dose and start chemo pills.
After my doc visit I went to the lab to talk to Rikki and she was really happy with all the news. Somehow her approval means so much to me. So now I guess I’m on the good part of the rollercoaster.
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That’s awesome news brother!!!!!!!
 
Frank said:
Update!!!
Doc visit went well today. My hemoglobin levels went up to 11.5 which is a very nice increase. I also survived a FULL dose of the new drug Vectibix, which is awesome…..I will just have skin issues. In 2 weeks I will get another dose and start chemo pills.
After my doc visit I went to the lab to talk to Rikki and she was really happy with all the news. Somehow her approval means so much to me. So now I guess I’m on the good part of the rollercoaster.
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I was thinking about you on my ride yesterday. Fat bikes put the FU in fun! Be well brother.
 
Frank said:
Update!!!
Doc visit went well today. My hemoglobin levels went up to 11.5 which is a very nice increase. I also survived a FULL dose of the new drug Vectibix, which is awesome…..I will just have skin issues. In 2 weeks I will get another dose and start chemo pills.
After my doc visit I went to the lab to talk to Rikki and she was really happy with all the news. Somehow her approval means so much to me. So now I guess I’m on the good part of the rollercoaster.
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I have typed and erased something several times now - the one theme that re-occurs in my brain is “This is good news” - so I will leave it at that!

Side note - are we going to get a Spring “F-Cancer” ride on the books? I know I am in😎
 
Johnny Utah said:
I have typed and erased something several times now - the one theme that re-occurs in my brain is “This is good news” - so I will leave it at that!

Side note - are we going to get a Spring “F-Cancer” ride on the books? I know I am in😎
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I guess at this point I may be able to free my brain from other thoughts and focus on something good. A Cranks for Cancer spring edition may be just what the doctor ordered. Lol
 
Side effects:
Ok, so today I’m feeling the wrath of the Vectibix. Side effects include fatigue, stomach upset, and skin rashes. Well I have only two of them thankfully. I’m beat even though I didn’t do anything today….very thankful to my next door neighbor and @mike_243 for digging me out….. as I finally drug my ass out of bed at noon. I also have what looks like bad poison ivy all over my face and scalp. It feels like I got a sunburn but is tolerable as the doc prescribed me a lotion and an antibiotic for the rash. He also prescribed an antacid and an inhaler 😳 which I need to bring when I get my second infusion on the 29th. I also have to use a sunscreen whenever I venture outside, so if I ride with any of you soon please remind me.
The above are some of the reasons I delayed the use of this drug as long as possible, sometimes the cure is as bad as the cause. But I will continue despite looking like that Nazi in the movie Captain America.

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