Todd's Journey

The story of my cancer journey

Day 8 Chemo Session

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Had my Day 8 Chemo session today. This was only one particular drug that was used and is supposed to be less rough on my body in general. I still have major hiccups, which the doctors (and nurses) are trying to figure out for me. There are different medications they can try, however with every medication comes potential other issues. So, it's a tricky needle to thread. But they are working on it.

The nausea and getting sick is still a bit of an issue. Normally that would be resolved by now, but for me, it's still an issue. You learn very quickly that some people have very little side effects from Chemo, and others have a lot. I am considered in the middle. If I can get rid of the hiccups and nausea, I'd only have the fatigue left.

As for the fatigue, I know many of you have seen my video blogs, and were probably not going to say anything, but yes, I know how tired and sickly I look. This is simply fatigue, which is pretty much 24-7 for me these days.

In any regard, I am now clear of Chemo for two full weeks, so hopefully some of the side effects will resolve before I start my 2nd cycle of Chemo on October 4th.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for all the support.

Some setbacks - rough days

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Well, it does seem that as each day goes by after the chemo, they do get a little bit worse than before. The hiccups are significantly a problem for me, as they hardly ever stop. My medical oncology doctor has been told about them as it's possible they may be able to give me some medication to help with it.

Last night I started to get a stiff jaw, and more feeling of chest congestion. This is related to my chemo, and today it seems to have subsided some.

Yesterday the biggest set back for me was hurting my leg again. I had been doing so well with improving the strength and pain issues with my legs, but as I made my way to the washroom yesterday, just as I was getting there, I was feeling quite faint and fell down onto the toilet seat. This cause me to pull the muscle or hit it in the wrong way. So now I am back to being pretty immobile for the next little while.

Hopefully the doctors can get rid of these hiccups and that my leg strength improves.

Setbacks happen. Just have to keep moving forward.

The Journey - Chapter 3

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Here is the third Chapter of my journey. Exactly 5 days after my first chemo session.

Jamie by my side

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Here's my rock!!! Taking a bit of a nap during one of his everyday visits to the hospital with me. Cannot do this without him.

One of many cat naps I take

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Jamie took this picuture of me during on my many cat naps I seem to be taking these days. Greta was on a shift break so Brandon took over at keeping my bladder nice and warm and protected.

My home nurse

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My home nurse keeping my bladder warm, and protecting it. For those of you don't know, this is Greta, my little girl.

Bit of excitement today

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Just a bit of exciting news (for me anyway) today. I actually PEED on my own... LOL As Shanai Twain would say "That don't impress me much", but for me it's a huge piece of good news, and a sign of improvements. So, if you want to laugh at my post, feel free. I am celebrating here.

Chemo - Day 1

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Had my first chemo treatment today. Went well. Am tired, but other than that no serious side effects so far. BUT I am expected to have some hit from the chemo probably starting tomorrow. I will video blog on Monday to let you all know how the first four days went. Love you all, and thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and for following my blog.

Good news finally

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Some great news finally. My medical oncologist has finally given me the green light to start chemotherapy treatments. And I am going to start this Thursday (th3 14th of September). Hopefully we can start the whole process of beating this cancer.

The goal of the chemo this time around is to control the growth and spread of the cancer and to try and make it through to the actual chemo/radiation treaments. I will be going for 4 sessions (total over 12 weeks). Then the plan is to run some scans and see if the cancer is halted or (even better) shrinking. If so, they may try some immunotherapy with me as I get ready for chemo/radiation.

At least we are now ready to start.

I know the next 12 weeks will be rough on me, Jamie and our mental health, but we have to endure and get through it in order to beat this damn disease.

That's the good news update for today. I will try and post a video blog on Monday, but that will be dependent on how much the Chemo sessions wipe me out.

Thanks again for all your support and comments.

Monday, September 11 Update

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Here is my 2nd video update for the week of September 11th, 2023