Todd's Journey

It's been 12 days since my chemotherapy ended. I am still awaiting the results of my latest CT scans to determine what, if anything, the chemo has done to the cancer.

I am slowly starting to feel a bit better, and less fatigued. Every day I get a little bit more energy back, and my requirement to nap during the day has lessened. At night now, I am almost entirely off my sleep aids, and getting back to somewhat of a normal sleep pattern.

The only two issues I continue to deal with are; my nephrostomy tubes, and my bladder infections.

As for the nephrostomy tubes, they really are an inconvenience of having to cart around collection bags on each side of my body. It really does restrict my mobility somewhat. In addition, while the tubes do remove the majority of urine from my kidneys, it leaves very small amounts going into my bladder. This may sound like a minor issue, but I just want to get back to urininating normal amounts of fluid.

I still suffer a bit of PTSD from the days where I was retaining and passing very small amounts of urine, so now when I only pass small amounts (due to the nephrostomy tubes) I sometimes get anxious and worried again. It is very difficult for me to overcome the past traumatic experiences from June. The smallest issue can prompt me to suffer mental anxiety.

I have finally stopped taking my anti-anxiety medication as it wasn't something I wanted to be on for a long time. Perhaps that is why I may still have some anxiety but I will overcome that. I await the moment that Dr. Morash tells me I can get rid of the neph tubes.

As for the bladder infections, Dr. Morash started me on a daily dose of antibiotic as a strategy to prevent further bladder infections before they start. The first antibiotic that he prescribed me makes me quite ill, so he switched me to a new antibiotic today.

Around the homefront, we finally got all our Christmas decorations and tree up for the year. We finished our Christmas shopping (thanks to Amazon), and just have to wrap them up now.

Anyhow that's the update for now. The official discussion with my oncologist will be this Thursday, so we will definitely know what's next by the end of the week.

Hi Everyone,

It looks like the results of my CT scans won't be quite ready for the Monday video update, so I will delay that update until later next week when we have official results. I will post the video update on Friday so that I can also update you on the go forward cancer treatment plan.

As for my current health, I am anemic again, so the fast fatigue comes on pretty much anytime I do anything. I will have to wait for my hemoglobin numbers to increase on their own for the next few weeks before the fatigue lessens.

I have had a few bouts of vomiting mostly related to the new antibiotic medication I am taking. I have found if I take it with food it has less of an impact on me, so have started doing that.

That's the update for now.

Here is the Monday video update.

An early Christmas gift arrived for us today.

My final chemo is complete. I received my very last dose of Gemcitabine today, along with the help of my newest best friend, "Annie".

When done, I rang the bell, and had a piece of cake.

I would post the video, but it makes me look too fat, so I am not going to. I know it's all in the eye of the beholder, but I am particular about my cancer weight gain and do not want to post it right now.

The next big step will be the scans (next Wednesday) followed by the results the week after.

Thanks to everyone at the Winchester Cancer Chemo unit, and all my nurses (Andrea, Jackie, Callie and Sarah)

Here is the Chapter 13 update of my Journey.

Finally had my last Cisplatin treatment, along with one of the two Gemcitabine treatments. My last Gemcitibine treatment on Thursday will mark the end of my chemotherapy. It will have been three months of chemo for me.

This cycle, and the previous one, has been the toughest on me so far as the toxins in my blood have continued to build up in my system. Just more fatigue, more nausea and some weakness.

But as I said, we are close to the end now, so I just need to bite the bullet and get through it.

Thanks again for all the support, comments, and gifts. I feel so much love and caring from all of you. I really do feel that Jamie and I are not in this alone.

Talk to you tomorrow for the Monday video blog update.

Doctors have approved me to conclude my Chemotherapy starting tomorrow ending next Thursday, November 30th. They say this last three months of Chemo is the toughest part of my cancer treatment, so to have it done with will be an exceptional milestone.

For this last treatment, I will still require a blood transfusion and some booster shots to help my neutrophils again. They are also going to lower my cisplatin dose to try and help with some of the tougher symptoms I endured after Cycle 3.

All in all, I am super excited to get this part of my Cancer treatment overwith for now. Now we can hope the results of all this aggravation is positive.