Todd's Journey

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.

Just got my bloodwork back for the upcoming final cycle of chemo. Neutraphils look good, White Blood cell count looks good. Creatinine level is a bit higher, but that could be because I am fighting yet another infection. Am on Cipro so that should help get rid of the infection. My hemoglobin is quite low so I am likely anemic again. With the infection and the low hemoglobin, the fatigue I am experiencing is likely due to that. They will fix my hemoglobin issue with another top up likely Friday or early next week. But that shouldn't impede proceeding with my last cycle of Chemo.

Of course the official decision on proceeding with chemotherapy will be made by Dr. Reaume or Dr. Touche tomorrow when they review the bloodwork and talk to me.

However, my prediction is we should be good to go.

Todd's Journey - Chapter 12

Mark your Calendar

The results of my cancer treatment scans will be revealed on Monday, December 11th during my morning blog. Good or bad. So mark you calenders and tune in for the results. Keep your finger crossed.

Had a great chat last evening with my urological oncologist, Dr. Morash - one of the best I know - and he suggested to me that I might NOT have a bladder infection. Given my symptoms, it doesn't appear I do. But he ordered a urine culture be done, just to be sure.

My urine today has been clear and urine coloured again. So he may be right. We'll see in a few days when I get the results back from the culture.

Also met with my family doctor today, Dr. Seguin, to give her an update on my cancer journey. She seemed pleased with the progress being made, and told me there were a lot of positives to be proud of. Although I know that there is never a guarantee with chemo or cancer treatment, we are hoping the results of December 6th scans will be positive.

Feeling much less fatigued today, and on the upswing again. Ready to take on my last chemo cycle starting next Thursday.

Will keep you all posted.