One Year from treatment

Hi Everyone,
I have just received GREAT news. The results are back from my last PET/CT scan. I AM CANCER FREE!!!!! One year has passed since I finished my treatment. I am feeling wonderful. Swallowing is going extemely well. Dry mouth is still a problem, which may improve slightly with time. The foods I have a problem with swallowing are beef, pork and white meat chicken. If enough gravy, cream sauce or other liquid is added to my food I can swallow almost anything else. To eat crackers and bread, all I do is drink a lot of liquid. My taste buds are returning to normal, yet some foods play tricks. Chocolate, as in a Milky Way, tastes good, while M&M's taste like wax.
My weight is staying steady at 169 pounds. A weight I would like to stay.

Above is the family at Thanksgiving. I enjoyed all the food with lots of gravy on everything.

I would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Milton Dance Center for saving my life.

Thanks for you support and prayers.

Randy

Back to Work

Hi everyone!
I started back to work on Monday, August 21, 2006. It feels great to be back there. The swallowing is going very well. My taste buds are coming back to life and all seems to be good again. I will always have to drink lots of water with my meals to help the food go down, but that's a good thing. Hydration fills me up, so hopefully I can keep my weight where it is, 169 pounds. I will still be visiting my doctors every couple of months, chest x-rays every 6 months, and a PET scan once a year. But those will be a piece of cake.
I really don't plan on updating this blog very often now that I am cancer free and all is well.
I would like to thank everyone who left comments, sent cards, well wishers,helped with chores, cooking and all the other things that you all did for my family and I. It was, and is, greatly appreciated. All your support helped me get through this journey.
Thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart!
HUGS TO ALL
Randy

Hopefully the last stretch

Today, Tuesday, I hopefully have had the last stretch of my esophagus. The surgical procedure went well. My swallowing has improved already, after this surgery. This evening the throat is very sore, but I know it will heal soon and I will be swallowing pain free again.

Peace, Love and Prayers to ALL

Randy

Tube FREE !!!!

Today seems to be a milestone that I just passed. I had my feeding tube removed today, Thursday. An extra belly button isn't too bad. The doctor examined my mouth and throat and found that I was healing nicely but saw ulcers in my throat which are causing the morning hoarseness. My esophagus needs to be restreched and I will return to surgery on July 25th for hopefully the last time. Happy 4th to all!

With much love,
Randy

The thin me

To the left is the new thin me!

I am sorry to inform everyone that my Mom passed away on June 11, 2006. She was a wonderful and loving mother and even better grandmother. She is truely missed.

On the brighter side of things: I am supposed to have my feeding tube removed June 28th. I have not used it for about 2 weeks now. My taste buds are still playing tricks on me but more foods are having some sort of good taste. I have had a full slice of pizza that tasted better than cardboard with topping. I am on a protein powder to help me gain and/or maintain my weight. I mix the powder with milk and add strawberry syrup to make it taste good. Strawberry and berry foods still taste the best to me. I now weigh 172 pounds. I think I look great but Weasle says I am too thin. No one has ever told me I was too thin !!! It has always been the opposite.

My swallowing seems to be becoming more difficult again, so the doctors are thinking about stretching my esophagus once more. I am setting up for some tests to have this checked out. I still have sores in my mouth and throat and have problems with hoarseness until around 12:00 noon. My doctor says that this is to be expected (as he says about everything).

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support

Randy (cancer free boy)

Sorry I haven't updated

Sorry I haven't updated the blog sooner but I have had a lot on my plate lately. I am doing better every day! I ate my first meatball sub this week. It tasted great!!! The taste buds seem to be returning. A week and a half ago one of my doctors said I had thrush mouth again. It seems since I've been taken the meds for this and it's clearing up, food has been tasting better. Captain Mo tastes very good. Steak and meats seem to have no taste. Yesterday I had my first hot dog and 2 ears of corn at the Deugwillo's. My life again is full of firsts. As you can see swallowing is going wonderfully. Scratchy, rough foods irritate my mouth ulcers which still persist. I am down to 178 pounds and a size 34 pants. The doctors are concerned that I can't hold my weight. I like my small size.

My Mom was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. She is doing better with her pain under control and will be discharged Tues. The cancer can't be cured. They just want to slow it down and make her comfortable. Please keep her in your prayers.

Thank you for your support, comments and prayers!!
Randy

Swallowing Well

Since I had my esophagus stretched, swallowing is getting back to normal. I take almost normal size bites and need to be careful when swallowing. Since my salavary glands were fried by the radiation, I need to add some sort of liquid while chewing to any solid food. Then I can swallow it. My throat is still sore and swollen due to the stretching and exercising caused by the swallowing of food. I am not able to consume enough calories by mouth alone to maintain my weight. I am still using the feeding tube. I cut back the # of cans of Ensure Plus that is poured in the tube depending on the amount of food I eat. I am finding it hard to find any foods that have any taste or good taste to me. One day eggs may taste OK and the next, they have no taste. All cereals taste like cardboard. Steak, ham and chicken taste like nothing. Maybe someone besides myself should be doing the cooking. I feel like a kid in a candy shop tasting everything I can find, looking for something to taste good. The doctors say my taste will eventually return but will never be the way it once was. The time frame is one to five years for taste. I have been able to finish a beer in 45 minutes. My new goal is 30 minutes. Its nice to have goals. I had my first Captain Morgan and diet coke! Didn’t taste too good. I suffered through it. When I was halfway done, it tasted good. The second was even better. I just needed to reorient my taste buds.

I got some sad and disturbing news on Wednesday. My Mom was just diagnosed with lung cancer. We have a meeting with the doctors on Tuesday to find out more info and the treatment. Please keep her in your prayers.

Thank you all for your support and prayers

Randy

Had my Esophagus stretched

I just got back from my surgery and am feeling pretty good. That is what a couple of percocets can do. Even with the pain pills my throat is very sore. They had me swallowing apple juice after I woke up and I could take larger sips with less effort. Last week I finished a full beer!! It took 3 hours. My goal is less than 2 hours and should be easily accomplished now with the new procedure.

The procedure went as follows:
The Doctor sprayed a numbing agent in my mouth and throat and then I was placed under general anesthesia. Various diameter rubber hoses were then placed (shoved) down my esophagus. Starting with a small diameter (less than 1/8 inch) and working their way up to a large diameter (somewhere around 7/8 inch). When I walked into the operating room, I saw on the table about 2 dozen of these rubber tubes. At the end of this torture, an incision was made over the old one to remove the port-a-cath in my shoulder. After removing the port-a-cath and stitching me up, I was awakened and placed in recovery. Both procedures took a total of an hour. I arrived at the hospital at 10 AM and was home by 3 PM.

Thank you all for your support, comments and prayers

Randy the Cancer Free man

Swallowing Update

I went to have a barium swallow test yesterday, Wednesday. The doctors wanted to see why I could only swallow liquids and choked on small solids. The barium swallow test shows as an x-ray how my swallowing muscles work. They can watch the barium flow from my mouth to the stomach. The test showed that my esophagus is constricted in one spot. This was caused by the radiation treatments. I am scheduled for surgery to repair this on April 21 in the morning. At the same time, they will be removing the port-a-cath that was placed under the skin for the chemo. To repair the esophagus, they place a tube down my throat and expand it to stretch the esophagus. This is good to know that I soon will be swallowing normal again!!

I am now able to swallow teaspoon size yogurt shakes known as “Danimals”. I am able to finish one 3 ounce bottle at each meal. My feeding tube is still where I get all my nourishment except for these Danimals. I have tasted lots of different foods lately: olive, brownie, tuna, pickle, potato salad, cracker and cereals. Little bits are taken and rinsed down with water. Some went down, some didn’t. But after the 21st, I should be doing much better.

I reached a milestone on Saturday. I opened my first beer since last October at Andy and Lisa’s wedding. I was able to drink half of the bottle. This took me 2 hours though, but it’s a start. My goal is being able to finish a whole one. It was a Coors lite.

My daughter, Ellen, wrote me a wonderful poem for my birthday. I placed it as the post below this one for your reading pleasure.

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

CANCER FREE TonsilBoy

Ellen's Poem

The results came back and were nothing but bad,
The news was echoed to loved ones who were nothing but sad.

Mom made phone calls to everyone she knew,
She wanted only what was best for you.

You decided on a doctor with a crazy protocol,
He promised the best and not one flaw.

When the treatment began it seemed like a living hell,
But that was only a fabrication for which we all fell.

Sure you lost strength and couldn’t eat,
Ensure became an addiction and you missed cheese and meat.

You most definitely felt down in the pit,
All you could do was puke and spit.

Nothing seemed to be going your way,
Mr. Smith only became a man we despised more each day.

But as I look back on it all,
I realize you kept up and didn’t let yourself fall.

You became a hero to me in so many ways,
I think about you and your strength on so many days.

This poem cannot do justice for how much of an impact you made on me,
You’re a source of inspiration I want everyone to see.

You kept your eye on the end and held your head high,
You kept up your good spirits and I barely ever heard you sigh.

You never gave up or wanted to settle for less,
That is why you’re my hero and story of success.

You made a blog to keep in contact and share your story,
Everyone loved hearing about your tiny steps towards glory.

Your friends arose and proved to be better than ever,
They’d never let you down…nope NEVER.

Our family relationship grew as a whole,
All to your expense and toll.

You were the talk of the people and big man in town,
How quickly your story spread around.

You lost a ton of weight and look sexier than before,
It’s all the reason for people to love you more.

Thank god you kicked the Atkins diet,
Boy that was nothing but a riot.

Before we knew it you scheduled the final PET scan,
A couple days later you were a cancer free man.

Danimal spoons will soon be a thing of the past,
One more sip will be your last.

The name tonsil boy will never fit you,
You’re now the man who never lets himself get blue.

I mean it when I call you a hero and “weener”,
Without cancer you are definitely cleaner.

Daddy you mean so much to me,
You are a real trooper that I want everyone to see.

Way to go dad,
You demolished the cancer and I’m so glad.

Keep your head up and persevere,
I promise it’ll only get better from here.

Congratulations superstar,
You’ve made it so far.

Happy birthday cancer-free boy,
I hope your day is filled with happiness and joy!

From here I wish you well,
Love always, your daughter, El.

GREAT NEWS

Hi All,
I just got back from the doctors. He says that the PET scan lit up a little at the bottom of my tonsil. He did an examination and said everything looks great. Do NOT worry. It lit up because there are still sores and swelling in the throat. The doctor says my next pet scan will be scheduled in one year. I am CANCER FREE at this time!!!!!!!

Hi all,

I saw my medical oncologist yesterday, Monday. The medical oncologist is the doctor who is in charge of the chemotherapy. He says that the ulcers, sores, in my mouth are improving. But to me they still burn even with water. This is why I sip and rinse my mouth with warm to hot water. It seems not to burn as much. Since these ulcers are taking so long to heal, he is going to discuss with the cancer board the use of the hyperbaric chamber. The hyperbaric chamber infuses oxygen into the sores and will help them to heal quickly. The cancer board is the group of doctors, nurses, speech therapists and others, who care for me and the other cancer patients.

I have been eating pudding, applesauce, broth and yogurt. These are only ½ teaspoonful size at a time. Today’s lunch took 30 minutes to finish 2 tablespoons of applesauce. I did not choke at all, that’s a good thing. I have discovered I can taste cinnamon and strawberry, whereas everything before had no taste. So, it’s cinnamon applesauce and strawberry yogurt for me.

Thanks for your support and prayers.

Randy

For the past few days I have been able to swallow half baby size spoonfuls of pudding and yogurt (1/4 to1/2 teaspoons). After each I take a mini spoonful of water to rinse it down. My swallowing function is slowly coming back by doing these mini size swallows 4 at a time, 4 times a day. If I take too large or too fast of spoonfuls, I choke. I did have 2 weenie size sips of beer this weekend. It tasted wonderful!! I am looking forward to the PET/CT scan on March 20th and the results on the 22nd.

Today, Wednesday, I saw the speech therapist. She was very impressed at my swallowing and the things I am trying. She had me swallow for her - vanilla shake, choc shake and applesauce. I did them all with flying colors. When I swished the applesauce in my mouth it started to burn. Barbara, the speech therapist, is still apologizing for making me puke. She says most people just gag and don't vomit. I was her first and you never forget your first!

Hi Everybody
I saw the surgeon Monday. The ulcers in my mouth are still there but improving all the time. The surgeon has set me up for a PET/CT scan on 3/20/06. He feels the ulcers in my mouth will be healed enough that I will be able to lie on my back for at least a half hour without spitting or choking.

Now that my mouth and throat have healed a lot, I decided to begin trying to swallow again. I have been unable to swallow. The water will not go down. Some was aspirated while other parts of the water came out my nose, all from trying to swallow small sips of water. I also saw the speech therapist, Monday, about this problem. She had set me up Thursday for a scoping. This is where they will put a tube up my nose and down my throat so they will be able to see what’s going on with my swallow, voice box, throat and whatever else is down there.

Thursday came along with the scoping. I have a very strong gag reflex which doesn’t work well with nose and throat scoping. The speech therapist had big plans of watching, through the scope, while I swallow water, milk, juice and pudding. She inserted the scope and asked me to say a few letters of the alphabet. This was to see what my vocal cords are doing. We never got to the rest of the test because I kept gagging and eventually threw up on myself and on her. We looked at the recording of the scoping and saw that things look normal, yet swollen and red. Much of the swallowing problem seems to be attributed to my body and mind blocking the swallowing of mucous and food over the past 4 months. I need to retrain my body and mind that it is OK to swallow again. I am doing this by constantly swallowing or trying to swallow an eighth to a quarter of a teaspoon of water. The good thing coming out of the scoping is that I can now burp again. I have been unable to burp for months. The air would come up but was unable to be let out.

My voice is still hoarse. Talking for any length irritates my throat and makes it swell. . When I spoke with my doctor, he says I am right on schedule and healing nicely.

Randy

14 plus inches of snow

Hi Everyone!
I guess most people reading this got hit with all this snow. It looks beautiful!! I did work the snow blower for about an hour to clear the driveway. It super pooped me out.

The picture is a group of us at Nana’s wake last week. We are doing a toast to Nana. That is a double shot of cosmopolitan I am putting down my feeding tube. Nana would have enjoyed it. My first alcohol since Andy’s wedding in October.

I feel better this week than last and a whole lot better than a month ago. I seem to be getting some stamina and strength back. I don’t nap as long during the day. All my food is still through my feeding tube. During the past few weeks, I had stopped trying to eat the baby food. This was due to the burning in my mouth and throat. I am thinking about trying again soon. I will keep you posted.

Thank you for you support, comments and prayers.

Randy

Weasle's Mom

It is with a very sad heart I tell you that Weasle's Mom, Mary Ann Reilly, passed away early this morning, Wednesday, Feburary 1st. She had a heart attack on Saturday morning. Weasle and Laura picked up Mary Ann, AKA: Nana, Saturday on the way to Laura's basketball game. They were joking and having fun during the drive. After arrival at the game, they walked up a flight of steps. At the top of the steps Nana was out of breath and sat on a chair. She passed out and 911 was called immediatly. Weasle with the assistance of others began CPR. Within 10 minutes an ambulance had arrived and Nana was on her way to Union Memorial Hospital. She was unable to recover from this insult to her body. She is survived by 8 children, 24 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Saw the Surgeon this week

I saw the surgeon this week and he said that the ulcers in my mouth are healing well. I have to agree with him. My mouth is not as swollen. The extra mucous in my mouth is caused by the ulcers and since they are healing I don’t have to spit as often. I am sleeping for a longer period of time (1 1/2 - 2 hours) because of this. The surgeon also says that I can’t have the PET scan done until the ulcers are healed which is about one month's time. Same goes for the surgical removal of the “port” in my shoulder. The port was placed under my skin for the Chemo to be plugged into. The healing process seems to moving along. I know I feel better this week than last.
Weasle and I did go baby food shopping. We had fun but she was complaining I was buying too many jars. Probably about $6 worth, while she was spending $200 on the rest of the family. My first dollars in food in the last 3 to 4 months and she is holding MY food budget down. The baby foods I've tried so far have burned my tongue or mouth. I am able to swallow very small amounts of water and noodle soup.
Derek Erb is living in France and is going through tonsil cancer also. His was not found as soon as mine and has had to go through several surgeries besides the radiation and chemo. He began about the same time as I did with this process. You can find his blog @ http://derekparis.blogspot.com/ . I wish him all the best and a very speedy recovery.
Thank you all for your support, prayers and comments.
Love to all
Randy

Radiation Dr Visit

Hi All,
On Wednesday, I had an appointment with my Radiation Oncologist. She slipped a scope up my nose and down my throat. The swelling in the throat has gone way down and the tonsil is back to normal size and shows no sign of cancer. HORRAY!!!! We won't know for sure until a PET scan is done in about one month's time. Everything seems to be healing normally..... but the mouth, tongue and throat ulcers are still there. I really have not found many liquid things I can swallow that don't burn something in my mouth. Weasle and I are going grocery shopping this evening to try and find some things for me to swallow. Our Friday night social activities have significantly changed! Alan, my boss, suggested baby foods, since these are already pureed and offer lots of flavors. I will keep you updated on what's happening.
In the words of MFL, I will BEAT IT.
Once again, thanks for your prayers, support and comments.
Randy

Picture Time

I had lots of requests for an updated picture. As they say, "You asked for it, you got it." Saw a Dr and some nurses yesterday. Besides the lesions and ulcers in my mouth, I now have thrush. Don't babies get that from sucking on nipples?? Now I have 1 more medication to take everyday. In a week when the thursh is cured, my whole mouth should feel better and start healing a little faster.
The chick pea story: When I used to make soups, I would taste the juice that the veggies come in to see if I want to add it to the mix. I tried the chick pea juice the other day and it tasted good. The problem was that the juice burned the sores in my mouth. I need salt free, non- acidic juices to do my sips with. My taste buds are all screwed up. Puddings taste funky, fruit sauces burn, water also burns. I am still trying little sips of whatever I can find.
I will continue to keep you informed on my progress.
Thanks for your prayers, comments and support.
Tonsil Boy

Sunday Update

Good morning, afternoon or evening, depending as to the time you logged on. I am starting to get my voice back!!!! I can talk for a few minutes at a time and then my throat gets sore. Also, during the past couple of days I have begun my learning to swallow process. Basically, I am starting with liquids. I am doing 3 tiny swallows at a time. I find a lot of things burn my mouth including coke and Captain Mo, together or separate, they don't work. Everything seems to taste funny or weird. Weasle laughs, but I have a hankering for chick pea juice. That's the juice chick peas come in. Sounds strange but maybe my body is trying to tell me somthing? I am going to try some today.

People want to know about my eating, or rather my not eating, so here are some answers. No, I don't get hungry. I'm taking in 6 cans of tube feeding per day and I guess that fills me up. When I watch other people eating, I am envious and can't wait till I can eat again. Foods are smelling good to me again. I have lost 36 pounds on this cancer diet, which I wouldn't reccomend to anyone. Prior to the cancer diet I had lost 16 pounds on the Adkins Diet. The Adkins Diet was stongly recommended to me by Leslie Dupree at Bittersfest 2003. I guess she thought I was fat. So total weight in 2.5 years is 52 pounds. I am now wearing a size 36 pants and a size large shirt. I am borrowing shirts from my son, Michael.

As always thanks for your support, prayers and comments.
Randy

Happy New Year!!!

I am sure that 2006 will be much better than 2005. As each week goes by I feel a little stronger. I know that I feel better this week than last. My radiation burns on the outside of my neck have healed. I just have a weird looking suntan. I do a lot of sleeping, tube feedings, hocking and feeding the wood burning stove. What a thrilling day. I am up for about an hour at a time than its nap time again.

What I miss the most is chugging an icy cold bottle of water.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy new year!!!

Thanks to everyones support, it is making this blip in my life to be a little more manageable.
My love to ALL.
Randy

Doctor Update

I saw my Chemotherapy doctor today, Friday and he says I am at the lowest point physically in the treatment. I take this as good news! Why you ask? Yesterday I felt good enough to go grocery shopping with Weasle and Laura. We were out for an hour and a half. I was wipped out when we got home, but enjoyed being out and about. So I beleive I have made the turn a few days ago and look forward to being well again.

Thank you everyone for your prayers, support and comments. Please have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukah.

My love to all, Randy

Sunday update

Hi Everyone!!
It's Sunday afternoon. I wanted to update you on my progress. It seems that each day I feel a little better. Not lots, but it's finally nice to know that the healing process has really begun. Not much else to say but thanks for all the support and prayers. I will do my part and get better. A shout out to Ken Nuzzi who had his knee replaced Wednesday and came home yesterday. Get well soon, we are all falling apart. Old age is hell.

Out of the hospital

Hi Everyone! Its Monday morning and I feel much better than I did this weekend. Once out of the hospital, I thought I'd feel better but I guess I was having Chemo withdrawal. I still had the usual nausea and vomiting even at home. I hope that is the end of that stuff ! To the right is a picture of me with my certificate of graduation from radiation, along with a graduation gift and my mask. I graduated even though I puked on their floor before my last treatment. This delayed my graduation ceremony for 30 minutes.

Last Week

It looks like dad is getting his wish- to sleep through this week in the hospital. He hasn't even been on his blog but mom reads him the comments daily. So keep them coming. So far, he's handling this week better than the first one. His face is swollen a little bit from the chemo, though. He and the nurses have figured out a new "cocktail" to manage the nausea, so it's not nearly as bad as last time. Plus, it also helps that he's a massive hardcore beast.
-Michael

P.S. The redness on the side of his face and neck is from the radiation...but he says he can't feel it. It's supposed to go away eventually.

YEAH 6 Weeks down

Finally I see some light at the end of the tunnel! Today was may last Friday of radiation, YIPPEE!!! Next Thursday will be my last day of radiation. On Monday, Dec 5th, I will be admitted into the hospital for another round of 24/7 chemotherapy. I do not look forward to this at all. I have told the doctors I want to be heavily sedated the entire time so that I don't remember the week.
I was taken off the experimental drug, Ethyol, on Tuesday. Ethyol was to try and keep may salivary glands working or partially working when this proticol is complete. I was taken off the Ethyol for several reasons: 1) I was getting fevers at night which are very dangerous to me with my immune system down low; 2) It was making the nausea almost uncontrollable.

The nausea is now controlled with several drugs , so I am now holding my liquids down.

ONE MORE WEEK AND THE HEALING BEGINS!!!!!!

Thanks for all your support, prayers, and comments. I love them all !

5 Weeks down only 2 left

Above are the members of "Randy's Escort Service". These happy peeps have been driving me to radiation and various doctor appointments. Between them there are 2 knee,1 hip and 2 shoulders replacements. December 14 will be Ken's first knee replacement and in the near future there will be a mystery hip replacement. With these credentials you know these people know their way to the hosptal. A special thanks to Bob Kessler for the precurement of the sweatshirts. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Thanks for you Love, Prayers and Support!!

What I'm Thankful For

What I'm Thankful For:
-News that the cancer is on the run
-A day without nausea
-Great memories that the limericks have sparked
-A day without vomitting
-Having my family home for the holiday
-Getting three cans of food in my tube
-Sleeping for an hour and a half before the mucous gags me
-Having this blog and knowing that people care about me
-Losing 26 pounds
-Not having to clean the house and cook dinner for everyone
-Only 2 and a half weeks to go
-Having Great family and friends

LIMERICK Section

PappaNuzz put the limerick challenge out there a few days ago. I have had some excellent responses. Below I listed the ones received under comments in other sections. In the future leave limericks under the comments in this section. That way they will all be in the same section for your vewing pleasure. Please watch the language in that little people are reading these. Please sign your limericks!!! We want you to get credit for a job well done.

..."There once was a boy with a monkey...Jewish by birth,not a honkey...he likes to hunt deer and drink lots of beer...he starred in a film with a donkey" PappaNuzz

.... That boy, his monkey's name was Ollie....ran back and forth in his cage, so jolly...You can still hear that shout, "I'LL NEVER LET YOU OUT"....'cause Ollie bit him and made the boy pout. Chris

...I remember my first trip to C.P...to a party somewhere they called P.G...there was lots of booze...I had the wrong shoes...I spent the whole night on my hiney. PappaNuzz

...There once was a man from Glen Arm...seemed always lived a life of charm....till cancer did struck him...but he didn't let it _ _ _ _ him....we pray that he comes to no harm..... PappaNuzz

....There once was a boy named Randy
Whose tonsils became small and sandy
During the day he sleeps
While the nurse peeps
At the meatsickle which is still dandy... Unknown Author

Purple Pizza
Kinda Neat-sa
Tasty Treat-sa
Makes you pee-sa ... LG

There once was a man from Prince Georges
Who married a Wease who was quite gorgeous.
No way cancer will stop him
With Bone Bus karma behind him
So by New Years that boy will be stumpendous... EAP (Edger Allan Poe)

The rest of the limericks should be found under comments in this section.

2nd Day of vacation

Hi everyone,
This vacation thing is not the Carribean cruise I thought it was going to be. I wasn't expecting to be seasick the entire time. The doctors say that the cancer is melting away and that I look great for where I am in the treatment. I would hate to see what those other people looked and felt like. The doctors have set a date of Dec 5 for me to go into the hospital for 24/7 chemotherapy. I will be released Saturday the 10th and my treatments will then be over!!! Then my recovery begins.
Thanks for all the words of encouragement, prayers, and now limericks.
My love to all

3 Weeks Down

Photo By Brian Burgess


Three weeks are now under my belt. I go in Monday Nov 14, 2005 for 2 radiation treatments.. Then, I am off for a week and restart radiation Tuesday Nov 22, 2005. This week off is to let me rebuild my strength for the next round of treatments. The pictures (click on them to enlarge them)above are the REAL untouched photos of my NEW treatment that I will begin Tuesday Nov 15 during my week off. I do look forward to my new treatment and the week off!

Tuesday Oct , 2005

There is no modesty in the hopital. In this picture, Nurse Marie is giving me one of the 2 shots I get of Ethyol a 1/2 hour prior to the morning radiation. The Ethyol gives me a 30% chance of saving part of my salivary glands. It may not look it but my legs are getting thinner. You should have seen them before I started losing weight. Great news today from my radiation oncologist----she looked down my throat and said that the cancer is going away on my tonsil!

Thanks for all the support and prayers!!

A special shout out to Melanoma Man, Paul Jackson. Thursday he goes under the knife to have his armpit lymph nodes removed. This is due to having a cancerous mole removed plus 1 of 3 cancerous lymph nodes removed last month. All our prayers are with him and Rhonda.

Sunday Night and 2 weeks down

Hey, look who found me at home this week. Yes, it is the skinny wench from the hospital! She seems to have lost a little weight too. As of today, I've lost a total of 17 pounds! Today I had no nausea which is a good thing. This may end tomorrow when my radiation treatments restart. Not to gross anyone out, but it seems that inquiring minds want to know. My salivary glands are drying up. I now have thick gobs in my mouth that need to be expelled every 30 to 60 minutes. So now I sleep for about an hour at a time and wake up gagging to spit and go back to sleep. The board that I hold in the picture is for writing messages. I don't talk much because of the gobbos in my mouth. The family likes me not talking. I can't seem to write fast enough to keep up with their "talking at me". I enjoyed the walk I took today with Weasle, which was a nice change.

Another Week almost done

Sorry about not keeping up with the blog, but the nausea has been keeping me down. The mornings seem to start out OK until I get a shot before the morning radiation. I'm getting an experimental drug called Ethyol. It has a 30% chance of saving some of my salivary glands. However, it has some potential side effects, one of them being nausea. But, I'll deal with the nausea for the chance of being in that 30%. I come home about 9:30, take some anti-nausea drug and sleep till 2:25. Then I go back for my 3:00 radiation. At night, I seem to be sleeping well. Weasle & the kids have been wonderful, putting up with my moods, tastes and general ooggieness. Thanks to everyone that has been sending food for Weasle & the girls. This has enabled them to help me. You guys rock my sox! My hope is that some of this nausea is a carry over from last week's chemo and that it will subside by the weekend. Love to all.

Monday Evening

There have been many changes in my taste bubs and sense of smell. Basically everything makes me gag. I have started using my feeding tube for water and nourishment. The nausea seems to be pretty constant with breaks like now where I am able to do something for a short period. The meds for the nausea knock me out, but that way I am able to rest and time passes.
Everyone's comments have kept me in better spirits and keep me updating the blog

Made it Andy & Lisa's Wedding

Weasle & I had a great time Saturday night at our nephew Andy & Lisa's wedding. From the radiation and chemo my tastbuds are changing. Water and sodas make me gag! So Captain Mo was out. The old standby beer worked, even though a Coors lite tasted like a dark beer. I suffered through 2. The crabcake was delicious but my favorite, steak, tasted funky to me. Everyone else said it was wonderful. With these changes I might even like eggplant now.

Home at Last

It is Saturday morning and I am at HOME. It felt so good to get away from the hospital and all the smells that have surrounded me all week. It is such a beautiful autumn day! I now only have slight nausea, but this too shall pass (hopefully). It sure does feel good to be home. One of the toughest weeks is in the bank. Next week, the twice a day radiation, should be a piece of cake compared to the chemo.

I love all the comments :) Please keep them and the prayers coming.

Thursday Night 10/27/05

This is me with my new friend "Therabite". I do exercises with this 7 times a day. As I lose my ability to swallow, my mouth and jaw muscles will weaken. This is one of many exercises that Weasle has to nag me to do. My biggest motivator to spend time with "Therabite" is thinking about the Big Mac that I'll wrap my lips around in the end.

Thanks for all of the prayers and comments. They mean so much to me.

-Randy

Thursday morning

Last nite I slept well. They gave me a good anti-nausea drug and it knocked me out. I know that people want to visit me in the hospital but I don't think that's a good idea. I try to sleep as much as possible. It seens that once I fall asleep someone wakes me to check something: breathing, heart rate, temp, blood pressure, blood flow and I could go on and on. So sleep is what I really need here. I will be leaving the hospital Saturday morning. Saturday eveninig I plan on attending my nephew, Andy's and Lisa's wedding. I hope that most of the chemotherphy will be out of my bloodstream by then. I will be at the wedding with Weasle, NOT the skinny wench I've been hanging with all week.

Thanks for all the wonderful support, prayers and comments!!!! :)

Love and prayers to ALL

Tonsil Boy

Weds night

Back to nausea-ville hope tonight goes better. I will check in tomorrow morning. love you all

Weds Morning

Last night went much better. This morning I have been able to eat a bagel and half a bowl of cereal. I love all the coments and WILL be dumping my skinny girlfriend Saturday morning when I can get out here.

Thanks for everyones support, love and prayers!!

Day 2 of Chemotheropy

Today, Weasle, Michael, Ellen, and Laura came and visited. Michael made the trip all the way from College Park. He hooked me up to the internet, but it's AOL, so it's slow. Not really in any pain, but I'm feeling nauseous. This is a picture of me and Michael with my new girlfriend who follows me around wherever I go.

October 25th Update

Randy is still having trouble getting access to his blog in the hospital. He will hopefully get online tomorrow and update everyone himself.

He had a bad time last night with nausea and vomiting which didn't allow him to get much sleep. He was feeling a little better today but he still had to make some trips to the bathroom. He just wants to get some sleep.

Keep those prayers and comments coming.

Phil

First Radiation Treatment

This morning I had my first radiation treatment. In the picture, Wyn is placing a plastic “mask” over my head which is than attached to the table top. This is to hold my head in the same position for each radiation treatment. The marks on the side are used to position the lasers on the radiation machine.

The chemotherapy began this morning, 10-24-05, after my admission to the hospital. This will continue 24/7 till Saturday morning when released for the weekend. So far I feel good.

The biggest problem is that I can’t get on the internet to update this blog. I am in room 3436 with a phone # 443-849-8554

Saturday nite 10-22-05

Hi All,
Weasle, Laura and I just got back from shopping. For what you ask? The latest in hospital wear. I needed some PJ's and comfortable clothes to stroll around the hospital in. The treatment I will be receiving is called "the Brizel Proticol" It was started by David Brizel at Duke University. I start my radiation treatments on Monday morning 10-24-05 at 9:00 am. Sometime that morning I will be admitted to GBMC for 5 days of 24/7 chemotherapy and twice a day radiation treatments. The Drs don't work on weekends so I won't any treatments on weekends. After this first week as an inpatient, I will return to GBMC as an out patient for 2 1/2 weeks of twice a day 10 to 15 minute radiation treatments. I will then have the next week #4 1/2 off to get some strength back for the next round of treatments. This week # 5 1/2 will start and end with the twice a day radiation treatments. The following week # 6 1/2 , I am admitted into the hospital for 5 days again for my next round of 24/7 chemo and twice a days of radiation. All of the above are subject to change depending on my tumors reactions to everything. The only good thing about the chemotherpy is that I will not lose my hair.. Weasle says I would not look good with a bald head.

Starting my journey

Here I am with my PEG and PORT that were installed 10-14-05. The PEG is a feeding tube that I will probably start using in 2 to 3 weeks. I will need this because the radiation will cause large sores in my mouth so it will be too painful to swallow. I will need nurishment and water so this is how I will get it. The PORT is a ball placed under the skin attached to the vein for injections of chemo and other meds.