Finally - tomorrow and a good day today

Finally after all the waiting, and pain, the MD Anderson appointment is at 12:30 for check in and 1:30 with the oncology team. yay.

Didn't post yesterday - nothing happened. Pain, waiting - ugh.  The one highlight was looking in the mirror and realizing I should get a haircut and I could go today.  Then laughing that I could save the $20 because I will losing it all in a couple of weeks anyway.  Yes!

Actually felt OK today.  Not too much pain in my hip and a little less pain in the skull. Maybe the healthy stuff is working. We went for a longer walk with pups this morning, did some quick shopping and worked outside -gorgeous day. Slipping in to watch a little Astros baseball.

Best part of the day - one of my classmates just successfully finished chemo December for lymphoma - his was more aggressive.  He completed the EPOCH regimen - one of the options facing me.  I cannot tell you how much it means to talk to people about this who have just been through it.  We just have such an amazing set of friends and family on this team helping - it is incredible.

We kind of laughed about the cancer gouge.  Figured we could blame the cancers on the horrific Hamfrancisco they served at King Hall (dining hall).

gouge (gowj) n. the answers or method of accomplishment to a test or any such activity; a collection of answers that even the profs understand - Reef Points 2001-2002

Random notes from our discussion - Chemo – neuropathy – the chemo damages the sheet that covers your nerves – especially areas with less blood flow  didn’t feel it first four rounds but still has some residual issues. . EPOCH is heavy chemo 5 days straight  did 6 months.  The 5 days are in the hospital but he was able to work in between the chemo.  Everyone is different but he tolerated chemo really well. Didn’t get nauseous – able to eat and keep strength and weight up. First week after was chemo was worst time – chemo destroys red blood cells and destroys marrow – platelets and fight infection gets down to critical level. Have to be careful of being exposed to germs without much of an immune system – never got down to critical neutropenia – got a shot every day for a week to accelerate bone marrow red blood cell production. – nupogen – but makes your bones ache.   Third week before chemo – felt pretty damn good –5^th treatment and before 6^th treatment didn’t feel great at all as it builds up.

Attitude totally key  – we're relatively young and in good shape – huge plus 

On selection of chemo - his oncologist showed massive fishbone decision tree  - - follow the diagram to the protocol – EPOCH.  This was NOT what the Methodist oncologist did.  He just outline the three and said he prefers R-CHOP.  Definitely a good call to go to MDA.  

EPOCH increases the dose 20% each time based on your numbers – he increased 4X – within that protocol and they make tweaks based upon response.

Stress really impacts things - must make sure you do all to relieve stress.  Downloaded the Calm app as well. 

We adjusted our question list for tomorrow, got the research, they have all our stuff. Feel better than I have in a while. 

We are ready to rock!

Will post after the appointment tomorrow -