The latest round

[randy_byers]

I probably won't be writing health updates as frequently as I have been, but that's not a promise. It's just that things could be settling into a routine for the rest of the year, and I don't know how much there will be to report. To review, the new routine is five days in a row of oral chemo (Temodar), then a blood test 21 days after the first

Comments

[ron_drummond]

Wow. A lot to process. I'm amazed at how much (it seems like) you've been able to stay on top of all the paperwork! Very glad that the prognosis appears somewhat rosier than previously thought. I don't recall the thing about the original plan being to up the chemo dose -- the second-round of chemo already started out at twice the dose you took when you were doing radiation too, yes? Anyway, a relief that it's not going even higher. Grateful for your nurse practitioner and LaVelle and Carrie (which Carrie?) and your warm-and-fuzzies about our beloved, benighted species.

[randy_byers]

Carrie is Carrie Graham, the nurse practitioner. Yes, they doubled the dose of chemo that I had been taking during radiation, but they had intended (and probably still do) to bump it up a little bit more for the rest of this phase.

[gerisullivan]

Thanks for the update!

Yeah, losing 7% of your weight is rather a lot in a couple of months. I share your laughter at how LaVelle's presence (with steady offerings of food) helped you get enough calories before.

Are almonds and other nuts palatable at this point? If so, they might help convey more calories to your mighty brain. Protein, too, along with the bunches o'fat.

Kudos to your co-workers for donating shared leave!

[randy_byers]

I put walnuts in my protein shakes, which goes down just fine, but I find it harder to eat pistachios than I used to. I've started eating peanut butter, raisins, and honey on toast. Maybe I should pick up some unsalted almonds and see how those taste.

[llcoolvad]

I for one will not get bored with your medical updates. Sorry you're having a hard time with post-chemo. I sincerely hope your application for long-term disability gets resolved quickly; you don't need more things to worry about.

Our medical insurance and disability insurance bureaucracies are infuriating and opaque. After dealing with my aunt's situation, I am more and more hoping for a president and a legislature that will make the changes we need so that people don't fall through the cracks.

Anyway, very glad you have a support structure! Even though we don't know each other IRL, you're in my thoughts.

[randy_byers]

Yes, the legislature is the hard thing to get right for insurance reform, especially the Senate. Maybe we'll get there eventually, but I don't expect to live to see it at this point. At least more people are getting covered now, although far too many still aren't.

Anyway, thanks for your kind thoughts, stranger! Likewise, I wish you the best with your own health problems.