Week 5 - Day 5

Congratulations! I made it through another week. Five more radiation treatments are behind me.

Some things have changed. Last week didn't go so well. I've been sick, tired and not able to talk. But today something has happened. I feel pretty good - and it's Friday afternoon. I think that a lot of this has to do that all of the different meds I am using are starting to kick in and control the various negative issues that the radiation and chemo are causing.

The hardest thing for me to handle lately was all of the excessive build up of flem in my mouth. It just kept  building up and all I could do is hear it 'gurgle' in my mouth, throat and upper chest. Carol thought I might be getting pneumonia. Well, a combination of drugs to eliminate some of the mucus, a mouthwash that makes my mouth feel numb - like from the dentist office and a new pump that sucks this crap out of my mouth so I do not have to continually deal with it. I can get relief for 1-2 hours before I need to start combating again. Now this pump - it sucks that stuff right out of my mouth. I think that if they would have had one of these pumps on the 'Titanic', it would still be sailing the oceans yet today. Hmmm - I wonder if I could use it as a bilge pump in it's next life.

George Moberg and Don Clingersmith chaffered me to the hospital Monday afternoon. Hadn't seen these guys since the GMLSRC golf outings in June and July. They are all up to VanEpp's place for the Newberry Open. Save me a place for next year. I hope George is aware that there have been sightings of snow-cows as far south as 'Leota' this summer. Oh, he should be OK -  I donated some extra quarters to pay for my shuttle service to the hospital.

Paul and Craig stayed with us on Monday and Tuesday. It was good for me - but I wasn't able to talk much. I'm not sure if that was good or bad for them. I really do like it when either one of them can spend time with us. You know - 'daddy-sitting'.

We finally were able to park both of our cars in the garage again. We had moved various furniture and stuff out to the garage to do some remodeling the early part of June and Friday the last of it has 'vanished'. Some to friends, family, friends of friends, normal trash removal, big ticket trash removal and Friday the rest of it was donated to VOA who came to pick it up. It's just like moving home from Kentucky.

Again - I enjoy reading all of your comments and thanks for all of the cards and notes. They really do cheer one up.