A new challenge, Part III: Chemotherapy for Christmas
When we misbehaved as children, my mother said that Santa Claus was going to put coal in our stocking. What could I have done that would warrant getting chemotherapy in my Christmas stocking at this point in my life? Criticize the President? Praise the President. I can’t figure it out.
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs as part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherapy may be given with a curative intent, or it may aim to prolong life or to reduce symptoms. My second treatment wasn’t right on Christmas but on December 21st.
I am reluctant to tell you how the first experience went with the “chemo” because, let’s just say that my body did not adjust well to being flooded with the new substances. A few days after I vomited, my wife jokingly gave some friends the blow by blow. “John was sitting next to me on the couch and I noticed his pallor. You know, it is that grayish looking complexion. I went into the kitchen to get some food that I thought might help, even though he is usually repulsed by even thinking about food. I returned from the kitchen with tuna fish, thinking a tuna sandwich would be easy on his stomach with enough protein and salt and carbohydrate to get him through the rest of the day. He agreed tuna sounded good, and he took a bite. I don’t know how to explain what happened next, but his eyes rolled back into his head, he shot up off the couch and rocketed toward the bathroom. He stood rigidly at attention, and did the most explosive Mt. Vesuvius impression as is not to be believed. Although startled, he remained in a military type posture and said with wide-eyed wonder, “Fascinating!”, and “Wow, this is profound!” between eruptions.”
The consequences of the second round went a lot better after my meds were adjusted and I got hydrated more. I don’t know exactly the effect of medicinal marijuana has on people, but I am currently taking it and it seems to be helping. I am not smoking in my garage while listening to 70’s rock. I get a few drops under my tongue a few times a day.
I thought that I needed some extra money for this medical marijuana experience not covered by insurance, and some other unusual medical bills, so I sold my 2005 Honda CRV. When an elderly hippie friend of mine found out about the sale he was thrilled, he said, “You made a significant political statement. You sold your car to get weed! Right on, dude!”
I forgot to tell you my chemo schedule. I get it every other Friday for about 55 or so hours straight. Five hours in the Md’s office and then Friday morning till mid afternoon when I go home and meet a nurse who hooks me up to a device about as big as a brick. This device delivers timed dosages of drugs to me until Sunday afternoon. I sleep with it on. It is aggressive treatment for an aggressive cancer.
As I mentioned, the symptoms of pain, fatigue and nausea have gotten better and some people have very few of the problems that I mentioned above. Obviously, we are all biologically different. I was able to enjoy the traditional fish dinner on Christmas Eve only a few days after my second chemo.
I appreciate all the information that is being sent my way about cancer cures and other ways to deal with my dilemma, and first I am going the traditional route; chemotherapy, love from family and friends and prayer. We will see what happens.