Day 2 - February 9th

Day 2 - February 9th

Main Page • John's Journal • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

Today is going well. I woke up, took a shower, and headed up for radiation.
Today when they gave me the TBI (total body irradiation) they placed lead
blocks in front of my lungs. The lungs are very sensitive to radiation so
they could only radiate them yesterday. The rest of the treatments will be
with blocks over my lungs. My only side effects are a dry mouth, because the
radiation effects the salivary glands and I have to go number one a lot.
They have me drink a lot of fluids and I have an IV sending me sugar fluids
at 150 ml/hour. It is important I stay hydrated as radiation can dry you out.
They sure keep close watch over me here. There are always doctors or
nurses coming in poking, prodding, and whatever. When my doctor does his
rounds in the morning he comes in my room with a team of about 8 doctors
gathered around me. My first thought is, "Oh boy, I hope they don't need to
check my prostate!" They have given me many different pills. I get a pill,
Zofran, before radiation to keep me from getting sick to my stomach
(nauseated). They work well. The pills are expensive. Thank goodness for
insurance. Each pill cost about $80.00. Can you imagine what hospital
toilet paper goes for? My radiologist is pretty cool. He kind of looks like
Jim Carey. He's always telling me to stand still and he has to turn the CD
player down because I always crank up the music during radiation. People
have asked, "Am I glowing from radiation?" I am glowing, but it is because
of my incredible personality and good looks...not the radiation. I have this
life sized poster (actually a cardboard cut out) of Lance Armstrong (Tour De
France winner...cancer survivor) in my room. Several hospital staff have
asked if it was me. So tempting to say yes and go on about fictitious
stories about my Tour De France victory. I do plan, however, to ride like
Lance this summer. Maybe not the Tour, but I will be fast. I just can't say
how great it has been to hear from so many people via email or snail mail
giving me and my family support and prayers. It makes such a huge
difference. I am so up. Listening to a great song right now by Amy Grant,
"Takes a little time" part of the lyrics say, "Takes a little time to get
your feet back on the ground. Takes a little time, you're not going down.
Give it time." I guess I know this is going to take a little time, but in
the end I am going to be cancer free. I am going to have a whole life ahead
of me to love my family, be with friends, and ride my bike. Oh yeah, I will
probably have to work too. Well, as I look out the window and see the skies
clearing I think Michelle and I will go for a walk. They really encourage
you to get out the first few days if you're feeling up to it. It's nice to
escape the confines of the hospital. The toughest part so far? Yesterday my
boys came to visit. When they left in the evening it was very difficult. I
wanted to go home with them. We have never been apart for more than a
weekend. I know I'll be home soon enough, but until then missing my boys
will probably be the toughest part of this whole ordeal.

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