Nine treatments left!

Just a short note to say nine treatments left, and Dad has discovered that shutting his eyes during treatment results in a fireworks show on the backs of his eyelids.

Still feeling good, and even starting to ride his bike a little in the neighborhood.  He's claimed that he will master the hills of Indian Creek (their development) in the next couple weeks.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Feeling good - 4 weeks down, 2 1/2 to go

The weekend was spent with convertible rides, Ted & Wally's Ice Cream in the Old Market, family pictures, and lots of time spent with the grandkids.  The kids were really happy to spend time with Grandpa and Grandma (and Auntie).

Thirteen treatments remain.  Morning walks, mowing the lawn (with the riding lawn mower), and a positive attitude are making the time fly!

A picture in Tracy and Rich's kitchen before the family pictures extravaganza at Boys Town. . .when all of the kids still felt like smiling at the same time.  :)

Over 50% done with radiation, 15 treatments remain

Yesterday was treatment 17, which means that Dad was more than half-way done with radiation treatments.  His final day of radiation is September 10th, and you better believe there will be a celebration that night!

Dad continues to feel pretty well.  He's tapering down on the steroids (which is a great sign, actually, that he can tolerate fewer steroids in his system), has a great appetite (best sweet corn EVER right now from the back of a farmer's truck in Elkhorn), and the doctors are all making comments that he looks really good.  Dull headaches and some fatigue are a part of his day right now, but he's trying to combat it with a daily walk around the neighborhood in the mornings, and staying as active as possible during the day.

So far, the weather in Omaha has cooperated for us to take the convertible beetle to every appointment and treatment.  We're both showing some evidence of sunshine on our noses and cheeks.  

And we got Dad to a movie yesterday: "Wall-E" with grandkids Emily and Dillon.  Since it was Emily's first movie, it proved to be more entertaining than planned.  Two tubs of popcorn, a box of Junior Mints, and a booster seat were all part of the evening.  At one point, Emily leaned over to Dad and asked, "Grandpa, why are your eyes closed?"  Let's just say that Tracy came to pick up her daughter about an hour in to the show while the rest of us stayed back to watch the rest of the movie.

Nearing end of week three. . .

Friday marks the end of week three of treatment.  Side effects (headaches, foggy, tired) start to hit towards the end of the week, but Dad is still feeling pretty darn well.  

The cookies from Eileen's went over very well yesterday at Dr. Hsu's office.  Sometimes a little treat to show how much he appreciates the great care and help they're giving him (and the entire family) is needed.

This weekend I (Mary) head home to Omaha for about eight days to see where I can help out, and just hang with the family.   First thing on tap: updating Dad's iPhone to the 2.0 software.   

Mark "pull weeds around the pond" off the list

Just got off the phone with Dad.  He was out pulling weeds around the pond.  I guess you can say he's feeling pretty well.

Today marked the 1/3rd complete milestone of radiation/chemo treatments.  He has 22 more to go, which puts his final day of radiation at September 10th.  The staff and doctors are all amazed at how well Dad is feeling.  Week three could get a bit tougher as the radiation treatments start to have a cumulative effect (radiation is given in fractions, and they all add up to one dose -- with the half life of radiation being. . .well, something bigger than six weeks. . .he's going to probably feel the effects starting this week or next).  Hopefully not!

He's taking short walks around the neighborhood a few times a day -- and he's trying to build up some stamina and walk longer each time to keep himself physically active.   He said he skipped a nap today that likely would impact his ability to stay up for watching the Olympics tonight, but otherwise he felt great (all things considered).

End of Week Two . . .and a Sleepover!

Grandson #1, Dillon (who starts first grade next week), is now sleeping soundly at Mom and Dad's house after a full evening of having Grandpa and Grandma to himself.  There were models built using K'Nex, plenty of talk of Transformers (a favorite now for a year), and likely a game of Monopoly.  When he found out I had a few boxes in the garage of Star Wars toys, it suddenly became VERY important to visit Portland, Oregon.

Auntie Mary wasn't too happy to find out he had never seen the original Looney Toons with Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, and Marvin the Martian.  Trust me, that will change.   And soon.  I may be shopping at CostCo tomorrow and bringing a "Back to School" present when I visit next weekend.

Dad had a good end to the week.  The onset of a headache yesterday was responding well to a tylenol and some ice, and he felt good enough to have a 6 year-old spend the night.  So that has to tell you something!  Today marked the end of week two of radiation.  Dad continues to have a positive attitude, which is fantastic!  Keep it up!

Off to watch the spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremonies from Beijing.

Things are looking up!

After eight treatments of radiation (and daily chemotherapy), things are looking pretty good right now. Dad feels good, is not suffering major side effects since the steroids picked a fight with the headaches Saturday, and so far, the anti-nausea medication is working its magic on the chemo pills.

Rumor has it Dad was out mowing the lawn the other day (riding mower!), has been gaining a few pounds back with the help of generous helpings of dinner and dessert, and has been walking around the block to get some exercise. There's even talk of attending a Husker game in mid-September.

Apparently the woman at the Cancer Society confused him for a friend of a cancer patient, not a cancer patient, due to his overall look of health/well being. 

A fun fact: over 98 of you are following the blog, and roughly 20 people a day check in. We've hit most of the US, and even Romania! Thanks for checking in!

Preparing for Treatment: Week Two

Kind of a rough end to the first week of treatment.  Headaches that were barely touched by the turban of ice throughout the day kept Dad a bit down this week.  Steroids were prescribed and started Friday, and thankfully they seem to be helping quite a bit.  While unusual to have this much of a side effect in the first week, it's not unheard of for patients to experience the swelling during the first week.

Not sure if it's the swelling or another factor, but mini-seizures were back on Thursday.  He's still really tired from being in the hospital, as well as from the treatments.  Maintaining calorie intake is key (per the dietician working with Dad - high calorie, high protein diet is a must), so treats like full-fledged hot fudge sundae is no longer challenged in the house.  :)

However, there is good news.  One week of treatment is DONE.  He's having extremely high tolerance to the chemo (thanks to the zofran to knock out any nausea), and is getting quite a bit of rest.  The staff at Legacy West Cancer Center in Omaha has also been phenomenal.  After just a few weeks, it feels as if they're an extension of the family.  VERY nice to be able to work with that kind of environment.

All of the phone calls, cards, emails and stopping by is really helping!  Thanks!