You can get your kicks

                    On Route (pod) 66

Welcome back 

So today was the longest trip to Dana Farber so far, an hour and forty-five minutes! That’s what happens when you have an appointment an hour later than usual.  Today may also set a record for the longest day due to several reasons.  First of all, after testing my blood, my potassium and magnesium were low which means adding on those two infusions to the usual routine. This automatically adds on an extra hour. In addition, apparently my eating extra spinach and artichokes did not help my iron. It was very low in spite of the fact that I take iron pills everyday. That then triggered another infusion that takes an additional hour and a half and nothing else can be given with the iron. Now we add on the regular chemo infusions and estimated time of departure will be around 4:30 pm. They told me to expect some possible allergic reactions from the chemo and the iron but so far so good. I am sure Ellen will be happy driving home in the middle of rush hour. Hopefully we will make it home before the streetlights come on!

On a lighter note, I had two chaperones today, my wife Ellen and my son David who came up from NJ last night and will head home this afternoon. He wanted to meet Dr. Enzinger, my medical oncologist and ask a few questions. If you know David, we did hold him to a few questions.  Again, it was nice having some time to visit in person.  Also, yesterday I was feeling good so I decided to visit my place of employment at Green Harbor Golf Course and catch up with many of the employees and especially many of the seniors as Tuesday is senior league day. It was especially nice to catch up with my Spyglass Landing ladies who keep me on my toes on Tuesdays. By the way, Gail, I like your new wallet! (A little inside joke there.)

Overall, I am feeling well without very few side effects. The fatigue is still there and becomes cumulative. I do not have a lot of energy and I am still taking a couple of naps a day. My appetite is getting better so that all I need now is an eighteen pound donation, not twenty. So after today, I will be 3/4 of the way done and as Dr. Enzinger told me, I am tolerating chemo very well especially for someone my age!

Until next time, thanks for visiting and keep those prayers and good feelings coming.

Ray