Another week off...

I've had this week off chemo, and have been using it to make art, strengthen my body and rest before teaching starts up again in a couple of weeks. This week Monika brought both kids to set them up at college in Colorado and North Carolina... exhausting for her.
I stayed home.

The lack of growth in the last scan is helping me focus and redouble my efforts to get through this...
I've dropped chicken from my diet so now I'm down to just salmon, herring, and sardines for animal protein... Also this week I started going to Yoga... Day one wasn't pretty, but I think it will help me a lot if I have the energy to keep going even when I'm back on chemo. I'm hoping for 3-4 times a week.

cheers,

David

No Growth

The first scan shows no growth, or if anything a tiny bit of shrinkage. It's good news but tempered by the fact that I need a LOT of shrinkage to get to an operation that could save me.

So the work continues, and I keep working at chemo, diet, exercise, mind work, and supplements, and try and make this work.

Thank you for all the encouragement and help... It makes a BIG difference to me!

xo D

Opening

We just got back from a couple of days in P-Town for the opening of a show of my photographs. The weather was perfect, and LOTS of friends came out for the opening. It was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who came or sent good wishes...

I had started up on chemo again on Wednesday, and I've been feeling pretty good. I don't know if it was the energy from the show and being around lots of friends, or that a week off chemo gave my body time to recover...but either way I've been less tired than previous weeks.

I will get my first scan this week to see if the chemo is working...I'll find out the results on Thursday when I see my doctor on chemo day... Needless to say I am anxious about the results. We are hoping for either: 1. tumor shrinkage, or 2. no growth.

Any growth or spread and the window for getting to eventual surgery will close.

-D

Round 3

After having this week off chemo, I've almost forgotten how tired I get when I'm on it...

This week will be the beginning of the 3rd, 3 week cycle (2 weeks on, 1 week off chemo) of treatment. I may get a scan after this cycle, and then another after the next 3 cycles to see if the growth has shrunk, stopped growing, or has spread. That will determine what happens next...

I'll get my infusion a day early on Wednesday this week, so that Monika and I can go to P-Town on Thursday for my show at the Rice/Polak Gallery which opens on Friday night. Hopefully I can rest most of Thursday and have some energy for the show...
We're looking forward to getting away for a couple of days.

The Garden is in full bloom and gives me great pleasure, even though our huge lilies got trashed by the monsoon that we had a few days ago. They will spring back...

Strong Medicine

Fatigue is the main side effect I have from the chemo. Mainly after I get a gemzar infusion on Thursdays at MGH I am knocked down with little energy for a day or two. I take another drug in pill form for the rest of the week, and it also slows me down but not as much... It's very frustrating for me, as it keeps me from getting much done.

I take lots of naps!

I'm actually lucky in a way, as I could be having lots of other nasty side effects... so I won't complain too much.

-D

Week Off...

After two weeks on chemo, I just completed my first week off from chemo, and it was a very good week.

Four wet plate artist friends came here from all around the country for our annual art making gathering. Luckily it coincided with my chemo off-week. They filled our house with people and good energy. There was lots of art making, laughing, good art discussions, and the event at times took on a circus-like quality with so much going on at once...

In addition to my standard treatment, I am taking supplements prescribed by the naturopath who specializes in cancer, I'm riding my bike around as much as I can, there are friends who are helping me with diet and nutrition, and an acupuncturist who treats me every Tuesday. I'm happy and positive and focused on living my life while I try and beat this.
I plan to spend a few days a week making art this summer as energy allows...

I'm tolerating the chemo pretty well, so far with only some nausea and fatigue as side affects. Though it knocks down my white blood cell and platelet counts, so that is being watched closely.

Friends from all corners of my life have been signing up to bring a meal on a Monday or a Wednesday, and others have been bringing us things spontaneously... We are blessed with so much support and kindness.

Thank you, it helps alot.

David

Infused!

I'm coming up on the end of my second full week of chemo (it feels like my second month), and I'm coping pretty well and have manageable symptoms. I will then be off chemo for the next week to allow my body to recover...I am looking forward to the break.

Everyday, I continue to work on body and mind.

Yesterday went to a naturopath who specializes in cancer. He seemed very knowledgeable and may be a good compliment to my medical treatment. He knows a lot about cancer cell mechanisms and supplements that may enhance the effects of chemo and others that support my immune system. He also suggested a diet that will help to starve cancer cells of glucose... though it is much more limited than the one I am already on, so we are now weighing all our options to see what will help me the most.

I am about to begin making art again, as I return to my normal life as much as I am able. Right now I am cleaning my darkroom and studio (with help) and getting ready for a chemo free week of picture making...

peace & love,

David