Yeah, it’s Friday and I get ride of the fanny pack that’s been strapped around me for 96 hours! That also means I get to take a shower – Mary appreciates that.

Did I tell you that I’m a lucky guy? I’m married to a wonderfully kind, generous, loving woman who also is a registered nurse. Now is just one more time when Mary’s nursing skills come to my rescue. She skillfully flushed the IV port and then painlessly removed the IV needle from my chest. She knows just what to do!

Swallowing became more difficult today, but drinking fluids is okay. My teeth are sensitive to hot and cold, so I let food get to room temperature before attempting to eat. For the first time in my life (that I can remember), eating just a small amount of food make me fell full – almost bloated. Another one of the side-effects to figure out how to minimize.

By late afternoon, I was pretty tired so off to bed early tonight.

I felt better this morning. I guess the medications to combat the side-effects are working. My chemo-pump is still slowly delivering the third chemo drug through my IV port. Every minute more drugs floating through my system killing those cancer cells 🙂

I noticed a small sore on my lower lip today. Also, my throat is sore, so that’s slowing down my eating a bit. Used some salt water gargle to ease the pain and heal the sore.

One day at a time! I can’t wait to see what adventure comes next.

Still receiving my third chemo drug, which will continue through Friday afternoon. So far, so good! Glad to say (and experience) that I’m still tolerating the chemo drugs very well. Minimal side effects – slight fatigue and dryness in roof of my mouth.

Back to work today with conference calls and catching up on email.

As I mentioned yesterday, my third chemo drug is dispensed via a portable pump that I wear for 96 hours. The pump and bag of chemo are stored in a fanny pack strapped to my waist. Technology is amazing!

Since I did not want to roll over onto my “chemo equipment” during the night, I decided to sleep in my recliner. That worked well. It’s a very comfortable chair. During the middle of the night I woke up sweating, which is very unusual for me. I was not sure if  I was hot because I had the heavy blanket that Mom made over me, or if I had a temperature.  Since the doctors had repeatedly emphasized to let them know immediately if my temperature gets above 100.5 F. So I woke up Mary, my trusty nurse (among other things), to get her advice. She immediately found the thermometer and much to our relief my temperature was normal.

I took it easy today. We purchase some new furniture for the patio and it arrive before noon. A thick cushioned rocker chair with ottoman and a matching two-person glider. Boy are they comfortable. After lunch, my Mom and Mary’s Mom, Lois, spent some time on the glider as I reclined in my new easy chair!

Since Mary is teaching on Tuesday and Thursday nights this semester, my Mom and Lois (I call her Mother) have decided to take turns cooking for me. Aren’t Moms and Mothers great! Especially when we are all living together on the same “compound.” Tonight was Mom’s turn, so the four of us enjoyed great home cooking.

At the end of the day I was dragging, but otherwise the anti-side-effects medication seem to be working well.

That’s all for today.

Dick