Still Alive, and Kicking

Now that I'm home and somewhat coherent the boss tells me that I need to update the blog.  And certainly we are overdue as it has been nearly three weeks.

During those three weeks I have become rather familiar with all of the comfortable and not so comfortable spots in our home.  I have spent significant time, including many nights, on a large chair in our family room.  I have found I can zone out while sitting straight up nearly anywhere.  I've gotten pretty good on a recliner too.   The famous fireplace spot in our basement works well to get heated up, but it's nearly impossible to get up.   I have been limited to sleeping on my left side until just a few days ago.

I've had to deal with some infection, a fever here and there, swollen feet, heavy fatigue, self-administered blood thinner shots, and a plethora of daily pills.  Each by itself has been a blast.  I asked the doctor about work last Friday, when they took out half of my staples, and pretty much got a laugh and that's about it.  My next parole hearing is on June 6.

I talked with my main nurse today to find out when next steps will happen.  Based on her response, that parole hearing may be irrelevant.  I will see the radiation oncologist on June 6 and will receive my radiation tattoos that day.  June 13-17 will be radiation days.  They will be hammering me with five total treatments, but they will be five times normal dosage so we're done in five days with what normally takes 25 days.  Once again this should be a real blast.

Next they'll give me a few weeks to come back to life again, then it will be time for colon surgery.  That will be mid-July.  I've at least been guaranteed a recovery room at Huntsman, not at the U of U, which I am extremely grateful for.  The bed alone at the U of U could have killed me.

Colon surgery will relegate me to the hospital for three, maybe four weeks.  After that another few weeks of recovery before I'll be allowed to lift as much as ten pounds.  Finally, and hopefully as the final chapter, I'll have some number of chemo treatments, somewhere between three and seven.

Thanks, as always, for all your support.  We feel the prayers, love the visits, appreciate the meals and other treats.  We certainly appreciate every other gesture you all have made. We are blessed!

We will update again in the next couple of weeks as the next steps unfold.

Go fight win!!!!