OK, here we go adding to "Gil's glowing personality" as he puts it.
April 5th he has a fitting for his "iron mask" (another Gil term). His mask will leave the jaw line and part of his neck exposed.
Radiation starts April 10th and should be about 15 minutes from entry to exit (only about 2 minutes of actual radiation). He should expect some hair loss at the exposed part on the back of his neck, a sore throat and some tiredness (about what he already experienced with Chemo). Realistically, this will just kind of slow down his recovery from the Chemo.
But he has been complemented that he is a big, strong guy and if he could make it through Chemo with one of the WORST drugs (adriamycin), then he should make it through radiation just fine.
That’s my man!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Not over yet
Well, it's not quite over yet. Gil had his PET scan last Friday (3/17 - one week after chemo; too early?) and it is still showing a reactive node along the jaw line near his right ear.
Radiation is the next step. He meets with Dr. Gauwitz on Wednesday and we'll find out how many sessions we are looking at. In the meantime, the hair is coming back (and it looks black!), his blood levels are better (no more booster shots) and things are beginning to return to normal.
Spring break is about to start and I'm going to be taking a little break by visiting my parents in Pt. Charlotte. It should be fun to do nothing for a few days - although I may pay for it when I get home (hahaha). I think it will be a welcome break for all of us... I will get some time away from the house duties for the weekend;
Jason and I get some time off from school; and hopefully Gil will get something out of it too.
Happy Spring Break everyone!
Radiation is the next step. He meets with Dr. Gauwitz on Wednesday and we'll find out how many sessions we are looking at. In the meantime, the hair is coming back (and it looks black!), his blood levels are better (no more booster shots) and things are beginning to return to normal.
Spring break is about to start and I'm going to be taking a little break by visiting my parents in Pt. Charlotte. It should be fun to do nothing for a few days - although I may pay for it when I get home (hahaha). I think it will be a welcome break for all of us... I will get some time away from the house duties for the weekend;
Jason and I get some time off from school; and hopefully Gil will get something out of it too.
Happy Spring Break everyone!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Chemo is over!!!!
I apologize for posting so late. We were not sure how he was going to be feeling today and I did the "Wonder Walk" earlier to help raise money for the Tampa United Methodist Charities.
Well, chemo is over! Yeah! Gil is feeling pretty good...suprisingly good according to him. I guess those booster shots really did some good. He is growing a bit of a mustache (we swear it's coming in thicker than ever before). Anyway...the man himself has a few things to say:
A few things I've learned during this period in my life!
#1 When your doctor looks at you and say's "You've got Cancer", you will fall apart! Maybe not right when they say it, and maybe not in front of anyone, but trust me you will! And from there on your life is forever changed!
#2 While you go through treatment (chemo/radiation), it is not a 'Brave' choice, it is the only choice! Survival is the only option! I know this sounds a little 'Dark' for me, but I can't make this sound fun in anyway.
#3 Your life as I said earlier will change. People will treat you differently. Your family will act differently. You will act differently, and you can't wait for things to return to "normal" (whatever that is)!
#4 Getting a "Port" put in is the best thing I could have ever done, but getting it out will be even better. While it is the [best] way to get the chemicals in your body without doing any damage to your veins, in me, it has never felt like a part of my body.
#5 I MISS MY HAIR - PERIOD! [and he means not just the hair on his head] There is nothing else I can say. People can say I look good, I look younger. The best looking bald man I know is Bruce VanWingerden, not me!
Well those are some of my "Grand" insights to having Hodgkins. I want to thank everyone for all their support, especially Carol my wife, and Jason (our exchange student), My parents, and sisters, and everyone at TTUMC for helping me through this time. It's not over yet! I still have a test or 2 to go through [Blood work March 16; PET scan March 17], and some radiation treatments possibly, but I beleive I am now through the worst of this. For now all I want is MY HAIR!
Gil
208 105/68
Well, chemo is over! Yeah! Gil is feeling pretty good...suprisingly good according to him. I guess those booster shots really did some good. He is growing a bit of a mustache (we swear it's coming in thicker than ever before). Anyway...the man himself has a few things to say:
A few things I've learned during this period in my life!
#1 When your doctor looks at you and say's "You've got Cancer", you will fall apart! Maybe not right when they say it, and maybe not in front of anyone, but trust me you will! And from there on your life is forever changed!
#2 While you go through treatment (chemo/radiation), it is not a 'Brave' choice, it is the only choice! Survival is the only option! I know this sounds a little 'Dark' for me, but I can't make this sound fun in anyway.
#3 Your life as I said earlier will change. People will treat you differently. Your family will act differently. You will act differently, and you can't wait for things to return to "normal" (whatever that is)!
#4 Getting a "Port" put in is the best thing I could have ever done, but getting it out will be even better. While it is the [best] way to get the chemicals in your body without doing any damage to your veins, in me, it has never felt like a part of my body.
#5 I MISS MY HAIR - PERIOD! [and he means not just the hair on his head] There is nothing else I can say. People can say I look good, I look younger. The best looking bald man I know is Bruce VanWingerden, not me!
Well those are some of my "Grand" insights to having Hodgkins. I want to thank everyone for all their support, especially Carol my wife, and Jason (our exchange student), My parents, and sisters, and everyone at TTUMC for helping me through this time. It's not over yet! I still have a test or 2 to go through [Blood work March 16; PET scan March 17], and some radiation treatments possibly, but I beleive I am now through the worst of this. For now all I want is MY HAIR!
Gil
208 105/68
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Last treatment
Sorry I haven't posted lately. I guess between blogger having server issues and me dealing with craziness at school and home...well, you know.
Tomorrow is the last chemo treatment! YA HOO!!!
Everything looks good so far. Gil has developed a bit of a cold (it's been going around school, church, Jason had it, I'm avoiding it so far...). I will try to give more of an update before Saturday.
Hope everyone has a good weekend. I'll be at the Wonder Walk Saturday raising money for the Tampa Untied Methodist Centers. Pray for me...us...just pray!
Love to all!
Tomorrow is the last chemo treatment! YA HOO!!!
Everything looks good so far. Gil has developed a bit of a cold (it's been going around school, church, Jason had it, I'm avoiding it so far...). I will try to give more of an update before Saturday.
Hope everyone has a good weekend. I'll be at the Wonder Walk Saturday raising money for the Tampa Untied Methodist Centers. Pray for me...us...just pray!
Love to all!
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