I will be getting my 5th round of chemotherapy this coming Friday. I am still doing very well. Last week I returned to work. I was certainly tired at the end of the first day, but I picked up as the week went on. My stamina is vastly improved over any previous time in recent months. I am taking time to rest in the afternoon, but other than that I am zipping around and being pretty productive. I take nothing for pain now. I have not been able to say that for a year.
It has been good to see the kids at school. The 6th graders made me a giant get well card. They all signed it at their lunch, and it is taking pride of place in my room. The kids have been very caring and concerned about me. That is very touching, because at their stage in life (age 11/12) developmentally they are generally very wrapped up in their own little world. I have been surprised and moved by many of the kids reactions this year at school.
I am working on trying to put on some weight. Hard work I know, but someone has to do it :-) I got down to 160lb shortly after my surgery, about 25lbs or so below my norm. I know I am getting physically stronger, but I will be happier when I put a few more pounds on. I am eating very well though, and eating snacks in between meals.
I am still hoping that it will just be the 6 total chemo treatments for me. You may think it would be better to get 8 "just in case". The only concern there is that some of the side effects of the drugs are cumulative, and you really only want to get exposed to as much as you need. Adriamycin is one of the chemo drugs, nasty stuff, this can cause some cardiac problems if too much is received during therapy.
Come December I will bottom out on the side effects of the chemo. The hair is pretty much gone already, as are the eyelashes. The eyebrows are on the way out. I mentioned the weight, but I think I may be on the rebound already there. I have also lost sensation in the ends of my fingers (does not help with my table soccer playing!) and my toes - another side effect of adriamycin. I honestly do not care too much about any of it. It is good to be alive. Sure, I want the chemo to be done, and I am hoping it is just 25 days to go until I am finished, but if I need more I will quickly regroup. I know I am doing well at the moment, getting stronger by the day.
Paul. November 12. 2007.
A great big thank you goes out to two friends today. Bill Wheatley- Heckman and Kathy Bernetti. Bill completed the Philadelphia marathon yesterday in an impressive 3 hrs 25 minujtes. Last month Kathy Bernetti ran the Baltimore half marathon I believe. Through their incredible efforts and kindness they have raised almost $6,000 for lymphoma and leukemia research. I am humbled that they were spurred on to do this by my diagnosis this year. 
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