Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Not a good morning. A crushing headache, debilitating pain in my torso, and, in fact, agony over my entire body. What's the cause?

Well, for one thing, the Mets lost last night. Now we are in last place.

More likely, though, the reason is medical. My first chemotherapy treatment was yesterday morning. A one hour wait, another hour consulting with oncologist, nurses, and schedulers, and almost two hours for my drips. The patience of my wonderful bride is certainly being tested.

Administration of the chemo itself, called Velcade, lasts just a few minutes. For cancer patients who must spend hours under such care, this seems like a break, and it is. Along with this, though, comes a saline solution, plus Aredia, a bone-and-calcium-protecting treatment. This once-a-week drip lasts over one-and-a-half hours. Thank God for historian Joseph Ellis and his brilliant book "American Creation."

I'm gonna learn a lot more history with this disease.

I feel like my treatment went well. Nevertheless, my pain and my middle-of-the-night chills are possible side-effects. I used to feel indestructable. Not any more.

I call my wonderful sister, Katie, the pharmacist. Every cancer patient should have a sister like this.

Yes, she says, I can add some OTC Tylenol to the pile of other medications I'm consuming. After raiding the medicine cabinet, I take a one-hour nap. Some of my students will claim that Peck naps occurred in many of my classes, but this one was in my own bed, and it did the trick. Upon rising, I arrange for some exercise for my garden tractor and mow the lawn. Not bad!

My Patton-like drive to victory over myeloma (VM) continues.