Fourth One Down

My fourth treatment was the usual except I had my wonderful mom with me this time. My spirits were lifted by my family. Side effects were pretty much the same; maybe a little worse nausea. Weighed in at 176 so no weight loss. My hair is still there and growing a bit. However it seems a bit patchy. I'm waiting for my kids and wife to tell me when to shave my head. It was an exciting week. My oldest graduated from college this weekend and my youngest from high school earlier in the week. Andrea has reached sainthood for being so kind to me. I am reading a book called Hope is Contagious by Ken Hutcherson. Great book. The next big day is June 23 when I have my next scan to see if chemo is working. The pictures are from graduation and a nice smallmouth bass I caught with a buddy. 

Third chemo not a charm.

The third chemo was not terrible, but made me feel real yucky (nausea, aches and just plain tired). I'm just now starting to feel normal (7 days after chemo). Today I was able to run during my lunch, stretch, and do a set of pull-ups. First bit of exercise in a week.  I weighed in at 177 at my third chemo appt. While I don't always feel like eating, I make sure to have 3-4 meals per day. I still have hair which is really crazy because I was told I would lose it after the second chemo. The things I try and do that seem to help with the side affects are: I pray, I use lotion on my skin every morning and night, I gargle with salt water multiple times per day (no commercial mouthwashes that can dry out mouth), I use baby shampoo, use a soft toothbrush, eat pretty healthy, try and exercise three days per week, take antacid, stay away from groups of people, use hand sanitizer, protect my skin from the sun and sleep when my body demands it. So far my weight has stayed up, no mouth sores, no numb hands or feet, no lung issues, no skin discoloration or dryness. I am starting to get strange ridges on my fingernails and my facial hair is growing super slow (no growth on my upper lip and chin). I don't mind that. Once again, thanks to all those prayer warriors. I am so blessed. Thanks to my wife and kids helping me out so much. Thanks to my dad for staying with me for 2 weeks, making me green health shakes, pressure washing the back patio and sprucing up my office. Thanks to my mom for taking some of my pain and listening to me. Thanks to my friends that call or text me and cheer me up. One cool thing was that my high school buddy and one of his sons visited me from Hawaii. I was able to take them fishing. Here is a picture from that fun day. By the way, I did wear a hat, sun gloves, long sleeves and a face cover while fishing.