Week 2 of radiation down - approx 3 more to go

Its hard to believe that only two weeks ago, we started down the path of treatment. The second week was by far much much better than the first week. With the start of the second week, Roger SLOWLY started to feel better. By Wednesday he was driving himself to radiation and to work. With each passing day he found that he had more focus and more energy. It is really amazing to know that he felt so poorly just a few days earlier. I've continued to watch Roger appear, disappear, and reappear. We've laughed more in the past couple days than we have in two weeks....it feels good to laugh to the point of tears.

His energy is back and his general disposition is positive as the most dreadful chemo side effects have diminished. Unfortunately, he still had a few latent chemo side effects and is starting to feel the cumulative effect of the radiation. His mouth is "peeling" and he has a sore throat (chemo effects) and the ringing in the ears, though less, is still ringing. Apparently we learned that Roger may have permanent hearing loss from the chemo...we won't know for sometime. He is starting to feel a pressure in his chest around the breast bone (radiation effects). Fortunately he is still able to eat and drink fluids by mouth but he is feeling the need to be careful about what he eats. No "sharp" or course food - no chips, no chunks of meat, etc. It may get very challenging planning and preparing food.

As mentioned, his energy level is climbing. You can see him in action cleaning in the attached photos...sadly his energy to clean seems to only appear when he is on the boat. At home, the energy seems to "vanish". Funny. (um, not) Oh well, at least he's consistent.

This week is week three - 5 days of radiation. Next week will be the same. The following week should be the final week (we think) of radiation and one more, the final, chemo treatment. ugh. We're not looking forward to it. He's not looking forward to it. For now, we'll focus on enjoying the good days and will try to eat as much "good" food as possible. One day at a time. Each day a new normal.

We met with Roger's oncologist today, Dr. Birhiray. He said Roger is doing really well. His blood work - white blood cells, platelets, red blood cells - all good for where Roger is in the process. Dr B thinks that Roger may have bottomed out and is on his way back up...just in time for another chemo treatment in a couple weeks. :-) Dr B was genuinely pleased. We were genuinely pleased. Hopefully this will mean that Roger's immune system is on the mend and not as susceptible to infection.

I have to apologize to all of you out there regularly following this blog. I have had every intention of updating daily or at least regularly and have woefully fallen behind. Life, as you can imagine, has gotten a little complicated. Actually much more complicated than I ever anticipated. Not impossible. Just very complicated. I marvel at you parents out there - especially the single parents - I don't know how you all do it. Managing the house, bills, your loved ones, work..... EVERYTHING. There just aren't enough waking hours in the day. Work got a little crazy with a last minute project with a tight deadline. I fear that I didn't do anything well but did my best.

We're a little nervous for the coming weeks of continued radiation....fearful that the swelling of the radiated esophagus may close and that he may eventually have to have a feeding tube inserted. For now though, he's OK, full of energy, chatty and chirpy and obnoxiously funny. Feel free to call Roger - he is feeling good and is open to chatting.

More in a couple days.