Well it might have reached 70 degrees today, I'm not sure until I hear the news tonight. We have this guy on the weather that has grown his beard and is going to shave it off on the first 70 degree day. Also, if you guessed the right time, etc. you can win a John Deer garden tractor. I really hope it hit 70 today, it has been the dumbest contest I have ever seen. I hope to God I never looked as dorkie as this guy in his beard and mustache. Is however exciting that Spring is just around the corner.
I also wanted to thank all of you for the kind words on my recovery etc. As Sharon says: at least I'm not in the F$%^@#%# hospital. I've talked to several people who have been through Chemo, and it effects everyone differently. The first batch this summer was easy, now that I look back on it. I had a few bad days, but nothing like what happened two weeks ago. The thing that really pisses me off most is the fact that my taste buds are all screwed up. As many of you know I drink ice tea as apposed to any kind of soft drink. Well believe it or not, the ice tea even tastes bad. Larry I even tried to do like you do and add all kinds of sweeteners. Still nothing. hell water even tastes different. I made one of my favorite sandwiches today and ate about four bites and stopped. However I did by some Top Roman noodles today and added some beef tenderloin with it and the S&^&% is so bad anyway, it actually tasted OK. So I'm going out and try to find stuff I have never liked and see how that tastes with this taste bud situation. Hell Maura, I might even go get some yogurt again. It can't be much worse than some of the other things I've tried.
I was excited to see today that the reunion and my board meeting at the Carlsbad Inn do not interfere. Last year we had it on the 18th weekend, but thank God this year we all decided that the 25th. would work just as well. I don't normally try to miss a meeting, in 24 years I've only missed like three. I've had to do a couple on the phone, but I still have to get my two cents worth in. I know they think they can run the place with out my help, but I know they still need the guidance. Randy is good, but he only has 20 some years of experience. He is just starting to get the hang of it. And being that he is so Liberal he needs my right hand guidance.
Cate, I hope your feeling better, it's just too nice to be feeling anything but great. Love ya, kid, keep smileing.
Dad
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday 3-30-10
This month has flown by. I've been feeling pretty good this morning so I got up and got my s&^%& together and bought all the meat for the coming feasts at the Essen House. I love it when I can put deals together. I always check at Sam's to see if they have any great deals early in the morning. I should not give this information out, but earl in the morning they discount any meat that must be sold in the next two days. Now, I call that aged beef, and love to get it at a discount. Today for instance I got USDA Choice roasts for $2.38 a lb as apposed to $3.99 a lb for the same thing. We freeze it any way and when we serve it, it's all gone in about 20 minutes. We will also cook it and then serve it in pre packaged servings for beef Manhattans. They love that meat served open face with mash potatoes and gravy on two peaces of bread. Now that's comfort food all the way. Put a little dressing on the side and you got heaven on a plate. I'm drooling just thinking about it. You see the Amish can eat that all day long because they work it off before lunch and after lunch. With me, well, not so much. I work it off by not having it but once a month. I've actually lost about 16 lbs. here in the last weeks so I get to have one of those soooon.
I also picked up port tenderloin, normal price $1.99 when on sale, today I got a box for $1.63. We are going to have roast beef, port tenderloin, and ham on the carving station for Easter. We've already had a ton of reservations, so Easter should be a big day. Thanks Toby and Larry for inviting us to your house for Easter. I do like to do the carving, but it's actually nicer to be served by Toby and Larry.
My next stop was to get the corned beef. I can't get much of a discount on that, but as I have said before it is the oldest and best corned beef in the country. I love it, but I just can't have tooooo much of a good thing. It's OK to have a sandwich. but when it comes to a full meal, I need to be careful. It's all the other stuff that gets to my stomach.
It's starting to be good bike riding weather again. Be careful, you know they don't watch for us. We lost 4 riders in Carefree because a dumb ass garbage truck ran into the back of 8 while stopped at a stop sign. He was reading his log. I hope they give him plenty of time in another life to read his log in hell. That just makes me sick to think of the lives that are effected.
For all those that will be traveling for the holiday, be careful and drive safely and watch out for the bikes, they are everywhere. Love to all. Tom
I also picked up port tenderloin, normal price $1.99 when on sale, today I got a box for $1.63. We are going to have roast beef, port tenderloin, and ham on the carving station for Easter. We've already had a ton of reservations, so Easter should be a big day. Thanks Toby and Larry for inviting us to your house for Easter. I do like to do the carving, but it's actually nicer to be served by Toby and Larry.
My next stop was to get the corned beef. I can't get much of a discount on that, but as I have said before it is the oldest and best corned beef in the country. I love it, but I just can't have tooooo much of a good thing. It's OK to have a sandwich. but when it comes to a full meal, I need to be careful. It's all the other stuff that gets to my stomach.
It's starting to be good bike riding weather again. Be careful, you know they don't watch for us. We lost 4 riders in Carefree because a dumb ass garbage truck ran into the back of 8 while stopped at a stop sign. He was reading his log. I hope they give him plenty of time in another life to read his log in hell. That just makes me sick to think of the lives that are effected.
For all those that will be traveling for the holiday, be careful and drive safely and watch out for the bikes, they are everywhere. Love to all. Tom
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday 3-29-10
I've been tardy for a couple days,because I have not been feeling all that well and I always want to have something interesting to say. Well here goes: Saturday night I did get out to the Essen House to see the Auglaze Rough Riders. We had 45 of them at the restaurant. It was quit a sight to see. Even though these guys live in mid-America, they sure do love the west. Doc. Holiday was there I'm sure that was him, he coughed and spit blood just like Doc did in Tombstone. Wyatt was there in his black coat and hat. Gabby Hayes made an appearance, as a matter of fact he was the MC. He had a beautiful pair of matched 45. Now understand that Sharon had told me I was not allowed to get dressed up in all my utter finery, but I didn't listen. I put on all my old jewelry and knives and cowboy hat etc. Then I went out to Louis's and had my picture taken with one of his horses. I figure if I don't wear that stuff when I can, it will go to waste. No way we can have that happen. Besides, I had four or five of them come up to see all the different things I had on. And as all of you should know by now, IT'S ALL ABOUT ME !!
I did get up early Sunday and made it to the Palm Sunday mass. I didn't remember how they turned out all the lights at the end of mass. I had not been feeling well and must have fallen asleep, the next thing I know one of the priests came by to see if I was alright. I sit in a little chapel in the front of the church that can't be seen by anyone unless you come back into the dressing area. Once they turned out the lights, I decided to shut my eyes and that was it. I then realized I really was not feeling too well and went home and layed down for most of the rest of the day.
I did find out some great news from my brother Larry however. He and Toby went to the state finals basketball game where his long time friend Bob Seggerson, and the LCC Thunderbirds won the state basketball finals. Bob had been a close friend of Larry's since they were in grade school. He was able to have many if not all of his brothers at the game with him. He has been at LCC for many many years and I think has always been the basketball coach. He's a great guy and deserves that honor as well as his team.
Speaking of sporting events, Saturday night at the gym at the Essen House we had a tournament of Corn Hole. We raised $700.00 for the ACDC of Antwerp. There were 45 teams and they came from three different states. We built all the boxes our selves so we will be able to do this kind of thing again. We had 9 tables going all at one time. $100.00 for first place, $75,00 for second and $50.00 for third. You would have thought they were playing for a million. I'm telling you, I stood there and watched one game when every bean bag went into the hole. These guy were serious players. As the one guy said, they only miss when they want to hit someones bag away. It was very interesting and I hope to see it again.
I was able to help Sharon get the bread order today and order the Corned Beef from butcher shop. Sharon and her Brother Dick are at a viewing for their Uncle Louie who passed away last week. He had been sick for several years. He had been the President of the bank in Selina for many years. They had also been members of Shawnee Country Club. He was 86 years old.
Well that's about it for now, when I get a chance, I'll put the picture on the blog of me and the horse. More later. Tom
I did get up early Sunday and made it to the Palm Sunday mass. I didn't remember how they turned out all the lights at the end of mass. I had not been feeling well and must have fallen asleep, the next thing I know one of the priests came by to see if I was alright. I sit in a little chapel in the front of the church that can't be seen by anyone unless you come back into the dressing area. Once they turned out the lights, I decided to shut my eyes and that was it. I then realized I really was not feeling too well and went home and layed down for most of the rest of the day.
I did find out some great news from my brother Larry however. He and Toby went to the state finals basketball game where his long time friend Bob Seggerson, and the LCC Thunderbirds won the state basketball finals. Bob had been a close friend of Larry's since they were in grade school. He was able to have many if not all of his brothers at the game with him. He has been at LCC for many many years and I think has always been the basketball coach. He's a great guy and deserves that honor as well as his team.
Speaking of sporting events, Saturday night at the gym at the Essen House we had a tournament of Corn Hole. We raised $700.00 for the ACDC of Antwerp. There were 45 teams and they came from three different states. We built all the boxes our selves so we will be able to do this kind of thing again. We had 9 tables going all at one time. $100.00 for first place, $75,00 for second and $50.00 for third. You would have thought they were playing for a million. I'm telling you, I stood there and watched one game when every bean bag went into the hole. These guy were serious players. As the one guy said, they only miss when they want to hit someones bag away. It was very interesting and I hope to see it again.
I was able to help Sharon get the bread order today and order the Corned Beef from butcher shop. Sharon and her Brother Dick are at a viewing for their Uncle Louie who passed away last week. He had been sick for several years. He had been the President of the bank in Selina for many years. They had also been members of Shawnee Country Club. He was 86 years old.
Well that's about it for now, when I get a chance, I'll put the picture on the blog of me and the horse. More later. Tom
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday 3-26-10
Well it day two and I got the shot this morning that increases my white blood cells but makes you feel like you have the flue because it effects your bones as it increases your cell count. It should only last two days or so she said with a smile on her face. She said to not let up on the pain pills but to ad ivepropen(sp) because it acts also like a anti inflammatory. So I guess I will feal like 4 martini's and you know what they say about a martini: One's not enough and 3's to many. With 4 you would need two woman that would be willing to deal with a drunk.
I must admit I feel pretty well. It will all depend on how it goes tomorrow. I am excited about tomorrow though. We have large group of western gun slinggers who are coming to have big dinner at the Essen House. They will be bringing all their guns and fire arms and different clothes they wear when they perform in parades etc. They are from about 4 different stated and have been in the Rose Bowl etc. Sharon said I was not able to get into all my Indian jewelry and cow boy stuff. She said she didn't want me to show them up. The party is for them not me and my bull shit. I got to at least wear some boots, and a belt buckle and a neat cowboy hat. I will not wear my bola tie, because that does always draw attention. I'll be good, but not great. It's just what I got to do. I don't get a chance to wear that stuff that often in Antwerp. I'm still a Tombstone guy with my roots in the mid-west. OH to be back in the West.
I'm taking the Amish to the event also, they do love to watch old western movies believe it or not. They get to wear their hats and boots why not me. I'll let you know how it was tomorrow.
As to my health: BS way to high 400+, but BP 122/64 and my weight is still down 5 lbs as of today, but that is fully dressed, not nude like I do in the morning. They say I'm in good health for the health I'm in. It's a ball being this healthy. Thanks Maura for all the healthy food advise. I do drink my drink etc. Only after that do I have a PEEP. Love to all. Tom
I must admit I feel pretty well. It will all depend on how it goes tomorrow. I am excited about tomorrow though. We have large group of western gun slinggers who are coming to have big dinner at the Essen House. They will be bringing all their guns and fire arms and different clothes they wear when they perform in parades etc. They are from about 4 different stated and have been in the Rose Bowl etc. Sharon said I was not able to get into all my Indian jewelry and cow boy stuff. She said she didn't want me to show them up. The party is for them not me and my bull shit. I got to at least wear some boots, and a belt buckle and a neat cowboy hat. I will not wear my bola tie, because that does always draw attention. I'll be good, but not great. It's just what I got to do. I don't get a chance to wear that stuff that often in Antwerp. I'm still a Tombstone guy with my roots in the mid-west. OH to be back in the West.
I'm taking the Amish to the event also, they do love to watch old western movies believe it or not. They get to wear their hats and boots why not me. I'll let you know how it was tomorrow.
As to my health: BS way to high 400+, but BP 122/64 and my weight is still down 5 lbs as of today, but that is fully dressed, not nude like I do in the morning. They say I'm in good health for the health I'm in. It's a ball being this healthy. Thanks Maura for all the healthy food advise. I do drink my drink etc. Only after that do I have a PEEP. Love to all. Tom
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday 3-25-10
The first thing this morning I took my blood sugar, 299 so I had to take 10 units of insulin before I did anything else. Second thing I did was to take the thing that makes my BS goes wild, Dexamethasone two tabs. I then went down and had some breakfast that will also make my BS elevate. Now off to the Infusion center for my appointment with the Port Room to have my port re-stuck. Then in to see Sue the Nurse Practiconer for Dr. Adami. She was great and answered all my questions as to what medicines did what to me and what the side effects of all of them where. I also told her about Protocel and she said it ok to use after the Chemo but not during. She also said that it would not kill the Sarcome's because it is not an antirobic cell.
Next I went into the Chemo area and had a few more poisons put in my bod. First: Gemzar 1625 mg. That's the stuff I just had that gave me all the problems with my stomach. Next was Angemet, 200mg that's for anti-nausea medication, then Benadeye 25 mg, and Zantac 50mg. to help prevent reaction to the Taxotere that I received next. Now I'm home and get to apply the three gels that I have so the Radiation Recall doesn't start all over again.
That's my day so far, I've had a ham and roast beef sandwich and after this I'm going to lay down for a nap. Let's just hope that nothing reacts with anything. More Later
Next I went into the Chemo area and had a few more poisons put in my bod. First: Gemzar 1625 mg. That's the stuff I just had that gave me all the problems with my stomach. Next was Angemet, 200mg that's for anti-nausea medication, then Benadeye 25 mg, and Zantac 50mg. to help prevent reaction to the Taxotere that I received next. Now I'm home and get to apply the three gels that I have so the Radiation Recall doesn't start all over again.
That's my day so far, I've had a ham and roast beef sandwich and after this I'm going to lay down for a nap. Let's just hope that nothing reacts with anything. More Later
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wed. 3-24-10
OK so I'm somewhat nervous about tomorrow and I'm still up. I just received a thing for Larry that I sent around to most of you on my blog. It said that if I read it that I would get a miracle tomorrow. I need one believe me. As I said on my FB, I get two different medicines for chemo and three topical gels to put on my arm so the Radiation recall doesn't bother me. I also have to take two more pills tonight that jack my blood sugar all to hell. then two more when I get up tomorrow and then the same the next day. I will also have to get a shot to make sure the white blood cells are high enough to have chemo.
I did have a pretty good day today. I was able to get out until about noon and then I actually won a bunch of money playing poker. It's fun money, but I love to win because I know that I'm able to concentrate. After tomorrow I will give it up until the Chemo brain thing turns off. The one good thing about having the chemo this week is that I will not have anything the week of Easter and we will be able to go to Larry's for Easter. Toby always has such a spread for us. It's like eating in a fine restaurant, it's even a little fancier than the Essen House.
Well it's now 11pm and I need to get my beauty sleep so the nurses will swoon. You got to keep them interested you know. I have a good time with them and they love it when I bring treats. For some reason my presence is just not enough. Sharon is not feeling well so I need to go make sure she has taken something before she goes to sleep.
Until tomorrow. Tom
I did have a pretty good day today. I was able to get out until about noon and then I actually won a bunch of money playing poker. It's fun money, but I love to win because I know that I'm able to concentrate. After tomorrow I will give it up until the Chemo brain thing turns off. The one good thing about having the chemo this week is that I will not have anything the week of Easter and we will be able to go to Larry's for Easter. Toby always has such a spread for us. It's like eating in a fine restaurant, it's even a little fancier than the Essen House.
Well it's now 11pm and I need to get my beauty sleep so the nurses will swoon. You got to keep them interested you know. I have a good time with them and they love it when I bring treats. For some reason my presence is just not enough. Sharon is not feeling well so I need to go make sure she has taken something before she goes to sleep.
Until tomorrow. Tom
Wed. 3-24-10
You know it always seems to happen this way. The day before I have to start Chemo again, I start to feel OK. I got up today and it looked so good out I just left it out. I went to the bagel shop and got a bagel and then I went to the drug store and got some drugs and then I went to the grocery story and went way over board. I tried to eat something before I went, but I have been very hungry lately, but didn't feel like eating. Well not so much today. First off I got a pound of the Greek olive creme cheese spread. That so good on so many things. Your fingers, on a bagel, rye bread, off a spoon, wrapped in ham, roast beef. I'm sure I'll think of something to do with it.
All the lunch meat was on sale, so I got the most expensive roast beef $8.99 a lb and this great imported ham, 7.99 a lb. I even got the tuna salad that is 6.99 a lb. They were all discounted, so I bought them with the money I saved. Then you get the Kroger discount at the gas pump. My God I just could not go wrong today. They even had bacon on sale, the good stuff at $6.99. Since I lost about 8 lbs this week, I thought I better have plenty to keep me going. I also found garlic tabs on sale and stocked up on them. OK so I also found some Easter candy for .99 and bought just one egg carton of marshmallow eggs.
I have to start on the medicine today that will help me through the next chemo round. This is the tough one. I get two different kinds and that is the one that kicked off the arm problem the first time around. I didn't have a problem this time with the arm, but the stomach problem is something I don't hope to have again. This was the first time for that. If it ain't one thing it's another. If I didn't have anything to complain about, this blog. would not be at all interesting. In thinking about it, I think I would rather not do this blog. than to have all this $#@$#@ in my life. But since I can't do anything about it, thanks for listing to my ^%&^%$.
More tomorrow after the chemo. Tom
All the lunch meat was on sale, so I got the most expensive roast beef $8.99 a lb and this great imported ham, 7.99 a lb. I even got the tuna salad that is 6.99 a lb. They were all discounted, so I bought them with the money I saved. Then you get the Kroger discount at the gas pump. My God I just could not go wrong today. They even had bacon on sale, the good stuff at $6.99. Since I lost about 8 lbs this week, I thought I better have plenty to keep me going. I also found garlic tabs on sale and stocked up on them. OK so I also found some Easter candy for .99 and bought just one egg carton of marshmallow eggs.
I have to start on the medicine today that will help me through the next chemo round. This is the tough one. I get two different kinds and that is the one that kicked off the arm problem the first time around. I didn't have a problem this time with the arm, but the stomach problem is something I don't hope to have again. This was the first time for that. If it ain't one thing it's another. If I didn't have anything to complain about, this blog. would not be at all interesting. In thinking about it, I think I would rather not do this blog. than to have all this $#@$#@ in my life. But since I can't do anything about it, thanks for listing to my ^%&^%$.
More tomorrow after the chemo. Tom
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday 3-22-10
The last two days have not been fun. From the head to bed is all I have been doing. The third and fourth days after Chemo are not fun. The last two times it was the inflammation of my arm, this time it was all in my atomic etc. I've literally been in bed or on the john for two days. I am feeling a bit better tonight, that's why I decided to bring you up to date.
I'm really not sure if it was the Chemo or the fact that Obama got his way. I sure as hell hope the people show the Dems the door in 2011. I know that both sides do their thing, when it comes to getting things passed, but this was as low as I've ever seen. I'll admit I was upset with George at the end of his term, but this guy has to be stopped before the country is bankrupt.
I have had some luck keeping my blood sugar under control during this time. Maybe by the time this round is over, I'll see how to control it better. If it ain't one thing it's another.
I want to thank Larry, Dave, and Moe for being here this weekend. I know we didn't get to do a lot, but it's always nice to have family around. It's fun to bring up the past and laugh about old times. Congratulations to Bob Seggerson and the LCC basketball team. I want to see you guys in the State finals this year. As you may have noticed Xavier is doing well again this year, so I'v go LCC, Xavier, and Ohio State to bring something home.
It looks like Sharon is wanting to get on the computer, so I will sign off for now. More tomorrow when I feel better. Tom
I'm really not sure if it was the Chemo or the fact that Obama got his way. I sure as hell hope the people show the Dems the door in 2011. I know that both sides do their thing, when it comes to getting things passed, but this was as low as I've ever seen. I'll admit I was upset with George at the end of his term, but this guy has to be stopped before the country is bankrupt.
I have had some luck keeping my blood sugar under control during this time. Maybe by the time this round is over, I'll see how to control it better. If it ain't one thing it's another.
I want to thank Larry, Dave, and Moe for being here this weekend. I know we didn't get to do a lot, but it's always nice to have family around. It's fun to bring up the past and laugh about old times. Congratulations to Bob Seggerson and the LCC basketball team. I want to see you guys in the State finals this year. As you may have noticed Xavier is doing well again this year, so I'v go LCC, Xavier, and Ohio State to bring something home.
It looks like Sharon is wanting to get on the computer, so I will sign off for now. More tomorrow when I feel better. Tom
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Saturday 3-20-10
What a beautiful day, I got up at 9am to find my brothers and sister up and have a cup of coffee and talking around the kitchen table. Just like old times. We then decided to go see Sharon at the Essen House and a bite to eat. One of the nurses that helped me so much with the infusion had been in and Sharon took them on a tour of the Manor House also. They said they loved both places and would be back for sure.
I'm taking the medicine that knocks my blood sugar all to hell, but I've been able to control it much better since I know it is going to happen. It was actually 105 this morning, but then I have to take the pill that kicks it back up into the 300. My weight varies quite a bit during this time because I retain water and had to stop the diaera so I've not gone for four days. I've tried to stay off the pain medication, but had to take a couple right before church tonight because I could feel so bad $#%% coming on.
David and I are both in the kitchen, so it should be interesting as to what happens for dinner. I have a corned beef cooking, and he has decided to do a stir fry. I guess that should work. Only time will tell. I'm feeling a bit drugged up right now, but I'll be fine.
I just was in touch with two old friends today on FB. Linda Datson, who I've known since I was 7 and Tom Lynch who I've known since high school. It's great to touch base with all my old friends. When it all said and done. that is what you have left that means the most. Old friends and great memories. Live is short, enjoy it while you are here. Oh yes, Barb, I'll try to see you tomorrow at Sue's viewing about 3pm.
More tomorrow Tom
I'm taking the medicine that knocks my blood sugar all to hell, but I've been able to control it much better since I know it is going to happen. It was actually 105 this morning, but then I have to take the pill that kicks it back up into the 300. My weight varies quite a bit during this time because I retain water and had to stop the diaera so I've not gone for four days. I've tried to stay off the pain medication, but had to take a couple right before church tonight because I could feel so bad $#%% coming on.
David and I are both in the kitchen, so it should be interesting as to what happens for dinner. I have a corned beef cooking, and he has decided to do a stir fry. I guess that should work. Only time will tell. I'm feeling a bit drugged up right now, but I'll be fine.
I just was in touch with two old friends today on FB. Linda Datson, who I've known since I was 7 and Tom Lynch who I've known since high school. It's great to touch base with all my old friends. When it all said and done. that is what you have left that means the most. Old friends and great memories. Live is short, enjoy it while you are here. Oh yes, Barb, I'll try to see you tomorrow at Sue's viewing about 3pm.
More tomorrow Tom
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday 3-19-10
This was the first day in a long time that I did not have to get up to do a damn thing. It felt so good I sleep until 8:30 am. I was actually able to get my entire body wet. Not port to worry about getting damp or wet. I actually stayed in their for like 15 minutes until it started to turn cold.
So then I came down and read my e-mail and had a bunch of mail to return and letters to write to one of my lovely tenants that was not paying the rest of her rent. She actually used 14,000 gallons of water in a month. Of course I got the bill because she had not yet turned the water over into her name. I would not either if I used that much water. David said it is almost impossible to use that much water in one month.
I then had to write a letter to Medco Health and let them know how screwed up their insurance coverage on pills is. They were informing me that I could now get the generic form of flomax from them. I then recounted the experience I had in the hospital with the wonderful generic Flomax. I said before they burn the notice they should get one of their people who use Flomax in the office to read the letter and then see if he wanted to use the generic. I'm sure it will get no further than the round file.
After all the writing, I actually felt good enough to go over to the gym for the first time since taken the antibiotic. I used my bikey thing for 30 minutes and got another exercise for trying to make my left arm got straight. I'm having difficulty at the elbow because they took something out that used to let it straighten out completely. I hang a 10 lbs. weight on a rope and let it hang from my fist. You can sure feel what is left of the muscles etc. pulling against the weight. She said she didn't think it would ever be perfect, but try this until you can't stand it any more.
I have a conference call coming in a 6pm today. Since I can't be at the meeting in Carlsbad they have a device where I can see them and they can see me. I'm going to get in my bathing suite and pretend I have just come in from the beach. Randy said said it was 78 out there today, I put my thermometer in the sun and it actually got up to 76 hear in the sun. It really is a very nice day.
For my classmates that read this, I heard from Tom Lynch today and he is recovering from some surgery himself. I had asked if he would be at the showing for Gary's wife Sue, but he said he would not be able to travel. I'm going to try to make it Sunday sometime. My sister Moe is Peggy Brinsfield, Ron's ex-wife and a friend of Sue's. I'm sure she will have all the details. Moe is coming her for the weekend, so we will probably just go back to Lima together. She lives in Columbus, so she will go through Lima to get home. If anyone is going to be their at a certain time, let me know. I'd enjoy seeing you.
Well that's it for now. The family is going to the Essen House for our Saturday morning Buffet, come join us if you can. I'm usually good for a nice discount. Hell I've even bought before. I think I remember doing that.
Love to all, Tom
So then I came down and read my e-mail and had a bunch of mail to return and letters to write to one of my lovely tenants that was not paying the rest of her rent. She actually used 14,000 gallons of water in a month. Of course I got the bill because she had not yet turned the water over into her name. I would not either if I used that much water. David said it is almost impossible to use that much water in one month.
I then had to write a letter to Medco Health and let them know how screwed up their insurance coverage on pills is. They were informing me that I could now get the generic form of flomax from them. I then recounted the experience I had in the hospital with the wonderful generic Flomax. I said before they burn the notice they should get one of their people who use Flomax in the office to read the letter and then see if he wanted to use the generic. I'm sure it will get no further than the round file.
After all the writing, I actually felt good enough to go over to the gym for the first time since taken the antibiotic. I used my bikey thing for 30 minutes and got another exercise for trying to make my left arm got straight. I'm having difficulty at the elbow because they took something out that used to let it straighten out completely. I hang a 10 lbs. weight on a rope and let it hang from my fist. You can sure feel what is left of the muscles etc. pulling against the weight. She said she didn't think it would ever be perfect, but try this until you can't stand it any more.
I have a conference call coming in a 6pm today. Since I can't be at the meeting in Carlsbad they have a device where I can see them and they can see me. I'm going to get in my bathing suite and pretend I have just come in from the beach. Randy said said it was 78 out there today, I put my thermometer in the sun and it actually got up to 76 hear in the sun. It really is a very nice day.
For my classmates that read this, I heard from Tom Lynch today and he is recovering from some surgery himself. I had asked if he would be at the showing for Gary's wife Sue, but he said he would not be able to travel. I'm going to try to make it Sunday sometime. My sister Moe is Peggy Brinsfield, Ron's ex-wife and a friend of Sue's. I'm sure she will have all the details. Moe is coming her for the weekend, so we will probably just go back to Lima together. She lives in Columbus, so she will go through Lima to get home. If anyone is going to be their at a certain time, let me know. I'd enjoy seeing you.
Well that's it for now. The family is going to the Essen House for our Saturday morning Buffet, come join us if you can. I'm usually good for a nice discount. Hell I've even bought before. I think I remember doing that.
Love to all, Tom
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday 3-18-10
It's the first day of chemo and I have just finished taking all the (*&(&(&()*&. I need to fight the effects of chemo and the Radiation recall. I've got some great pain stuff. I also have vicaden to take if the good stuff starts to wear off. I can only take the Oxycontin(sp) every 6 hours but if I start to shake or chill, I'm to supplement with vicaden(sp) I could go and get the exact spelling of the drugs but at this point F+++ it.
They have kicked in and your damn lucky I can still type.
I did take more donuts into the chemo nurses, so they were extra special today and prescribed the good stuff. I never knew there was something stronger than vicaden. Boy was I wrong. This ^$^^$^. puts you in a whole new world. She told me that is where I'm going to want to be when the radiation recall and the shakes and chills kick in. They want we in front of all that this time. She says she knows people who have decided to take their chances with the cancer rather than to face this reaction any more. Guess what KIDS. That ain't happening here. I still got a whole lot of ^%$^$ I need to do. I'm taking 6 people to Cabo in late October, and hope to sail the Sea of CorteZ in early October. I've also go my 50th class reunion in Lima and then the one at Marmion too. Then theirs Sharon and my 50 wedding anniversary. To say nothing of Cate's wedding and first Child and of course Thomas's wedding and child. Hell I've got as much as 10 years I got to get through. Caila, Avery, Ryley, Sammy. I'm going for all their weddings and first kids. THIS ^$^$^ BETTER WORK REAL WELL.
LOVE TOM
They have kicked in and your damn lucky I can still type.
I did take more donuts into the chemo nurses, so they were extra special today and prescribed the good stuff. I never knew there was something stronger than vicaden. Boy was I wrong. This ^$^^$^. puts you in a whole new world. She told me that is where I'm going to want to be when the radiation recall and the shakes and chills kick in. They want we in front of all that this time. She says she knows people who have decided to take their chances with the cancer rather than to face this reaction any more. Guess what KIDS. That ain't happening here. I still got a whole lot of ^%$^$ I need to do. I'm taking 6 people to Cabo in late October, and hope to sail the Sea of CorteZ in early October. I've also go my 50th class reunion in Lima and then the one at Marmion too. Then theirs Sharon and my 50 wedding anniversary. To say nothing of Cate's wedding and first Child and of course Thomas's wedding and child. Hell I've got as much as 10 years I got to get through. Caila, Avery, Ryley, Sammy. I'm going for all their weddings and first kids. THIS ^$^$^ BETTER WORK REAL WELL.
LOVE TOM
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wed. 3-17-10
I wait all year for this opportunity. Actually since I don't drink any more, it's more about the corned beef and cabbage than the BLACK BUSH, and the green beer. I just got back from the Essen House where the special of the day was C.B. and cabbage and potato's. Get this, the residents loved it, because they have had it before, and know that I buy the best corned beef in America, and the people in the kitchen know how to cook it. Now their neighbors, who have never tried it, didn't order a single special. We had a party of 30 Paulding county representatives in the back room and not one person would try it. Believe me, it's been an up hill battle to win these people over. I found Anna, our Amish restaurant manager hiding in the center room eating an entire plate of it. She said: this is so good. I asked her if she ever had it before. Never before coming here she said. I tried my best one day to get her boy friend Earl and her brother Amis just to try a bite out of a sandwich I made for them. Neither one would even take a bit.
I went to the Dermatologist today to find that all my rashes etc. were just fine. He even said: I wish all my patents were this easy to solve. He even said my legs looked great. I kissed him and took the bill to the front desk, just as he had asked me to do. After his visit I took the donuts that I purchased, sealed, I might add, to the nurse's at the hospital. They were very glad to see me and hear that I would not have to be coming back. Hay Brian, remember that pretty girl that I said I met that was studying to be a ER nurse, well she was there today and wanted to make sure I said hello to my single son. She is hot, got any thing you can fake today???????
I start my chemo tomorrow. I feel much better today but not all the symptoms are completely gone. I still have to be careful when I feel the urge. And to Maura, I don't feel the urge to dress up like a Pom Pon girl and danc around the gym. I must be getting older. You'll have to ask Maura if you want that story. TA TA for now!!!! Tom
I went to the Dermatologist today to find that all my rashes etc. were just fine. He even said: I wish all my patents were this easy to solve. He even said my legs looked great. I kissed him and took the bill to the front desk, just as he had asked me to do. After his visit I took the donuts that I purchased, sealed, I might add, to the nurse's at the hospital. They were very glad to see me and hear that I would not have to be coming back. Hay Brian, remember that pretty girl that I said I met that was studying to be a ER nurse, well she was there today and wanted to make sure I said hello to my single son. She is hot, got any thing you can fake today???????
I start my chemo tomorrow. I feel much better today but not all the symptoms are completely gone. I still have to be careful when I feel the urge. And to Maura, I don't feel the urge to dress up like a Pom Pon girl and danc around the gym. I must be getting older. You'll have to ask Maura if you want that story. TA TA for now!!!! Tom
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tuesday 3-16-10
I'll keep it short and sweet. I was sick as a dog yesterday. There was nothing funny about it, so I didn't enter it in the blog. Besides, I never left the bed and the couch. I'm not sure if it was food poison, flue, or a reaction to the antibiotic. I was able to get out of bed today to go to two different doctors.
It's 11am and Sharon and I are in Dr Adami, office. I quickly get my blood work done, and then sit until 12:30 in order to see Dr. Adami. I do like the man, but I hate to wait. Since I believe I have the flue, we decided to wait until at least Thursday to have more chemo. Dr. Rushing has ordered smaller quantities of the two different medicines. Since they both believe that I had radiation re-call and not an infection, they want to get started right away.
After Adami's office I went directly to the emergency room of the hospital so I could see the Infectious decease doctor, Dr. Hemachandra. She is a very nice lady, but here medical background is a little less than stellar. She went to school in Granada. You know, the place we had to invade to save our students. She had to go through residency and internship somewhere, but I'm not sure where. Now are you ready for this explanation as to why I got the treatment I received. As she said from the beginning, an infection like she thought I had, can kill you if untreated. ( Now Mr. Obama, here is why Tort Reform is so important) She realized with the second trip to the hospital that I just wasn't as sick as someone with an infection. She was reluctant to take me off the medicine because she could get taken to court if for some reason I did have an infection. She said when she heard Dr. Rushing's explanation she knew then she had made a mistake. However, she didn't stop giving me the infusion until she could see me. Thank God I got sick, or I would have had two more infusions of that )&)()_&)*(.
All together (They practice medicine and if you let them, they will practice on you!!!!!!!)
She is a very nice person and she did apologize to me. She said that if it did come back with a high fever, to call her.
Now, can you believe how much money was spent on a mis-diagnosis. 30 days at over $1,000.00 just for the medicine. Then there is the emergency room that I had to go to each day. Two stays in the hospital for a total of 9 days. It had to cost close to $80,000.00 for a mistake in a diagnosis. I hope they don't tell my insurance company. They canceled my homeowners after two natural disasters flooded my basement. Both time the power went out that caused the problem. Once we were gone for two weeks and some water got in the basement when the sumpump was off. The second time we had an ice storm and we were out of our house for a week just before Christmas, and the pipes burst. How in the hell do you prevent that kind of loss???
Well one good thing, I have Insurance and Medicare. Please Mr. Obama don't reduce Medicare buy 600 billion.
More tomorrow, Tom
It's 11am and Sharon and I are in Dr Adami, office. I quickly get my blood work done, and then sit until 12:30 in order to see Dr. Adami. I do like the man, but I hate to wait. Since I believe I have the flue, we decided to wait until at least Thursday to have more chemo. Dr. Rushing has ordered smaller quantities of the two different medicines. Since they both believe that I had radiation re-call and not an infection, they want to get started right away.
After Adami's office I went directly to the emergency room of the hospital so I could see the Infectious decease doctor, Dr. Hemachandra. She is a very nice lady, but here medical background is a little less than stellar. She went to school in Granada. You know, the place we had to invade to save our students. She had to go through residency and internship somewhere, but I'm not sure where. Now are you ready for this explanation as to why I got the treatment I received. As she said from the beginning, an infection like she thought I had, can kill you if untreated. ( Now Mr. Obama, here is why Tort Reform is so important) She realized with the second trip to the hospital that I just wasn't as sick as someone with an infection. She was reluctant to take me off the medicine because she could get taken to court if for some reason I did have an infection. She said when she heard Dr. Rushing's explanation she knew then she had made a mistake. However, she didn't stop giving me the infusion until she could see me. Thank God I got sick, or I would have had two more infusions of that )&)()_&)*(.
All together (They practice medicine and if you let them, they will practice on you!!!!!!!)
She is a very nice person and she did apologize to me. She said that if it did come back with a high fever, to call her.
Now, can you believe how much money was spent on a mis-diagnosis. 30 days at over $1,000.00 just for the medicine. Then there is the emergency room that I had to go to each day. Two stays in the hospital for a total of 9 days. It had to cost close to $80,000.00 for a mistake in a diagnosis. I hope they don't tell my insurance company. They canceled my homeowners after two natural disasters flooded my basement. Both time the power went out that caused the problem. Once we were gone for two weeks and some water got in the basement when the sumpump was off. The second time we had an ice storm and we were out of our house for a week just before Christmas, and the pipes burst. How in the hell do you prevent that kind of loss???
Well one good thing, I have Insurance and Medicare. Please Mr. Obama don't reduce Medicare buy 600 billion.
More tomorrow, Tom
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday 3-14-10
I don't know about anyone else, but it was hard getting up this morning. It feels like I'm an hour behind the world. The young priest at mass said that the older priests always let the younger priest have the first mass after the time change. It was funny to see the oldest priest we have come in about a half an hour after mass started. He did make it in time to help with communion, but usually he is there much earlier. He was also in civilian clothes and only through a white garment over him rather than his normal priest clothes with a collar.
I did feel somewhat better today knowing that I just have two more infusions and I will be finished, I hope. I must now find the radiation doctor so he can confirm that the left arm is what it should be and not infected with cellulitis. I then must have him contact the infectious decease doctor so she hears it from him. I then must see her Monday at 11am so she can notify the hospital that I don't have to come their each day. I wonder how much this is going to cost my insurance and Medi-Care. Thank God for the insurance.
I need to make a public apology to my daughter Maura, I'm sorry I tried to tell you how to practice your religion. I was out of line. You are correct, you may do that however you choose. I love you and I'm sorry.
The Pud and Nan clan 5 are going to get together next weekend. Sorry Margo that you will not be here. We know that it will be nicer in Florida, but we will miss your direction at our gathering. We look forward to seeing you when you return to Cincinnati.
I have an appointment with Adami on Tuesday and I should know something then as to what will happen next. For all I know I might be starting Chemo on Tuesday or it may be Wed. I'll keep you informed.
Thanks again for all the prayers and well wishes. Until tomorrow. Tom
I did feel somewhat better today knowing that I just have two more infusions and I will be finished, I hope. I must now find the radiation doctor so he can confirm that the left arm is what it should be and not infected with cellulitis. I then must have him contact the infectious decease doctor so she hears it from him. I then must see her Monday at 11am so she can notify the hospital that I don't have to come their each day. I wonder how much this is going to cost my insurance and Medi-Care. Thank God for the insurance.
I need to make a public apology to my daughter Maura, I'm sorry I tried to tell you how to practice your religion. I was out of line. You are correct, you may do that however you choose. I love you and I'm sorry.
The Pud and Nan clan 5 are going to get together next weekend. Sorry Margo that you will not be here. We know that it will be nicer in Florida, but we will miss your direction at our gathering. We look forward to seeing you when you return to Cincinnati.
I have an appointment with Adami on Tuesday and I should know something then as to what will happen next. For all I know I might be starting Chemo on Tuesday or it may be Wed. I'll keep you informed.
Thanks again for all the prayers and well wishes. Until tomorrow. Tom
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Sat 3-13-10
We show up an hour early for my appointment and get all the prelim. stuff done fast. So at 11am we think we are going to be out by at least 1pm. At 12:30 I asked the guy sitting across from us since we arrived, what or who he was waiting on. He said his friend went in at 9am with Dr. Rushing. So now we know when I will be next. About 12:45 they call my name and we go in to see Dr. Rushing. The thing we love about him is that he sits and talks to you like no other doctor we have ever met. He must schedule his appointments 2 hours apart.
When he comes in he says: Hello Survivor, how are you feeling today. So Sharon and I figure he has looked at the CT Scan and all is well. He then sits and talks to us and asks all the questions that were marked on a questioner that he has you fill out before he see you. After spending about 45 minutes on all that information he tells me to hop up on the examination table for a look see. He then goes over your entire body pressing down to see if there is any spot on y our body that might hurt. When that was finished, he talked to us a bit more and then said he had to go look at the CT Scan. Sharon and I at the same time: You haven't looked at the CT Scan results yet? No he said, if you reveal the results of the Scan first, then the rest of the appointment is about the CT Scan results. If I examine you first and get all the information that I need from you, then the appointment has been successful for me. Once I read the Scan results and then we can talk about what we are going to do next.
He then leaves and said I'll be back in about 20 minutes. When he returns he says that he now has to go down stairs because he couldn't read the report because it had to be read on a MAC. I know Maura, you think MAC is the best. Apparently Dr. Rushing doesn't see it that way!!
As Sharon and I sat there we didn't say much, but we were both thinking the same thing. Why is this taking so long. About 45 minutes later he come back into the room with the film. He just very matter of factly handed us the film and say: It all looks good!!! there are still only 5 spots and they are still the same size. Sharon and I just looked at each other and both could hardly hold back the tears.
He also then explained that the infection they thought I had was not an infection at all. Remember what I say about doctors: They practice medicine and if you let them they will practice on you. What it was is a Radiation recall. What actually happens is, the are of my incision reacts as though I just had radiation. It swells up and has to be treated both topically and with steroids. Since they know it will happen, they can control the symptoms, but they can't stop it from happening.
I will now need to get three to four more bouts of chemo before they do the surgery. They want to try and kill any small sarcoma's that don't now show up on a Scan.
Just so you guy's know. I just talked to Larry, who is just back form the Wine country of California. As he hung up Bev called and we just talked for 20 minutes.
I was at the Essen House this morning after the infusion to see how Sharon had decorated the back room for a wedding shower. One of the servers said: Sharon if I ever decide to get married, I'm going to hire you to decorate and do the wedding. She has a great way to make a Barn Like atmosphere look like someones dining room. She used purple and silver that matches the color of the backdrops we use to cut off the different rooms.
I saw Louis Lengacher at the Essen House also and he came over to congratulate me on the good CT Scan. It whispered in my ear: Isn't it amazing what prayer will do. I know his entire church prays for me. As a matter of fact he sent out a voice mail yesterday to all his people to pray for me and another Amish fella who also has cancer. Maura also felt that she helped by telling me to tell my body not to feed the sarcoma's. I know that the Lord works in mysterious ways. Just like Maura telling me to tell my body not to feed the sarcoma's. Maybe that's the instrument he used to have his miracle happen. Who's to know!! All I know is I was ready to hear that I only had a small time left. I very happy to hear from Dr. Rushing that we are just going to do some chemo and they take the sarcoma's out. As thought he never had any doubt.
He then told us a story of a real miracle as he says. He was helping a cancer patient that needed a special medicine that was only available in certain trials. He searched the internet and everyplace else to see if a trial was possible for this man with this medicine. After several days he had just about given up when he got a call from the company that owned the drug to see if he would be willing to do a trial on their new drug. As he said: That's how miracles are performed. That man would not have lived without that trial.
That's all for now folks. Thanks for all your prayers and
When he comes in he says: Hello Survivor, how are you feeling today. So Sharon and I figure he has looked at the CT Scan and all is well. He then sits and talks to us and asks all the questions that were marked on a questioner that he has you fill out before he see you. After spending about 45 minutes on all that information he tells me to hop up on the examination table for a look see. He then goes over your entire body pressing down to see if there is any spot on y our body that might hurt. When that was finished, he talked to us a bit more and then said he had to go look at the CT Scan. Sharon and I at the same time: You haven't looked at the CT Scan results yet? No he said, if you reveal the results of the Scan first, then the rest of the appointment is about the CT Scan results. If I examine you first and get all the information that I need from you, then the appointment has been successful for me. Once I read the Scan results and then we can talk about what we are going to do next.
He then leaves and said I'll be back in about 20 minutes. When he returns he says that he now has to go down stairs because he couldn't read the report because it had to be read on a MAC. I know Maura, you think MAC is the best. Apparently Dr. Rushing doesn't see it that way!!
As Sharon and I sat there we didn't say much, but we were both thinking the same thing. Why is this taking so long. About 45 minutes later he come back into the room with the film. He just very matter of factly handed us the film and say: It all looks good!!! there are still only 5 spots and they are still the same size. Sharon and I just looked at each other and both could hardly hold back the tears.
He also then explained that the infection they thought I had was not an infection at all. Remember what I say about doctors: They practice medicine and if you let them they will practice on you. What it was is a Radiation recall. What actually happens is, the are of my incision reacts as though I just had radiation. It swells up and has to be treated both topically and with steroids. Since they know it will happen, they can control the symptoms, but they can't stop it from happening.
I will now need to get three to four more bouts of chemo before they do the surgery. They want to try and kill any small sarcoma's that don't now show up on a Scan.
Just so you guy's know. I just talked to Larry, who is just back form the Wine country of California. As he hung up Bev called and we just talked for 20 minutes.
I was at the Essen House this morning after the infusion to see how Sharon had decorated the back room for a wedding shower. One of the servers said: Sharon if I ever decide to get married, I'm going to hire you to decorate and do the wedding. She has a great way to make a Barn Like atmosphere look like someones dining room. She used purple and silver that matches the color of the backdrops we use to cut off the different rooms.
I saw Louis Lengacher at the Essen House also and he came over to congratulate me on the good CT Scan. It whispered in my ear: Isn't it amazing what prayer will do. I know his entire church prays for me. As a matter of fact he sent out a voice mail yesterday to all his people to pray for me and another Amish fella who also has cancer. Maura also felt that she helped by telling me to tell my body not to feed the sarcoma's. I know that the Lord works in mysterious ways. Just like Maura telling me to tell my body not to feed the sarcoma's. Maybe that's the instrument he used to have his miracle happen. Who's to know!! All I know is I was ready to hear that I only had a small time left. I very happy to hear from Dr. Rushing that we are just going to do some chemo and they take the sarcoma's out. As thought he never had any doubt.
He then told us a story of a real miracle as he says. He was helping a cancer patient that needed a special medicine that was only available in certain trials. He searched the internet and everyplace else to see if a trial was possible for this man with this medicine. After several days he had just about given up when he got a call from the company that owned the drug to see if he would be willing to do a trial on their new drug. As he said: That's how miracles are performed. That man would not have lived without that trial.
That's all for now folks. Thanks for all your prayers and
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thursday 3-11-10
You know your looking good when someone you hired as the first nurse at the Manor House doesn't recognize you. Now I've got to say that she retired last year and has not seen me with no hair. But she stared at me three times and didn't recognize me. She finally came over, after Sharon ask her if she had seen me. She said: How are you feeling? Well, I said, I thought I was feeling OK, but I must look like (&^*((*&.
I did get to go over to the Essen House today. I took Laura, a nurse friend of our over to see if there might be a place for her at Dallas-Lamb. She has been a Pharmacy Representative for 25 years, but her company was sold and she is without work. She is a registered nurse with a bachelors degree, so she is thinking about going back into nursing. It's very difficult to go from making $100 ++ to looking for work as a nurse. She could bring a lot to the table, but she wants more money than we can offer I'm sure.
Well it's all about tomorrow now. I'm going to get my infusion at 7:30 and then head for Indy. I'm pretty much ready to hear what up. At this point, I don't have any choice. The hardest part is not knowing and worrying about something you can't do anything about. At this point I'm ready for what ever.
I'll fill you all in tomorrow. Until then, PRAY!!!!!!!! Tom
I did get to go over to the Essen House today. I took Laura, a nurse friend of our over to see if there might be a place for her at Dallas-Lamb. She has been a Pharmacy Representative for 25 years, but her company was sold and she is without work. She is a registered nurse with a bachelors degree, so she is thinking about going back into nursing. It's very difficult to go from making $100 ++ to looking for work as a nurse. She could bring a lot to the table, but she wants more money than we can offer I'm sure.
Well it's all about tomorrow now. I'm going to get my infusion at 7:30 and then head for Indy. I'm pretty much ready to hear what up. At this point, I don't have any choice. The hardest part is not knowing and worrying about something you can't do anything about. At this point I'm ready for what ever.
I'll fill you all in tomorrow. Until then, PRAY!!!!!!!! Tom
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wed. 3-10-10
This morning Sharon said: You didn't sleep very well last night. Yea, I said, I was really worried and couldn't get everything off my mind. She said: I would think that Thursday night would be the night that you couldn't get much sleep worrying about what the doctor was going to tell you. I said that is probably going to be a tough night too, but last night was the last time I could pray for a miracle. Dr. Rushing had explained to me about the odds with a Sarcoma when I first met him and he explained about what it was and what it wasn't. He said if everything went as well as possible, I had an 85% chance of living 12 years. He said that some people are actually OK even after that time. What I was not hearing at the time was that it didn't sound good for a cure. He explained that he knew what he could do and how far he could go, but what he didn't know was what God wanted to do. He said he was the only one that could cure it no matter what. That's why I was praying every night since. That's why I have been so appreciative of all the prayers that people have been saying for me. It's now in God's hands. Actually it has been in his hands from the beginning.
This morning really did go well. I arrived about a half and hour early for the CT Scan because I usually get my infusion at 9am I left the house at 8:30 and got there at about 8:45. I had called the hospital and told them I had some what of a conflict and could they book me at about 10:30 after my CT Scan. They said it would not be a problem, just come over when I was finished. To my surprise they called me in about 9am and I was finished about 9:20. So I went directly over to the hospital to find that they had already ordered the medicine and they took me in right now. I was complete with everything by 10am.
I then took our tax return to the post office to be shipped to Bruce in San Diego. Sharon had been all tweaked about getting the return finished early this year, but once we got going we did it in two days. After the post office I went to the grocery to get more antioxidants. God I love that word. I then had a talk with the grocer to see if he knew all the antioxidants. He said he would think anything green would be good to start with. I said WRONG!!
I then pulled out Maura's list and showed him what he had been missing in his diet. It was all good until the guy in line behind me started to get antsy. I did get an artichoke today. I didn't think they were in season, but the lady in that department said they had some real nice one's today. I got two, I'll let you know if I like them. I do enjoy artichoke if they are fresh and not to hard. I know some people like them hard, but not me. I cook them for at least two hours and sometimes more depending on how large they are. If anyone wants my cooking instructions let me know. For a $10.00 donation to Off the Wall Graffiti you can get it. How do you like that Maura. Get ready for the money to roll.
Thanks everyone for the prayers, keep them coming. We'll let you know the results Friday. No matter what the results, I will continue to fight and do what I can to win this battle. Your prayers are the only true cure. Love you all. More tomorrow. Tom
This morning really did go well. I arrived about a half and hour early for the CT Scan because I usually get my infusion at 9am I left the house at 8:30 and got there at about 8:45. I had called the hospital and told them I had some what of a conflict and could they book me at about 10:30 after my CT Scan. They said it would not be a problem, just come over when I was finished. To my surprise they called me in about 9am and I was finished about 9:20. So I went directly over to the hospital to find that they had already ordered the medicine and they took me in right now. I was complete with everything by 10am.
I then took our tax return to the post office to be shipped to Bruce in San Diego. Sharon had been all tweaked about getting the return finished early this year, but once we got going we did it in two days. After the post office I went to the grocery to get more antioxidants. God I love that word. I then had a talk with the grocer to see if he knew all the antioxidants. He said he would think anything green would be good to start with. I said WRONG!!
I then pulled out Maura's list and showed him what he had been missing in his diet. It was all good until the guy in line behind me started to get antsy. I did get an artichoke today. I didn't think they were in season, but the lady in that department said they had some real nice one's today. I got two, I'll let you know if I like them. I do enjoy artichoke if they are fresh and not to hard. I know some people like them hard, but not me. I cook them for at least two hours and sometimes more depending on how large they are. If anyone wants my cooking instructions let me know. For a $10.00 donation to Off the Wall Graffiti you can get it. How do you like that Maura. Get ready for the money to roll.
Thanks everyone for the prayers, keep them coming. We'll let you know the results Friday. No matter what the results, I will continue to fight and do what I can to win this battle. Your prayers are the only true cure. Love you all. More tomorrow. Tom
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tues. 3-9-10
Ok so tomorrow I get the all important CT Scan at 11am. This morning I got a little testy with the people at the hospital, because I have been told that I have to call them every morning, to let them know, about an hour in advance, that I am on my way. Today, I got there and the medicine was not there until like 9:30. When I went to complain, the nurse explained to me that the antibiotic that I am taking takes longer to mix than any other one. She also explained that it cost over a $1000.00 per copy and that if I called and said I was coming, and then did not show up, I would have to pay the cost of the medicine out of my pocket. My Insurance and Medi-Care will cover the cost if I get the infusion, but if I order it, and then don't take the infusion, the bill is to me. That is some scary %#^$^.
I went from the hospital to Lowes and got a new shower head and a new mirror for Sharon. We are going to wait on the grab bars until we find out if and when I will be operated on.
It is another beautiful day so I stopped and got a car wash and then had to head to TCBY and have a yogurt. Of all the good things that I now have to eat, that is pretty good. I did have my Lemonade drink with my breakfast this morning. I'm getting used to it now. Just as I get used to it, I'll have to switch to the other concoction. I sure as hell hope I get better soon, or this *&^* is going to kill me.
I still don't have any energy, the nurse today said that is one of the side effects of the antibiotic's that I am taking. She said there are others, but if this is the only thing that I have, I'm lucky. My arm is still not better, but as she said, it looks a lot better than when I first came in. Barb is her name and she is really the one that keeps track of how I'm doing. They were to draw blood yesterday, but the nurse on duty did not read the entire chart and only gave me the infusion. I realized it last night and when I called this morning I mentioned it to the person who answered the phone. That might be why everything was so late, maybe the person on the phone was the person who was to do it yesterday. They always say their name when I call, but I can never remember what they say.
We are going to try and get the taxes done today so we can send them out to California to have them done. I've always used the same guy for 25 years because he knows everything about all my stuff. And stuff is important, and you got to know your stuff.
Enought stuff for today. Love to all that care. Tom
I went from the hospital to Lowes and got a new shower head and a new mirror for Sharon. We are going to wait on the grab bars until we find out if and when I will be operated on.
It is another beautiful day so I stopped and got a car wash and then had to head to TCBY and have a yogurt. Of all the good things that I now have to eat, that is pretty good. I did have my Lemonade drink with my breakfast this morning. I'm getting used to it now. Just as I get used to it, I'll have to switch to the other concoction. I sure as hell hope I get better soon, or this *&^* is going to kill me.
I still don't have any energy, the nurse today said that is one of the side effects of the antibiotic's that I am taking. She said there are others, but if this is the only thing that I have, I'm lucky. My arm is still not better, but as she said, it looks a lot better than when I first came in. Barb is her name and she is really the one that keeps track of how I'm doing. They were to draw blood yesterday, but the nurse on duty did not read the entire chart and only gave me the infusion. I realized it last night and when I called this morning I mentioned it to the person who answered the phone. That might be why everything was so late, maybe the person on the phone was the person who was to do it yesterday. They always say their name when I call, but I can never remember what they say.
We are going to try and get the taxes done today so we can send them out to California to have them done. I've always used the same guy for 25 years because he knows everything about all my stuff. And stuff is important, and you got to know your stuff.
Enought stuff for today. Love to all that care. Tom
Monday, March 8, 2010
Monday 3-8-10
On a quest today to find suction cup grab bars and combo shower head and hand held shower head. I went to my infusion today and talked to one of the nurses that reminded me about what I needed in my shower or bath when I have had surgery. As she said, I will probably need something to sit on and grab bars and a shower head that you can hold and direct the spray. As she said, I will not want to get certain parts of my body wet for the first week or so after surgery. I'm glad she mentioned it to me again. because I remember that she mentioned it to me once before, but I forgot about it. On ebay I have found several that look good, I think I will check out some of the box stores and see if I can buy them here locally. That way I don't have to wonder if they will work or not. Some people on ebay work well with sending items back, others don't.
We stayed up and watched the Oscar's last night. The first part was fun and funny, then it started to get real boring. I really only want to know who was the best actor and actress and maybe supporting actor and actress. I want to know the best picture, but that about as much excitement as I really care to see. Unfortunately last night the board the **&*&^% out of me for most of the night. I was happy to see Sandra B win best actress. She was great in Blind Side. Right after I saw that movie I said to myself, she will win best actress for that roll. I was also happy with the other winners. Jeff Bridges was great according to Tom. I loved the show, Sea Hunt, that he and his dad had in the '50's & '60's. The guy from Inglorious Bastards was great also. You just loved to hate him so much.
Well it's 2:40 and I only got 5 hours sleep last night, so I'm going to bed for a while. Oh yea blood pressure 129/62. BS 103 this morning after a long john and four peeps. Oxygen level 98% and my temp was 97.8. If all my vitals are so good, why do I have no energy?????
More tomorrow. Tom
We stayed up and watched the Oscar's last night. The first part was fun and funny, then it started to get real boring. I really only want to know who was the best actor and actress and maybe supporting actor and actress. I want to know the best picture, but that about as much excitement as I really care to see. Unfortunately last night the board the **&*&^% out of me for most of the night. I was happy to see Sandra B win best actress. She was great in Blind Side. Right after I saw that movie I said to myself, she will win best actress for that roll. I was also happy with the other winners. Jeff Bridges was great according to Tom. I loved the show, Sea Hunt, that he and his dad had in the '50's & '60's. The guy from Inglorious Bastards was great also. You just loved to hate him so much.
Well it's 2:40 and I only got 5 hours sleep last night, so I'm going to bed for a while. Oh yea blood pressure 129/62. BS 103 this morning after a long john and four peeps. Oxygen level 98% and my temp was 97.8. If all my vitals are so good, why do I have no energy?????
More tomorrow. Tom
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sunday 3-7-10
Up early and out to 7:30 mass. The to the hospital for my infusion. While I was at the hospital one of the nurses that infused me the first time saw me.
She said one of her friends dad had three sarcoma's removed from his lungs last week or so. They did the big one first and then he came back and had two more removed. She was explaining to me about how many lobes or something that your have and that they can remove block of your lungs where the sarcoma's are. He was actually operated on here in Fort Wayne. My doctor in Indy said the only person he knew that could perform the surgery I needed was in Indy. She is a woman and a specialist with the lungs.
I've also been informed by Maura that I need to drink, or eat or some how consume more antioxidants. So today I went to the grocery and bought two bottles of Antioxidant beverages. One is Pomegrante Lemonade that I just tasted, right now, for the first time, because I couldn't spell Antioxidant and I knew the bottle had it on it. It is not near as good as I was hoping, but it's not bad. The price on the other hand is excessive by any measure. However if you think that is expensive, I got another one with Pomegrante and four other Antioxidant's in it and the price was just under the last spot price of gold. I also bought some yogurt for the first time. Since I have never had it I found some that said Key Lime Pie and another that said strawberry cheese cake on it. Since I like both of those on their own, I figured it might taste OK. To make sure I would have something today that would taste good, I also got 3 donuts and two boxes of Peeps, just in case. As I have told you before, this blog is all about me. I'm damn sure going to take care of the kid, believe me. Well if I survive the day I'll put more on later. Tom
OK so I have more to say, the yogurt was awful, never buy Kroger cherry cheese cake yogurt. I actually had to put joy in the drain to kill the smell when I put it in the disposal. I had the Pomegrante Lemonade with my lunch, and it was passable. I will drink the entire bottle, I'm not sure if I will reorder Artichokes . Maura sent me a list of all the Antioxidants on my facebook, Artichokes (cooked)Blackberries Black beans Black plums Cranberries Cultivated blueberries Gala apples, Granny Smith apples Pecans Pinto beans Plums Prunes Raspberries Red Delicious apples Red kidney beans Russet potatoes (cooked) Small red beans Strawberries Sweet cherries Wild blueberries. For some reason they all did not copy, but I'm sure I will get the entire list and eat each one, one by one. She also said if you eat fruit, don't eat any protean with it. No apple and hamburger combo's. I also had a long john and four peeps today after I tried to eat the yogurt. I had to do something to get that taste out of my mouth.
It's now time for the Oscar's, come on Sandra, she was great in Blind Side.
More tomorrow. Tom
She said one of her friends dad had three sarcoma's removed from his lungs last week or so. They did the big one first and then he came back and had two more removed. She was explaining to me about how many lobes or something that your have and that they can remove block of your lungs where the sarcoma's are. He was actually operated on here in Fort Wayne. My doctor in Indy said the only person he knew that could perform the surgery I needed was in Indy. She is a woman and a specialist with the lungs.
I've also been informed by Maura that I need to drink, or eat or some how consume more antioxidants. So today I went to the grocery and bought two bottles of Antioxidant beverages. One is Pomegrante Lemonade that I just tasted, right now, for the first time, because I couldn't spell Antioxidant and I knew the bottle had it on it. It is not near as good as I was hoping, but it's not bad. The price on the other hand is excessive by any measure. However if you think that is expensive, I got another one with Pomegrante and four other Antioxidant's in it and the price was just under the last spot price of gold. I also bought some yogurt for the first time. Since I have never had it I found some that said Key Lime Pie and another that said strawberry cheese cake on it. Since I like both of those on their own, I figured it might taste OK. To make sure I would have something today that would taste good, I also got 3 donuts and two boxes of Peeps, just in case. As I have told you before, this blog is all about me. I'm damn sure going to take care of the kid, believe me. Well if I survive the day I'll put more on later. Tom
OK so I have more to say, the yogurt was awful, never buy Kroger cherry cheese cake yogurt. I actually had to put joy in the drain to kill the smell when I put it in the disposal. I had the Pomegrante Lemonade with my lunch, and it was passable. I will drink the entire bottle, I'm not sure if I will reorder Artichokes . Maura sent me a list of all the Antioxidants on my facebook, Artichokes (cooked)Blackberries Black beans Black plums Cranberries Cultivated blueberries Gala apples, Granny Smith apples Pecans Pinto beans Plums Prunes Raspberries Red Delicious apples Red kidney beans Russet potatoes (cooked) Small red beans Strawberries Sweet cherries Wild blueberries. For some reason they all did not copy, but I'm sure I will get the entire list and eat each one, one by one. She also said if you eat fruit, don't eat any protean with it. No apple and hamburger combo's. I also had a long john and four peeps today after I tried to eat the yogurt. I had to do something to get that taste out of my mouth.
It's now time for the Oscar's, come on Sandra, she was great in Blind Side.
More tomorrow. Tom
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Sat. 3-6-10
It a little later that I start most of my blogs, but I have had an exciting 18 hours and will fill you in. It started last night at about 6:30pm when Catie and 4 of her friends showed up for a small get together. It seems Emely Feltz decided to announce who was going to be in her October Wedding. All I really remember is what, and how, it effected me. As you all know, this thing is about yours truly. If it's not important to me, it's just not important. Cate was named as Em's Maid of Honor or is Made of Honor. Anyway that means that Sharon will have to be home a few days before the wedding to help Cate with all of her responsibilities. What that means to me is, we are going to be in Cabo that week. I let Em know how I felt about her choice of dates. For some reason she didn't feel the need to change the dates to accommodate me. That calls for her name being removed from the bed in Catie's bed room. It's been there since 7 grade. Hay, you cross me and you pay big time.
Also along for the party were three of Catie's closest friends. Christine, Bobby, and Erica. Cate said she came home to see me, and I love her for that, but then she went out somewhere with those girls and I didn't hear from them again until about 3am. Unfortunately an old fart like me doesn't sleep very well after being awakened in the middle of the night. I didn't say anything because I love all of them, and was happy to have them back in the house again. While Cate was growing up, the McLaughlin household was party starting central. It seems they would all meet over here and then take off for parts unknown. The next morning, as in this morning, you would usually find them somewhere in the house trying to sleep. Being a good dad, I decided to grab a bit on the run rather than to try and make breakfast in the kitchen. It would have been turn around time for sure, but again, I love having them around.
What I loved was the note that they left for Sharon. It was their breakfast order from the Essen House. Sharon was up and out at 7am as usual and they expected her to return with breakfast around 10am because they were heading back to Indy as soon as they finished breakfast. It was sad to see them go, but we will be back in Indy on Friday for the results of my scan.
At about 12:30 Tom Whitney showed up and we had a real great time talking about old time and just about anything but politics. It seems Tom is somewhat Liberal, and I am Conservative. I think he was aware of that when he saw the life size cut out of Sarah Palin in the TV room. He did stay until 2:30 when Tom McLaughlin had to get his nap so he could continue his day. He was able to see another friend of his who also lives in Fort Wayne, so the day worked out just right. He came back to my place around 5pm, we talked a while and then went to my favorite place for dinner, Wendy's. Hay, when I'm buying, we go first class or not at all. We did talk about the 50th. class reunion and how much fun it will be if everyone shows up. Neither of us could figure out though how so many of our classmates have gray hair. Some of them even look older. It is amazing what time does.
Tom just left so I'll complete the blog for the night. Until tomorrow. Tom
Also along for the party were three of Catie's closest friends. Christine, Bobby, and Erica. Cate said she came home to see me, and I love her for that, but then she went out somewhere with those girls and I didn't hear from them again until about 3am. Unfortunately an old fart like me doesn't sleep very well after being awakened in the middle of the night. I didn't say anything because I love all of them, and was happy to have them back in the house again. While Cate was growing up, the McLaughlin household was party starting central. It seems they would all meet over here and then take off for parts unknown. The next morning, as in this morning, you would usually find them somewhere in the house trying to sleep. Being a good dad, I decided to grab a bit on the run rather than to try and make breakfast in the kitchen. It would have been turn around time for sure, but again, I love having them around.
What I loved was the note that they left for Sharon. It was their breakfast order from the Essen House. Sharon was up and out at 7am as usual and they expected her to return with breakfast around 10am because they were heading back to Indy as soon as they finished breakfast. It was sad to see them go, but we will be back in Indy on Friday for the results of my scan.
At about 12:30 Tom Whitney showed up and we had a real great time talking about old time and just about anything but politics. It seems Tom is somewhat Liberal, and I am Conservative. I think he was aware of that when he saw the life size cut out of Sarah Palin in the TV room. He did stay until 2:30 when Tom McLaughlin had to get his nap so he could continue his day. He was able to see another friend of his who also lives in Fort Wayne, so the day worked out just right. He came back to my place around 5pm, we talked a while and then went to my favorite place for dinner, Wendy's. Hay, when I'm buying, we go first class or not at all. We did talk about the 50th. class reunion and how much fun it will be if everyone shows up. Neither of us could figure out though how so many of our classmates have gray hair. Some of them even look older. It is amazing what time does.
Tom just left so I'll complete the blog for the night. Until tomorrow. Tom
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday 3-5-10
This has not been the best day ever. I got sick last night and it hasn't been much better all day. They told me there would be days like this, that would be good in a song. I'm trying to get better because Cate comes home today and I don't want to miss out on all the fun. I know several of her friends will be over also.
I did hear about an old friend who I have written about in this blog, Katie Lemley. AKA Kay Barone for Lima. She and 50 some other woman are going on a cross country bike ride for like 60 days. As most of you know Sharon and I have done some rides ourselves, but it's much easier on the legs when you have the 1400cc under your ass. Your butt gets sore no matter what, but you need to be in much better shape to be on a bike. Good Luck Catie.
Tom Whitney was also going to stop by maybe this weekend, if your on your way Tom, I'll be home tonight as far as I know. If not I'll be at the Essen House in Antwerp. Unless you've got a lap top you will not get this any way, so if your coming today, I hope we find one another. If not try another day.
That's all folks, Tom
I did hear about an old friend who I have written about in this blog, Katie Lemley. AKA Kay Barone for Lima. She and 50 some other woman are going on a cross country bike ride for like 60 days. As most of you know Sharon and I have done some rides ourselves, but it's much easier on the legs when you have the 1400cc under your ass. Your butt gets sore no matter what, but you need to be in much better shape to be on a bike. Good Luck Catie.
Tom Whitney was also going to stop by maybe this weekend, if your on your way Tom, I'll be home tonight as far as I know. If not I'll be at the Essen House in Antwerp. Unless you've got a lap top you will not get this any way, so if your coming today, I hope we find one another. If not try another day.
That's all folks, Tom
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday 3-4-10
Just got back from my infusion and wanted to let everyone know what will probably happen next. I have a CT Scan on the 10th. to see what my lungs look like. We know I have 5 Sarcomas on them now, we hope that is all there is. We also hope they have not grown much. Since this infection is giving me soo much trouble, I will probably not be able to get much more if any Chemo. I see Dr. Rushing in Indy on the 12th. to read the CT Scan and to see what is next. It is my feeling that after the 23rd., when the infusions stop, he will want to do surgery on anything on my lungs. I'm praying there are still only 5 and that they have not grown much.
From the very beginning Dr. Rushing told us that Chemo could not kill the Sarcoma's. They might be able to kill the very very small one's, but nothing that is seen by a CT Scan. His only hope with Chemo was to kill any that may have escaped from the first Sarcoma. Please pray with us that there will only be 5 of those little suckers on my lungs and they are able to be removed easily. If there is ever going to be a miracle, this is when it can happen. If this is done, and I'm clear for a while, I will be the happiest man alive.
Thanks for your interest.
From the very beginning Dr. Rushing told us that Chemo could not kill the Sarcoma's. They might be able to kill the very very small one's, but nothing that is seen by a CT Scan. His only hope with Chemo was to kill any that may have escaped from the first Sarcoma. Please pray with us that there will only be 5 of those little suckers on my lungs and they are able to be removed easily. If there is ever going to be a miracle, this is when it can happen. If this is done, and I'm clear for a while, I will be the happiest man alive.
Thanks for your interest.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Wed. 3-3-10
I went a little early today to get my infusion and met a very nice young lady that was studying to become a PA and an emergency driver. She sat there the entire time I was getting my infusion and talked to me about what was going on with me and what still needed to be done. After all my history I asked her what she was doing and she said she was going through a divorce and felt the need to get an education that would support both her and her son for the rest of her life. I explained that I had a son that had recently been through custody battles and she then went into her problems. Her ex had beat both of them and was still trying to gain the custody. She said she was broke because of all the cost of the attorney fees she has had to pay to fight this guy. She has a restraining order against him but he can still fight her for custody. I told her I understood all too well. She is about Brian's age and very attractive, but I didn't want to mention anything to her until her battles were well behind her. Sorry Brian, she was a pretty little thing.
After my infusion I was able to go to the gym and do my bike thing for 30 minutes on 6. Before the cancer I could do 30 minutes on 9 without too much effort. I always tried to get my heart rate up to about 115 when I did it, I can do that now with 6. I know that's not what I want, but I'm at least trying to get my exercise in each day. I can really feel how out of shape I have become. As I told Louis, I sure I could run a 100 yard dash, but I could only complete about 10 yards.
After working out I went to the meat market and got some great roast beef and brots for the Essen House. I love when they have sales on boxes of meat. I saved $10.00 on the brots and $22.00 on the beef. You only have to buy a few more of each thing to make up a box. They never mention the box discount unless you ask unless they are having a special. I sometimes forget about the box pricing when they have all the meat out so you can just pick it out and go.
One more stop at my favorite place. Wall-Mart, and found a pair of support stocking for $10.00 less than the one's from Walgreen's. You see I save all the gas it takes to go all over Fort Wayne with the savings I make. If I only had more energy these days. I came home and knew I had to do my blog, and now all I want to do is go take a nap. Sharon has already come home and up in her bed. She left today at 6:30 and then has to go back to close tonight and be home at 9pm. What an Angel!!!
More tomorrow.
After my infusion I was able to go to the gym and do my bike thing for 30 minutes on 6. Before the cancer I could do 30 minutes on 9 without too much effort. I always tried to get my heart rate up to about 115 when I did it, I can do that now with 6. I know that's not what I want, but I'm at least trying to get my exercise in each day. I can really feel how out of shape I have become. As I told Louis, I sure I could run a 100 yard dash, but I could only complete about 10 yards.
After working out I went to the meat market and got some great roast beef and brots for the Essen House. I love when they have sales on boxes of meat. I saved $10.00 on the brots and $22.00 on the beef. You only have to buy a few more of each thing to make up a box. They never mention the box discount unless you ask unless they are having a special. I sometimes forget about the box pricing when they have all the meat out so you can just pick it out and go.
One more stop at my favorite place. Wall-Mart, and found a pair of support stocking for $10.00 less than the one's from Walgreen's. You see I save all the gas it takes to go all over Fort Wayne with the savings I make. If I only had more energy these days. I came home and knew I had to do my blog, and now all I want to do is go take a nap. Sharon has already come home and up in her bed. She left today at 6:30 and then has to go back to close tonight and be home at 9pm. What an Angel!!!
More tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday 3-2-10
Well what the hell, I don't know where to start. I just started reading my Friday draft of my blog and realized how many mistakes etc. there were and just published it any way because I wanted to let everyone know how sick I was becoming. Friday night I was to meet my diabetic doctor, Carol Burns and her staff at the Essen House for dinner. I had not been feeling well since Thursday, and it was snowing like crazy at 5:30 on Friday, but I was going to meet Carol and her husband and staff.
The weather was really bad, what usually takes 15 to 20 minutes took over an hour to get to the Essen House. So we got there at 7:20 not 6 pm as we expected. Carol and her husband and grand kids were already there and so we started to eat as soon as we got there. We took a quick break to show them the Manor House when we found out that some of her staff were stranded behind a wreck. They loved the M.H.. Carol said, It really does look like like a Hilton. This doesn't feel at all like a Nursing home. As I explained to her, it's not a nursing home, it's an Assisted Living. This is there home. That's why we have farm animals that they can feed and play with. Most of these people were farmers or live on a farm at one time in their lives. They love to watch the chickens and the ducks and the rabbits. As a matter of fact the rabbits just had six babies. We also have a bird cage full of exotic birds. We have a huge flat screen TV with a Wii. Most of these people didn't have it this good in their own homes before they arrived here. We accept people on Medi-Cade. Very few A.L. in Ohio will accept M-C people because they say you can't make any money on them. We built an entire wing for their care. The rooms are smaller, but they eat the same food and have all the other goodies that the richest man in Antwerp has. And we do have the richest man in Antwerp in our House.
Boy I got on a soapbox didn't I. Anyway, after I fell off the soapbox, we ate and then Carol wanted to see my bad arm. When I showed her she just looked at me and said: You have to get to the hospital NOW. That put a real damper on the night, to say the least. I still had to drive the Amish home, go home myself, meet Sharon, who had driven her own SUV there, and go to the hospital. So I'm driving on country roads in a blowing snowstorm when all of a sudden, Mary, from the back seat, say: Your going off the road Tom, it should have jogged there and you went straight. All of a sudden I'm in a ditch. It is now when I discover the difference between four wheel drive and all wheel drive. Louis says: go out into the field Tom, it's a lot harder and straighter than this ditch. So against my better judgement, I did what he suggested. He was right, with the all wheel drive, the wheel that was stuck stopped spinning and the other three wheels pulled me straight out into the field. Once I got straightened out I just turned once again toward the road and pulled right back onto the road. I did not parallel the ditch, I just drove right through it an onto the road. Now how did an Amish guy who does not drive a car know what to do. "THEY PRAY A LOT". They also know the fields and ditches around their community and even with horses, they get in trouble when it's wet in the fields and they have to do much the same to free a team of horses when a farm implement gets stuck.
OK, so I get home about 9:20 and we are off to the hospital. We get there and it's the same old BS that I had to go through 10 days earlier. So I'm trying to fight the system by saying: Look, I was just here two Friday's ago, look it up. What I forgot was that I was dealing with a person who only knew one thing. Your name sir? Your home address? Have you got Insurance? Who is your family doctor? etc.etc. etc. So about 11 pm I'm in an Emergency room and have to go through the same old BS with the ER people. Finally at midnight I see a real live doctor who looks at my arm and says: "that looks like cellulites". No S+++, Dr. Kildare, I knew that before I came here. What I want is the F++++++ Daptomycin, that will cure the F++++++ cellulites. Oh, you mean you need to be admitted and have an IV.?? RIGHT!!!!!!!! Soo now it's about 1am and I'm finally rushed to the 7th floor to my own room. I can't remember much else, because I had Sharon give me a Zanex and a pain pill or two while we were waiting to go to the room.
Next day Saturday. It's about 5 am when a skinny little shit comes in and grabs my bad arm to tell me he need to take some blood for a sample. I told him to let go of that arm and get the F+++ out of this room. I said I have a port for drawing blood and a arm band on the left arm that saying not to touch. So I suggest you leave before I turn on a light and get your name and badge no. I didn't see him again that I can remember. At about 8am the Chemo doctor, this is number 6, of the 11 member team, came in the room to basically tell me they put me on the wrong floor. I would be moving to the 2nd. floor cancer ward. He then proceeded to tell me I had cellulites and that I need to see the Infectious disease doctor that day. He obviously didn't look on my chart, to see that I already have been through this drill and I know the ID doctor by name. But, he could say that he saw me and another $100 please.
I was moved to the second floor to a very nice room. It was about as large as one of our Medi-Care rooms, but still very nice. At 11am the ID doctor came to see me. She was the partner of the man I saw the first time. I must say at this point, she's a hell of a lot better looking. She gave me a complete examination and then explained how dangerous this stuff was. Because of the Chemo I have not immune system, so the infection will attack the weakest part of your body. Usually that is an old wound or some part of the body that is the weakest. In my case it was the site of the Sarcoma removal. After reading my medical history, she saw that I had a heart attack and that it could be the next place for this stuff to attack. She said if I had not come in last night, I might be dead today. If it attacks your heart you usually don't make it. She says now that we must get the Daptomycin until the 23rd. just to be on the save side. It usually takes 12 to 14 days, but with my cancer etc. she wants 24 days. This rest of Sat was quiet and I watched the Olympics.
Sunday was also quiet until about 9pm and I'm watching the Hockey game and I need to pee and I for some reason can't. I try again later and still no luck. After the game I decided I needed to tell the nurse we needed to do something. It's then I find out that the medicine I had been taking for Flow Max is not the same S+++ they have been giving me in the hospital. They love to tell you it is, but the only time to find out the difference is when a problem develops. "LADIES" you might not want to read the rest of this. Guys listen up!! If you ever have to go into a hospital and you take a certain kind of prostate med. make sure it the same formula. What happened to me may seem funny now, but I was in real trouble. The nurse was older and in the business for 31 years. She didn't realize what the real problem was until it was to late to do the only thing remaining. I had to get a cathater. If you don't know what that is bcause I can't spell it correctly, it has to be inserted into the penis and then into the bladder. If the prostate is in the way, they actually drill a passage past it and into the bladder. When I say drill, it ain't with a power drill, it's by litterly screwing this thing around, under or through your prostate until it relieves the bladder. If they can't do it that way, you are rushed to surgery NOW!! This lady had been trying for about 15 minutes and she was dripping wet. I had to take the pillow case off my pillow to wipe her eyes so she could see. She needed both hands to do what she was doing. She finally looked at me and said: Tom, do you want me to stop? I said no, but may I ask you a question? are you a Christian? She shook her head yes, and I said I have been asking the Lord to guide your hands, so please proceed. She said she had been saying the same prayer. It wasn't a minute later and she was through. It was the most painful thing I have ever had done to me. When they ask from 1-10 what was the pain, I asked if 11 was ever hit. If so, I was there. The good book says he will never give you something you can't handle. He was giving me a real test. I damn near passed out with pain.
Now the funny part of the story. The nurse's name was Beth and she actually worked an hour and a half over time to do what she did. I was so greatful to her I gave her two free meals at the Essen House. You can laugh, but that is the only thing she would accept. She said she didn't do nursing to get rich. She loved doing what she did. I told her she was a lucky lady to love what she did. I told her I loved doing what I did also, and since I owned a restaurant, I loved giving free meals to people I liked. With that I asked for some Zanix and a pain pill so I could sleep. She then said she was way past her off duty hours and would have to tell the next nurse to get them for me. She did say she would have to write all this up and that it would be about 45 minutes before the nurse would be back but to stay awake or she would not give them too me. So I'm in, and out, of sleep, when I think I actually dreaming, I look up and see this vision of beauty standing over me about to listen to my heart or something. She was very close to me when I finally felt her presence. When her eyes finally caught mine I'm not sure what she thought. I told her I thought I was dreaming and that she was about to kiss me. She said she had to get my vitals and was trying to be as quiet as possible because she had heard what had just happened. She then turned on the big light and I about died how beautiful she was. The only thing I could think about was, what would I have done if she was the one that had to do what Beth had just done.
I did tell her about Tommy, but he was about three years to young, and she felt a 42 year was a little to old. So guys I tried, but no sale. She was a sweat heart and talked to me until the pills took effect again. You may not believe this but the next thing I felt was this little shit grabbing my left arm again saying he need to draw some blood. I told him he and I had already met and I was the guy that told him to get out now. He then tried to explain how he didn't turn on the light to see the PINK ARM BAND and he would not bother me again. It's was 8:30 when Angie, the night nurse introduced me to the morning nurse. She promptly said go back to sleep I'll get all your vitals later.
The two doctors came in about 9:30 on Monday and both said that if the other approaved, I could go home. The young morning nurse said: Tom, when would you like to leave? I said about 1:30 or 2pm would be fine. That was at 11am. She said if I get it done by then what do I get. I said a 20% discount off two buffets at the Essen House. She actually live about 8 miles from Antwerp but never felt she could afford to go to a real restaurant. She went to the A&W but never a sit down. At 3pm she came in and said she had done all she could do and had everything on her end done two hours ago, but the lady from the chemo doctors office had not signed off yet. I told her to call the lady's answering service and inform her that Mr. McLaughlin would be leaving the hospital with or without her approval by 4pm. She said: would you really do that? My reply: WATCH ME !!
WE WERE IN THE CAR AND ON OUR WAY AT 3:45 PM
The weather was really bad, what usually takes 15 to 20 minutes took over an hour to get to the Essen House. So we got there at 7:20 not 6 pm as we expected. Carol and her husband and grand kids were already there and so we started to eat as soon as we got there. We took a quick break to show them the Manor House when we found out that some of her staff were stranded behind a wreck. They loved the M.H.. Carol said, It really does look like like a Hilton. This doesn't feel at all like a Nursing home. As I explained to her, it's not a nursing home, it's an Assisted Living. This is there home. That's why we have farm animals that they can feed and play with. Most of these people were farmers or live on a farm at one time in their lives. They love to watch the chickens and the ducks and the rabbits. As a matter of fact the rabbits just had six babies. We also have a bird cage full of exotic birds. We have a huge flat screen TV with a Wii. Most of these people didn't have it this good in their own homes before they arrived here. We accept people on Medi-Cade. Very few A.L. in Ohio will accept M-C people because they say you can't make any money on them. We built an entire wing for their care. The rooms are smaller, but they eat the same food and have all the other goodies that the richest man in Antwerp has. And we do have the richest man in Antwerp in our House.
Boy I got on a soapbox didn't I. Anyway, after I fell off the soapbox, we ate and then Carol wanted to see my bad arm. When I showed her she just looked at me and said: You have to get to the hospital NOW. That put a real damper on the night, to say the least. I still had to drive the Amish home, go home myself, meet Sharon, who had driven her own SUV there, and go to the hospital. So I'm driving on country roads in a blowing snowstorm when all of a sudden, Mary, from the back seat, say: Your going off the road Tom, it should have jogged there and you went straight. All of a sudden I'm in a ditch. It is now when I discover the difference between four wheel drive and all wheel drive. Louis says: go out into the field Tom, it's a lot harder and straighter than this ditch. So against my better judgement, I did what he suggested. He was right, with the all wheel drive, the wheel that was stuck stopped spinning and the other three wheels pulled me straight out into the field. Once I got straightened out I just turned once again toward the road and pulled right back onto the road. I did not parallel the ditch, I just drove right through it an onto the road. Now how did an Amish guy who does not drive a car know what to do. "THEY PRAY A LOT". They also know the fields and ditches around their community and even with horses, they get in trouble when it's wet in the fields and they have to do much the same to free a team of horses when a farm implement gets stuck.
OK, so I get home about 9:20 and we are off to the hospital. We get there and it's the same old BS that I had to go through 10 days earlier. So I'm trying to fight the system by saying: Look, I was just here two Friday's ago, look it up. What I forgot was that I was dealing with a person who only knew one thing. Your name sir? Your home address? Have you got Insurance? Who is your family doctor? etc.etc. etc. So about 11 pm I'm in an Emergency room and have to go through the same old BS with the ER people. Finally at midnight I see a real live doctor who looks at my arm and says: "that looks like cellulites". No S+++, Dr. Kildare, I knew that before I came here. What I want is the F++++++ Daptomycin, that will cure the F++++++ cellulites. Oh, you mean you need to be admitted and have an IV.?? RIGHT!!!!!!!! Soo now it's about 1am and I'm finally rushed to the 7th floor to my own room. I can't remember much else, because I had Sharon give me a Zanex and a pain pill or two while we were waiting to go to the room.
Next day Saturday. It's about 5 am when a skinny little shit comes in and grabs my bad arm to tell me he need to take some blood for a sample. I told him to let go of that arm and get the F+++ out of this room. I said I have a port for drawing blood and a arm band on the left arm that saying not to touch. So I suggest you leave before I turn on a light and get your name and badge no. I didn't see him again that I can remember. At about 8am the Chemo doctor, this is number 6, of the 11 member team, came in the room to basically tell me they put me on the wrong floor. I would be moving to the 2nd. floor cancer ward. He then proceeded to tell me I had cellulites and that I need to see the Infectious disease doctor that day. He obviously didn't look on my chart, to see that I already have been through this drill and I know the ID doctor by name. But, he could say that he saw me and another $100 please.
I was moved to the second floor to a very nice room. It was about as large as one of our Medi-Care rooms, but still very nice. At 11am the ID doctor came to see me. She was the partner of the man I saw the first time. I must say at this point, she's a hell of a lot better looking. She gave me a complete examination and then explained how dangerous this stuff was. Because of the Chemo I have not immune system, so the infection will attack the weakest part of your body. Usually that is an old wound or some part of the body that is the weakest. In my case it was the site of the Sarcoma removal. After reading my medical history, she saw that I had a heart attack and that it could be the next place for this stuff to attack. She said if I had not come in last night, I might be dead today. If it attacks your heart you usually don't make it. She says now that we must get the Daptomycin until the 23rd. just to be on the save side. It usually takes 12 to 14 days, but with my cancer etc. she wants 24 days. This rest of Sat was quiet and I watched the Olympics.
Sunday was also quiet until about 9pm and I'm watching the Hockey game and I need to pee and I for some reason can't. I try again later and still no luck. After the game I decided I needed to tell the nurse we needed to do something. It's then I find out that the medicine I had been taking for Flow Max is not the same S+++ they have been giving me in the hospital. They love to tell you it is, but the only time to find out the difference is when a problem develops. "LADIES" you might not want to read the rest of this. Guys listen up!! If you ever have to go into a hospital and you take a certain kind of prostate med. make sure it the same formula. What happened to me may seem funny now, but I was in real trouble. The nurse was older and in the business for 31 years. She didn't realize what the real problem was until it was to late to do the only thing remaining. I had to get a cathater. If you don't know what that is bcause I can't spell it correctly, it has to be inserted into the penis and then into the bladder. If the prostate is in the way, they actually drill a passage past it and into the bladder. When I say drill, it ain't with a power drill, it's by litterly screwing this thing around, under or through your prostate until it relieves the bladder. If they can't do it that way, you are rushed to surgery NOW!! This lady had been trying for about 15 minutes and she was dripping wet. I had to take the pillow case off my pillow to wipe her eyes so she could see. She needed both hands to do what she was doing. She finally looked at me and said: Tom, do you want me to stop? I said no, but may I ask you a question? are you a Christian? She shook her head yes, and I said I have been asking the Lord to guide your hands, so please proceed. She said she had been saying the same prayer. It wasn't a minute later and she was through. It was the most painful thing I have ever had done to me. When they ask from 1-10 what was the pain, I asked if 11 was ever hit. If so, I was there. The good book says he will never give you something you can't handle. He was giving me a real test. I damn near passed out with pain.
Now the funny part of the story. The nurse's name was Beth and she actually worked an hour and a half over time to do what she did. I was so greatful to her I gave her two free meals at the Essen House. You can laugh, but that is the only thing she would accept. She said she didn't do nursing to get rich. She loved doing what she did. I told her she was a lucky lady to love what she did. I told her I loved doing what I did also, and since I owned a restaurant, I loved giving free meals to people I liked. With that I asked for some Zanix and a pain pill so I could sleep. She then said she was way past her off duty hours and would have to tell the next nurse to get them for me. She did say she would have to write all this up and that it would be about 45 minutes before the nurse would be back but to stay awake or she would not give them too me. So I'm in, and out, of sleep, when I think I actually dreaming, I look up and see this vision of beauty standing over me about to listen to my heart or something. She was very close to me when I finally felt her presence. When her eyes finally caught mine I'm not sure what she thought. I told her I thought I was dreaming and that she was about to kiss me. She said she had to get my vitals and was trying to be as quiet as possible because she had heard what had just happened. She then turned on the big light and I about died how beautiful she was. The only thing I could think about was, what would I have done if she was the one that had to do what Beth had just done.
I did tell her about Tommy, but he was about three years to young, and she felt a 42 year was a little to old. So guys I tried, but no sale. She was a sweat heart and talked to me until the pills took effect again. You may not believe this but the next thing I felt was this little shit grabbing my left arm again saying he need to draw some blood. I told him he and I had already met and I was the guy that told him to get out now. He then tried to explain how he didn't turn on the light to see the PINK ARM BAND and he would not bother me again. It's was 8:30 when Angie, the night nurse introduced me to the morning nurse. She promptly said go back to sleep I'll get all your vitals later.
The two doctors came in about 9:30 on Monday and both said that if the other approaved, I could go home. The young morning nurse said: Tom, when would you like to leave? I said about 1:30 or 2pm would be fine. That was at 11am. She said if I get it done by then what do I get. I said a 20% discount off two buffets at the Essen House. She actually live about 8 miles from Antwerp but never felt she could afford to go to a real restaurant. She went to the A&W but never a sit down. At 3pm she came in and said she had done all she could do and had everything on her end done two hours ago, but the lady from the chemo doctors office had not signed off yet. I told her to call the lady's answering service and inform her that Mr. McLaughlin would be leaving the hospital with or without her approval by 4pm. She said: would you really do that? My reply: WATCH ME !!
WE WERE IN THE CAR AND ON OUR WAY AT 3:45 PM
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