Welcome to my new blog!

I’m going to summarize the few e-mails that I previously sent out:

Cancer Update #1: June 4, 2009
Thank you to everyone for the recent phone calls, e-mails, and cards… I had a port-a-cath put in this morning and will be starting chemo soon. The mastectomy has been put on hold for now. The surgical and medical oncologists both agree this is the best way to go and I have a naturopath (trained in the field of oncology) that will try to help and minimize some of the effects of the chemo… I’m sending this e-mail out while on Vicodin. We’ll see how “operating heavy machinery” applies to entering e-mail addresses into the computer.

Cancer Update #2: June 13, 2009
I will be starting chemo this coming Wednesday as soon as we fill out the papers for the clinical trial that I’ll be part of. Other than that, we just spend most of our time at the various doctors’ offices rather than working in the yard or playing piano which is a whole lot more fun.

Cancer Update #3: June 18, 2009
I had my first chemo treatment this morning rather than yesterday morning… it was my call before some of you get your underwear in a bunch and think the doctors were putting me off. I chose to go to a free agent/writers’ get-together on the pier in Coupeville yesterday. What can I say? I’m Dutch and it was a perfect opportunity. I will be having chemo every three weeks through August with weekly blood draws and labs in between to check blood counts, platelets, how many brain cells I have left (just kidding… wanted to make sure you were really listening) and stuff like that.

Cancer Update #4: July 1, 2009
The nausea from the first treatment lasted about ten days… the next treatment is July 9 so I have one more week of freedom. At least the nausea is gone and I’m now eating like a horse. Thank you to those who have been helping with meals, weeding, scarf/hat shopping… the family is going to shave my head… my hair is starting to fall out in clumps… thought I’d just get it over with.

Cancer Update #4 PS: July 1, 2009
I’ve attached a picture of my new bald head. Yeah, whatever! Seriously, it only took 30 minutes… each member of the family took turns cutting the hair off. I think the boys pulled extra hard just to get back at me for all the haircuts I gave them over the years.

Cancer Update #4 PSS: July 1, 2009
Apparently, people are not getting my humor… wouldn’t be the first time. There was no picture attached with the last e-mail. Never will be, so don’t be looking for one. When I said, “Yeah, whatever!” I meant that “in your dreams there is a picture attached showing my bald head.” Actually, I’m not totally bald yet, but I do look like a convict sentenced to 20 years hard time. After my blood test this morning, the nurse said my white blood count was really low. I wonder if they tested my brain cells, if they would even show up?! Then again, I got the joke about no picture being attached. Just saying…

 

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