Tuesday, December 28, 2004

!2/28/2004

No chemo this week. I was supposed to get my final dose of Cycle Four, but my bone marrow has turned to crap (i.e. my platelets are < 60 000) so we will ait a couple of weeks to reassess the situation. In the meantime, I feel great and had a great Christmas in LA with the family. Then I flew to Boise and had a great 24 hours, the best of it was coming from behind to beat Univ of Virginia in OT in the MPC Bowl.

So, its off to Erna's Elderberry House for NYE and another year begins.

Thanks foro your support!

Bill

Dec 18, 2004

Saturday

Well we are back on track. I am now on cycle IV-B - second weekly treatment of the fourth cycle and things have gone smoothly. My bone marrow-platelets are getting a bit thin so IV-C may need to be modified, but so far so good.

I won't know where I stand until after the new year when we do some more tests, but I feel pretty good.

There are no new pictures to show, but I suspect there may be one or two after Christmas in LA.

Anyway, the round of office Holiday parties are over, our shopping is mostly done, Holiday Cards mailed and passage to Boise for the MPC Bowl on 12/27 is secured.

WK

December 14, 2004

Early Tuesday Morn 12/14

Last week we (the nurse and I) decidded to hold off on chemotherapy. My PSA had blipped up a bit and my Chemo-Doc was in South America. Friday, my PSA had edged up a tad more and there is some uncertainty as to why. While on holiday in Santa Barbara I developed a urinary infection (I will spare you the details) but the changes may well be due to infection. In any event we decided to go with Course IV AND load me up on antibiotics and worry about it next year.

For some reason the chemo affected me different this time - more nausea for several days, less muscle aches, and weird mouth taste.

Having been off chemo for two weeks I was able to determine that any illness I experience is definitely from the WOD (chemo) and not due to my "disease".

In any event, I am excited about the holidays: see the family Christmas, Boise for football 12/27 and New Years dinner at Erna's - yes, life has been good to me so far.

I do not know if this will work, but you might click this to hear Marlee recite the SSBanner. MARLEE

No photos this week.

Bill

Friday Nov 26, 2004

End Of Course III

Last week was as hard for me as it has been. My butt is really draggin at the end of th third cycle last week -- when I am 4 pints low in blood, immunosupressed, have a toxic neuro-myopathy and a toxic fatigue, its hard to keep pressing in the office. Anyway, a week off could not have come at a better time and the past week has been delightful in Santa Barbara, LA, and Los Olivos at the Fess Parker Inn.

Thanksgiving was wonderful and we were all together at Paul's and Helen's wedding.


With another week off from chemo and a big dose of aranesp, I should be back full steam.

Monday November 15, 2004

Cycle III-B

This week was different for several reasons. First of all, all the drugs came due at the same time so I was really loaded up - in order of receiving them on Fri: emcet (oral) -> aloxi (IV) -> decadron (IV) - > zometa (IV) -> taxol (IV) -> carboplatin (IV) -> Zoladex (subcut) -> Procrit (subcut -> emcet.

Secondly I have been struggling with a cold all week that broke into a nasty bronchitis with grungy looking phlegm and a bed shaking cough. Things seem better after the Biaxin started working.

I took time to make a file of some the hats I have received. It you have not seen it, go to: www.drkennedy.com/hatz.pps.

Hair is about the same. I am looking forward to a week off in SoCal.

Bill

Sunday November 7, 2004

Round III-A

Quite a while ago, I volunteered to go with Fresno State as a team physician when we played Rice in Houston. Little did I expect then that I would be be getting key-mo. However, there are a lot of reasons to go on the trip beside the fact that the Rice games have recently been very competitive. So I moved my chemo day to Thursday morning and flew out with the team Thursday night.

I was able to convince my brother to go as "Mrs Kennedy" as Carole needed to to go to LA to be with Marlee and Beth and her seat was available.

CHEMO

My oncologist is not in on Thursday, so the nurses put me on a fast track and I was out in record time (4 hours), No problems although I am still am haveing the usual post-chemo aches, fatigue and blahs. My counts bounced back with a week off so my bone marrow did not need any Amgen assistance.

THE TRIP

The trip was great. Our football team hit on all 50 cylinders and we stiffled Rice, winning 52-21. The folks at Rice are great and the day was wonderful.

However, the trip was also filled with other events.

First, Nov 4, 1974 I saw my first patient in private practice so David and I did some Patron shots to clebrate my 30 years in medical practice!

Second, Houston harbors some special treats: Dave's friend from Penna - Ed and my friend Chester and Sherri. Ches took us to a great local barbecue place where the food and beer (Shiner bock) gets no better. Then off to the Knucklehead Sports Bar (I see drunk people ) where we had a great time. Ches is one of those special people you wait your whole life to meet - the epitome of hospitality, authenticity and getting every ounce out of life - and Sherri mirrors this.

The food, the friends, the excitement - does not get much better. Thank you to the great people in Houston.

Here is a picture of us at dinner.



BTW, the hair is about the same.

C-ya

Friday October 29, 2004

This my my "off" week from chemo; however, I did some blood work Thursday and the chemo is working -- at least it is working on my bonne marrow. Main effect is reduced production of my red blood cells; thankfully, AMGEN has come up with a drug (EPO) to kick my marrow into making more red cells and after a shot of that, I should get my strength back.

Hair - well it is the same - amazing. All the balck hair has fallen out leaving only the gray. I may try another dye job this week-end - we will see.

My brother Dave and I are going with the Bulldogs to Houston next weekend to play Rice. Dave has some buddies in Houston (as do I) so it should be a good time. I will have to squeeze some chemo in before I leave.

All is well. Stay tuned. Hope your Halloween was as fun as mine. Marlee:

Saturday October 23, 2004

The Details

Yesterday was II-C meaning I have completed the second course of therapy I am off now for two weeks, at which time I start Cycle III.

BLOG

All is going well. I got "extra" stuff with this time - Zometa to make the bones hard and Procrit to keep the blood count up. Six and 1/2 hours in the Oncologist office shoots a big part of the day. Again, when I finish I am jazzed from the steroids and feel like I have been eating cocoa leaves, but settled down today. Next week we will check the numbers but so far the good numbers are holding up and the bad numbers are falling down.

Not as much hair loss this time around so I have decided to keep it for a while.



See ya next week - Happy Halloweenie

Friday October 15, 2004

The Details

Today is the middle session of Round 2 (II-B in the Oncologist verbiage). My blood counts are holding up, no new symptoms and I watched a wonderful DVD Rental -- Mambo Italian - by all means get it. It is like MYBFG Wedding but more about mother and son.

Other Stuff

I was going to do a head shave but a number of people said to hang on to the last drop; so I put in some hair color on my head and moustache and it will buy me more time.

Here is before and after the color job (Clariol)


We are going to see Bob Dylan tommorrow -should be a good time;
the Los Angeles (S)Lackers come to Fresno Tuesday to play the Scato Queens and that will be an experience.

Stay in touch.

Bill

October 9 - 2004 Saturday

We started Cycle II(a) yesterday and it the same old - same old. The numbers look good and the right counts are going up and the bad counts are going down.

The family is here this weekend for the Football Game (FS v. UTEP) so there is plenty to keep me busy.

Overall, things are great.

Oh yeah - the hair:

October 1, 2004 Friday

Hair today - gone tommorrow. This is the "off" week where I do not have to have the WMD; however, my blood count is falling so its time for Procrit to boost me up - I guess that disqualifies me from international bicycle racing. Sorry Beth, they say Epogen is for the kidney people and Aranesp when you aren't coming in every week.



I have taken some polls as what to do with real thinning hair. Seems three options:

a. leave it along and go with flow - it might not all fall out.
b. cut it short so you are not jamming up the shower drain
c. get on with it - climb in the shower with a razor a get it off.

Being a procratinator, I will choose A. Any other decision, I will let you know.

K

September 26 Sunday

Dave and Laura were married last night at the downtown club. Fortunately, there was little residual of the previous day treatment and we had a wonderful time. I also got to meet one of my musical idols (picture above). Today the Steelers won in Miami - what a great weekend. Next weekend is the off week, completing cycle I.

Sept 24 2004 Friday

The Facts

Today was I-C meaning I completed once cycle and will have a week off and then start the second cycle.

The Take

Best yet - it took seven hours in the oncology office but the Rx went like a breeze. I found out that what I have been feeling after the treatment was due to a combination of Aloxi and high dose Decadron. It sort of feels like E (love all - serve all) combined with a glass of Mumm's. My doc has cut the steroid in 1/2 so the buzz is not as bad (or good if you like buzzes!). There will be no 'numbers' for a while. And it may take 3 or 4 cycles to see results.



The above picture is not a booking photo but was taken this week as part of a 'passport photo' at my worst for credentialing purposes. It will serve to document my hair status.

All is well. Laura and Dave are getting married tomorrow and I am exited to be going.

Bill

17 September - 2004 Friday

Well round I-b is done and it was easy - I slept through most of it. I am now at work in the State Building and am going with Carole to a French restaurant for dinner.

My hair is still intact.

I discovered that getting chemo is like a night with good Tequila: its the next day you got to worry about.

Current game plan is to give me six cycles: each cycle 3 weeks on---one week off and then see the response and my tolerance (that's six months folks) - if it goes like this it will be a a breeze.

Stay tuned!

September 13 - 2004 Monday Evening

I suppose there is no free lunch; Saturday was great but Sunday and Monday were achy and fatiguing. Fortunately there were a lot of football games on TV to keep me diverted.

I feel good and am looking forward to Round 2 Friday,

Bill

Sept 10 - Supplement

Here is a pic of me and my oncologist: Marshall Flam MD

September 10 - 2004 Friday

Today was actually fun - the staff and patients at the Oncology Office have a real sense of togetherness and humor. The last drug - TAXOL - is IV'd in alcohol instead of water and IV alcohol, if pushed in fast enough, is a buzz. No side effects at all I am preparing Coq Au Vin for dinner!

C-ya

Sept 9 - 2004 Thursday

What a week!!

Carole and I went to Seattle with the Bulldog Football team - met up with Steve and Pat Smith - great weather and wonderul seafood dinner. Best of all - we crushed the Huskies on their turf.

Tommorrow is Day 1 and this chemo-virgin is ready - sleeves rolled up and playlist on my portable CD.

Stay tuned.

Sept 3 - 2004 Friday

I was supposed to start my CTX today; however, I have delayed one more week so I can travel to Seattle with the Football team to be part of the game Sunday against U of Wash. I feel great.

WK

Friday 8-27-2004

I got my seond dose of Zometa - a bone protecting drug yesterday. When I got it three weeks ago I really got sick (which is not typical for this med).

Fortunately, today's reaction was mild - sort of a mild flu without a headache - and went to work fine. Had halibut on the patio - great.

I plan to spend an Olympic weekend at home.

Nothing left to do but smile smile smile...

8-26-2004

Today I was supposed to start my WMD to deal with my increased PSA. However, the plans have changed and I will start next Friday. I feel wonderul - but who knows.

This weekend is kick back.

WK

First Post

I will keep a blog of what is going on.

C-ya