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