March 25, 2005

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Cycle 7-C (End of Cycle)

Well - Cycle 7 is done. This cycle, my platelets have hovered around the "are you feeling lucky" status and my oncologist has not been feeling lucky so we have cut out the Carbo-plantin - but conintued the rest of the cocktail - and things are going well. However, I acquired another upper respiratory infection (unable to work until Wednesday)which has me on the ibuprofen and 12 hour sleep binges. Today, I seems to have got beyond it.

Two weekends ago, we went to visit the grandchildren and Grace Anne is just a wonderous child.




Our good friend Laura came down to see her hubby play at the Troubadour and paid a visit to us (Marlee to Laura: "I think you oughta relax on the tattoos!")
.

Our Caribean Cruise Adventure on Princess begins Tuesday when we leave for Ft Lauderdale to sail out 3/30 - 10 days.

I will do a couple posts from the ship.

Until then...ta-ta

Friday, March 11, 2005

Cycle 7-A

Last week, we had to cancel the chemo because my platelets were 52,000 (normal = 150,000 - 400,000)so I have had a chance to bounce back to pretty near normal.

This Wednesday I went over my most recent lab with the DOC and now my platelets are up and today have gone up 2 1/2 times what they were two weeks ago (there is no approved drug to boost them although AMGEN is working on it).

Best news is my PSA is now down to near normal (lowest its been in a year) showing that for the time being we have put the cancer to sleep.

So - everything is coming up roses.



In other news, my new grandaughter - Grace Anne - brought her family up from West Hills to visit us in Fresno last week and it was a joyous time: we went to the Fresno Met Museum to see Grossology - where the nasty stuff comes from (snot, vomit, diahreea, farts, and zits). Actually its an interactive fun house kind of exhibit (if you like to crawl inside noses and colons!)

Grace also took us to Sierra Summit for some snow play Saturday.

This weekend we are in West Hills to Grace-sit so Beth can get out to celebrate her birthday at Roy's.

Next week March Madness gets going - if you have not been invited to my bracket contest, go to the link or let me know at: (yem@qnis.net).

C-ya

February 19, 2005

West Hills, California

Cycle 6-B

It's Prez Day weekend and I am with my grandchildren and family in SOCal - feels like the tropics with all the rain. I am glad to get out of Fresno where Coach Stacy Johnson-Klein has given the Fresno Bee an opportunity to compete with The Enquirer and come up a scandal du jour.

Chemo went without a hitch except that my platelets have dipped; as my oncologist said: we can't keep this up forever - eventually your bone marrow will not tolerate a lot of carboplatin. But it also may be an opportunity to take a break from chemo for a while and give everything a rest. We will deciding in the next couple of weeks.

My hair contiues to grow - not enough to visit the stylist yet, but clearly a change in appearance.

Adios...

February 13, 2005

Cycle Six

I read in the Fresno Bee (my favorite source of medical misinformation), that there is an influenza called the 'California Flu' that is so mutated that the flu shots do not protect you from it. In retrospect that is what probably laid Carole and myself up in bed for a week and delayed last week's chemo. Not to worry, I am now strong enough to press on.

Friday we did Cycle 6-A without a hitch (so far). All the numbers look good and my marrow is holding its own and my head hair is starting spurt out a bit.

I have been going to a tanning salon to abort the comments from patients about "looking sick" - the result of the anemia - now I look like Palm Springs Bill.

Anyway, all is well and it will be off the West Hills and Santa Barbara to celebrate Prez Daze next weekend.

My grandchildren:



Bill

Feburary 4, 2005

For the past week, Carole and I have been locked down with a viral illness: malaise, aches, fever & chills, obnoxious cough, and no appetite (I lost 7 pounds). Today, for a change, I felt much better.

I went to the Oncologist to start Cycle 6 and got good news: my numbers are the best they have been for 8 months. However, the illness has driven my WBC count down to 2200 (Normal = 6000), I am still sweating and coughing, so it was decided to defer a week - so no chemo this week (safety first).

My hair seems to be growing some, but I would not describe it as a main event - people still do not recognize me and I still have taken to wearing funny hats.

Anyway, I suppose the overall vibe is good.

Bill

Feb 1, 2004

"That which does not kill me, makes me stronger"
- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900)

Well, I finished my last chemo of Cycle V (V-C) without incident and headed to LA on the train to see my new grand-daughter. She is beautiful and although everyone describes her as a "good" baby, I think of her as low maintenence - she eats, poops, smiles at grandpa and sleeps.

Here is a picture of Carole and our grandchildren:



I am feeling well and am scheduled to resume my treatments this week - perhaps Cycle 6 - who knows.

Carole and I signed up for a 10 day Caribean cruise in early April after Easter and that should be a good time.

Right now, everything is coming up roses - I hope I have the time to smell them!

Cheers

Saturday January 15, 2005

Well, the news this week is not about my tribulations, but the arrival Thursday of my Grand-daughter: Grace Ann Hazelton. She weighed in crying at 7'3" and she is now home with her family in West Hills. Here she is:



The chemo went fine - the nubmers are good and my body and mind seem to have adjusted to the routine. I was planning on going to LA after the chemo but I-5 was one lane south and 101 closed. Next weekend for sure.

C-ya

Friday January 7, 2005

Well, I am finally back on track with news to report.

But first, New Year's Eve was wonderful. Carole and I went to Erna's Elderberry House with Dave and Laura for a magical nite of Erna's super-party. Our friend Josh Harlan (Cynthia's son) is a cook/chef there and spent some time with us and showed us the kitchen where most of the magic happens. Here is a dinner pic:




Now for the update. When I showed up for Cycle IV - C, my bone marrow was asleep (platelets 56,000), my oncologist on the beach in Kauai, and the nurses and dox at the Cancer Center thought it best we hold off until my marrow fired up agian. So I took 2 weeks off and now my platelts are 140K + so its onto Cycle V - A. Things went very well. Not a shiver!

For Christmas, my children gave me a super I-pod, and it is clearly the Lexus of players - not just for teenagers. I can see why they can't keep them in stock despite their "rent payment" price. I listend to the moe. show on the Grandstand this year at Quincy and the NYE show in Denver with YMSB. If anyone wants copies of these shows on CD, let me know.

Other good news. After cutting short the chemo and taking off an extra week, I figured my PSA would keep rising, but it dropped 25 %; so everythng is coming up roses!

Remember: World peace begins with turn signals.

Bill

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.