Treatment Numero Tres

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. It's about 5:45 on Tuesday and I almost finished with my third treatment. I'm starting to feel like the Vince Chase of the cancer center as it seems to be a party every time I come down here! Today I was lucky enough to have my beautiful bride-to-be with me, my mom (who came bearing gifts, as usual), and our good buddy from Miami Nick Scala dropped by for a visit as well! It was great to see him and the company made the hours go by much faster.


Overall my condition has remained pretty stable. My white blood cell count is still low, though it's a bit higher than it was before my second treatment (up to 1,000 from 790 last week). The nurses encouraged me again today to be very mindful of my hand-washing, sanitizing and exposure to sick people. We'll see how I feel later tonight and tomorrow morning but for now things continue to run smoothly.

Also, a special thanks to Goob, who had us over for an awesome home-cooked dinner last week, and to Lindsay Buffington, who saved us from kitchen duty this week. You guys rock!

I have been promising people that cancer would not keep me out of the woods or off the rivers, and it certainly hasn't; [much to Becky's chagrin] I've been fishing and hunting like a maniac recently (I am certain this is the primary reason for my lack of side-effects to date). And just so you don't think all I ever do is sit around the hospital with an IV in my arm, here's a few shots from the field!

Update for 12/22

Hey Everybody,

Just a quick update today. I am feeling awesome and still hanging on to my hair (what little I've been sporting these days). I'm thrilled about that, but Becky has been encouraging me to accept the fact that my head is going to miss it's "blanket" pretty soon.

Yesterday I met with my Oncologist, Dr. Dean at the Taussig Cancer Center downtown. He gave me a look over and asked some questions regarding how I've been dealing with my treatment. According to him I'm making great progress and there' plenty of optimism looking forward. He mentioned that the dip in some of my blood counts that was recorded prior to my second treatment was pretty normal and to be expected. We discussed my options going forward regarding whether or not to receive radiation treatment, but there's still some time before that decision has to be made.

For now I'm looking forward to being with friends and family over the Holiday weekend, and will head back downtown for my third treatment on Tuesday. Thanks so much again for the continued prayers and well wishes... they are working wonders!

JL

Still kickin!

Just wanted to let you all know that Jimmy still feels great!  He was a little down for the 24 hours after chemo on Monday but is still going strong! Our good friends Lauren and Brad came over Tuesday and made us dinner which was awesome. We have friends doing that for us every Tuesday through March! Seriously amazing and so appreciated.  Were lucky to have so many friends in town. Jimmy has continued to fish every possible morning this week, then work 12-8, and not feel tired. He has more energy than I do.

Jimmy's neutrophil count was down on Monday, which are the white blood cells that fight infections. Although I am already a germaphobe, he thinks nothing of holding a slimy fish and then eating lunch. So my mom was in town this week and helped us sanitize the house and buy paper hand towels etc.

On a side note, my mom and I also went to see the a capalla group "Delilah" from NBCs The Singoff, perform last weekend. I have been listening to them on repeat since Jimmy's diagnosis and they dedicated a song to Jimmy and I and it was pretty awesome. So if you haven't heard of them, you should Youtube Amy Whitcomb and Delilah and listen to them  :) I am obsessed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6YlmEVyGrE

I hope everyone is having a great weekend and looking forward to the holidays! Thanks again for the support, dinners, cards, and gift packages. Some of our friends from Miami (OPC) got me a spa certificate and I cannot wait for a massage :)

Good Medicine

Went down to The Clinic again today for my second round of the [not so] good stuff. Brett generously offered to give me some company and hatched the idea of making a fly tying session out of it. We grabbed our vises, snuck in a bag of fur and feathers and spun bugs for a couple hours. Needless to say we were the talk of the Cancer Center - nothing gets the nurses' attention quicker than a pile of marabou scraps in the bio-hazard bin!

On a more somber note, yesterday was a difficult day for our family as we laid my grandfather Don Messenger to rest. I kept thinking back to a much younger version of myself, holding Grandpa's hand and pestering him with one question after another as we wandered the halls of the natural history museum or walked the docks of the Shaker Nature Center. Those visits with him inspired in me what would eventually turn into a life-long love of all things outdoors, and for that I am forever grateful. Grandpa, you will be missed.

Can't make another post without thanking friends and family, especially all of you who came out yesterday to visit and pay respects. My mom, dad and I talked afterward about how lucky we are to have such caring and supportive people around us. Your encouragement and support helps more than you know!

P.S. At the moment I am still feeling well, if only a little "queasy." The nurses and doctors were encouraged to hear that I had been side-effect free for the last two weeks and said that bodes well for me going forward. Some of my blood counts were a little low, and I'll have to be very careful with my hygiene in order to avoid infection. So next time we cross paths, keep it kosher and throw me a fist bump instead of a handshake!

No news is good news

For anyone following, that's the rule for this blog. Have been feeling great recently so didn't see a need to update. At this stage I'd say watching The Browns has been more damaging to my health than Hodgkins has been! On Monday I'll return to the Cleveland Clinic for my second ABVD chemo treatment, and I'll be sure to update after that. Thanks as always for your support and well-wishes.

Days 5 and 6

Tomorrow will mark one full week since my first chemo treatment and I continue to be side effect-free. I guess my liver is particularly adept at filtering toxins - who knew? I have lost bit of weight but that is to be expected and my energy level is still high. I was able to get out fishing and hunting before work Friday and Saturday monings and with two days off coming up with and no doctor's appointments schedule d, I plan to do more of the same tomorrow and Tuesday.

My friends and family continue to amaze me with their kindness and support. Tonight the Buffingtons brought over a huge pan of lazagna so Becky and I didn't have to cook. Thanks guys, can't wait to dig into that and we REALLY appreciate it!

Day 4

3 full days since receiving my first treatment and still no noticeable side effects! I know that won't last but for now I'll take it...

Day 3

It was back to work today and I'm still feeling good. Eating small meals throughout the day to keep my stomach full and combat any potential nausea. We'll see what the rest of the week holds, but I plan to be be either hunting or fishing Friday morning, so keep an eye on Dudewater...

Feeling Good

Many of our family and friends have been asking how I'm feeling on the first day after treatment. So far I feel great with no nausea to speak of (knock on wood). The anti-nausea drug that is administered via IV with the treatment is supposed to wear off in 2-3 days, so we'll see what happens after that. In the meantime I just want to thank everyone for their support and concern, it means a lot and I certainly appreciate it!

Day 1 of Treatment

This blog is to keep those who have asked informed of Jimmy's treatments and progress.

Today has been a long day at the Cleveland Clinic. After some blood work this morning, we met with Jimmy's oncologist, Dr. Dean and Amy, his nurse clinician. Amy is awesome- she schedules all of Jimmy's appointments at the various parts of the clinic, which is more like a city. I think they talk twice a day.

This afternoon Jimmy started his first chemo treatment, made up of four drugs they call ABVD. He met with a pharmacist who specializes in Hematology/Oncology who explained all the drugs and the side effects. A nutritionist also came in and gave him some information. Everyone at the clinic is super nice.

So far he is feeling fine and liking the ease of his buzzed hair.

Jimmy is very appreciative of all the support he has received from family and friends. He watched ESPN live on his new Ipad our friends bought him. He is currently reclining in his chair and drinking out of his water cup disguised as a glass of beer that his Mom purchased.

For those who don't know, Jimmy was diagnosed with Stage 2A Hodgkins Lymphoma on November 9th. His first day of chemotherapy is today, November 28th. The time in between consisted of many tests and blood samples, as well as Jimmy's 25th birthday on the 17th.

Jimmy's treatment will consist of chemotherapy every two weeks for either four months followed by radiation, or for six months with no radiation. Hopefully he has hair for the wedding next fall!