Note from Erin: I'm going back and posting from Dad's original emails, so you can catch up. The actual first date of this blog was in January 2015.
Starting this in chemo today, Friday August 8.
Guy Version
- Have been off chemo since June 20th because want to feel good for....
- 10 day vacation in Colorado—Saw Erin, and much more (see below)
- Starting three week schedule with chemo because...
- Starting new pill form of 5FU instead of 46 hour pump to wear, but....
- Have to take pills (Xeloda) twice a day for two weeks
- Hair is growing back
- Have felt pretty good except.....
- Neuropathy, esp pain in feet constantly. Doesn't seem to be worse if walking, and it is tolerable. Also fingers tips numb
- No idea of how Xeloda will work out. I hope I am one of the “some people have fewer side effects.”
Current update Since chemo. Xeloda seems to be giving fewer side effects. Only thing is perhaps a bit more numbness in my fingertips and pain in feet. Pain in the ass to remember to take Xeloda as has to be taken within 30 minutes of eating and about 12 hours apart. A regular eating schedule is not us.
Gal Version
Vacation events
- Flew to Denver on July 23rd. Took early bird flight, so arrived Denver 7:30 am. Huge thank you to Doug Page who met us at 4:15am to bring our car back from the airport.
- July 23- Had great breakfast at a jewish diner. Great Bagels along with breakfast.
- Dropped Erin off at her Central City Opera office parking lot in Denver, as she was going to spend several days working with Central City Opera in Central City, of course. We got to use her car, cheapskates that we are.
- Stayed night in Denver to acclimate to high altitude. Erin's husband, Mike, grilled us shish kabobs. Mmmmmm.
- July 24- Headed to the “Treehouse” in Fraser, Co, just beyond Winter Park. Joyce's multiple cousin, Duane and his wife, Barb, offered us the use of it if I were able to travel. Elevation 8500 feet or so. A wonderful place to rest and relax, thanks to no TV or Internet connection. A real downer, however, when we got a call from Dee Howell's daughter, that our good friend Dee had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in April, and was now heading to hospice care. Had been in touch just before then, but she had not shared it with many people.
- July 25 (Friday)- Went to Central City Opera where we saw performance of “Dead Man Walking” (extremely well done), and then an opera performed by a group of teens,. They had written and produced the opera during their 10 day intensive camp. Amazing for putting it all together in such a short time.
- Then back to Treehouse- about 1hr 15 minutes from Central City.
- July 26 (Saturday) Went to Georgetown. Joyce by now is really loving the many switchbacks on Route 40 and we spent 4 hours doing a tour of historic homes and buildings. (So much for relaxing at the Treehouse). Then picked up Erin at Central City, and went back to her home in Aurora.
- July 27- More relaxing-Ha! Drove an hour and a half in Erin's Honda Fit with Erin, Joyce, and two 2-person inflatable Kayaks. Went SW of Denver where we kayaked the South Fork of the South Platte River. (near Deckers, Co). I pumped up two inflatable kayaks, and then I went in the front of Erin's 2 person kayak, where she thought I could rest when needed. Mostly watched Joyce (in kayak alone) get hung up on rocks. Took a 3 hours -- 6 miles kayak trip. Erin enjoyed it way too much when we hit some rapids and I got wet up to my neck. Thank God for self-bailing Kayaks.
- July 29- celebrated Joyce’s birthday with shrimp kabob’s. Raining most of time at the Tree House.
- July 30. Did some driving around the area, going west on Route 40. (My sister Becky and I have explored Route 40- National Road from Cumberland Md to Vandalia Illinois. So had fun taking more photos of old building and 1940-50;s era motels, as well as other older building. Raining off and on. Break in weather and caught a local group performing at the Fraser park.
- July 31. Saw preview/dress rehearsal of “Sound of Music.” This was performed by Central City Opera. I was ho-hum going into it. But it was fantastic with the professionalism and clarity of the opera singers/actors.
- August 1 Went to Verizon and got a 4 person plan with Erin, Mike, Joyce and myself. We are now dummies using smart phones. (Motorola Minis). Relaxed and got things packed
- August 2. Erin took us to airport for a noonish flight. TSA now is the proud owner of my key ring sized leatherman, as I forgot to put it in baggage. Arrived home uneventfully about 6:00 pm. Good friend and adopted daughter, Jenn Creech picked us up from airport and brought us home.
Sunday, August 3: Make quick trip to Van Wert County where we lived for a decade because our good friend, Dee, was dying of cancer. She had requested that we visit her. Had extremely fast type CA (gall bladder and bile duct). Got to visit with some other friends as well. Special thanks to Nancy and Don Johnson who hosted us for lunch. So a trip with great range of feelings. [Got word yesterday that Dee died.]
It is humbling all the people who help us. You know who you are, so thanks so much.
John E. Swank
