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.
08/29/2014 and 9/5/14
John Update
Guy Version
· My feet hurt like hell.
· Mouth sores for 6 days made me think dying didn't sound too bad
· Still went to work, parties and dancing
· My brother, Dan, and I went on a bike ride Labor Day.
· Joyce and my 45th anniversary is tomorrow. What a supportive wife!
Gal Version
· I have chemo every three weeks now since started oral Xeloda in place of the pump ( Xeloda is oral form of 5-FU)
· I did not have any great problems (a bit more pain in hands and feet) the first 10 days
· Then for the next 6 days I had severe sores in my mouth under my tongue toward the back. Ouch!!
· Got to the place I could barely eat, or even talk much. Everything hurt when swallowed. My mouth was extremely dry, and hard to keep hydrated when it hurts to swallow
· Started getting better about 6 days later , and so I have had another good 4 days until I started chemo again.
· Feet have been quite painful most of the time, along with constant pain in finger tips
· Dr. Lavelle yesterday told me to expect “stacking of symptoms” when taking Xeloda
· Unfortunately that means symptoms may increase each time I take it. I am so looking forward to that...although I have learned some things that may help lessen the sore mouth.
· In spite of that, went to Biergarten and went to a birthday party for a cousin, while dealing with the sore mouth.
· Also made it to work each day.
Again, I appreciate your support. I am amazed how I get cards from people I don't know well as well as from friends I do know. Thanks to all.
09/05/2014
· My brother, Dan, and I went on a bike ride Monday afternoon. Biked about 3.5 miles round trip from the covered bridge up to where the new bike bridge is in the finishing stage. This bridge will win awards as the most beautiful bike bridge in Ohio.
· Now a week post-infusion, one more week to go on the Xeloda. Pain in feet are the worst. Pain in tips of fingers comes in second. Other side effects minimal.
· I am doing some research about whether we can get the 46 hr.infusion pump used again. The advantage is you get bulk of symptoms over quickly. Can't find anyone to hook and unhook the pump for less than $280. Not covered by any insurance.
· Went to Octoberfest at Edelweiss Club in Englewood on past Saturday. Took pain pills and managed to get on the dance floor with Joyce for some polka and schottische.
· Since fingertips hurt, have been learning to use Google Voice to Text. It is fun, and amazing. It will type a “wrong” word, but then often corrects it when it gets the context. And then editing doesn't require so much typing. Fortunately does not type in “uhh” every time I say it.
Thanks to all for expressions of concern and prayers. Cherish each day.
John E. Swank
