Tuesday, May 30, 2017

2nd Cycle

Finished up the 2nd 5-day cycle of treatment a week ago, Tuesday, and had my follow-up appointment on Friday. The treatment itself was postponed a day due to low blood levels. A shot of Zarxio and some excruciating pain later and my blood levels were back up to snuff. This time, I had less of an appetite and started experiencing some nausea, both of which persisted after discharge from the hospital. Was really tired and weak for the first few days back, and my blood levels had sunk quite low again by my follow-up appointment, so my doctor said to “hibernate” and “be very careful”. Check.

As of today, though, my energy level has increased, along with my appetite, and I’ve gone two days with no nausea. Most of my hair is gone, except for a hardy strain of fuzz. I go in for a blood test on June 3rd and get the results on the 5th. I’m hoping that feeling better is a sign that my blood levels have improved and that I’ll be ready for readmission on June 7th or 8th to start the 3rd cycle. Very ready to be done with all this and get back to a regular routine.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Tragic Providence: Progress Report 19 (FINAL)

 
Tragic Providence is live and available for download from Amazon.com!

In spite of everything going on (I'm off to the hospital in a few hours to start my 2nd cycle of chemotherapy),  the first King Yellow book is complete!


Thank you, everyone, for all your support!

Monday, May 8, 2017

Tragic Providence: Progress Report 18

King Yellow: Tragic Providence
2nd draft complete @
116,600 words

I've been back from the hospital for a week and have been feeling mostly good. I cannot thank my wife and daughter (and parents) enough for all their help and support. I've been eating with no trouble, and even had an increase in appetite for a few days there. I've been pretty tired and have noticed some hearing loss already, but today in particular has been a bit iffy. For the first time, I think I'm starting to slip into the realm of the weakened immune system. Been headachey and a little dizzy.

I have been able to proofread, though, and can proudly say that the 2nd draft is complete. I'm very proud of Tragic Providence. It is exactly what I wanted it to be. I want to make one more proofread run and then I'll try to start work on the eBook formatting. If I continue to feel like I did today, though, that might be a challenge. As always, fingers crossed!

Thursday, May 4, 2017

May 4th Follow-up

Happy to learn that my blood levels are good and that I'm currently on schedule for readmission on May 17th. It almost feels like it's half over already! Woohoo!

Monday, May 1, 2017

1st Cycle

Complete! Finished my first five-day course of treatment on Etoposide and Cisplatin last night and got home this morning. No nausea as yet, but tired and filled to bursting with all the hydration I got, which is not a complaint considering what it's for. Overall, I feel pretty good. Hopefully, that continues and the follow-up cycles will be as agreeable, but I guess I ought to leave some room for reality. In any case, glad to be back home for a while.