It feels as if I'm at the top of a coaster's main drop. The chemo's back and I'm ready for the fall.
The chemo pump is back tethered to my body but that's OK. I'm feeling good for the moment and a weekend of freedom helped get me to this place.
On an up tick, though, I have only seven radiation treatments left. Then it'll be up to the chemo to continue the fight.
So the coaster ride continues, with its solid ups and its harsh downs. I hope they don't get as bad as last weekend. Dr. Z said today he was close to hospitalizing me (has asked that I not use a direct quote) but relied on my opinion -- or maybe my fear -- to let him know whether I needed to be there or home. Another day he might have made a different decision; I'm glad he didn't this time.
(Speaking of Dr. Z, I just saw a new TV commercial for the iPhone. It's the one where a New York dancer blogs with her cell phone and posts photos as the dancers perform. Hello, I was doing that months before the iPhone was released with my trusty Motorola. But I still find the iPhone very cool for other reasons, most of them visual. So I'm glad Apple and AT&T have caught up to Motorola and T-Mobile. Now we're all on par.)
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Keith Kohn
Newsman Keith Kohn, husband, dad of six, cousin and nephew to many and former night editor at the Orlando Sentinel who's now at The Post and Courier, chronicles his journey from diagnosis with esophageal cancer through his treatments. He offers insights, tips and anecdotes to help others beginning a similar path. Feel free to submit helpful hints, clarifications and corrections with the goal of helping others.
Keith Kohn
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- Monday's numbers look OK
- Enjoying the freedom
- A lot to be thankful for
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- To friends, with love
- I'm free, I'm free...
- 'Better living through chemistry'
- A new doc, a new iPhone user
- Still feeling blah, hopefully not for long
- Radiation and doughnuts
- Good news, not so good news
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- Chemo's back
- Albert "Buddy" Zuckerbrow
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Disclaimer
Please remember that I'm not a doctor and any advice given from me or those who write me are not intended to replace your doctor's directions. They are tips to use -- or to not use -- as you see fit and judge for yourself. Please do so wisely.
Please note, too, that I encourage donations to Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.
Please note, too, that I encourage donations to Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.
Contributors
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Tips mentioned in this blog
- Avoid drinks with a lot of electrolytes, such as GatorAde and the like. I can't swear the GatorAde I've been drinking caused my urinary tract infections, but they coincidentally appeared within a day of my drinking the popular sports drink. Might just be how it affects me, but might be how it interacts with chemo.
- Keep a box of alcohol pads nearby. When you're nauseous, the smell of alcohol halts the nausea.
- Don't stop being you. Allow yourself to be angry and upset, but also allow yourself twice as much to be happy and positive and encouraged. Don't feel sorry for yourself and don't allow people to feel sorry for you. And do not, under any circumstances, allow toxic, negative people to cloud your mind or your space with their negativity.
- Allow yourself to get angry, upset, frustrated ... and don't ever feel bad about it. The people around you will understand.
- Don't just stay away from the chocolate. Definitely and absolutely no coffee! No caffeine at all. It dehydrates. You need as much water as you can drink. Chicken broth sounds boring and not very appetizing, but it's important that you drink it as well. Also, apple juice is extremely acidic, so no apple juice if you're nauseous. In fact, nothing acidic.
- Don't feel like you have to be 'on' all the time. It takes its toll, and you need all the strength you can get. You'll figure it out for yourself, what your comfort levels are, but just try not to feel that pressure.
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5 comments:
Glad to hear you got a little rest this weekend. Hang in there Keith!
Keith,
Glad you had a restful weekend. Want you to know we're thinking about you in the newsroom -- even over in biz. Hope you're feeling better. Beth K.
Hey Keith,
Keep your spirits up....sounds like you are almost there. My dad had his j-tube placed today and will be starting his treatments next week. Thinking and praying for you both.....
Kendra
I am just checking in with you and want to let you know we are thinking of you! Man, it has to be tough to have gone through what you have gone through and know you are going to get to go through it AGAIN -- whoa!Hang-in there and keep fighting the good fight.We are pulling for you here!
Joanna (and Michael, who is in Egypt...)
P.S. Say "hey" to Cass for me, and I hope she is feeling better.
Hey there, Keith. Everyone in Breaking News wants to know when we can stop by and give you Chinese food. We talk about it all the time. We miss you!
Willow
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