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forceps. After about half an hour of pushing, finally, success. I was bleeding. <strong>My</strong> rectum<br />
was on fire, I grew hemorrhoids I never knew I had. They still have not gone away, 4<br />
days later. Every visit to the bathroom gives me a chance to relive this experience.<br />
I visited Dr. Flam this morning. He has a cold and wore a mask and sanitized his hands. I<br />
hope I don't catch anything. All is going well.<strong>My</strong> white cell count has risen from 3.8 to 6.6<br />
thousand. <strong>My</strong> platelet count has improved from 67 to 116 thousand. However, there has<br />
been a small drop in my hemoglobin from 11.7 to 11.2. I suspect this may be at least in<br />
part from my forcing fluids to keep from mixing more concrete in my colon.<br />
Other symptoms include dry mouth, inflammation of the gums and nose, and leg cramps.<br />
The leg vramps seem to effect new muscles in the side of the calf rather than the usual<br />
calf cramps. They don't respond well to external squeezing, but seem to improve <strong>with</strong><br />
walking and a heating pad.Dr Flam recommended<br />
CO-Q 10, 200 mg for this. I will start <strong>with</strong> 100 mg.<br />
I am also taking Colace, a fiber laxative and will try prunes.<br />
I have to say that if I didn't know I have cancer, life would be pretty good right now. I am<br />
not working and am enjoying spending time in a non-productive way. I am still going to<br />
the bridge club and I have confirmed on the ACBL Web Site that i have attained the rank<br />
of Gold Life Master. On Monday afternoon, Bert and I came first of 11 north/south pairs.<br />
All this has taken a toll on Judy who composed this small essay to describe her feelings.<br />
FIND THE TIME<br />
You're so busy.<br />
Never enough time to do all the things you need to do.<br />
Running here, running there, wishing you had more free time.<br />
And then your life changes.<br />
You're diagnosed <strong>with</strong> cancer.<br />
Suddenly you have the time to run from doctor to doctor, being poked, X-rayed, Radiated<br />
and getting chemo.<br />
Amazing how life suddenly changes and all those important things that kept you so busy<br />
Can now so easily<br />
Be put on hold.<br />
Posted by David Shuster at 02:34PM (-07:00)<br />
End of Round 2, I'm Still Standing<br />
Thursday, May 19, 2011<br />
Today, I completed round 2 of chemotherapy. I still have to go back tomorrow for a shot<br />
of Neulasta to build up my white count. <strong>My</strong> labs today were all good except my blood<br />
sugar which is about 175, bit taken after Rice Krispies, raisins, bananas, and Boost Plus.<br />
I think this accounts for the elevation. I am more nauseated this time than last, and have<br />
added generic Compazine to my list of medications. I think it is giving me a Parkinsonian<br />
reaction as I notice a tremor as I type this. <strong>My</strong> mouth is still quite dry, my taste buds have<br />
not deteriorated further, and I have been getting up every 2 hours to empty my bladder.<br />
Otherwise I feel well.<br />
Judy has been having shoulder pain <strong>with</strong>out any trauma but <strong>with</strong> a sudden onset. I<br />
presume it is bursitis.<br />
<strong>My</strong> <strong>Battle</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Merkel</strong> <strong>Cell</strong> <strong>Cancer</strong>
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