Ain't gonna lie

Well, I ain't gonn a lie and say this trip around the block is easier than last time because it is shorter in duration.  ICE chemo over a 4 day period sure aint no joke.  I still feel like a slug, except with a headache to boot.  Not drinking enough liquids- so I am working on that.  I've got a big lemonade I'm sipping on today.  Need something with strong flavor like that, or else it is kind of disgusting.   

I think I've found a better way to develop abs than the exercises we use in CrossFit.  Its called chemo.  From about hour 3 'til day 4 of getting the ICE blast, I develop an incesant case of hiccups.  They are non-stop and there is no cure.  I've tried every home made remedy there is, and the doc even gave me Thorazine.  They say it is very common, and it normally subsides as soon as the drip is pulled out- which was Monday.  I awoke today feeling like my abdomen had been CANED!  My belly is so sore, you wouldn't believe it.  Sore to the touch.   However many thousand of hiccup contractions- I don't know.  Killer though. 

In an earlier post, I discused purposely with very little detail our displeasure with the Emory Winship Center.  No offense guys- I know lots of folks working at Emory, that I am sure are reading this.   After doing much research and speaking with several folks/survivors we have decided to move our camp over to the Bone Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia.  They are a private practice located at Northside Hosipital.   I don't do well being treated like a number, and most of you know, I like to know whats going on and like to keep a certain amount of control.  The practice at Northside is very much like the original practice where I underwent my first round of treatments.  Nice, homey, and they know your friggin name.  Heck, the nurses I spoke with actually knew my diagnosis without asking me.  How's that for novel?  (Insert sarcastic grin here) Another comforting factor is that my doctor at BMTGA has been doing this for years, and was one of the original pioneers in setting up the process for BMT.  He's one of the OG's.- for those tragically hip enough to catch that.   Further, much of his research has been in Hodgkins Disease, which is the cancer I am getting ready to beat again.   

The process of the Bone Marrow Transplant is relatively the same anywhere you go.  2-3 cycles of ICE, collect stem cells, knock out chemo punch and then put cells back in.   The big difference at Northside is that they do their transplants more on an outpatient basis than an in.  In other words, I'll be in the hospital for the transplant, and then back out after a few days.  From there, it will be daily trips to the clinic to get fluids, platelets, red blood cells, etc.  This will last for about 6 weeks, then the visits become every other day, to twice a week, then once a week, then follow up.  This is all over the course of 100 days from the transplant.  I'll be kind of on house arrest during that 100 days, but can have all the visitors I want- just no snot nosed kids.     I was kind of excited to hear this approach, as the alternative of staying in the hospital at Emory for 25-30 days minimum does not excite me in the very least.  At least this way, I'll have my own bed, my own TV, hobbies etc.  If there are any complications, then Northside is just a short trip up the road.  They say the common thing to happen is to get a fever.  If this happens, they get you in and infuse you with a strong antibiotic and send you back home.  Presto. 

Thats it for now I guess.  Talk at y'all soon. 

Comments

[Alisa - Piedmont AM]

Hey Jeff, I'm glad for you guys to be moving to Northside. That's where I used to work, specifically in the inpatient bone marrow transplant unit with the patients admitted with fevers, etc., and they have really amazing nurses and doctors there. I don't know as much about the outpatient clinic, and hopefully you don't have to go inpatient at all, but if you do you'll be in good hands. Isn't BMTGA Dr.s Bashey/Morris/Solomon? And there is maybe a fourth one I'm forgetting? If that's who you have, they are really great!

I went to the gym this morning for the first time in about three weeks and it was really HARD! I've been at the park in between, but my pull-ups were sure lacking since I was last there! We all miss you and can't wait to see you back there soon!

Keep up your great spirit - you are an inspiration to us all.

[Jason Harrison]

Jeff - Welcome to the GABMT!! I was there today meeting with Dr. Solomon and Team. I will be there next Thur for an IGG infusion so I'm sure we will run into one another. Keep up the good work with ICE as it is a bitch!! Dr. Holland is one the best so you know you are in good hands. He and the staff will watch you like a hawk so be prepared to discuss every little burp, fart, skin change, etc with the whole gang. I guess it goes with the territory. I hate that you're having to go through this but I'm glad to see you on my field!! I'll have to introduce you to a few "brothers" of mine at the clinic. When we all get done with this crap, we are planning a huge bash and I figure since you have the skill set for this type of activity that you would be a great addition to the team. Keep a good attitude and make the best of this time. I'll see ya around. FYI - Don't take a chair next to the Bathroom......

[LaurenW]

Hey Jeff, it just wouldn't rate as a truly meaningful 40th birthday unless I checked up on you via the Finish the Drill blog in addition to the BTB fitness site. I loved your funny posts today and wish you'd been at the gym to see the amusing details that appeared when we inspired folks to list more relevant descriptors than just their names and scores. Mark and John have 2 beautiful kids between them; Sarah and Parker seem to be a match made in heaven; etc.

I am so sorry for the obvious discomfort (is that too mild?) you're enduring due to Hodgkins and chemo. Sounds like it just completely sucks. Although you have stated that you don't discuss religion and politics with clients or even, possibly, close friends, I trust that prayers/karma/warm wishes are welcome, and all 5 Waits Gambills are sending you all 3 of those. Every day. I'm not kidding.

SO many things I learned from you, you are now demonstrating in the way you approach your medical treatment.
Like: it's your body; it will respond in predictable ways to various interventions; many of these will feel unpleasant but they will be GOOD FOR YOU so accept them!
Like: you have a name, you deserve to hear it spoken, regularly, by the people whose client you supposedly are.
Like: bring along your sense of humor or life is really no fun at all.
Like: insist on having and maintaining a positive attitude even if it seems impossible to maintain for more than the next 15 seconds (you can do anything for 15 seconds, right?)
Like: being in the middle of a large community of insane, good-natured people is without a doubt the best way to survive this crazy old world we're stuck in.

You and Melissa, TOGETHER, are an amazing team and I just want to remind you that even now, while you probably feel way too far apart from crossfit and gym workouts and bouncy perky people with big smiles on their faces, the TWO of you are offering us an important model of real life, lived honorably and bravely and honestly, just in the way you make your decisions and face this highly unpleasant path. None of us would choose it, but we also can't imagine another soul better equipped to crush these vicious cancer cells into submission.

I can't wait to celebrate your 40th (wait, are you 40 already?), 50th, and 60th at the poncey-highlands gym. By your 70th you guys may have to visit me in retirement but I promise it will be a sunny place. Very best to you and big hugs from Lauren, Art, Harper Crispin and Amelia on 4/30/2008!

[jeff]

Jason- thanks for the tips bud. I'm sure we'll see you around, and am looking forward to meeting your wrecking crew here. You are so right about them watching like hawks. Holy cow. One of the techs came in and gave me a head shave yesterday. I was shedding like crazy all over my bed. It was time. It feels great to be hairless agian. Forgot how nice it was.

Lauren, you are a true wordsmith. Thanks for your great compliments and well wishes. I think we all know you are a bit more than just another "client" for us at the gym. Tell the kids hi for me, and I'll see you guys in the gym soon- even if I just have to stand around in the corner like a punished boy.