Saturday, April 17, 2010

Well a long update as much has happened this week. Monday and Tuesday were 'normal' and I felt pretty good. Wednesday I was scheduled for an X-ray to check the tube as it was working very slowly. I'll spare you the OR details. The tube had a loop in it so they pulled it out, which was a bit uncomfortable, but the 'installation' of the new, slightly larger tube was... very uncomfortable. It all happened in a matter of minutes with no anesthetic, freezing, etc. I was out of commission for the rest of the day.
Thursday brought improvement and a big change in protocol. Carlye, my daughter who is an MD, Sandra, my wife, and I had a 5 PM conference call with Dr Sui my chemotherapy oncologist. It was a follow up to our meeting last week with the radiation doctor in which we asked very pointed questions about the chemo and what we gained, and lost, because of it. Dr Sui was amazing. No defensiveness, no agenda, she just listened, answered the questions. In the end she said that I lost very little, if anything by dropping the chemo from the program. Furthermore she made it very clear this would not really effect the outcome. She and John, the radiation oncologist have suggested a slightly different radiation protocol. I will now get radiation treatments twice every Thursday. I still get a total of 35 treatments (15 are done) so my treatment will now finish on May the 11th. This is very good news as the chemo kicked the crap out of me.
Generally things are getting harder each day. Mouth and throat sores make eating a chore and I see why anorexia is such a fear. You just don't want to eat. I weigh 153 at the moment, down from 170. I have started using the cans of Nurtren with the feeding tube. I now have a pump to regulate the speed of the feed through the tube. That is very helpful. Thank goodness for my Blue jays and the Stanley Cup playoffs as each feeding, for 375 calories, takes 2 hours. Our basic focus is on treatments and trying to get 2100 calories into me each day.
Well that's a bit long but now you are up to date. Spring has been amazing in Toronto. Spring flowers are up, the leaves are bursting out... hope is in the air everywhere.
The very best to you all. It's so nice to have you all on board.
With Warmth,
Peter
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14 comments:

  1. brian gurdenApril 17, 2010 at 6:50 PM

    Hi Peter Good to get this week's news. The change in treatment is encouraging. The three of you having some input will also make you feel less like a patient. You will have noticed by now that when you are told to 'take a deep breath', something is either going to be inserted or pulled out.
    I'm sure there is a filet mignon with your name on it at Auberge du Pommier. Continued good progress next week... Brian

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  2. UnknownApril 18, 2010 at 5:26 AM

    Hi Peter..I have a tip that may help with your lip and mouth sores. Xylocaine 5% solution is sold over the counter..(kept behind it..don't even bother with the 2.5% version)..basically orajel on steroids..very effective...Nauseau is different for everyone..Miso soup might help you..my nurse recommended it and it worked! Ottawa is thinking of you! Tom

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  3. Shannon SzabadosApril 19, 2010 at 11:49 AM

    Hey PJ! Thanks for all the updates, glad to see you're fighting hard! When you're all better the team will take you with us to boot camp so you can put some of that weight back on ;)

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  4. Meaghan MikkelsonApril 20, 2010 at 9:01 AM

    Hi PJ! Thanks for the updates :) I'm with Szaby on bring you back to boot camp! We will have those guns back in no time. Stay strong!
    ~Hugs
    Mikk

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  5. Michelle LeighApril 20, 2010 at 10:42 AM

    Hey Peter and Sandra. Everyone in the office and all the coaches are following your journey. Thanks for taking time to post updates. We talk about about you every day and can't imagine what you are going through. I did my 5th Boston Marathon yesterday.... I could have used more training with you :) (you know the runs- where you do circles around me and i drag my feet up and down even the smallest of hills) I hope I don't see another hill for a long time but I am looking forward to seeing you both. XO Michelle

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  6. Sarah BowlerApril 20, 2010 at 7:16 PM

    Hi Peter, Andrew and I have been following your blog. You inspire me each and every day. We know when you get through this- it will serve as a great chapter in your next book. Thinking of you and your family.

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  7. Julie EinarsonApril 22, 2010 at 6:19 AM

    Hi from Queen's! We're in the first week of EP and its midge season, which you're all too familiar with. Tom and Matt dressed identically today by accident, so we're laughing at them. Kathy had a beautiful 8 pd 5 oz baby girl 7 days past her due date and the crush space and Room A got a facelift, can't wait for you to see it. Cleaner, more corporate, very nice. Lisa H went to London with a custom program and she and Bill Blake have been stuck there (volcanoe badness) for going on a week tomorrow. They're playing tourist and eager to come home. Salman finished his PhD and Steve E is coming to our alumni road show in Hamilton next month - if you ever wondered, the draw for the book tour was absolutely you. We're hoping to have a third of the turnout we did for your tour. Hard to believe that was so long ago now! Thinking of you and sending you hugs and energy. You have dahlia and cottage season to look forward to, amongst many other things!!

    Best,

    Julie

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  8. Ian LeggattApril 22, 2010 at 11:59 AM

    Peter,
    As always, you are the most positive person I have ever met. Good to see. I look forward to seeing you on the the first tee soon. The fairways are sure to be oh so more pleasant when you are ready to play again. That being very soon I'm sure.
    Your friend,
    Leggo

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  9. Bruno AlbericoApril 22, 2010 at 5:34 PM

    Hi Peter,

    Thanks for the updates. Your positive attitude is pushing me harder as I train for the 3rd annual Cancer Ride. Spinning and weights have been replaced by outdoor cycling.

    100 KM on Sunday followed by 10 Glendon College hills on Tuesday.

    My cousin's olive oil has finally arrived. Looking forward to sharing some with you , Sandra & Quinn in the very near future.

    Take care,

    Bruno

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  10. BrunoApril 22, 2010 at 5:38 PM

    Hi Peter,

    Thanks for the updates. Your positive attitiude is pushing me harder in my training for the 3rd annual Cancer Ride. Spinning and weights have been replaced by outdoor cycling.

    100 KM on Sunday. 10 Glendon College Hills on Tuesday.

    My cousin's olive oil has finally arrived. Looking forward tosharing it with you, Sandra and Quinn in the very near future.
    Take care,

    Bruno

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  11. Andrew McDougallApril 22, 2010 at 6:10 PM

    Hi Peter,

    Your optimism and charm during this trying experience is truly inspiring. My energy and spirit are with you.

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  12. AnonymousApril 22, 2010 at 7:33 PM

    Hi Peter,

    My name is Pam and I'm a friend of Doug Leigh's. Although we have never met I feel a kinship with you. I too, was diagnosed with cancer this year, clear cell grade 3. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing doctor at PMH and at present am Cancer free! It is a tough road to haul and that's just the psychological part. Cancerhead is almost life consuming. I've heard about what an amazing person you are and I'm sure, as Sarah Bowler said, that this experience will "serve as a great chapter in your next book". I think of you everyday...Pam

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  13. attaApril 22, 2010 at 10:03 PM

    HI Peter - just finished the 2 day Coaching for Challenging Conversations session with Garry in Vancouver and it's great! Thanks for brining these sessions to Vancouver. I'm forever grateful for everything I've learned from you ever since I met you at QSB in 2006 and wish you all the best and a speedy recovery. You're the most positive person I've ever met and I look forward to attending one of your coaching seminars soon! Warmest regards, Atta

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  14. liz mcdougallApril 23, 2010 at 7:32 AM

    Dear Peter: Andrew just told me about what is going on with you and I am truly sorry to hear this. I hold you in my light and send you a big virtual hug. Liz

    ReplyDelete

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