A Milestone or Two

Saturday (6/11) we had the honor of attending the wedding of my stepson Jason to the most lovely Ms. Jessica (see picture at right for verification of said loveliness). It was an intimate gathering of family and friends in the hills overlooking the wilderness area of the city of Brea. Although the morning dawned a bit cold and overcast, by the appointed hour there was nothing but sunshine with a slight breeze. A wonderful ceremony with lots of delicious things to eat (I actually was able to taste most of it - really, really flavorful). This is a definite milestone in one's life and the words of Pastor O'Laughlin will ring true. Good luck Jason and Jessica, hard work lies ahead but the rewards to your union will be priceless.

Silent Celebration

My milestone came today after I walked out of radiation for the 14th time. 14, 1-4, Fourteen, One Four. A number by itself no mater how you say it; but when magically associated with "33" - then it is a milestone. "33" is about the number of radiation treatments that I will have within seven weeks. I am at the end of week three, four more to go with about 19 treatments left to go. So although not quite halfway, I am at the end of the third week. Hooorah! The picture is of me after leaving the hospital for my radiation treatment. It is a "Silent Celebration" taught to me by my 4yr old niece, Zara, who learned it a school (one very smart teacher). So, if you are going out tonight, hoist one up and dedicate it to my "Milestone 14". If you are staying home, have a home brew for me. If you don't drink, that's OK because neither do I; so just pass on those happy thoughts and prayers - they are working and I can never have enough. Silent Celebrations for all!

The rash is under control with some wonderful gel that is drying everything in sight. Still red, a bit swollen; but not as "pimply". I have now restarted my moisturization techniques to keeping my skin from becoming leather. My medial oncologist, Dr. Dickey, was really exited to see the rash reaction - I mean ecstatic! Her rational was that patients observed with this particular side effect showed that the chemotherapy drug (erbitux) was actually working and usually showed a higher incidence of cure. Now, the inside of my mouth and throat are a completely different matter altogether. I never thought that watermelon or grapes would hurt; but they do when the inside of your mouth is canker sore heaven. Or better yet, remember eating "Capt'n Crunch" cereal and by the time you finished, the roof of your mouth was shredded to pieces? Well, it feels like I ate the whole box. 

So, I now blend more foods, I like things at room temperature (I think Goldilocks had the right idea), the way I eat looks a little funnier ( I think my tongue "id a dit swallan") and feel like I am swallowing just like a Vermicious Knid. The pain is tolerable albeit different in that it is painful only when I move my tongue, try to swallow or open my mouth - otherwise its great. This leads to more of me nodding and providing facial expressions as my means of communication. My radiation oncologist, Dr. Simko, relates that I will cycle up, then down, then back up and finally down. I believe I am on the first "up" of that cycle. 

Jason & Jessica Odle

Looking forward to my next milestone. 


And here's to the newlyweds....