What Up?

It has been some time since my last post and I wonder where in the hell has the time gone. I have so much to share, so much to relive, so much to be thankful for; how will I get it all in? Well, let us start after the bell.....


That bell, that damn little bell, ring-ring-ring, just three little rings signifying that the poisoning of my body, the utter destruction of the cancer cells by radiation, was finally over. We are talking about 33 treatments, every weekday for 6+ weeks and now, no mas. I made it! It's done! Finito! Time to parte!


WRONGO BONGO! Little did I know about the possible after effects / side effects of radiation. Yes boys and girls, that's right; after experiencing the mouth and throat lesions, the loss of hair, the dry skin, dehydration and "hoyking" (sp) up of phlem among other things, I was lucky enough to then get to experience the literal burning of the skin about my neck. For the first time since high school, I am the proud owner of tank tops. Yes, tank tops at 49 years of age, I am a looker now - raw, exposed skin around my neck slathered with ointment to aid in the healing, topped with a stripped tank top (horizontal because after losing 50+ pounds I need to look "bigger/buffer"), shorts and flip flops. I can honestly say that the rockiest part of my journey to date has been dealing with this skin issue (I have accepted the fashion faux paux). It was not only physically draining, but took an quite an emotional toll. It was the first time that I had to go in to see my oncologist and ask for additional meds to help with the healing as my threshold for this particular pain had been exceeded. The cycle started on one side of the neck, appeared on the other and then migrated to the back of the neck. The healing cycle followed roughly the same pattern. Although now healed to a great extend (still have dry skin, loss of sensation, etc), the degree of skin pigmentation is testament to the severity of the side/after effects of the radiation.

Authentic cycling jersey
from the Tuscany Region
in Italy - Panzano

So I mentioned 50+ plus pounds of Gary that no longer exist. Well, a liquid diet for about 5 to 6 weeks will do that. I am about the 195lbs range as I write this and my oncologist believes I am plus/minus 5lbs of where I can maintian the weight. I have started rehab using kettleballs and doing some light road cycling (see picture). Each day I feel better, stronger and have started to eat solid foods - although my tongue and throat still have open sores that make swallowing a bit difficult (add a case of thrush and eating is still a chore). My taste buds are still in hibernation so I smell and recognize my food before I actually taste it meaning my taste is more from memory than from actually being able to taste it. With the sores still present, chewing and swallowing are becoming an artform with me. The buds are scheduled to make a return, but I just don't know when or how much or in what form for that matter - maybe I will now be able to enjoy avocados and mustard. 

USA! USA! USA!

I also wanted to acknowledge a very special gift that I received and just recently was able to wear (read neck and tanktop discussion from above). Thank you to Alex and Liz (daughters of Chris & Jayne Pimlott of the Pimlotts of El Segundo) who attended the Women's World Cup tournament finals this past July in Germany and were fortunate enough to get tickets to the final game between the US National Team and the Japanese National Team. What an incredible feeling to pull on that shirt knowing that these young ladies who really don't know me from adam would think of me at a time when they are attending one of the premier sporting events in the world. I am truly, truly blessed when I can say that I have people thinking of me halfway across the world! Wow! Thanks to Alex and Liz, you are two exceptional young ladies who have made a soccer fanatic extremely happy and have aided in my rehabilitation. Thank you, thank you, thank you!  


So you are not pretty much caught up. I promise to blog sooner so that I don't keep things to myself. I am scheduled to see my oncologist next week and just saw my oncology dentist so more to come......