Rolling Along

Yesterday I met with Dr. Rodriguez for a follow-up to my axillary dissection that he performed on me two weeks ago to the very day. While there was still some swelling under my right armpit it had seemed to go down a little. Dr. Rodriguez again elected not to lance it as he feels it will continue to go down on its own buty advised me to keep a close eye on it and call him if I see any noticeable changes. It is all just fluid build up from the lymph nodes being removed.
After my appointment with Dr. Rodriguez I went bowling in my league and had one of my best nights since returning to the recreation in May. I had a 659 series on games of 222-171 & 266. I had the first 8 strikes in a row in the third game before leaving a 7 pin in both the ninth and tenth frames. I closed both frames with spares for a perfect game in that I had no opens. I then broke the news to my teammates of my recent developments and upcoming schedule of things to come. But like work I will continue to bowl as long as I can. Fortunately my cancer is on my right side and for those of who don't know it, I bowl lefthanded!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, October 1st I had an eight o'clock report time at Scottsdale North Hospital for a scheduled eleven o'clock procedure to have a port implanted in my chest in preparation for my upcoming chemo treatments. Everything went well and I was out of there by two o'clock. I was attended to by most of the same team that removed from previous port back in May and they were just as kind and gentle as before. It was good to see them all!
The port this time was placed opposite of the last one, this time being on my right side instead of the left and it was placed into a vertical vein instead of a horizontal artery so hopefully I won't have the complications I had last time with the port operating as efficiently as it should. I was awake during the whole procedure and felt no discomfort as they cut into my right jugular vein above my collarbone, which wasn't done last time. This was to insert the tube into the vein and then another incision was made below the collarbone to implant the port itself. The Dr. said she would be sure to make it even with the scar on my other side so that I would have a matching pair fo scars! For that I thanked her kindly!
After leaving the hospital I came home for about an hour and a half as I had an indoctrination scheduled for four o'clock at the chemo treatment center. This basically entailed going over everything that would take place, what drugs I would be given, what side effects I could expect and a detailed briefing of things that I could do to best prepare for the oncoming onslaught. Since I had already been through this once and really didn't need a lot of explanation the nurse said this was one of the easiest indoctrinations she had ever done!
My treatments will begin this Friday, and the good news is I will only have to wear the fanny pack for four days instead of five and since I'm off on Saturdays and Sundays this should minimize the amount of work time missed due to the problems that might arise while wearing the pack. Last year I wasn't working so it was easier to cope with as I usually didn't shower for the five days I wore the pack. I don't think my co-workers would appreciate it if I did that again and then showed up for work.
So, I will continue to work and bowl for as long as I can, keeping in mind the drugs will zap both my physical strength and immune system.
Well, the pain in my neck is starting to become noticeable so I will sign off for now and go take a "Happy Pill" and head off to bed.
Thanks to those of you who continue to follow my journey and for your continued prayers and well wishes. As always I appreciate them all whether made known to me or not!
God Bless you all!