A Steep Climb Ahead and the Netflix Challenge

Stage 2 of the climb began today. It's rumored to be one of the steepest sections of the climb. More literally, Day 1 of consolidation and being 23 is coming to a close, and it's been a good day -- much better than yesterday.

Here's what I learned today: We're still waiting on the result of one final test, and the chemo drug (cytoxan) that they gave me today will stay in my system for around 72 hours, so please keep the good vibes coming.

This is also a stage of treatment where I'm at a high risk of infection and the doctor tells me there's about a fifty percent chance that I will end up in the hospital for a stretch of it -- most likely in about ten days. This means I'll likely need to be almost entirely home bound -- might not even get out on my occasional excursions as I do now -- which brings up my Netflix Challenge so please check out the bottom of this post labeled NETFLIX CHALLENGE.

I also learned, or rather confirmed, that I'm an anomaly (I guess I always have been). How much so? Here's a list of what I had done today in order of those that caused me the greatest anxiety:

1. Spinal Tap without sedation (This one I think is pretty normal to rank high)
2. Getting New pills I need to swallow
3. Having to get up at 8:30am and step into a -20 degree wind chill
4. Having to give myself a shot in the stomach of a chemo drug

I can only believe that the vast majority of people would bump up number four a bit, but it didn't bother me all that badly. Swallowing pills the size of regular strength Tylenol, now that is a real challenge for a guy who avoided almost all medication for 22 years because "it just can't be good for you; it's unnatural."

TODAY:

Early this afternoon, the nurse brought me a cup full of "pre-meds" before chemotherapy. The biggest of them, an important anti-nausea medication that she informed me "don't worry, everybody can swallow that, even our patients with throat cancer."

"Okay, Sam, you can do this" I thought to myself, threw it to the back of my throat, and promptly spit it back up into my hand. "Hmmm." The friendly nurse, Mary, luckily shared my sense of humor and adventure, so we decided to make crack open the capsule, make a slurry with water in a measuring glass and do a shot 'o anti-nausea -- Not ever done orally to my knowledge, but I figure if I can handle a "Flaming Dr. Pepper" (don't ask), I can handle anything. With great apprehension and a host of nervous eyes looking at me I did the shot, looked up and after a short pause responded "hmm, tastes of candy" to the surprise of everyone in the room. Well, no complaints here -- other than that each pill costs about $100... Although worth every penny if it continues to work.

Later in the afternoon, as I received cytoxan and was feeling a bit of discomfort from the LP, Katie was sitting next to me, leaning close, holding my hand, and we were both listening to my ipod with one ear bud in each of our ears. A short while later, Katie and Mum left to go to the cafeteria and the nurse, Mary, came in and asked "Where did your mom and sister go?"

I was a little loggy, and had to think for a minute. "I didn't think Kate was here, those drugs must really be messing with my mind..." I thought. ***I must pause here to note that my girlfriend's name is Katie, my sister's name is Kate if this isn't self-evident*** Another thinking pause... "Ohh, sh**, she thinks Katie's my sister."

"That's my girlfriend, not sister." I said laughing
"Ahhh, I thought you to must be mighty close for siblings."

We both got a good laugh.

TONIGHT:

The anti-nausea pre-meds included a low dose steroid, so tonight I've had the appetite of a horse and am still up at 12:30am. I feel great, as I usually do on chemo nights. It's always the day after that is hardest, so I never want to go to sleep because I feel good and know that I'll wake up feeling rough; But as long as I have my nights I'm ecstatic.

I got home after a close call of having to urinate in the car on the 15 minute commute (I'm super-hydrated), I ate a light meal and jumped on my bike for 10 minutes. I will ride my bike every day that I am able, period. Then I stretched as I watched the President bid farewell to the nation.

Katie, Mom, Dad and I then enjoyed the Badger Men's basketball game (as much as you can enjoy a game Bucky blows it right at the end -- what's with Wisconsin teams this year???).

Then, I finished the night by putting on some music and Katie and I danced together. It was wonderful -- One of those things I rarely took the time to do before cancer that brings such simple and pure enjoyment.

Please, do me a favor and take a break from your routine to think about and show someone how much you love them, we all do this far to rarely in life.

Overall a great night. I can only hope tomorrow will be as well.

THE NETFLIX CHALLENGE -- Comment question of the day:

Need a distraction from work? Bored at home? Just want to help me out? Do I have a task for you...

The doctor warns that I'll likely be pretty much stuck at home entirely (if i'm lucky) or in the hospital over this stretch of treatment. My Aunt Vicky was kind enough to buy me a subscription to Netflix, and so I need your help.

You see, I just don't know what to put in my queue. I know the types of movies/TV I want, just not individual ones. So, if you could compile a list of best movies in the following categories and post it to the comments on this post (or email me at bikeryder@gmail.com), I would be forever grateful.

Again, I will echo myself, and say that everyone should feel free to participate. Don't feel awkward if you don't know me well or we've never met. I love seeing different people's tastes, and I love getting unexpected emails/comments.

I will announce a winner at some indeterminate point and they will be rewarded -- I'm really hoping with dinner, we'll see how my white blood cells are doing and treatment goes...

The categories include:

1. Sam needs to laugh his ass off and take his mind off of cancer comedies

2. Sam's coming off steroids and is willing to admit he really enjoys Notting Hill on the oxygen network chick flicks and romantic comedies (have fun ladies)

3. Sam needs to go after the lingering lymphoblasts like Butch Cassidy blows up trains Action/Adventure (English nuts will note the alliteration of "lingering lymphblasts like")

4. Sam wants to watch his friend's/families/coworkers/strangers top 2 favorite movies of all time regardless of category, so he can think of them while he can't have visitors (Open category)

One rule: try to censor for movies where no one dies of cancer... Shortly after my mother was diagnosed with lymphoma, my sister brought home "The Stepmom" having heard it was a good movie thinking it would provide a nice distraction. This logical and thoughtful gesture backfired when the stepmom in the movie died of lymphoma at the end. Today we laugh about it; what are the chances???

All right. Take your time, make a list, and post it to the comment or email me. Don't worry if you're reading this late, I'll check back to the comments often.


NEW FEATURE: SHOUT OUTS:

I'm going to begin sending shout outs to the people who help me out through this who might never know it. I am forever grateful and amazed by my caregivers -- my girlfriend, my family, and the staff at the hospital and clinic -- and do my best to show them my gratitude. Fighting this often feels like it takes three full time jobs.

Shout outs, however, will be for those who help me in huge ways who I'm not able to thank face to face. They will also be for people I'm thinking about at the time. Tonight there will be quite a few.

*SO to Dennis for all the emails, they've helped me more than you'll ever know
*Belated SO to Vicky for the Netflix
*SO to Abby for designing and making the "chemo shirt" its a hit like you wouldn't believe and the clinic and sooo much more comfortable than having to strip down to short sleeves -- we really need to talk about this...
*SO to Terry for sending me an email out of the blue
*Belated SO to Schmidty for the Isle Royale Poster
*SO to Mark, I hope your arms doing better
*Belated SO to Ryan for introducing me to the band "The National." "Fake Empire" is the song that pumps me up for chemo and keeps me focused when I'm at the clinic. Also, thanks for suggesting "Arrested Development," makes me laugh like you wouldn't believe.
*Belated SO to Keith for the book and the card, cheered me up right when I needed it
*SO to Grandpa and Grandma Giles, I love and miss both of you -- here's hoping you find some great lion's paws in the morning, Sharky.
*SO to Grandpa Weis, It was great to talk to you tonight

All right, I had best get to bed as the hour now approaches 2:00am. Today was another good one, and if experience is an indicator I can expect tomorrow to be one of rough seas, but I am ready for it -- It is all part of the journey and as long as I can look forward to days like today I shall enjoy life as much if not more than I ever have.

Stay Warm,

Sam

"With a little love and luck, you'll get by
With a little love and luck, we'll take the sky."

Wise and comforting words from the philosopher Jimmy Buffett.