Sid Bacon

I am down to just seven more radiation treatments (including today’s), unless they give me a “boost”, which could be up to three more treatments at a higher dose.  We’ll talk with the radiation oncologist next Monday to determine whether we have the boost or not.  Right now, I vote “not”.  Of course, it just depends on how helpful the boost might be. I can endure even more if it means successful results, such as an even greater reduction in the size of the tumor. Of course, we don’t know that there has been a reduction in my tumor, but I am thinking there has been.  And we won’t have any objective data on Monday to say how effective the treatment has been.  One thing that makes me believe it has been effective is that my back pain is essentially gone.
 

A patient at Piper re-introduced himself to us yesterday.  He started chemotherapy treatment after I did, and his goal at the beginning of treatment was to be doing as well as I was doing.  Right now he is doing better than I am! I told him that things have reversed – I want to be doing as well as he is doing.  I told him I’d get there, but that I just need to get over a bump or two first.
 

One thing that helps me get better emotionally and physically is the nice long walks I take with Cathy in the morning.  We went on one today, and to my delight Cathy walked the entire distance with me (she skipped a run today). We didn’t walk all that far or all that fast, but it was a pleasant walk filled with pleasant conversation. I feel close to her on these walks … she is so supportive.
 

After the walk I had a bowl of oatmeal.  It tasted good and so far it is staying in my stomach.  That is a real accomplishment these days. I may have some oatmeal for lunch as well.  I need to find foods that taste good and stay in my stomach. I need to at least maintain my weight, which I’m not doing.  I am losing about a pound a week. It would be worse without the TPN, which gives me important nutrients and calories.  Although it is a bit of work to hook me up in the evenings, it is definitely worth it, as I would be losing considerably more weight without the TPN. I am so glad the Piper group is looking out after me.  They are so caring.
 

I feel so fortunate to have so many caring people looking out after me, including members of Team Bacon. Thank you so much for all your support!

Although I didn’t feel all that well yesterday during the day, I was able to eat dinner last night and keep it down.   A triumph, to be sure (we celebrate the smallest of achievements …). I also had a big bowl of oatmeal this morning, and feel pretty good.  I am optimistic that this will be a good day, and I am certainly very thankful for that. It definitely makes it a lot easier to work on professional things when I am feeling well. Indeed, it makes it a lot easier simply to make it through the day when I am feeling well!
 

Cathy’s sister Mary arrived at our house about 6:00 last night.  It is a long (9-hour) drive from San Luis Obispo, CA, but she didn’t seem too tired from the drive.  It is great to have her here, as always.  She’ll be here until Saturday, so we’ll have to make the most of her days here. 
 

Cathy and I had a nice walk this morning.  It was a bit chilly (for us Phoenicians …), but that simply resulted in a faster pace … I was trying to stay warm, as I don’t have much meat on my bones! It was nice to get caught up on Cathy’s day yesterday, including the faculty meeting. I miss a lot when I only work at home, but that is the easiest thing for me to do right now.  I am hopeful that I’ll be able to go in to work a few days per week this spring.  I am confident that I’ll feel better, so I think that is a realistic goal.
 

The little bit of back pain that I had yesterday is essentially gone, thank goodness.  All in all, I feel pretty good today.  I am very grateful for that.
 

We are doing a good job of fighting through the radiation treatments. I am so glad there aren’t that many treatments left. They certainly are more challenging than I had ever imagined. It is easier to fight through these treatments when I know I am not fighting alone.  I am grateful for your support; it makes the fighting that much easier.

We are counting down the number of radiation treatments I have left to endure.  I believe today is the 22nd treatment.  I am likely to have 25 in total, which means I’d be done next Wednesday.  There is a chance that I’ll have to have about 3-5 more treatments. These extra treatments are called “boosts”, because they boost the power of the radiation.  I’m not especially keen on having the boosts, as I’m having enough trouble making it through the regular treatments.  I hope they take that into account. Moreover, one reason I would have the boosts is if the regular treatments did not affect my pain level. Fortunately, my pain has decreased during the course of these treatments, so perhaps they will be satisfied with the 25 treatments and call it quits.  We’ll take whatever they determine is necessary, but I certainly hope they determine that the boost treatments are not necessary. I’m anxious to be done with the radiation and move on to the chemotherapy regimen that was so successful for me previously.
 

We are enjoying having Cathy’s sister Mary around.  She and Cathy got our Christmas tree yesterday before Cathy took me to my radiation treatment. They also got some shopping done on that brief outing.  Laura picked me up at Piper after my treatment and brought me home.  Laura and Mary then went for a run in the desert.  Laura loves running in the desert behind our house, despite the fact that she has allergies that usually leave her sneezing and stopped up. Some days are better than others. Laura stayed at our house last night and is planning to stay again tonight. It often is the case that she stays with us when we have family visiting from out-of-town. It is a nice bonus for us. 
 

Cathy and I went for a nice walk in the desert this morning. We usually walk in the streets, but they were too shady this morning when we walked, and thus it was too cold to be walking in the streets, so we walked in the sunny desert. It was beautiful … and warm.
 

We are going to have lunch today with Cathy’s cousin Cathy. She lives in Scottsdale. It is always nice to see her. She has done so many nice things for us during the past year. Indeed so many people have done so many wonderful things for us.  It is truly overwhelming.  Cathy and I feel fortunate and blessed to have so much love and support. We can’t thank you enough for all you do for us, from your thoughts and prayers, your kind words of support, and the encouragement you give us that helps us fight our battle against cancer.  We know we are not fighting alone.