Chemotherapy #3 started yesterday...

Let me just say, round two of chemotherapy was no fun!  Paul was so tired he could hardly move... In addition, he had more nausea and no desire to eat.  We called the doctor the second week of chemo and asked for Marinol.   Marinol is a synthetic (man-made) pill form of marijuana (the THC portion) that is approved by the FDA.  I definitely have my opinions about legalizing medical marijuana instead of using Marinol.  Yes, I am for it.   It is legal to use marijuana in 16 states for medicinal purposes.  This is a topic that I never thought about until my husband had cancer. Now, I think about a lot of things I never thought about before...

Fortunately, the Marinol has helped.  Paul actually gets the munchies!  I have learned it is not a good idea to send him to the store...last night he came home with two bags of potato chips, three boxes of Creamies, and some other little goodies.  Yes, he needs the calories, but I sure don't!  We have had more potato chips in our house the last couple of weeks then we have had our whole married life! Unfortunately, with no stomach it is hard to get much in him at a time...his esophageal problems do not help either.  At least he has the desire to eat...

Paul had his esophagus stretched again last Friday.  The doctor said it had shrunk back down from 13.5 mm to 8.5 mm (he was 7.5mm the first time it was stretched).  The goal is to get his esophagus stretched to at least 18mm.  The doctor managed to get his esophagus to 15mm this time.  He told us to plan on at least two or three more visits to get his esophagus stretched where it needs to be.   We are hoping that it will start to stay stretched...According to the doctor, this is common and eventually it will stay...we sure hope so!

The good news is that this is the last round of chemo!  Paul will be finished on April 3rd! They gave him a fleece blanket and sang to him at Huntsman yesterday because he will be "graduating" from chemo! He will see his oncologist on April 10th and then they will schedule Paul to have a scan in three months.

After we see his oncologist in April, we will start working on getting his esophageal issues worked out.  Paul is very thin and needs to gain some weight.  He is hoping to be back to work by the middle of May!

Chemo round #2 is kickin Paul in the bootie...

This is Paul's second week of chemo round two.  I must say, this has been a lot harder than round one.  Poor guy has been so completely exhausted...some days he hardly gets off the bed...but he still manages to get at least one walk in a day (sometimes two) and then he lays down and takes a nap when he gets home. 

Paul has had more nausea this time.  He has not thrown up from it, but it has not been much fun.  He was just starting to gain weight when he started chemo again.  He started to put on weight right after he got his esophagus stretched....but now he is losing again...he hasn't gacked much, but he has no appetite.  He is now down to 168 lbs.  He said everything has a metallic taste to it.  I feel like a nag because I am constantly asking him if he has eaten.

Recently, Paul's friends from work gave him a care package with hats, books, and dvd's.  We had a great time looking at all the different hats!  It was just what he or should I say we needed!

Paul is such a thoughtful person.  He decided to make cookies the day before we went to Huntsman so he could share with the nurses and other patients.  He makes very yummy cookies! Paul took one of the hats and wore it while he was getting his chemo at Huntsman....He made the people smile as he walked around sharing his cookies...Here's why...

This is one of the hats his friends sent...Yep, you are seeing it correctly...it has a crocheted mustache and beard attached to it (they are buttoned to it so you can remove)! I think he totally looks like a lumberjack!

Paul will end this round of chemo of March 12th and then he will have one week off.  His third round of chemo is scheduled to be on March 20th.  We are hoping he only has to do three rounds....I guess we will see...