I wish you the best Mike!

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http://twitter.com/cu_jarrett

Mike,

I've been there - exactly there. I was a Stage I Hodgkin's lymphoma, but with a bad prognosis due to the fact I had several lymph glands that were tumors, and more than three you're F'd. So my good oncologist treated me like a III, and loaded me with chemo. That was 7 years ago now.

The first one is scarey because you don't know what to expect. You'll go into the chemo suite. No lions or anything eating Christians there. They'll put in I.V.s. Hey, you know, don't do it straight. Take the valium or whatever it is to relax you. They'll load you with steroids to keep side-effects under control, and make sure they give you the non-puking medicine too, although when you're really high on valium puking bothers you less than the nurses who have to deal with it, especially if you slept with one of them a few times just a few months before, like I did. Oops. Then the chemo starts. It's just an I.V. Nothing. In my case, they did four drugs every time. Some gave me a funny taste in my mouth. Some made me pee red.

When you get home, you'll feel okay. The steroids last for days. Plus, they give you little steroid pills to take. Take the little steroid pills even if you feel okay! If you're like me, you'll feel restless and kind of "pumped up" from the steroids for the first couple of days. Just go with it but don't overdo it. When the steroids wear off, you'll feel tired. Then pretty soon, it's time for the next treatment.

T.V. is fundamental during chemo. I got into "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" when I was doing it. It was on every day it seemed like. Time passes quickly. Actually, as you go through it, time seems to pass more quickly. When you remember less, time feels fleeting. My life flies by now, but it's a great life, with a lot of guitar playing, a professional job I can still do although it's changed around a little bit, a model-quality, fitness-enthusiast wife, even if she is a little like Hellboy's flamable chic, and some great kids. There's life after cance, and after chemo.

Well, you've probably heard me complain about the chemobrain - which is as real as a heart attack by the way - but that's the whole point: I'm around to complain. Use lists. Write things down. Chemobrain is an irritant, but it gives a good excuse for never remembering anything my wife says, at least. She knows it's true and so it kind of stops her in her tracks. Seriously, don't worry about it. Another thing about cancer-chemo-related neurological damage that's totally not understood: it makes you smarter in strange ways. Like, you lose sharpness, and you lose quickness, and you forget your keys and what you're trying to say, but you see more deeply into things. It's like the Pinball Wizard - no distractions, can't see no buzzers or bells. Personally, financially, I went from nowhere to somewhere financially based on stocks, real estate, selling real estate, and more stocks and basically it was all obvious to me, but not to anyone else, because I couldn't remember the yammering B.S. about what to do and just looked at the heart of the matter. Also, not caring about pride of place and keeping up with the Jones's tends to be a side-effect of cancer and chemo. Don't fear the chemobrain, and don't deny it, and instead just do what you have to do, brother. Do what the doctors say and trust in God.

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"Now, bring me that horizon."
-Capt. Jack Sparrow

Good things to read while on chemo:

The Great Gatsby

The New Testament, particularly the Gospel of John where Jesus talks about the hard times he's about to face and that we all face.

The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu, interpreted by Mitchell

There's some other good ones but I can't recall them right now. I know them, though.

_________________
"Now, bring me that horizon."
-Capt. Jack Sparrow

Mike,

One little bit about playing guitar while on chemo. I thought I would just play the guitar night and day when I was on chemo, like Lindsey Buckingham did with mono while he was with Stevie Nicks. For me, it didn't work out that way. The injections in my hands and arms made playing guitar for more than a few notes painful and I had to lay off while I was being treated. For me, that was a huge blow, because then as now I played guitar all the time (damn, it's amazing how I still suck after all these years). Anyway, so when I picked up the guitar again due to the specific treatment I had, which you're not getting necessarily, I had to kind of relearn a lot of stuff. So, if you can get that shunt thing where they don't shoot up your arms really badly you'll be able to play a lot more. If I had it to do again, I would definitely insist that my arms and hands be clear to play and get the thing where they don't have to use I.V.s all the time. It's vital to play music while being treated. I went back to it as soon as I could.

_________________
"Now, bring me that horizon."
-Capt. Jack Sparrow

Best wishes for a good recovery. A good friend of mine has just had a similar experience and it was painful to see him go through it. I thought the outcome was going to be worse for him, but things turned around and he's got a good future ahead of him. I wish you the best.

Again, thanks to all for the well wishes and positive support. We're having a few friends and family over shortly for a kinda "kick it" gatherin', but I will be doing my best to keep updates comin' in.

Chet, again, always a pleasure to talk with you, and we will again, soon.

strat58cat, yea, I'm hip to chemobrain. Had a little training last week and I'm positive about tomorrow. If I can't play guitar, I'll play keys or bass or harp or somethin' - I got the music in me and I'm determined to beat this. Thanks for posting, experience carries a lot of weight in my book.

Sounds like a similiar treatment, I'll be doin' oxaliplatin (nasty stuff) along with leucovorin and 5-FU (fluorouracil). It's a 3-day session where I'll go on Tuesdays for Elox/LV for about 4 hours, then 2 doses of 5-FU. The second dose will be given as a steady slow drip into my mediport using a holster pump for 22 hours. Wednesdays will be shorter and NO Elox, but pumpin' more 5-FU for 22 more hours, then Thursdays are to get "unplugged". From others that have done this exact same program, they say the biggest combined side effect is fatigue.

I got plenty to read, listen to and I'm set on side effect meds.

JPD, best wishes to you too man! It sounds like you got things under control and have learned to deal with it.

So...I gotta get going now, but you haven't heard the last from this picker yet. Thanks again to all, and as Chet mentioned, it REALLY does help a lot.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Yes, that's still very much in the works -- in fact, the Miami Mike fund already has $40 in it and we haven't even gotten started yet! Still ironing out some details as far as who/what/when/how but hope to get this launched very soon.

_________________
Director at Fender. Guitarist & guitar collector. All views/opinions expressed here are my own and not Fender’s.

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You're in my prayers my guitar brother. There's nothing like music therapy to get you through. And methinks I'll schedule a colonoscopy for myself seeing as I'm 49 and have never had an exhaust check. My wife had one last month and thank the Good Lord there was nothing there. hang in there,get better,and maybe one day we can get together and jam.

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Today is only yesterday's tomorrow

THANK YOU

The 1st day of chemo went pretty good today. I got there at 9:30am and had bloodwork then an exam by my oncologist. Then I went to one of the 3 infusion rooms and they gave me two anti-nausea meds via IV for about an hour or so. After that came the Elox and LV in a double drip IV infusion. I was able to eat a little before they finally gave me a short IV shot of 5-FU and then "hooked me up" and sent me home with a pump that will infuse me over the next 22 hours with more 5-FU.

Tomorrow, no Elox (Oxaliplatin) and another 22 hour pump pack to go...The only side effect I feel right now is a little fatigue, so I'll have a nap and then watch the AL All-Stars tromp, stomp and win the MLB All-Star game...maybe

My sincere thanks for your positive support !

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hi Mike,

You'll do okay. The effect of chemo is cumulative, which means it's gradual. You will adjust to it more and more. Many people have their midnight, blackout moment when chemo really wears them down. Also, emotional effects can be part of the neurological effects. In those moments if they happen just have faith that it will pass, leaving a little more clear understanding of life in the wake. Yes they pass and solace can be found in many places like family, friends even at a Fender board, faith, the ability to watch America transition politically - all these things make life in any situation wonderful. Life is a nice thing to have and to savor when one can reach that point of view. Probably I never had a more real point of view than when I was on the cancer/chemo trip, and it's by remembering it that I can reach a mature, realistic point of view.

_________________
"Now, bring me that horizon."
-Capt. Jack Sparrow

Hello Mike,

As I have read through all the wonderful and positive feedback from folks here on the forum, I am sure you can see there are some great people out there in the world that would do anything they can to help someone out, no matter how small... even through prayer.

I know Brad is working on the G-Dec fund raiser... I hope you don't mind that I opened my mouth to get that started. You are a great guy and I know we would have done it for anyone else here who is going thorough the same situation.

I wish only the best for you during this special "take care of you" time.

God Bless and rest easy my friend,

Barry

_________________
BP

Hats Off To You Blessed Musicians

• '07 Fender Standard Strat HSS (Midnight Wine)
• '03 Epiphone LP Special (White)
• '86 Charvel Model 2 (Black)

www.myspace.com/brattscovil
www.starvingpencil.com

can we donate through paypal?

MIKE
I wish you every single gramm of good karma that i'm due. All the best mate. A childhood friend of mine was treated for and survived lymphatic cancer some 16 years ago. U.S healthcare is alot better than the Nhs, and there have been great advances made in treatments i.e magic bullet cures and even light based treatments. All the best mate beat that b/////d back to where it belongs.

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No no and no

Thanks for the info Brad , we will be listening out.

Again, hang in there Mike we are all with you man, body, mind, and soul!

Thanks again for all of the well wishes.

Barry, thanks especially for the suggestion of getting that started. It would be a great way to keep my chops up with a G-DEC, but if it doesn't happen, I will understand.

Today's chemo infusion went well. I had a new oncology nurse and I'm never going to remember all of their names because they seem to all be blonde and 25-35 yrs old. I am one of (if not the youngest) at the clinic and I think they'll all get to me eventually.

Anyway, had the bloodwork first, another exam and then a 2-hour infusion of chemo meds, then they packed my pump to infuse myself over the next 22 hours again.

The main combined side effect continues to be fatigue (aside from medical bills) and the only neuropathy has been some light sensitivity to cold. I miss my ice coffee in the mornings! I have to have room temperature (or warmer) beverages for awhile. I guess it could be worse.

I noticed that many of the patients are women and much older and I can tell by watching them that they're not tolerating their treatment well. I feel so bad that there is nothing that I can say or do to help them.

So, one more day tomorrow, and I've got the first week down.

Again, thanks to all for the positive vibes and good thoughts!

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I found the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam to be a valuable tool for dealing with chemo.

Here's a passage:

LXXXVIII
"Why," said another, "Some there are who tell
Of one who threatens he will toss to Hell
The luckless Pots he marr'd in making--Pish!
He's a Good Fellow, and 'twill all be well."


LXXXIX
"Well," Murmur'd one, "Let whoso make or buy,
My Clay with long Oblivion is gone dry:
But fill me with the old familiar juice,
Methinks I might recover by and by."


XC
So while the Vessels one by one were speaking,
The little Moon look'd in that all were seeking:
And then they jogg'd each other, "Brother! Brother!
Now for the Porter's shoulder-knot a-creaking!"


XCI
Ah, with the Grape my fading Life provide,
And wash the Body whence the Life has died,
And lay me, shrouded in the living Leaf,
By some not unfrequented Garden-side.


XCII
That ev'n my buried Ashes such a snare
Of Vintage shall fling up into the Air
As not a True-believer passing by
But shall be overtaken unaware.

_________________
"Now, bring me that horizon."
-Capt. Jack Sparrow