Thanks again to all for the positive support. I'll be leaving soon for my final infusions for the week. All in all, this first week hasn't been too bad. Mainly feeling a little tired and some mild cold sensitivity from beverages and food.

I'll be getting "unhooked" from this pump that I've been draggin' round all week too. I'm looking forward to this today!

One week down (soon) and eleven weeks left to go (every other week). On the off weeks, I'll be going for bloodwork and tests, no infusions.

If it stays as tolerable as this week has gone, I'll be very happy, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. The mind controls the body.

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

Don't leave home without it!

I'm gald you're tolerating it as well as can be expected Mike. Keep up the positive attitude and that should help. As always my prayers and thoughts are with you.

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I played on stage once, they kicked me off when the band arrived

Hi Mike,

You've seen it. That's all it is. It'll just be more of the same. No sweat. You'll make it.

With me, from the beginning the chemo had a pretty strong smashing effect but a few days afterwards when the steroids wore off. I was still working, and a colleague came up to me concerned I was going to fall over. Then, I would bounce back. As the process went on deeper and deeper into the six months, the chemo had more of a cumulative effect and I would bounce back later and later until maybe I only had a couple of days before the next treatment when I would feel less wiped out. By that time it was getting near the end. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. When I'd done about two months, it's stretching out there and seems like there's a long way to go, but I was still pretty strong. As I got more worn down I also got closer to the end. Even though the chemo started to catch up with me pretty strongly, the last couple of months was a breeze because it would be over. Keep the faith.

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

Thanks again for the positive inspiration. Week one is now history. Eleven weeks to go (every other week). On the off week will be bloodwork and tests depending upon the pathology.

No nausea at all No changes in taste. Just a mild bit of cold sensitivity and mostly feeling tired (kinda like doing a double header gig in two different states on the same day!).

The people at the clinic are all great. I bring my mp3 player and just drift off for the most part.

It's that Oxaliplatin that causes the white/red blood counts to drop and affects platelets, but I only get that once every 14 days.

I appreciate your long term scenario strat58cat, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. I just go from day to day and I'm thankful that life is a gift and it's important to not take things for granted and to stop and smell the roses.

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

Don't leave home without it!

I heard some of the other patients at the clinic talking about "chemobrain" during this past week. I googled it and found some interesting info.

"The terms "chemobrain" and "chemofog" refer to cognitive changes during and after cancer diagnosis and treatment. Though these terms imply a relation to chemotherapy, it isn't clear that chemotherapy is responsible. What is clear is that some people with cancer do notice increased difficulties with certain mental tasks during and after cancer treatment.

In general, researchers have found that chemotherapy can affect your cognitive abilities in the following ways:

Word finding. You might find yourself reaching for the right word in conversation.
Memory. You might experience short-term memory lapses, such as not remembering where you put your keys or what you were supposed to buy at the store.
Multitasking. Many jobs require you to manage multiple tasks during the day. Multitasking is important at work as well as at home — for example, talking with your kids and making dinner at the same time. Chemotherapy may affect how well you're able to perform multiple tasks at once.
Learning. It might take longer to learn new things. For example, you might find you need to read paragraphs over a few times before you get the meaning.
Processing speed. It might take you longer to do tasks that were once quick and easy for you.
About 20 percent to 30 percent of people undergoing chemotherapy will experience cognitive impairment. Changes in memory during and after treatment may be very subtle. You might notice changes during your everyday tasks and as you start working again after treatment. The memory changes are often so subtle, in fact, that researchers find that people who report having memory difficulties tend to score in the normal ranges on tests of their cognitive ability. That makes it more difficult to understand, diagnose and treat the memory changes."

I've gigged with a few musicians through the years who hadn't had chemotherapy, but who seemed to have some of these conditions.

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

Don't leave home without it!

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I played on stage once, they kicked me off when the band arrived

I was about to say all that is normal for me.

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I played on stage once, they kicked me off when the band arrived

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

Don't leave home without it!

Mike,

I wrote an email to Chet yesterday and you were included in it... so I thought I would copy part of that message here for you to read since this is the place to chat with you:

"When I heard the situations you were going through, it makes one reflect on their life and to be grateful for good health. Life is just way too short and we have to take advantage of every great opportunity that comes our way.

I turned 45 in April, I lost my job of 10 years in January, and decided it is time to do what I was meant to do and enjoy doing in life... I am now a professional artist, started my own small business, and my life is pretty much stress free. It is nice not having to work for "the other guy" anymore.

Why did I just tell you that? Because you are one of the folks that has been "virtually" part of my life for a year now, and I just wanted to let you know it would not be the same without you."

_________________
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

Thanks Barry! I appreciate that very much and right back atcha!

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

Don't leave home without it!

Thanks again for all of the positive support. It really helped me get through my first week of treatment.

I seem to have bounced back pretty quick this week, although I'm pretty sure that things might change down the line.

Anyway, my wife just got in and we're getting away somewhere for the next few days, so have a good weekend and try to stay cool.

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

Don't leave home without it!

That's great news Mike. Have a great weekend!!!!!!

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Mike, Although I am new to this forum (actually the first forum I have done, I am a late bloomer.......) and I have not "met" all the people here,I feel that there is a strong sense of solidarity between the members here.
(I know that was the longest run-on sentence here) Anyone taking time out of thier day to post a reply is such a thrill to me.(THX)
I'm sorry this has happened to you and your family.
We lost a member of my wifes family after a long battle with Breast cancer which then spread to her entire body. I can see where one could give up hope immediately when faced with the kind of news. However with the type fighting spirit you seem to have, and the fact that you didnt ingnore your body's warning signs, you have a lot better chance of beating this disease. Keep your head up and remember you are in our prayers. By posting your progressive treatment, you may unknowingly help alot of people. Keep in touch,
J

Hey Mike,

There's a lot worse things than chemobrain! Like cancer and chemo themselves for example. They're trying to say chemo doesn't cause chemobrain, but actually a big Harvard study proved it does, and it doesn't change a thing. You take the chemo and live and deal with a little irritation. It's not an increasing thing like Alzheimers either. It's pretty stable with stress management. What's it like? I play sometimes for other people, and I always use music. The recall doesn't function like it does for other people. I gave a hundred bucks to church, and didn't know it. I counseled and consoled a colleague about her cousin who is dying of recurrent lymphoma (non-Hodgkin's when I had Hodgkin's) and I didn't know it. In a way, it's an assist and attaining a more Zen way of thinking. Stay in the moment. Play the situation the way it is. Probably like 1/2 of people don't get it, and we who do can still do pretty well and just use calendars, checklists, notes and adjust our job duties so we can do them well. It's not a "stupid" issue it's memory and forgetfulness and can't remember what you're talking about stuff. I'm like Jim from the show Taxi, and so yeah some of the Rolling Stones may be the same way now.

http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx? ... zoneid=500

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 072544.htm

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1 ... ad_dn13750

If you think you've developed it, then don't worry about it because it happened to me more than 7 years ago and I'm still a better person now than then. Also, if you think you've got it, don't let anyone tell you that it's not real. That's the old Dr. Denial approach and it's just wrong. Keep playing. I think chemobrain may have made me more musical.

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

[quote="Miami Mike"]Thanks again for all of the positive support. It really helped me get through my first week of treatment.


Well Mike...It seems that, given the present circumstances of you and Chet, I've been spending too much time on the Strat Forum.

Seemed they've pulled out the big guns for you both with respect to your care plan, and the support group you apparently have here.

I prefer not to dwell on my own personal familiarity with respect to your issues. They are broad and multifaceted, though not what defines my own professional activities.

I wish you God speed in this Mike and expect that that notification format will keep me updated on your progress.

Keep 'em clean.................... everyone!

Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"