129: Chemotherapy And You
I realize an update is long overdue, but to be honest, i haven't been in too much of a talking mood lately, plus i had a veritable shit-ton of work to take care of at work, so the time wasn't really available either. Chemotherapy And You. It's the name of the little book the doctors gave me. I thumbed through it and then set it aside. I was more interested in the printouts of the 4 medicines they will be pumping in to me on 4 occasions starting April 19 with a marathon 4-6 hour session. Oh the joy! They are as follows:
Rituximab: A protein that interferes with the way certain lymphoma cells grow and multiply. During my first "infusion" i may experience changes in my breathing, fever, chills, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Some interesting side effects include anxiety, night sweats. and runny nose. Awesome!
Cyclophosphamide: Slows or stops the growth of cancer cells. I'm pretty sure this is the big daddy of the bunch. I'm particularly entranced with the side effects of thinned or brittle hair and blistering skin. Can't wait.
Prednisone: A steroid, included because of it's anti-tumor activity. This has, by far, the best list of possible (albeit, rare) side effects: Restlessness? False sense of well-being? Hallucinations?!
Vincristine: Comes from a plant in the periwinkle family? What the hell? It interferes with the growth of rapidly dividing cells. Odd, since all signs say very clearly that my affliction is indolent. Oh well, you know what they say, oncologist knows best.
The real asskicker of the situation is this. I may not feel too much like singing during all of this and as luck would have it, i probably wouldn't sound too great anyway. They wanted to start the treatment on April 21, aka show at Schuba's, but when i explained that i needed to sing, they switched the date. I guess one of the four above tends to do a number on the esophagus. So... i have a show in Virginia on April 14. Then two shows after the first treatment: April 21 at Schuba's and April 23 at the Triple Rock in Minneapolis. And then City On Film will be going into hibernation for at least the summer and possibly longer... I also play tomorrow night at Logan Square Auditorium with The New Amsterdams, by the way.
I know it all sounds like a lot and i tried to liven it up a bit. Truth is, i'm keeping a positive attitude about the whole thing. I'd just rather not think about it all day long.
Rituximab: A protein that interferes with the way certain lymphoma cells grow and multiply. During my first "infusion" i may experience changes in my breathing, fever, chills, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Some interesting side effects include anxiety, night sweats. and runny nose. Awesome!
Cyclophosphamide: Slows or stops the growth of cancer cells. I'm pretty sure this is the big daddy of the bunch. I'm particularly entranced with the side effects of thinned or brittle hair and blistering skin. Can't wait.
Prednisone: A steroid, included because of it's anti-tumor activity. This has, by far, the best list of possible (albeit, rare) side effects: Restlessness? False sense of well-being? Hallucinations?!
Vincristine: Comes from a plant in the periwinkle family? What the hell? It interferes with the growth of rapidly dividing cells. Odd, since all signs say very clearly that my affliction is indolent. Oh well, you know what they say, oncologist knows best.
The real asskicker of the situation is this. I may not feel too much like singing during all of this and as luck would have it, i probably wouldn't sound too great anyway. They wanted to start the treatment on April 21, aka show at Schuba's, but when i explained that i needed to sing, they switched the date. I guess one of the four above tends to do a number on the esophagus. So... i have a show in Virginia on April 14. Then two shows after the first treatment: April 21 at Schuba's and April 23 at the Triple Rock in Minneapolis. And then City On Film will be going into hibernation for at least the summer and possibly longer... I also play tomorrow night at Logan Square Auditorium with The New Amsterdams, by the way.
I know it all sounds like a lot and i tried to liven it up a bit. Truth is, i'm keeping a positive attitude about the whole thing. I'd just rather not think about it all day long.
posted by Robert at 7:27 PM
21 Comments:
I wish I could go on the 14th...I have class.
(Positive attitudes are key!)
Rebekah and my thoughts are with you. May it all be as quick and endurable as possible.
You mean, emotherapy?
my mom did it. you can do it.
Shit! Who was supposed to cue The Cars Let The Good Times Roll? Well they fucked up!
Give 'em Hell, Bob. Visualize and attack!
If my ears weren't so selfish i'd say, 'Hey Bob, don't worry about singing, just get well'. But they just insist on making me write, "Get back into that studio and onto that stage, Nanna, and quick!"
nanna.
you are the king.
you know it.
don't worry - (be cool) - be happy. i think bobby mcferrin (sp?) said it best...
everything sounds like it will be fine. no other problemos except for the one - and only in one place. the drugs will do their part... and you will do yours by keeping a positive and good outlook.
and so will all of us who keep reading your updates. you are well loved.
call me sometime shinbone.
branch.
hi bob
long time listener, first time commenter
me and my gang here in california are cheering you on to beat this thing!
Well wishes and hearts from all of us here in cool california.
I don't know if you are a pot smoker or not, but I heard that smoking up before these procedures reduces the chances of bad side effects. Consult your physician.
Hope all goes well.
hey bob - I think you should do another 4-track album so we have some summertime City On Film goodness in your healing absence :-D. hehehe...
cancer schmancer, you will be fine. ;)
in your singing hiatus maybe you can become an expert player of the Jew's harp or something equally cool.
Much love :) Be strong.
Ask them to give you Reglan, Zofran, or Phenergan Oral to keep you from getting nausea during the chemo. Same stuff they give people who are coming out of Anesthesia. Good luck.
Hey man, you got rid of the tail, the extra fingers, and the superfulous nipples. A little eye thing is nothing!
prednisone is fun.. been there done that. moonface was a fav.
good luck. just remember all the kids that listen to your records daily. your support system is probably pretty insane.
Like everyone else has said, best of luck for a speedy recovery.
Nicely done with those threadless tracks as well, especially 'all's unfair', great stuff.
on the plus side, you might meet some pretty hot nurses
keep your head up... a smile works wonders
Bobber
keep your chin to the wind and keep your powder dry friend....I hope you're ok..Just imagine us putting the canoe in and paddling off into the warm scarlet evening with a couple bottles of "The Boy" ..and maybe some beers etc etc...I'll call you when we grill this summer and camp....Remember:
1. Chin to the wind
2. Keep powder dry
good?
good.
xxoo
dk
nanna for president !!!!
ciao dall'italia
i love you
Hey Bob. Just want to let you know that your in my thoughts. May your chemo be primo.
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