Sunday, Not So Fun Day.

Today started with another sleepless night. I’ve been a zombie all day. The current medications I’m taking cause the GI tract to slow down. The steroid makes me eat more. The problem here is I’m consuming more then I’m releasing and that can become a problem. I’ve tried to negate that effect with a stool softener and the results are mixed. After initially getting a few impressive (for me) shards out early I mostly pass this oily goo now. It also stings the fissures the radiation has created.

Here’s why this becomes a problem. The large tumor is positioned in a way to nearly completely block my colon. The slightest bit of impacted stool could lead to a 100% blockage and that could become life threatening. I would basically have 24-48 hours to get in to the hospital for an emergency surgery to prevent sepsis etc. from taking me out. So I’m trying to manage this as best I can to avoid that road trip.

My mother sister and two nieces headed back to their home moments ago. I instantly drew a hot bath and climbed in to get some additional relief. It seems to pull the liquid out of my stool a bit when I do allowing me to pass a more solid like chunk of . Never the less it was great seeing them and I only wish today would have been more like yesterday so we could have left the house and gone somewhere.

Radiation starts again tomorrow. That will officially be week four. Then week five another round of chemotherapy. The radiation has a snowball effect over time where it continues to get worse with each treatment. Pairing that with the chemo is going to make for my worst transition back to health yet and I’m not looking forward to it. I’m definitely ready for it though because once that’s out of the way there’s only one week left to go!

After that I’ll get another exam and then an official plan of action on what needs to happen next if anything at all. The hope is that this 6 weeks will completely eradicate all traces of the cancer. As long as the small tumor is absorbed I’ll be happy. The large one is in a safe to operate location and will allow for an easy surgery to remove. The small one is much more complicated and could lead to a permanent shit bag. At least I’d be locked and loaded whenever visiting the monkeys at the zoo.

My physical has been tested.

My mental remains strong.

And just like Captain America…

“I can do this all day long.”

#SteveRogers