Another week of radiation in the books! Wednesday of this week will be halfway. Right now I have 13 treatments done, with 17 to go. However, I doctors and technicians have warned me that there is normally a drastic increase around the 2000 units of radiation mark, which I just hit the other day. Radiation accumulation is linear, but the body’s ability to deal with is not. Once My only goal is to not have to stop radiation. If damage from the side effects is too severe, I’ll have to take a break from radiation to recover, and then finish my treatment after the break. Between the sleeping, the nutrition, the herbal therapy, and maximum activity, I really can’t be doing any more to stay healthy, so hopefully it will be enough.
At this point, the biggest side effect is the fatigue. When I’m feeling good, I feel great (thanks Dr. Guo). I just tend to crash a few times a day for about 20 minutes to an hour. As soon as that is over, I feel great again. I also have constant nose bleeds, which is an acceptable side effect as well. This is a result of the radiation passing through my nose enroute to the target area and destroying some tissue on the way. The nosebleeds are a new special gift as of the a few days ago (Wednesday). I use a saline spray to try and treat the irritated tissue, and I put Vaseline up my nose before I go to sleep. The nose thing is just something to be managed until radiation is over, its not going to heal until radiation is over. The radiation prevents any affected tissue from healing. Other than those two, the only other thing I’m dealing with is the tissue damage on my face. A quarter of my face is basically irritated and dry all the time. No big deal. I have a special moisture cream to help it, but its not really going to heal until a month or so after this is over.
Maximum is dead, long live Accelerated! As you know, I dumped Maximum Rehabilitation a week ago. I started at Accelerated this past week, and the difference validated that decision entirely. After the MRI, and evaluation by Dr. Nuber (Da Orthopedics Doctor), we have determined that no surgery is necessary. Just lots physical therapy…
Here’s a good story: Dr. Fine was telling me a story about a patient he had when he was in medical school. He told me that the patient had a 1.25” diameter titanium rod fused to their femur to repair a traumatic break. Titanium is one of the strongest metals science can manufacture. It snapped in half. The reason is because titanium, while incredibly strong and resilient, begins to weaken the moment it is created. The human bone, on the other hand, becomes stronger over time, learns to work with the other parts of the body, and heals when it is damaged.
My (unintended) takeaway: The body is the strongest, toughest thing on the planet. It can be abused, it heals, it grows, it doesn’t give up. It’s the mind that’s weak. Something to think about when you feel a little pain…
Words of wisdom… you're getting so good at this!! Stay strong,
Love
Joy
Comment by Anonymous — April 1, 2007 @ 18:01
Eddy, keep going, keep strong. Just to let you know Toph was sent to the principal's office because of the team Schrank shirt. They believed he was trying to send a message to a student named "Cancer". That at some point that a butt kicking was eminent from Toph, and the entire Team to said student. Once he explianed the meaning behind the T-Shirt everything ewas OK and he was granted permission to wear it again. Currently there are no students named Cancer at his school.
Comment by Chris — April 2, 2007 @ 14:53
Keep fighting the good fight, Toph! (And Eddy) They are wise to fear Team Schrank!!!
joy
Comment by Anonymous — April 2, 2007 @ 17:58
I saw this printed and thought how amazing and resilient some are. "People never fail to amaze me. They face the unimaginable with a shot of grace and a rush of adrenaline; they steel their nerves; they summon their cool or anger or faith or whatever it takes to pull them through, and they go on to live another day." I think it takes hard work to gather the courage to make that pitcher of lemonade day after day. What a world it would be if it was catching! Keep it going, stay strong – you're 1/2 way there! The last half isn't the easiest but at least the end is insight ! Mom
Comment by Anonymous — April 3, 2007 @ 11:55
Team Schrank – taking the fight to Johnny Cancer and Joey Diabetes. Anyone else want to challenge and face the eminent butt kicking?
Comment by Anonymous — April 3, 2007 @ 14:06
Wow, those schools in OH really are hardcore about the dress code….glad they listened to the explanation & he can continue to sport the team colors! The info about TCM is facinating & I think a wise addition to your treatment. I have a super fabulous eye doc in the suburbs if you want his name, let me know. Hang in there & nap often. Jill
Comment by Anonymous — April 4, 2007 @ 19:03
hey uncle eddy. u WILL pull through this and we are here supporting u. also now when i where the t-shirt i get a lot of people telling me that u will get through it so not only do u have team schrank u also have the people at kilbourne. c u soon
Comment by toph — April 4, 2007 @ 22:52
Eddy,
Keep fighting the fight…you are almost to the end. Your efforts will be rewarded!
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
S
Comment by Anonymous — April 5, 2007 @ 03:00
Joy – are you telling me that the Easter Bunny is not at the $125/plate at the Penninsula? How's come. Probably because their dozen of eggs costs more than $2.00. Eddy, I made the Easter Lamb Cakes – unfortunately or fortunately yours had a crainectomy and a butt-ectomy while exiting the mold. I'm calling on team Schrank for a repair. Actually it's a good reason to use lots of frosting to glue things back together. Meet you at the Mimosa bar – you can have yours straight up – OJ that is. Mom
Comment by Anonymous — April 6, 2007 @ 23:32
Wow what are we missing out on in our corner of the world? Mimosas, butt-kicking. We hope the Easter bunny makes it here because he isn't even getting a plate of cookies like Santa did. Eddy you sound awesome. I think I might wear my Team Schrank shirt to sub on Friday and see if they think I'm threeatening anyone. There is one bright spot in all that. No matter how much radiation they give you it won't make you as stupid as that principal. A kid named cancer? I;m sure he really thought that one out.
Love ya!
Sandy
Comment by Anonymous — April 7, 2007 @ 02:04
who lied to you all and said I'm not drinking…I'm used to sleeping all day. Whether its a normal nap or alcohol induced makes no difference to me. I'm going to make more shirts for Toph…Schrank v. Hodgkins and Schrank v. Parkinson. explain those Toph!
Comment by eddy — April 7, 2007 @ 03:59
Hope your Easter was great. Talk to you soon. I'm sure Bob could give you some ideas as to what NOT to put up into your nose for the bleeding. Veal anyone.
Tim
Comment by Anonymous — April 9, 2007 @ 19:35
Tim,
I'm laughing out loud about the veal reference. Great of you to dig (or, given the nose connection, should I say "pick") that one out of the archives!!
Hope you're all well in Chez Schrank West! Any word from the skating rink?
EDDY… You're so close now. Try to stay positive… You're kicking major cancer ASS!! Stay strong. And, if you're up to discussing the big "40" event, bob and I have a brilliant suggestion! Can you say "Bullrun"? All you boys would be perfect for a special Schrank version of that. Bob can fill you in… call him, he's got all day!
Love to all,
Joy
Comment by Anonymous — April 11, 2007 @ 23:54
Keep the countdown going…hang in there! In the spririt of the Easter Bunny, Dan downed not mimosas but lots of Shiner Bock, while we listened to a fabulous rockabilly band in Nashville yesterday! Once this radiation business is done & you make it down, we'll raise a glass there!I'm checking out some places to visit with family & Dan is my guinea pig- his pain, your gain! Jill & Dan
Comment by Anonymous — April 14, 2007 @ 19:27
Wassup Big Dog, When we go play Playstation 3?
Barracudda
Comment by Anonymous — April 16, 2007 @ 03:30
I know that you are coming up onto the last week of radiation. You have done marvelous, you are an inspiration. Stay strong – the end is in sight. I feel a pot of spagetti coming up this wknd – any interest? Mom
Comment by Anonymous — April 19, 2007 @ 12:10