Update

Well I am finally feeling 100% again. I've been over the chemo side affects since last weekend, but there's been a cold bug going around the house. Just in time for treatment week #3 starting on Monday. I plan on bringing the digital camera so I can post some pics of the the treatment process for everyone to see.

My six year old, Liam starts Spring soccer season with a clinic this weekend. I miss being his coach, but I can't do it this time around. I don't want to volunteer for something I can't follow through on. He hasn't said anything but I know he wishes I was healthy enough to coach again.

My kids have really helped me through this chemo. When I'm feeling my worst my little one, Evan will smile at me and help me get my mind of the sickness. He's the happiest little guy in Tulsa. And my middle child, Alena (aka Daddy's princess) has been a sweetheart. She is always trying to take care of her Daddy.

Amy's my rock. She's always there for me, sitting with me during treatment, taking care of me when I am sick, and comforting me when I am sad/depressed. I couldn't have made it through everything I have undergone without her.

People always make the comment that I must be strong to have made it through these trials. While that is true, I am as strong as my family that supports me. With the love of Amy, Liam, Alena, and Evan I am stronger than on my own. This extends to my parents, brother, sister, in-laws, cousins, friends, and fellow survivors. No one is alone when they fight cancer. It touches everyone in my life and they help me through it.

-Andrew

Change of e-mail address

I've switched my high-speed internet service
from SBC to Cox so my e-mail address is changing.
Please update your address books.

New e-mail address:  egcsurvivor@cox.net


Thanks,

Andrew

Lance Armstrong Initial 2005 Schedule:

Mar 6-13 - Paris-Nice (France)
Apr 3 - Tour of Flanders (Belgium)
Apr 19-24 - Tour de Georgia (USA)
Jul 2-24 - Tour de France

That's right he's going for #7!

Blueboys are here!

I received some of the "blueboy" pins today in the mail. These are the testicular cancer awareness ribbons from the UK. A friend from the cancer survivor listservs shipped me some from Scotland.

Results from Oprah's drive to break the sales record

The new one day record for wristband sales is now 747,510,
almost double the previous number!

Thanks Oprah!

Oprah now is reporting 900,000  sold  from  10am Friday to 10am Saturday

Meds Meds Meds

Here's all the meds I am currently on:

Adriamycin - Chemotherapy drug. Side affects include hair loss, low red (anemia) and white (neutropenia) blood cell counts, changes in the way food tastes, darkening of the skin pigment, discoloration of the veins during a push, and possible tissue necrosis if the adria leaks outside of the vein.

Ativan - Used for nausea, anxiety, and as a sleeping aid (really a miracle pill for the chemo patient)

Decadron - steroid for nausea (given an IV and in pill form)

Emend - Special Anti-nausea drug taken on chemo day and the next two consecutive days

Zofran - Anti-nausea wonder pill taken as needed (very expensive)

Lexapro - For the stress and anxiety of being a cancer survivor

Prevacid - For the heartburn that you get from chemo

Neulasta - White Blood cell booster shot to prevent neutropenia (My white blood cell counts were very low the last time I was on chemo)

Lortab - for the intense bone pain caused by Neulasta

Phenergan - Yet another anti-nausea med, only used as a last resort since it knocks me out. (Pill and Gel form)

Daily vitamin - necessary since the chemo strips vitamins and minerals out of your body. One Source brand from Wal-Mart is the best one I have found.


That's all I am currently on, except for one other nausea IV drug that I can't remember. At $25-$50 a re-fill even with a prescription plan this gets expensive.

The Price of Neulasta

I just looked at my insurance Bill. The full price of Neulasta was $6300, but my insurance got the price reduced by $3,000. It's amazing to me that the price can be discounted that much when someone without insurance would be forced to pay the full $6300.

We need some sanity in the way that people without insurance are billed for medical expenses. No one with a minimum wage job can afford to get sick in America.