Round 2

Treatment #2 went really well today. Had a great friend, Mitchell Mann (who most of you probably know), pick me up at 8am. We got to the Ireland Center around 830 and treatments started around 930ish. Honestly, we laughed probably more than we should've in a room where other people were receiving chemo, but it definately didn't feel like I was a patient. Mitch, can't thank you enough bro! We took a sports trivia book to pass the time....Mitch was inferior to me on any ball field (now that I think about it, all of you were, hahahah, JUST KIDDING!). Sorry bud, things aren't any different when it comes to sports knowledge. Thats alright, you make me feel good in down times, thats what friends are for!

*Picture included of the mediport

So, quick catch up, I had ANOTHER biopsy done yesterday (its never ending). Doctors found a couple nodules on my thyroid from a SCAN done 2 weeks ago, both Endocronologist and Oncologist said its completely unrelated to the Lymphoma. Right now this doesn't raise too much concern, thyroid issues run in the family, some of my family members dont even have the body part anymore. We're just doing this for precautionary purposes, keep your fingers crossed. As I've said before, I got enough goin on right now!!

At home right now, waiting for the effects to kick in watchin some Grandma's Boy. After tellin the doctors my reactions to the first round were minimal (aside from the mouth sores), they were pretty shocked. Blood cell count is still normal, but they should be fallin soon. Now begins the "Monk" stage of my life.....consistently washing hands, using hand sanitizers, and wearing those hospital masks around.

Oh yea, on a side note, and Jay I hope you dont mind. Today I get a call from one of my strong crutches throughout this process. Old friend from college, Jay, was diagnosed with Hodgkins about 3 years ago. He beat this bad boy in a matter of 6 months and has been healthy for the last 2 years. Well, as I'm receiving the red drug (yea, orange pee producer), he calls me out of the blue to tell me his radiologist thinks his Lymphoma has come back. For those of you who may know Jay, should you decide to pray, please keep him in mind. Should he need treatment, he and I will be like "chemo kin". He's a strong SOB, I'm gonna need him through this.

Final thing, did stop up at the Greek Fest today, had to get me one of them infamous Gyrrrros!! Not sure how much longer I'm gonna have my taste buds, gotta utilize 'em while I got 'em!

Hope I didnt bore too much this time, have a great Father's Day weekend!

Port Installation & 1st round of chemo

Last Monday I spent the morning in the OR having a mediport (or port) surgically placed into my chest. The port is used to administer the chemo, instead of having IV's shoved into my arms and completely destroying my veins. Last thing I need are my arms to look vericose like my old mans legs, pretty gross (still love ya though dad)! Procedure went well, was in and out before noon. Took a couple days for me to get used to an implantable device just sitting in my chest, especially when its completely noticeable! Doctor totally downplayed this piece of the process, but I have bigger concerns on my hands.

Had my first round of chemotherapy last Thursday 6/4. It was really weird seeing all those chemicals being pumped into my body. My dad went with me, we were at the Ireland Cancer Center (man, still weird saying the C word) for almost 5 hours! Thankfully the rest of my chemo treatments are only gonna last 2-2.5 hrs. The first chemical the nurse "pumped" into me was a red liquid called adriamycin. Not 20 mins passed after this was completed that I needed to run to the bathroom and "relieve" myself. Yea, my pee was orange! Kinda freaked me out, but they told me that was gonna happen......so I stared at it with complete awe; it had my 100% undivided attention for a good 2 mins (gimme a break, it was kinda cool).

So, 5 days have passed since my first treatment, and aside from some minor fatigue I've held up fairly well! I've been into work, taken a few walks, eaten everything in sight and even swore up a storm at the Cavs and Indians (healthy or not, that'll never change). Doctor told me that everyone reacts differenlty to chemo. Sometimes the effects begin immediately, other times it might have a delayed effect and for some people it never really hits them; I'm pullin for the latter.

Stay tuned, next treatment is 6/18. I'll try to start gettin some pics up too, I'm sure all of you are just as anxious as I am to see what I'll look like with no hair. Someone call Guiness Book of World records because I guarantee there wont be another Greek with as little hair as me on the entire globe (well aside from Stevie Giallourakis).