Ralph!!!!!

I met with Dr Chyle this morning and he also noted some change in the primary site in my mouth which made me happy. The shape of the tumor has noticeably changed. Thanks to God!

I took Promethazine this morning before I went to my appointment and I still got nauseous. Made it all the way home and soon as I got in the house--RALPH!!!! It was no fun, though I did feel better after that and slept for almost 6 hours. The pharmacist gave me Lorazepam, which I will try again tomorrow and see how it helps with the situation.

It's 6:30 now and I am having some soup which seems to be settling ok.

RJ

Pills Pills Wonderful Pills

I spoke with the pharmacy this morning and they are going to switch me from the Compazine to another drug for nausea. The Ethyol causes my stomach to be queasy, so hopefully this does the trick. I am also meeting with Dr Chyle this morning for my weekly visit.

I looked in the mirror this morning and the primary site in my mouth and it looks like it has changed, so that is good news.

Also, I have to take a moment and big up my frined Lisle who has been staying with me since last Friday. He has helped me so much with driving to appointments and telling me some good things that I need to hear. He leaves on Saturday morning...

So much I am thankful for...my family and friends who are pushing me up through these times.

RJ

Tuesday

Today's treatment was fairly easy. The hardest part was getting the subcutaneous injections of Ethyol in my abdomen. It burned a little going in. Felt a little nauseous afterwards, probably from skipping breakfast. All I had was my protein shake and vitamins. Lessons to learn I guess. I'll do better in the morning.

Did the Dad Show tonight and then met with a client to work on her wedding reception.

RJ

Easy First Day

So I did the first day of chemo and radiation today and it was easy. Glad I got the port-a-cath put in. Made it much easier to get the IV drugs.

Special thanks to the group of folks who met me at the front door cheering me on. That was a surprise to see. Thank you Lori for putting it together.

We movin' forward!

RJ

Weekend Tings

Friday's gig at The Wyndham went well. Many of the people left before we finished at 9:00. My friend Lisle is here from Trinidad and he helped me setup and even ran a few tunes.

Last night, Anne was able to loosed up my peg tube and that has provided me with much needed relief as it was pinching my skin and was very uncomfortable.

Had a great morning at church. Got a nice healing session and then lunch at Golden Wok.

Off to rehearsal now...

Wishing you a blessed day !

RJ

Looking Good!

Went to see Dr Naples for the follow up visit and he said my gums look fine. Also picked up some Compazine and all is ready for treatments to start on Monday.

Let's get it on already!

RJ

On The Air Tonight

I am doing my first live show tonight on KAZI 88.7 FM from 7-10 PM. The new studio is awesome!

Tune in and enjoy the vibes!

RJ

Today's Visit

I went to see Trini today at Texas Oncology and get some info on Amifostine. I will be receiving this via injection every day before my radiation treatments to help decrease side effects. I also received a supply of Zyrtec to help prevent rashes, and later this week will receive a supply of Compazine for nausea prevention.

On Thursday, I go to do a followup with Dr Naples so he can bless my gums and teeth before treatment starts next Monday.

RJ

Happy Father's Day

I hope all of you had a chance today to take a moment and remember the roles that fathers have played in our lives. Every chance I get to spend with mine is very special and I really appreciate those moments as I know I will not always have them.

I worked at church this morning and that was quite a challenge to get up and get ready. I'm still adjusting to the idea of this tube hanging out of my belly. It is quite strange for me. Alexandra reminded me that it's only temporary and I guess I needed to hear that. We had lunch today and it was so nice to spend the time with her!

After that, I went home and my sister came over over with John and the nephews and we all went to grab a bite at Opal Divine's. More good family medicine that was very nice.

Heading to the cancer center in the morning to meet with Trini and get started on some pre-meds.

RJ

"That Was Easy"

I just got home from surgery and it was very easy. I didn't feel like a zombie when I woke up like last week. So far I feel good. A little tightness in my belly. I can't even feel the port-a-cath yet, maybe due to the local anesthetic.

Mom and Anne went with me. My two little angels.

RJ

We Are Victorious

To maintain courage and faith is to ensure victory. To believe in one's own victory is to give ourselves the wings and the strength to fly. With just this belief we will have the courage to work on our obstacles with ease and win over them. Before we restart anything that we had failed in before or even when we start a new important task, we need to make sure that we tell ourselves that we are victorious. When we remind ourselves again and again that victory is our birthright, we will automatically get the courage to succeed.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu.

FLOride

I went to see Dr Baines today and got the flouride trays for my teeth. I will have to put those in every night for 20 minutes before I go to sleep. The challenge for me on this one is going to be buying into flouride.

Surgery for the tubes is scheduled for Friday at noon with Dr Ashworth.

Digging in the crates tonight with DJ Fizz looking for some vinyl to move out to pay for some of these loverly Xpenses.

More tomorrow.

RJ

Totally Tubular!!

So I met with Dr Ashworth this afternoon to see about the next surgery to install the Port-A-Cath and PEG Tube. He was real cool and right around the corner. It will probably happen this week so I will have another thing to recover from. Bring it on I say! I ready to fight dis ting haard!!!

Also, heard from April at Texas Oncology and we are going to get both drugs comped for the chemo treatments. Very good news! Waiting to see about getting the Ethyol comped which will help minimize the damage to my salivary glands. I see it happening so hold that thought for me please!

Thanks to all of you who are reading the blog and praying for me. I really appreciate that!

RJ

Doing Great

I met with doctor Chyle today and got my mask fitted for radiation. I will have 38 daily treatments beginning on Monday, June 25th. The whole team at Texas Oncology has been great and very personable.

Also, got a Sonicare tootbrush to take of my teeth better during care and afterwards. Thanks Mom!

More later after the GI doc visit...

RJ

OMG, Yummy Wheatgerm!!!!!

I began taking one of my new supplements today called Avé. The doc said it wouldn't taste good, though it actually isn't that bad. According to the papers that came with it, it does all these amazing wonderful things:

• Supports cell metabolic regulatuion (which I obviously need!)

• Promotes immune system modulation (oh modulate me baby!)

• Maintains healthy cellular & humoral immune balance (I need more humor in my life--fo sho!)

It's only $124 for a 30 day supply, so order now. I'm sure their operators are standing by!

Mom made me take off the hillbilly music and now we're listening to Dale & Grace, sippin' a cup o' Avé. Life is good!!!!

RJ
PS: we need some more participation in the comments. Come on kids, we're having fun here! Play along with Uncle Winky.

Ho Hum... Sunday...

I just awoke from a nice afternoon nap. My body said sleep and so I listened. It was good. Still have lots of swelling going on. Was mixing at Unity this morning with a bag of ice in one hand. Mom has been here all afternoon and organizing the kitchen details. She loves this ole hillbilly music I'm playing off iTunes radio. Tee hee... more later my friends...

RJ

Chewing...

I think I have taken chewing for granted for all of my life. Last night I discovered how blessed I have been to be able to chew my food. The first solid food I ate last night was a Cliff Bar which are probably my favorite food bars. It usually takes just a minute or two to eat one. Last night it took me 15 minutes to eat it. I have no molars now in the bottom of mouth, so I will have to relearn how to eat until I get some implants to replace them after surgery. I'm sure it will be easier after my mouth heals up and I am not so sore from the surgery as I still have the two middle molars.

Just had some oatmeal for breakfast and that was no problem. My cousin Madeline is on her way over to hang out for awhile.

RJ

Oops, I Did It Again!!!!

It's 6:40 on Friday and I feel pretty great! I am up and around and Mom and Debbie are here. The surgery was perfect and Dr Naples is great. Gonna watch some movies tonight and stay offline.

Thank you God for my healing which I am receiving right now!

RJ

"Bite It"

I am getting 7 teeth removed tomorrow. Dr Naples is awesome and the whole staff was very helpful.

Met with Dr Leupnitz, my nutritionist this morning and I am so glad we have him on board. Got a bunch of supplements that will improve the treatment's efficiency.

RJ

For Anne

My beloved, you have been so sweet to me for the last 2 & 1/2 years. You have been supportive of my dreams and believed in me even when it was challenging to trust that it is all as it should be.

Words are just not enough for me to express all of the love and respect I have for you and how you live and love others. Warm fuzzy thoughts fill my heart when I think of you! I can't wait to get through this bump in the road and love you for the many beautiful years we have to share together, doing projects, making music, praising God and touching all those around us.

So on this special day I say Happy Birthday Anne!

I love you so much!

RJ

Moving Forward

We now have a plan for treatment and it will begin on Monday, June 25th at Texas Oncology in Round Rock. My docs there will be Darren Kocs & Valerian Chyle. We met with them on Monday and the whole visit flowed very well and they were very warm and friendly. They say the chemo I will be getting will be very mild and that I wont lose my hair or get sick from it, so give thanks for that!

Dr Chyle referred us to Dr Robert Naples upstairs in his building for a 2nd opinion on my teeth and I am going to do a consult with them on Thursday to see which of my teeth I will have to part with.

In the morning, I will be visiting with nutritionist Glen Leupnitz to make a plan about how to get through treatment and eat well.

Mom and I watched Al Gore's movie, An Inconvenient Truth tonight and it was excellent. So glad I finally got to see it. Go and rent it if you have not seen it. Our Mother is depending on us to make a change.

Gotta sleep now...

Have a blessed day--because you are!

RJ

Mondaze

Had a full day so far. Dropped off the records at Texas Oncology in Round Rock, where I get to meet tomorrow with Dr. Kocs and see about chemo treatment.

Mom has been here for awhile and we are enjoying some time together and doing some organizing which is great.

RJ

How Do You Say... Ah Yes...

Great weekend!

Played at the UT Golf Course at Steiner Ranch on Saturday night and had a great time celebrating the birthdays of Tyler & Leslie.

Today I did sound as usual in the morning and had an awesome healing session from Randy & Richard that was very powerful. Another journey with the Most High!

In the afternoon, I went to do a site survey with a client at a fairly new venue called Texas Old Town in Kyle. It's set up like an old western town and moderately priced.

After that, Genie came by and we dug around in some old school and Will brought some food by. Then during the rain storm Anne and Kalaiah came by and we went to Curry In Hurry for a minute before they closed.

May Monday bless you with more love!!!!

RJ

One of the best ways to remain light, even in the middle of chaos and heaviness, is to keep a conversation with God. Chatting to God, whose responsibilities are unlimited, about trivial matters that are wearing us down gives us a more entertaining view of life. It requires a certain stillness of mind to hear His advice, but with practice we learn to sense His perspective on our minor irritations.