Chemo Holiday!

I was due for a chemo treatment last week, but Jimmy had a better plan…..Chemo Holiday!  So instead of 4 hours in the chemo suite, Lee and I packed the car (including a case of wine) and headed to San Diego to meet our friends Paul & Linda who were flying down from Oregon. I must admit that I drank a bit more wine than I have been lately.  But I figured if my liver wasn’t busy processing all those chemo toxins it’d get bored and out of shape.   I think my liver should have some exercise and also allow my liver to enjoy the holiday by processing fine red wine. It’s important to have a happy liver.  We had a great time visiting with Paul & Linda, seeing the zoo and the USS Midway, La Jolla Cove and San Juan Capistrano as well as getting lost with them!  Oh, did I mention that we enjoyed fine wine with them🍷.  Think that’s why we got lost?

On the flight deck of the USS Midway with Paul and Linda

Jimmy providing a neck rub massage to Madeline, a 150 year old Galapgos tortioise

Lee & Jimmy in front of Flamingo Island

But today it was back to the chemo suite for nearly five hours.  The good thing is that the staff is super nice and fun, plus I got a donut.  Not just a ordinary donut, but a Blueberry donut. WooHoo!   This is my third treatment with the new drug regimen and we haven’t the slightest idea if it’s working or not.  But we do know my body is handling the increased toxicity with no issues.  My white blood count, platelet count, kidney and liver function is outstanding. I haven’t had any nausea or “I run to the can” issues.   Next week the blood test will include the CEA cancer marker which will give us some idea of what’s going on.  Then in about three weeks I’ll have another scan which will provide more definitive information.   Until then it’s “party on” as usual.

I was able to finally get back to painting the past three weeks. Here’s the latest:

Hucleberry is a mature puppy of Bloodhound and Cheaspeake Ridgeback heritage

Fritz’s new glasses didn’t seem to address his cross eye issues

Land Speed Record Set!!

Unconfirmed reports today say that James B. Asbell, A.K.A., Jimmy, set the land speed record today for the category of a 68 year old male Post Polio Syndrome patient with Stage IV colon cancer using crutches! 

The blazing foot speed and the flashing titanium crutches were a sight for all to behold at the Relay for Life event on the shores of Lake Sahaurita this bright and sunny day. Jimmy predicted his record will hold until next year when he “smokes” it!  That Jimmy is a cocky one, for sure.  

Jimmy gave credit to his pit crew , Lee and Teresa, who made certain there was plenty of tread on his crutches throughout the grueling race and all his fans who cheered him on.  

Jimmy misplaced his corkscrew last night , he’s looked everywhere for it.

Jimmy pulls away from the pack as he proclaims, “Eat my dust!”

   

Jimmy signing autographs for his fans.

 
 

Jimmy with his pit crew.

  
 

Some of Jimmy’s fans are ready for the Kentuckey Derby.

 
 

A great event that raised thousands of dollars to fund the fight against cancer!

 

 

Ready to Run….well actually walk

It’s been very busy here in the desert the past few weeks. First, we had the pleasure of spending a week on the shore in Kino Bay, Mexico on the Sea of Cortez with our friends Patti and Moe.  Then, we had to participate in an art show where Lee sold 7 paintings to my 4. Very hard on my fragile male ego. Then we got to show my dear old friend Bob from Portland our wonderful patch of desert. We also were forced during his visit to sample the finest wines in my cellar as I approached an unknown period of chemo-related sobriety.  Next it was time to celebrate my first year of survival with a green (Go Ducks) toe party.  This past week the plane from Portland deposited another friend of thirty years, Harmony and her husband Bill, on our doorstep. Whew, this last visit required extensive laughter, jewlery shopping and hugs.  I’m tuckered out and need a rest.  This retirement gig is a lot of work!  

Although Harmony missed the toe party, her nails were appropriately attired!

  

Bill, Harmony, Jimmy and Lord Cotswold the Handsome

 

Well, I got my rest today in the chemo suite as I dozed to the tunes of Kenny Barron.  Prior to my chemo session I had a visit with Dr. P.  The bad news is that my CEA cancer marker inched up to 4.1.  It was 3.9 last month and 3.5 the month prior to that.  A trend that Jimmy no likey!  Dr. P is not concerned.  While I logically realize it’s just slightly above normal (3.4) and not a precise indicator of tumor growth, my emotional side doesn’t care what’s logical.  All my emotional side knows is that the number is going up! 

But there was good news.  I have, so far, avoided the worst side effects that normally affect patients imbibing  my latest Chemo cocktail. All of my other blood work (white cell count,  platelet count, kidney function and liver function) are good, well within normal range. But wait…there is even good-er news!  My liver is doing such a good job processing both 5-FUc and the new irirotecan that it got a gold star and a prize!  The prize is that my liver gets to process one glass of red wine with dinner each day!!!!!!  Hip, hip Hooray!

Well enough rest for Jimmy.  Time to join the relay team, Relay for Life.  On Saturday, Lee and I will race around the track in Sahuarita, AZ in a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society.  Lee is an 18-year survivor and I am a one-year survivor. There goes my fragile male ego again. If you are in the area, the race (I’m rather competitive) starts at 11:00 am, I invite you to cheer us on. You can also support our cause with any size donation.  My web site to donate is:     

 http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=42510529&pg=personal&fr_id=75171
 

Jimmy prepares for the big race this Saturday, or as some refer to it as the Relay for Life