UPdate

Just a breif update.  Been working on the pain management and think we may have that in our grasps.  All and all its been tolerable, and I am able to get through the day without too much trouble.  Each day I seem to figure out a new trick to managing the day.  The radiation, chemotherapy and medication all seem to be having a positive effect just upon phyiscal examinations and such.  The ablation procedure perfromed by Dr. Jordan a few weeks back seemed to have a very good effective.  It relieved pain in the area and through out the left leg.  The procedure was done in the left Iliac wing... (left lower back/hip area).  At that time of the ablation I guess they took a biopsy, which resulted in showing no active cancer cells where those particular lesions were.  Whatever that means, its gotta be better than the opposite.  Ofcourse this is just for that area, and their are plenty of other areas through out my body that are active, but none the less, thats good news, and the fact that the ablation was pain relieving, is reassuring.  In a few weeks I will determine weather or not to procede with some more ablation, after we go through another set of MRI's.

Thats about it for now.  More chemo next week and just pluggin away until then.  The side effects are a bit more noticeable but like I have said before, its all part of it, ya gotta take the good with the bad.

Thanks to all again and again for all that you have done for us.  The food, the visists, messages, etc...

On a side note, please keep my Grandpa in your thoughts and prayers as well, he is going through his own battle and the treatments seem to have a bit more of a toll on him as of lately.  Love that guy.

One Thing

Through all the treatments, its very common to loose a sense of taste, or difference in taste.  Everything ends up tasting the same.  Everything tastes salty to me.... EXCEPT MILKSHAKES.  A good old chocalate mileshake still tastes like a good old chocalate milkshake, and thank god for that.  Being spoiled like I have been as of latley, Stacy just served me one that was about a half gallon, and I now find myself trying to stay awake for the second half of this suprisingly good basketball game.

-V.A.F.-

Stacy poured a cup of coffee for me as I logged on the wireless network, watching CBS's Sunday morning, a ritual.  I was going to get on here and post some "hot rod" related pics and info, something a little lighter than the typical topics of discussion, and a bit more true to my heart and soul.  Believe it or not, there is ALOT more to my life than doctors, medication and cancer.  I have hundreds of photos, info, and articles of Vendetta Auto Fab's work and products, both finished and in progress.  For some reason, I can not access any of these files on the cd's they are stored on.  I just got done praising how lucky I have been with the current laptop I have.  Perhaps that luck has run dry.

I will have to "resolve" this.  Give me some time. 

Mean while, if you are truly interested, there is always some good eye candy in the shop for the auto enthusiasists.  Alot of good conversation if you just like to "bench race".... stop on by, email, call .... send a letter.  See thats the beauty of hot rodders and my shop, we start on a customer / shop terms, and have become great friends.  We can see that the passion is true and genuine, and its easier that way.  Young and old, its great, and probably the greater reward.  There is alot to learn, and it doesnt take long to be humbled by the fascinating stories many have to share.  See, hot rods are not a material thing, they are more an attitude or lifestyle.  Once you grasp that concept the colors of the hobby become much more vivid.  Some of the greatest people I know.

Speaking of which, gotta go meet Dave at the shop so he can drop off a flathead V8 engine for an upcoming project. 

- go sparty-

Its been a couple days since last post I guess.  I have been enjoying the great weather.  Pain management has been a bit of a challenge but I think we are making progress.  The entire process is really overwhelming.  I wish there was a point that you get to where you know thats the quote "turning point", where you knew from there on it would get better... but the truth is, you just dont.  I am confident though we are deffinatly making progress.  Dr. Paloyan has provided such great care for me and my situation, words cannot express the gratitude I have him and his staff.  Lucky to have the people in my life that I have.  Thats for sure.

Once again, medications have been altered, alot... its a chemistry expiriment in my bloodstream, but I cant complain.  Feeling comfortable as of latetly, and doing all I can to get into a routine.  Some precautions I have to take into account with white blood cell counts, chemo and such, but all and all, I can't complain.  Long strory short... if your sick, stay away, ha.  I cant express how much I appreciate the support everyone has provided from top to bottom.  Everyone has reached out to help and alot of levels and it really does help, not only me, but my family.  From messages of hope on here to, house hold chores or meals getting cooked...etc.  I never knew some of my punk friends could cook or step up and be so hospitable.... I am impressed.

I am really looking forward to today and tonight.  Going to enjoy some Final 4 basketball with Lilli and Stacy.  My Spartan's shirt been on since first thing this morning.  All 4 teams deserve to be there, and it should be a great weekend of basketball.

Cubs opener Monday!

There's a gearhead side to me as well, ha... just a little.  Those who share that interest may be interested to know that I have a few things up my sleeve in that realm as well.  The shop is full of neat projects, large and small.  I am blessed with understanding customers.  I have plans for some idle parts, that are not getting put to use.  Those parts will find home in a new project... exciting and low key.  I will keep ya posted.  Vendetta Auto Fab will survive, and like its owner, will be better for it.

OUT

Felt great to get up, out and about this morning.  Although first thing I was quite sore, I talked Dad into bringing 3 dozen donuts over, and we delivered them to the guys at Tigmaster.  Getting out and about in any capacity sure beats sitting in the Lay-Z-boy all day.  I am not sure how much I can do, as I tire real easy, but I cant begin to tell ya how good that feels to get out and socialized a bit... keepin active.  It has been stated before; a balancing act is definatly needed.  Anyone that knows me will tell you that sitting idle is not one of my strong points.  I need to simply need a bit more pain med, more activity, more dedicated rest and less sitting around.  My mental state doesnt allow me to simply sit.

I simply gotta get back into the mindset that I am in control, and not the cancer.  I found myself dangerously close to the point where I was just going to let the disease stear the ship, and allow it to take me where it so desired... NOT HAPPENING.  I didnt get into this game that way, and I sure as hell am not going to allow it to fall into that format.  Dont get me wrong, I respect my opponenent, but am in no way, shape or form am I intimidated by it.  It has thrown some things at me as of lately that are humbling and provided a real reality check, but so be it, I am still here and will be tomorrow.

Listen... I cannot and will not let the cancer run my life, period.  I said that Feb 4th, and will continue to remind myself of that each day!  Thats as plain english as I can put it.  I have too much to live for to allow otherwise.

All and all... I think my ol dog LOU has the right idea for right now, a little break, then maybe back at it. 

-balance-

Not sure if I mentioned it or not, but Dr. Paloyan adjusted some of my pain meds again yesterday, and introduced a patch, that will keep me on a constat dose of a certain medication.  We shall see how this works.  The daily Leukine shots that I get to maintain my white blood cell count were stopped today, as he thinks the shots may be stimulating some activity in my bones, and the cause of some of my pain.  We'll see.  We knew getting into this that there is going to be alot of trial and error type work.

I went today for another chemo treatment. Stacy says "the people want pictures"... well then who am I to deny the people of what they want, even though I am not very photogenic. The red syringe is the drug that I mention time and time before, its quite potent.  Spent alot of time in and out of sleep today.

All and all its been a long day, quite tiring, and its time to call it a night.  I am hopeful that tomorrow will be better and will show some improvment.  I will try to get on here and keep you posted.

Good night!

- RAMDOM -

Just a random post on here, babbling on and on... dont have much in general to say, just feel like I should say something... TK is chasing prescriptions for me....  This is like I said, just a bunch of rambling, babbling etc.  Bare with me until he gets back.  There is no structure, ryhme or reason to this post... much like this battle I am fighting.

Just found my lost chap stick in my pocket... better now than later on in the dryer, just ask my wife.  I dont know if there is enough inspiration with this discovery write an entire blog entry, but I guess I can try.  I have wrote on and on about how I wanted to establish a "routine" once the chemotherapy began.  Well here we are, 3 weeks into the routine, and its a little less than pulitzer prize winning material to write about.  I guess I set my expectations a bit too high as to what I would be able to do.  I lost touch with the reality that my circumstance is unique in that the cancer involving the spine and bones causes pain and prevents me from doing alot of the things I once planned.

Wish I had something revolutionary to write about, and I just may deep down inside, but I sure dont seem to be able to put the text to paper right this second.  As of right now, just kinda letting time run its course, the best I can.

Alot of the same old, same old about here.  Nothing new as of lately, nothing really to write about.  Things are up and down, both physically and emotionally.  Nothing out of the ordinary I dont think.... but then again, it comes back to what is "normal".  Since day one of this blog, or even prior to this forum... whats normal?  I am a 29 year old with Renal Cell Cancer that has metastisized to my spine.  Nothing in that statement is normal or makes sence.

I have been busy trying to juggle pain management and the daily life as of lately, and thats been enough of a chore to keep me occupied.  Dont really want to get on here time after time and whine about what hurts and what doesnt.  The fact is that I tuly am sick, things are going to be uncomfortable, and wont always go my way.  As of lately thats about it.  Its been a roller coaster for certain, although, fortunately I have not expirienced one extreme or the other I dont think.  Its hard for me to complain, cause I can imagine that it could be worse, I am sure.

Had some great support in the form of company, great meals and goodies to eat.... probably more than I should have, but oh well.  As I have said before I dont know what I would do with out everyone.

Tomorrow there will be more chemo, and hopefully more progress shown in that department.  Its easy to get overwhelmed with info on the internet and through publications sprawled through out the Dr's offices, and really play out alot of scenarios good and bad.  My mind is dangerous when left to those devices, as there is just as much false and ill-informed resourses out there as there are benefitial... I try to differentiate the two, but its not always easy.

I am babbling on and on I'm sure, so I should probaby get on with my day.

My father and I have alot of hot rod building to do in our heads today.  Throw the fact that I miss the guys at Tigmaster, miss that daily routine, and want to get back there with them.  I miss my time in my shop, building and creating.

I know, I know, patients!.... just ready to get back to a normal sense of LIFE... Stacy, Lilli and myself... and of course ol LOU dog!

KEEP THE COMMENTS COMING, the support is amazing and helps alot!  Gives me something to write about.... and I need that now!

TK just got here with the new meds...a slight adjustment to what I had, actually just an addition to what I was on, and they damn near kill ya with side effects dont they.  I guess thats what they have to do.