How did the first 2 weeks of Camp Chemo go, you ask? Well, in the immortal words of coach Jim Mora,
I’ve been to lots of camps, y’all. 4-H Camp. Duke TIP (4 times). Basketball camp. Baseball camp. Governor’s School (shout out to Mara O’Neil!). Outward Bound. Clef Camp. I speak from some experience here.
This is the worst camp ever.
OK, maybe Camp Crystal Lake is worse. But this has got to be next. Activities are non-existent. Food is terrible. The camp counselors are no fun. Where is the awkward icebreaker where you meet your fellow campers? Where is the campfire where you roast s’mores and sing songs? Where is the zipline? Where are the dances? They have none of that here!
And don’t even get me started on the cost. For the first week, we just got a bill for $22,000! What a rip-off! (That’s true by the way… thankful for insurance)
All kidding aside, it has been a rough couple of weeks. I could give you a day-by-day rundown of how I felt, but I thought it might be more insightful to put it in the form of an infographic. Because, well because that’s the way my brain works.
To remind you of the BEP chemo cycle, weeks 1, 4, and 7 are the heavy weeks where I have to go in every day and get infusions of E(toposide) and cis(P)latin. Those are the drugs that make you feel bad. Weeks 2 and 3 are recovery weeks before Cycle 2 starts in week 4 (March 15 for me). The B drug (bleomycin) has had minimal side effects so far.
So far, the main side effects I would put under three headings:
- Gastrointestinal
- The Chemo Head Rush
- General fatigue
Under the gastrointestinal heading, there are several issues. First, these drugs are highly nausea-inducing. Thankfully, they have some excellent anti-nausea medications which have enabled me to keep food down; but it has turned eating into something to be dreaded. Foods that I normally like have become repulsive to me. Then there’s the bloating. See, all these drugs are delivered intravenously in a giant bag of fluid. All that fluid is going into your body. And so by about Wednesday of last week, I developed this intensely unpleasant bloated feeling, like my organs were all floating, like if you cut me I would bleed water. That has gotten better, but I still feel somewhat bloated and I have to force myself to drink water as that repulses me just like some of the food does. And to put a cherry on top of it all, some of the anti-nausea medications can cause severe constipation. It all made for a delightful weekend.
Then there is the Head Rush. This I was not prepared for at all. From about last Wednesday on – and I still feel it although not as much – I have felt a constant head rush. Like there’s an alarm clock inside your head. Ears ringing, unable to think clearly, even a little blurred vision at times. Really makes you want to go and lie down. It’s worst in the mornings. Over the weekend, I spent most of the mornings lying down with my eyes closed, just enduring.
But as the graph shows, I turned the corner and now I’m gaining ground every day. By Wednesday, I was able to work a more or less normal day, and Marilyn and I even went out to lunch. I think I am going to make it through Cycle 1.
I have decided to take a leave of absence from my job. My plan initially was to see how the chemo affects me, in hopes that I could work during the recovery weeks. Now I’ve seen it, and I’m not going to be much good. Everyone at work has been supportive of my decision and encouraged me to go home, get well, and come back strong. So that’s what I’m going to do. I am greatly blessed to work for an employer that cares about their employees and support them in taking care of themselves and their families.
We continue to be incredibly blessed with the outpouring of support. So many people have sent cards, texts, and well wishes. So many people are praying for us. We’ve had wonderful dinners, gift cards for dinners, gift baskets. We may not have to cook again until 2024. Thank you so much for all of this.
And, last but not least, let me take a moment to praise my wonderful wife, who has been doing pretty much everything at our house for the past two weeks, including taking care of me. I couldn’t imagine going through this without her. She is the best.
Until next time –
Hang in there, Jake. You are a strong guy to endure all that chemo. No one can know how rough it is unless they have undergone what you are going through. I hate you have to go through this, but hopefully you will come through the other side of this cancer and be in remission. I’m sure that time can’t come soon enough for you. I certainly understand why you wouldn’t want to be at work now because your fight is taking all the strength you can muster. I see you are using that extensive math background to chart your progress. I will keep praying that things get better for you. You are a real fighter, and I admire you.
I knew you would appreciate my graph. I learned from the best!
Hi Jake,
It was great to hear from you and get an update on your treatment. I’m glad you have decided to take a leave from work, it really sounds like the best thing, hard to imagine being able to focus while enduring the treatment. It sounds like you have great doctors and are receiving the best care possible and I’m glad for that. I’m also grateful you have a loving and caring wife who is doing amazing things. Don’t worry – it will be payback time when this is all behind you! We are all good here thankfully. I have had both vaccinations for COVID and Barb has her second one on March 21st. People all around us are scheduling their vaccinations – many are teachers or are in other front-line roles. We are holding off making any travel plans until we know more about the variants and whether we are protected. I retired in 2017 and stay quite busy with volunteer work with Olympic High School and the League of Women voters. I am also doing some consulting work with a local non-profit. It keeps me busy but I limit my time to about 20 hours per week total. Barb volunteers at Palisades Elementary helping kindergarteners with their reading. My work at Olympic has been working with a team to develop virtual options for student career exploration activities as the face-to-face events were cancelled over the past year. Check out our website at https://career-snapshots.com/. The site has been pushed out to all of CMS and all NC public schools. It is a work in progress but we’re getting a lot of positive feedback. At the risk of going on too long, I’ll wrap things up for now and chat with you again soon. If you ever want to chat, just give me a call at 704.860.2288 or write at rdmitchell1951@gmail.com. I hope you have a good weekend and a good week ahead. Stay strong. You are in our prayers. Warm regards, Roger Mitchell
Checked out the site, what a great idea! Best of luck as you continue to add content.
So glad you’re making it out of Cycle 1, but the last week sounds awful. If it’s any consolation, I can’t write as articulately as you do even when you’re going through Camp Chemo. Enjoy the weekend and week 3!
I don’t believe that for a second, but it’s nice of you to say.
Hang in there Jake!
Sending you and Marilyn and the kids my love. I know you are a strong and courageous young man, always have been and you are a fighter. I lift you in prayers daily. I know God is with you every step as you go through this trial. You will come through and be the victor. Love you Jake!
It sucks big time! God bless you and your sweet wife. I continue in prayer for you and your family. Sending love to you all.
Jake, as I was sitting here reading your message I thought of your grandmother she was a very strong Christian lady. Jake, you are a very strong young man whom I love dearly !!! Praying for you and your family let us hear from you. We are checking with your parents. Ms. Peggy and family.
Jake, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad you have such a supportive wife, family, friends, and employer. When I read…”It all made for a delightful weekend” I had to chuckle at your always wonderful dry sense of humor. I pray for God’s healing in this journey.
Governor’s School with Bel Biv Devoe remains one of the fondest memories of my life, especially the first 18 years of it! Jac, we are pulling for you and your family. How you are able to still tap into your wicked sense of humor after the weeks you have described is nothing short of amazing. It all sounds awful. We continue to pray for your and Marilyn’s strength and that better days are ahead, my friend.
Know we continue to pray for you Brother; glad you are on the up-slope of the graph, near the top (at the moment!).
Praying for your mom as well.
So sorry you’re having to go thru this, but want you to know that you and your family are on my prayer list! Glad things are getting better for you now.