THURSDAY & FRIDAY

THURSDAY - Today was a visit with my infection specialist, Dr. Tiballi. Remember, I go every day to get Fred refilled by Adrienne, the RN in charge of the infusion center. He said that my blood tests looked great and that I seemed to be in good shape.

We will discontinue all the antibiotics which I take by mouth but will keep Fred for another week until next Friday. Well, at least I don't have to get up at midnight and 6am anymore. But, Fred is one of those things that you get used to but would rather not deal with at all.

I think the main reason is that I did have noticeable fluid in my sinus cavities in the last CT scan and he wants to make sure that is cleared up so we'll continue Fred for the full 3 week regimen. He told me last week that they continued to do cultures from the Broncoscopy but never figured out what the infection was that put me in the hospital for 25 days.

Dr. Tiballi confirmed the fact that that all the antibiotics were part of the cause for my lack of energy. So YIPPEE, maybe getting off them will add a bit more get-up-and-go to my yippee ki yah.

I don't go back to see Dr. Singh [oncologist] until next Friday. So flip a coin there about whether I get another round of chemo sooner, later or not planned. I'm ready for whatever they decide. I've had 3 so far. That's chemo IV's about 15 times.

So I covet your prayers for some progress and strength over the next few weeks and that I am mentally and physically prepared for whatever Dr. Singh feels is best for me. God has given me the endurance and the wonderful wife to get this far. Love to you all, Bob

FRIDAY - This is who I have a date with 5 days a week: Adrienne. She's an absolute sweetheart and is the RN in charge of the infusion center who puts a new antibiotic bag in Fred. But, of course, on Friday I get a much larger and heavier bag so it lasts for the weekend. Today is the last day for taking the antibiotics that are in pill form only.

We went to friends for dinner and it was just a delicious mixed grill. While my strength is crummy, at least my appetite is decent.

Tomorrow we'll run a few errands and I am going to get my hair sort of evened out. Is it growing back? Nah, just barely. But Dawn thought it was looking a bit raggy. I guess she's right although I have taken to wearing a ballcap most of the time when I'm not home. Good night to you all. Bob