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Real Name: Steve E. Swenson Address: PO Bin 440 Bakersfield, Ca 93302 Cell: (395)736-7 Gender: male Date of Birth: January 03, 1949 Member Since: March 17, 2006 Last Signed In: September 30, 2009 Profile Views: 10866 Blog Views: 14988 Didn't catch any fish and Lopez Lake, but lots of fun anyway I feel oppressed, and out $33 Eating a burger in the shadow of Michelle Obama A must watch and pass on Lovey dovey on my patio Mexico trip rerouted to California -- oh yippee, skippy Met up today with an old cancer buddy The governator wants to tax golf???????? Took my love to Red Rock Canyon Ending fish plants in the Kern River???? June 06 July 06 August 06 September 06 October 06 November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 
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The down side to this saving my life plan
The doctors have worked out a plan to save my life.
I was hoping for a little easier and faster road, but wouldn't you know it, it's harder to save my life than I was first led to believe. I thought I'd be done with this little inconvenience in a couple months. But it will probably take 3 and 1/2 months. The upside is this will give me the best chance of never having to go through this again. Yeah, but does it have to come at the expense of three months of impaired golf? Dr. Anthony Ciarolla called me with the details while I was on the 17th hole today. He called back when I was in the 19th Hole (restaurant and bar) so we could discuss things at a more leisurely pace. I'll go into his office (near San Joaquin Hospital) on Monday for about 4 hours of getting what he calls moderate chemotherapy. For you cancer buffs out there, I'll get Taxotere and Cisplatin through IVs, and 5FU pills. Then I get three weeks off while I get as sick or tired as these things will dish out. Two of the possible side effects are constipation or diarrhea, Can't they make up their mind? Then I get a second dose of the same thing followed by two weeks off. Then I get six to eight weeks of radiation along with some more Cisplatin. That will bring me pretty close to my Jan. 3 birthday. The idea is to keep having those birthdays. 17 comments from 17 users
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posted by
mcdougle
on Sep 27, 2007 at 07:34 PM
Steve. I wish you all the best and many more birthdays. posted by
robbwillis
on Sep 28, 2007 at 07:09 AM
That's rough Steve. Don't worry about the golf. Your mental game will improve with the time off. Your short game will go to hell, but from what I saw, that may be an improvement also! Good luck, Robb posted by
BakersfieldDoc
on Sep 28, 2007 at 07:35 AM
Steve, Make sure you get a prescription for anti-nausea pills. These are expensive and if your insurance company does not cover them look into the Compassionate Use Plan that all drug manufactures are required by law to have. This means.....call the company, inform them you are unable to pay for the drug and it will be provided free. Your local pharmacist can assist you in these matters. Best of Luck to you in your treatment. It will be a very rough time, just thank God you have a good woman to help you through this. Please make sure all your legal papers are in order. You are into your second marriage and there could be some major complications, for both you and Mary, if legally you have not prepared documents for Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and a will. It is uncomfortable to speak about these matters but it is necessary. -BD posted by
koztarr
on Sep 28, 2007 at 08:23 AM
Make sure you get a prescription for anti-nausea pills. These are expensive and if your insurance company does not cover them look into the Compassionate Use Plan that all drug manufactures are required by law to have. This means.....call the company, inform them you are unable to pay for the drug and it will be provided free. Your local A friend of mine paid $300 per pill. I don't think she knew about compassionate Use Plan. posted by
TomW
on Sep 28, 2007 at 08:52 AM
Good luck to you, Steve. You're in my prayers.As for "cancer buffs", is that a new term of art I haven't heard? posted by
sagefever
on Sep 28, 2007 at 08:56 AM
I think I've seen a small desk set for golf~maybe a video game? Something to keep your mind on the important things of life~golf.Thanks for the update Steve
posted by
ChicoEsquela
on Sep 28, 2007 at 09:21 AM
Praying for you. Hate to say it, but BTDT. You will pull through and be the better man for it. Everyone always is. You will relish every sunset but especially ever sunrise. "We believe that the Sun Spirit is all powerful, for every spring he makes the trees to bud and the grass to grow. We see these things with our own eyes, and, therefore, know that all life comes from him." Unknown posted by
mattloch
on Sep 28, 2007 at 09:27 AM
I hope that everything works out for you. May your cancer leave quietly and never return.
posted by
steveeswenson
on Sep 28, 2007 at 10:32 AM
I am getting the anti-nausea pills. And some other stuff too. I have no indication they are not covered by my insurance. And there is a cancer community. They know all about chemo so that's why I included the specific ones. And, Robb, I can't explain why I played so badly with you. Perhaps it was your intimidating size and your freakish luck. posted by
blognroll
on Sep 28, 2007 at 11:26 AM
May you get through this without suffering at a level greater than you can bear, and may you live to see many, many more birthdays. As always, you're in our thoughts and prayers.
posted by
jeffandjulie
on Sep 28, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Uncle Steve. A few months without golf will not hurt you. I am sure Mary will find other things to fill your time. As for the drugs. It will just seem like you have a bad flu, (that will last 3 months). Remember. That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger. Besides, You need to stick around for a while in order to cancel out Mary's vote. If you are to weak, I am sure she will be more than happy to proxy for you. Stay positive. Remember also. This day too will pass.
Much love, Jeff and Julie. posted by
dusty1215
on Sep 28, 2007 at 02:56 PM
You better be around for your next birthday Steve. This sounds possibly painful..will you be going to work during all these treatments? Take care sweetie..and know you are in many folks prayers. posted by
Mom2CandC
on Sep 28, 2007 at 04:05 PM
This sounds like what my step-dad went through....with the chemo, he felt tired and didn't want to eat - he did not experience the consitpation - he had the other problem! (It will effect each person differently). The radiation was the most bothersome for him - he had a horribly itchy and fire-engine red rash-like burn on the site where his radiation was focused. That was what he thought was the worst - the itchy red burn and not wanting to touch his neck with anything! However, he has just returned from his 3 month check up and has gotten a great report that he is cancer free! Take it one day at a time and know that you are in many of our prayers! Let Mary fuss over you and keep your positive attitude and great sense of humor! posted by
dgrealish
on Sep 28, 2007 at 06:23 PM
Steve, my father-in-law just finished what you're now beginning. We had a celebration for his last round of radiation on Labor Day. My mother-in-law, an RN, says you may not keep the hair on your chin and the back of your neck, so just be prepared. I know you want to keep your goatee, and I'll be praying you do, but sometimes the hair loss goes farther than we expect. God Bless you Steve.
posted by
heatherkeith
on Sep 28, 2007 at 08:38 PM
I say a plan of attack is better than no plan at all! I pray that the moments of this discomfort will pale in comparison to all the other glowing achievements of your life, not only in the past but all of the potential happiness which awaits you & Mary in the future. Your family will be in my prayers. buenas suerte, heather
posted by
GlennJohnson
on Sep 30, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Good Morning Steve ~ After reading all the comments that have been posted I see that you have some terrific friends and great support in good ole' Bakersfield. God Bless Them!! Just wanted to add our best on this "adventure" you're about to begin. Hang in there and know it'll all be over before you know it. We'll all be thinking of you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Glenn & Vicki Johnson (and the rest of the bunch in Idaho)
posted by
InFlewInZa
on Sep 30, 2007 at 07:54 PM
Hi Steve
It's Laura from your old courthouse days. Anyway, I've read your blog and now I will be a follower of your journey. I too have had a mild sore throat for several weeks and tomorrow I'm calling my doctor for a visit. I love the idea that you are blogging your adventures. Sharing is caring. Best of luck to you and your wife. Laura
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