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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 04, 2008 Profile Views: 10360 Blog Views: 9949 This is the only recovery that matters My newspaper messed up again Video rental pricing, good for Blockbuster George Carlin is dead, irreverance takes a hit My cancer flew the coop I can't spit on anyone for a year Hon, your chicken casserole tastes great I'm not instantly healed, what's with that? Let the healing begin! My fondness for motorcycle clubs 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 
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Turning a chemo corner
After spending six days (beg. Mon. Oct. 1) of barely having enough strength to get out of bed, and feeling like the top one-fourth of my head was lighter than air, I think I'm turning a corner after my chemotherapy began. My head fills a little more full. I'm still not out running marathons (indeed, what I can really manage is to shuffle around the house, introducing my new persona as Mr. Shuffles), but it is no longer a major strain to sit up. By Sunday, I had lost 11 pounds through this not much eating, not much exercise regimen. One change occurred Saturday night when I kept a commitment to give a speech at the retirement party for Superior Court Judge Frank A. Hoover. I worked all day to manage my drugs so that I would have some energy that evening. I lasted a couple hours but I still had to leave before it was over. But what I got that the Four Points Ballroom was about the best, tender, grilled white chicken meat I have ever had. And I ate a lot of it, which was the first substantial food I had had all week. That gave me encouragement to start eating more and more of what I like to eat. So I dabbled in some scrambled eggs in the morning, some pasta in the afternoon, some creamy chicken soup and steak in the evening. They all went down and stayed down. But even more importantly, my neighbors, Nancy and Paul, came back from the Tehachapi Apple Festival on Saturday and brought us apples and a cinnamon apple pie. The pie was an absolute godsend. I've had four or five pieces since then and each one tastes wonderful. By Monday morning, I weighed a pound more than I did Sunday. The other momentous thing on Monday morning is I took my last two chemo pills. I will have no more chemo until Oct. 22. Since it is the chemo that is knocking me down, I am hoping I get regain some energy and get back up. I have made it this week with support and prayers from family, friends and colleagues (my co-workers gave me a touching gift Saturday that made me cry). But most of all, I made it with Mary's help. There were times I didn't have enough strength to make me food to eat or to get my medication when I needed it. Her boss, Andy at the State Fund, has given her time off work to be with me. I am very serious -- I don't think I could have managed by myself. So Mary gets another, " I love you more than life, Sweetie," from me. I was going to end it there, but I just noticed we haven't talked about bodily functions. The short answer is I've stopped tossing cookies, and things are getting out of the system on a regular basis, although I've stopped taking stool softeners altogether. Okay, that's a wrap for now. 14 comments from 11 users
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posted by
ejones
on Oct 8, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Steve, you are a tower of strength for all of us. We're all pulling for you and keeping things running until you get back on your feet. See you soon!
Evan Jones posted by
janay11
on Oct 8, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Steve, I am new here in the blog world, and I have been reading about your experiences. Thank you for sharing them. You have a remarkable attitude and are truly an encouragement to me. I hope that you will continue to get better, and eat all the things you love, but as a mother, I must insist on you eating some nice green vegies. Seriously, I helped my brother in law change his eating habits when he had a heart attack and diabetes. In just one day his sugar went from 270 to 120. He actually cried, and said it had never been that low in years. all he did was eat egg substiute scrambled with peppers and onions, toasted ezekiel bread, and strawberry drink with no sugar. I don't think sugar substitutes are good. better to not have any or just a bit of real sugar. the kind that God makes. Anyway, then he had some white fish, with a nice green salad and spinach with peppers, carrots, and onions. and some asparagus. Since then he has done very well, and tries to eat healthy, and he maintains his blood sugar without meds. Anyway, I always feel compelled to put in my motherly advice, Please forgive me. thanks for all the updates, and hang in there You too Mary (^_^) posted by
randomfactor
on Oct 8, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Atta boy, Steve. Good to hear you're handling things better. Of course, not everyone has the advantage you do: Mary sounds more and more like a gem. Spam code Y JOY N. I say Y. posted by
robbwillis
on Oct 8, 2007 at 08:43 PM
Good news Steve. With a cart, you'll be back on the course in no time!
posted by
OldBlue56
on Oct 8, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Steve, there are only a select few people who post on these blogs that I agree with, but you are definitely one of them. We need your "wisdom" here. Get well asap!
posted by
steveeswenson
on Oct 8, 2007 at 11:07 PM
Janay, You will be happy to know I've been eating brocolli and green beans. I just don't tell people about it. Damn few brocolli jokes. posted by
janay11
on Oct 9, 2007 at 08:32 AM
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH, AS A MATTER OF FACT IT DID MAKE ME HAPPY. I SMILED TO SEE YOUR GREAT SMILE, AND YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MY MOTHERLY ADVICE. BEST WISHES JANAY posted by
sfinboston52
on Oct 9, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Steve your in my thought and I hope a speedy recovery through this process.
posted by
sagefever
on Oct 9, 2007 at 09:54 AM
Good news! This brightens a gloomy day for me..all those prayers,good wishes , thoughts and incense have done their job.
posted by
JandS
on Oct 9, 2007 at 03:12 PM
WOOHOO Steve! You sound like you're in great spirits & so positive too. Glad to hear that you get a window of reprieve...and that you're enjoying food again! Prayers & Best Wishes for a speedy recovery.
posted by
ejones
on Oct 9, 2007 at 05:56 PM
Steve,
My dad's favorite broccoli joke goes something like this (sorry for the spelling): Broccoli is inexoccoli within an inich of being spinach. Evan Jones posted by
Wayfarer
on Oct 9, 2007 at 10:02 PM
Good for you Steve, I'll keep you in my prayers.
posted by
jeffandjulie
on Oct 10, 2007 at 03:11 AM
Uncle Steve.
Keep it up. You will find that your strength will increase daily, and the nausea will soon go away. It is good to hear that your Wife is taking such good care of you. I'm sure that even you will finally admit that with a wonderful, right wing wife, one doesn't need Hillary-care. Keep in touch. Jeff posted by
janay11
on Oct 10, 2007 at 08:43 PM
BROCCOLI JOKE I made up this joke for u steve, cause u said there wern't too many broccoli jokes. Here goes....................
Hi honey, can u stop by the store on the way home for me? he says....I'm so tired, do u really need something or can it wait? Well, I guess it could wait, if you're too tired, but it will spoil my after the kids go to bed plan. Oh! what plans do u have? she says..I am planning a special treat, and I would love to include you. By this time he is not quite so tired, and ask what it is she needs at the store. she says....I need some chocolate, whip cream, and broccoli. he says... okay, I will be home soon, can't wait for my treat. so at dinner he asks why she didn't cook the broccoli she says.....(trying not to let the children hear) I'm saving that for later (wink) he wonders...hhmmm, what on earth does she have in mind for broccoli (his mind is buzzing) so later, the kids are all tucked in and she starts to prepare the broccoli, chocolate, and whip cream He asks if he should go freshen up before bed she says...No silly, your dad and mom will be here any minute to try the new broccoli dipped in chocolate dessert recipe she told me about today! (^_^) I said I made it up
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