It has been four weeks since the start of the new
immunotherapy drugs, and this week I had the third infusion. We still have to
wait another four weeks for the CT scan, and meanwhile we are of course looking
for any sign that hints as to whether these experimental drugs are effective.
The short answer is that it is still too early to invest in Bristol Meyer Squibb
shares, because we are getting some mixed messages. The bone cancer had spread
to the right hip even before the new drugs and is now starting to give some
serious discomfort. I asked the Oncologist to refer me to the radiologist to
nuke my butt. Radiation looks like an easy fix because it took all the pain and
discomfort away when the cancer affected the left hip. Unfortunately, the test
protocol, to which I must adhere, does not allow radiation and the pain is
now managed with opiates. I don’t want to be too graphic about the side effects
of drugs containing opium, and let’s just say that it appears to shut down all
internal traffic. Bonnie went to Costco
to buy the remedies in bulk and the check-out person must have wondered about
her well-being since there were few food items included in the purchases. As usual another Costco employee inspected Bonnie’s shopping basket at the exit, all
the while making sure not to be downwind from her.
I lost another 5 pounds in the past two weeks, and that was
before Bonnie came home with the recommended remedies in bulk. We hope the weight loss is a side effect of
the immunotherapy because it is generally not a good thing. On the positive
side, I have not had any chest pain, feel good and enjoy life. The results of
the CT scans are always anxiously awaited but this next one will have a particularly
big effect on how we will manage our future.
What made our lives particularly enjoyable was a visit from our
very good friend Alison, whose bubbly personality livened up the house for the
past 12 days. We know Alison from our time in Belgium and we have countless
memories of great parties and outings. Now, 25 years later, the parties sizzle
out a little earlier in the evening and the intake of food and alcoholic
beverages are perhaps a little more modest, but it was just as enjoyable.
Nevertheless, I noted with some satisfaction that the glass recycling bin was
full, and the reduced content of the wine cellar will allow us to organize some
wine tasting expeditions again. The advantage
of having visitors is that we get to experience some items on our nice-to-do
list, and the Portland City Grill, Pok Pok and the Crystal Springs Rhododendron
Gardens are now officially crossed off that list (not that they cannot be revisited with future visitors). We dined the Portland City
Grill, which is on the 30th floor of the US Bank Building, on a
gorgeous day and were able to see three volcano's from our window seats. The
food was fabulous and the restaurant is definitely recommended, especially on
clear days. Afterwards we went to see “Menopause, the Musical” on (Portland’s)
Broadway. It was hilarious and my fear that I would be the only man among 300
women proved unfounded. I counted 3 other men in the audience. I had chosen
seats on the last row of the theater, because I was not looking forward to the
audience participation in this kind of environment. One
of the other 3 men in the audience splurged on front row seats and he must have
regretted that because he definitely looked uncomfortable after his unwilling
participation.
We had lunch at Pok Pok, a restaurant that serves surprisingly
tasty Thai inspired dishes in a piece of real estate where a reasonable person
wouldn't even park his bicycle. It consistently shows up on lists of best value
or things to do in Portland, and Dutch readers would be interested to know that
you can get a full meal for the price of an appetizer at Portland City Grill.
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| The Easter Bunnies |
Sara, Josh and the grand-kids visited us on Easter Sunday.
The weather was cooperating and the Easter Bunnies hid lots of eggs in our
front garden. Kellan now understands the concept of Easter Egg hunts and filled
his Easter basket in record time, not realizing there was actually chocolate inside
the plastic eggs. We all sat down for a late Easter Lunch, with a nice leg of
lamb from the barbie and all the trimmings and wine to go with that. We are grateful
that we get to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. It makes it so
much more meaningful.
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| A hug after a successful egg hunt |
After Alison left I decided to make myself useful and start
cleaning the concrete slab in front of the garage with the pressure washer we
borrowed from our nice neighbor Tom. Unfortunately, and I hate it when that
happens when you use someone else’s equipment, the machine had a defect and no
longer pressurizes the water. Tom and I bought some parts and tried to fix it,
but to no avail. He called the manufacturer and they seemed to think we have a
malfunctioning unloader valve. Hello! That sounds a little too familiar. Maybe
Miralax will help here as well.
