Today was a good day for Ric.  He is getting strange little headaches that seem to come and go.  The headaches are not severe and only last a short time.  Presumably from the radiation treatments, which is causing swelling in the brain.  He went about his normal activities without any problems.  He did not take his second anti-nausea pill today, and he seemed to cope well without it.  Ric is not sure if he is ready to skip the second anti-nausea every day, but if it is not needed then he may not take it.  The less the pills the better.  Ric seems to be doing well with his evening meals, the last couple of days.  His appetite appears to be better in the evening. 

In case anyone is wondering...Ric has not lost any hair from the chemo or the radiation as of yet.  Ric does not have his weekly doctor's appointment this week, as he is off from treatment on Thursday.  The monthly maintenance is being done on the equipment this Thursday.

Week number 3 under way.(Are you proud, Jeff? I did not start off with well!!)  Ric felt pretty good all day today.  Started out the day as usual, got up had a bite to eat, got in some exercise, came home, had something else to eat, etc.  Ric had a headache that seemed to come and go today.  He is trying to manage it by doing some breathing exercises.  I do notice Ric does seem to get a slight headache when he is anxious, or we have a lot going on.( having a family...we always have a lot going on.)  After Ric was finished his treatments, we went to the mall to pick up few things today.  It is nice to do regular activities.  We did not stay longer then need be...many men don't like to shop at the best of times, we kept it simple to three stores... for Ric's sanity.  Came home and had a nice supper...Ric enjoyed his meal tonight, cooked some comfort food for him and he actually ate a second helping!  All in all a good day!

WELL...we just finished the weekend...Ric had a good weekend.  He is noticing that he does get an upset tummy(or sore guts, as Ric would say) early in the day.  He is realizing that he has to keep something on his tummy, even in the early part of the day.  Ric had a good weekend, doing normal family activities, and being able to participate fully.  He did have a slight headache...but nothing as serious as Friday night.  We are almost halfway there...ready to start week 3!

Well today started out pretty good.  Ric did his usual...got up had a bit of a bite to eat, got some exercise in, came home had a more substantial meal, etc.  He had a bit of headache by this time, he took some Tylenol, then the rest of his meds.  Today Ric's friend Ed drove him to and from his radiation treatments.  Thanx Ed!  Ric saw the nurse today, and told she told him the headaches are likely from the radiation treatments, just to continue with Tylenol.  If Tylenol is no longer effective they will give Ric something else that will help.  The nurse also told Ric his blood work, taken on Monday was good.   When he came home from treatments, his headache progressively got worse.  He has been in bed for the most part of the afternoon and the evening.  Ric was not able to eat supper tonight, and did get sick later this evening.  I know tomorrow will be better, as no radiation for the weekend...just chemo! 

Well 21 more days...another good day.  Ric did a bit of light jogging with his exercise routine this morning, for the first time since surgery.  He said it felt pretty good.  There was a doctor's appointment scheduled for today after radiation.  Ric waited patiently, for about 40 minutes, then had the nurse paged.  He then waited for another 20 minutes and then said enough is enough, and left.  Not sure what was happening at the TB today.  Will make up the appointment either tomorrow or Monday.  This unfortunately made us late for a friend(Wayne) Ric had lined up to mow the lawn.  We are very lucky to have such nice friends to help us out in times of need.  Thanx Wayne!  Tonight at supper Ric did not have much of an appetite again.  However, he is realizing that it is very important to eat throughout his treatments...this will in turn make him stronger for the battle he is up against.  Ric did however, manage to eat most of his meal. 

Well comparing this week to last, this week is looking very good in comparison.  Ric is feeling good today.  Had a slight headache for the majority of the day...although it progressively got worse.  He took some Tylenol, and that appeared to help.  Ric will be seeing  the doctor tomorrow(which is scheduled every Thursday).  Ric felt good because he got some things around the house accomplished- just some phone calls, and getting his media room a bit organized.  He continues to be somewhat tired in the later part of the afternoon.  All in all a pretty good day.

Well Ric is pretty much into his new routine...getting up in the morning, having a light bite to eat, getting in some exercise, and having a decent sized bite to eat before he takes his chemo meds and before his radiation treatments begin.  I am not sure if I mentioned before, but Ric cannot eat for 2-3 hours after he has taken his chemo meds.  After radiation today, we took the kids to play miniature golf.  Ric had a good day, I do think he really wanted to go and shoot a regular 18 rounds though!  Keeping score on the mini golf... I think Ashley beat Daddy!!  We came home and Ric had a bite to eat, and rested some, I really think he was upstairs sulking because his daughters played better then him (just joking Ric, I know you're really good at the REAL THING!!)  Supper tonight was a bit of  a challenge for Ric, he was not nauseated, however; he had a slight loss of appetite.

Well we started week number 2.  Ric felt very good all day today.  He had energy to do some exercise this morning.  He had a good breakfast, took his chemo pills, then off to radiation.  He then had his blood work done(which will happen every Monday).  Then he walked over to the park to meet us(my sister and her man and daughter were in town visiting), and had a bite to eat.  He is really trying to keep something on his tummy, so he does not get nauseated.  We then came home made some supper and Ric was actually able to sit and eat a meal, which has been a bit uncommon during the last week.  Ric generally feels less like eating and nauseated in the evenings, but not today.  I hope this holds up...I do like seeing him able to eat in the evening as well as throughout the day. 

Well just wanted you all to know Ric did well this weekend with only taking the chemo meds( and anti-nausea meds).  He did however have headaches, each day, in which he is taking tylenol for.  He did struggle with supper on Saturday evening...just not much appetite, later in the evening he was able to have some snacks.  Tonight he was able to have supper with us...just a very plain version of what we were eating.  Ric has had a headache for the most part of the day today.  Hope this does not continue throughout treatment!  Ric has had a productive weekend with exercise and doing odd jobs around the house.  He has been busy putting up some shelves to store some media.  We do have some more jobs on the to do list...of which I am sure he will be able to tackle over the next week.  We are ready for week number 2.

Well got through week 1...a little rocky at first, but we seem to have found some balance.  Ric woke this morning and felt really good.  He really likes to help out around the house a lot...for which I am very thankful!  Sometimes I think he is doing too much, and I don't want to see him tire himself out.   He is making time for exercise every day...even with all the smoke settled around Calgary area with all the wild fires burning in B.C.  He is eating very well in the early part of the day...just not as well in the evening, although that seems to be improving, somewhat.  Not that much nausea today.  Got some clarification from the nurses and made some changes to timing on taking meds, and that seems to have helped a lot.  Looking forward to the weekend.  Ric does not have radiation, however, he still has to take his chemo meds.

Well day number 4...26 more to go!  We are learning as we go.  As you know Ric has had some nausea and vomiting...he is feeling much better today.(taking the anti-nausea every 6 hours is helping, and keeping something on the tummy as well.)  Ric is able to eat 1hour before his chemo meds...which really helps.  Therefore, he can get up and have something light for breakfast and something a bit more substantial before his chemo meds.  Then after he is finished with radiation we come home and he is able to eat again.  He does however loose his appetite somewhat in the evening...however I did just make some popcorn...we will see if I lose any fingers tonight!

Well Ric has 27 more days of treatment to go.  Today, just following the new routine.  Got some exercise, ate some breakfast, took some meds, off to radiation.  Treatment was very quick today...we drop Ric at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, then the girls and I proceed to the park.  Ric then meets us at the park when he is finished with his treatment.  About a 10 minute walk for Ric...don't worry if he wasn't capable of doing the walk, I would not be letting him walk if he was not able!  We came home and Ric then ate some lunch.  Later this afternoon the nausea set in...so he took some anti-nausea meds.  This seems to be working...although Ric is having a tough time eating now.  Unfortunately this is a side effect of the chemo meds.  Was only able to eat a couple bites of his supper, although he did have some grapes and yogurt after supper.  A slight headache this evening...although not enough for Ric to medicate.  Still not interested in food tonight.  We will see what tomorow will bring us.

Well 28 more treatments to go!  Day 2 went pretty well.  Ric had a slight headache later in the day.  The headache was followed by an upset stomach.  Took some more anti-nausea meds...unfortunately that did not work.  Ric has been sick a couple times tonight.  Trying to keep down some soda crackers and water, for the time being.  Tomorrow he will try to take the anti-nausea meds every 6 hours...will see how that will help his tummy. 

Well day one of treatment is in the books.  Ric started his new routine.  Started the day with some exercise, followed by a dose of chemo pills.  Then off the the Tom Baker Cancer Centre for some radiation.  Took slightly longer today...as x-rays were taken and set up.  The radiation will be targeting the tumour bed at 5 different angles.  Each of the five angles, or zaps as Ric would call them, take approximately 15 seconds.  Out of 10 radiation treatment rooms available, they assigned Ric bed number 1...to be used for the duration of his treatments.  29 of 30 treatments now before us, scheduled to be complete September 29th.  Ric feels pretty good and is optimistic that he'll feel fine throughout this journey.

Just wanted to let you all know what has been happening in our lives.  Ric has been diagnosed with brain cancer.  I know, it was a complete shock to all of us too!  On the 6th of July Ric had a CT scan, which in turn led to an MRI, in which a tumour was discovered.  On the 9th of July he had the tumour removed.  On the 15th of July we received the pathology reports stating the tumour was cancerous.  On the 16th of August Ric will start Radiation and Chemotheropy.  He will be having treatments 5days/week for 6 weeks.  We will keep you all posted via this blog. 

Just wanted to take this time to thank all of you for all of your support.  It has been very helpful to both Ric and I.  We appreciate how all of you have been so very thoughtful in these tough times. 

Day by day we will get through this.  I know my husband has the strength and the determination he needs in the days to come to oversee this disease and beat it!