At the end of Week #1 of my cancer treatment plan, here are some observations:
- I can discern some minor observable side effects like: sore throat, raw skin (a little bit like a sunburn) on my neck, fatigue, light headache, some gastro-intestinal weirdness.
- More than anything, I’m experiencing a weird lack of wanting to do things, like anything. Watch a movie, read a book, draw a picture, seems like that might be fun. But then I get five or ten minutes into it, and I’m like: “nah.”
- I noticed early in the week that my appetite took a dip, which worried me, but since then I’ve decided to eat at appropriate times even if I don’t feel like it.
I’m aware that these are small potatoes compared to what might be coming, as everyone told me that the first week or two I might feel “nothing.” We’ll see what this week brings.
In the meantime, I’ve also done some fun things this week:
- My last concert in a while (with doctor approval) was Friday night: Joy Oladuken at Variety Playhouse with Jenn. It was really amazing, even just being up in the balcony. I’m including her Tiny Desk concert below in case you want to see what she sounds like. She’s been part of the soundtrack of our relationship, and we really love her.
- I’m flying through Percival Everett’s novel James. Our Book-ish Club is discussing it virtually over the next several weeks. I’m enjoying reading it, but it’s very sad. In preparation, I read (for the first time) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. What a disappointing experience. I feel like a need to write a separate post about my frustrations with that novel and it’s place at the top of “American Literature.”
- I got to hang out with my friends Paul and Dreebs all week as they took me to radiation appointments.
- I had an awesome first family dinner on Thursday night with Jenn, my kids, her kids, and my friend Michele who made us lasagna from his family’s recipe in Italy.
- Jenn and I spent a quiet and reflective weekend together. She’s off from school this coming week, and I’m enormously grateful that she is staying with me and taking me to all of my appointments.
Have a great week everyone. Look for an update by Thursday. Here’ some Joy:
