It's Chuckay!

It’s Chuckay!

Yes, it is time once more to celebrate Chuckay, a month long festival of all thing Chuck

The celebration began early this year.

In April, the blog crossed the 70,000 viewer mark. I find it amazing that the blog is still pulling in viewers with no new content and no new Women of the Moment. I have been driving more recently and the MINI passed the 49,000 mile mark during April.

Radiation and Chemotherapy

I had a growth or tumor detected last July during a routine follow scan. It was small and it was originally thought to be scar tissue since it was found where I had two prior operations.

I had another scan in February and the growth or tumor had changed its size by one millimeter. That was not much growth to me. But, it was significant to my doctor, a liver specialist.

Next, I had a series of consultations with a colorectal surgeon, a radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist. After reviewing the scans and other information, the City of Hope Medical Center’s Tumor Board decided to take radiation and chemotherapy as the preferred approach. Doug and I would have liked to go ahead with surgery. There was a problem with surgery. The growth or tumor was not located in an ideal situation for surgery; it was too close to my aorta.

My treatment consisted of twenty five days of radiation, five days a week, and three thousand milligram of Xeloda each treatment day.  My last session was the 30^th.  I didn’t lose any hair. I didn’t get nauseous. I did lose some weight in spite of the nutritionist’s best efforts to have me a full meal at every meal and to increase my protein intake as well.   

I am going back in June for another scan to determine how effective the treatment was. I have a follow up meeting with the surgeon at the end of June to learn what happens next.

Molly the Stylist and Me

I went to see Molly the Stylist today. It had been two months since my last haircut or styling as she likes to say.

“Oh my god Charles, your hair is so long and shaggy. You are way overdue for a styling.” Molly was surprised at how long my hair had gotten.

I have become of longer hair now. She left me with much longer hair than what she usually does. Molly did agree that I looked good with the longer hair.

Upcoming Chuckay Events

I plan to visit Coldstone Creamery for some homemade ice cream on Friday.

Doug will join me for lunch on next Tuesday at the Counter Grill for some customer built burgers. I am leaning towards a bison burger right now.
We plan to go to Morton’s for the traditional Chuckay Dinner. I think the 18^th would be perfect. Doug and I are undecided for a firm date.

Be well and stay happy.