Dick entered the hospital this week and will be in for a few days. Again he sends his thanks for your prayers.
Tom
May 10th, 2009Dick will be having his last set of scheduled treatments this week. They really take it out of him, but he appreciates the prayers and comments you've made. Please continue to keep him and Becky in your prayers. We'll post another update in a few days or when Dick is up to commenting himself, which ever comes first.
Tom
April 25th, 2009
The week started off rough then went downhill from there. I was told at the beginning that things would get very challenging and the past few days lived up to that prophecy. I have been trying my best to live normally in a very unnormal situation. The human body is a fighting machine, but even it wears when constantly bombarded by radiation and chemo. I say all this to say I wound up in the hospital for a few days. The dehydration was pretty intense from all of the vomiting that was relentless. My throat inside and out is razorback red. I am unable to eat anything even if I really wanted to. The stomach tube is getting a major workout these days. I have dropped 35 lbs since the treatments started. I would rather be on Optifast any day than continue thru this. I have 11 more radiation treatments to go and a couple more chemo. After this ordeal is thru, I will be a poster child for speaker engagements everywhere. You can have empathy for others going thru all this, but until you really have to face it yourself, it is not the same.
I got out of the hospital on Thursday and went in to do my radio program on Friday morning. Can you say bad decision! I have finally realized that I cannot do the things I want to do for now. Consequently, I have given up Talk of the Town for now. I hope to be back in about a month when I have time to get thru these treatments and the aftermath of the procedures. I know I need to have down time to recover. Its just so hard when you need to be very active. Again, I appreciate all of your prayers. I try and read this site every couple of days and I look forward to hearing from everyone and I appreciate you keeping me in your prayers.
I will update you next week on my progress.
Dick
April 21st, 2009
Dick was admitted to St Joseph on Tuesday due to complications from his last treatment. He is unable to talk at this time but wishes to let everyone know that he appreciates the prayers and well wishes that you have been sending. Check back for furthar updates.
Tom Wilkins
April 13th, 2009
I had a reprieve last week. I only had three treatments. The doctors were off for the holiday. I was feeling well enough to plant my garden and pull weeds. My kids and grandkids were home all weekend. It is such a joy to have them around. I have 17 more radiation treatments and 3 chemo. The chemo is beginning to burn my throat again. I have lost 31 pounds which isn't all bad, but this definitely isn't the way to lose it. I am suppose to take 8 cans on nutrients each day thru my stomach port. I have been taking two at a time. Let me give you some good advice. If your ever in this situation, don't take three at a time. Enough said! The sunburn on my neck from the radiation is beginning to get worse. Becky says she doesn't need a lamp on at night to watch tv because I glow all by myself. I have given up even trying to eat. I have no taste buds or smell sensation left. It sucks!
I have talked to others going thru what I am and some are even worse. My prayers to them all. It gives you a whole new meaning of appreciating your health. I am continuing to do my morning show. Some day's are better than others. Well, until next week, thanks and keep me in your prayers. Also, thank those of you who are wearing the wristbands created for me. They are free and available at United Blood Services on Higdon Ferry Road. I hope you all have a good week and thanks for thinking of me.
Dick
April 6th, 2009
This is the week of April 6th. Well the temporary set back has passed, although last week proved to be a challenging one. I had to stop the chemo and radiation due to complications in my mouth and throat. I also had to shave my goatee. I went to grab it and a handful of hair came out. What has been predicted is beginning to happen only too soon for my tastes or lack of. This is not fun. I am getting pretty good at feeding myself thru the stomach port that was put in. I'm up to two cans at a time. I have a couple of hundred in our kitchen. Looks like a food and medicine pantry. If you need anything, stop by, I am sure its there. I'll share! I have never seen nor been on so many different medications.
I begin treatments again today and hope I can not lose another week to the swelling and soreness. Thank you to everyone for their prayers and messages on the website. I do read them and appreciate them very much. Thank you to Captain Kirk and Alliance Rubber who made up the neat wrist bands that folks can have and wear to help me get thru this. They are free and have the website written on them. Just go to United Blood Service and they are there at the front desk. 1600 Higdon Ferry Road.
Until next week, thanks again for your prayers and Happy Easter!
Dick
March 31st, 2009
I had a very tough weekend. The throat area is extremely raw. I visited the doctor on Friday and they would not give me a radiation treatment due to the infection caused by the radiation and chemo. The treatments are put on hold for a week until they can get a handle on the problem. So I missed my 10th treatment and the bad symptoms have kicked in sooner than I thought. I have a massive amount of sores in the mouth / throat area. My tongue is also very enlarged. I will not be able to work this week since I have lost my voice and was told not to talk. Otherwise, I feel terrible. Tomorrow, Tuesday, I get a feeding tube put in my stomach. Yes, this is not fun! But I am like Macarthur, "I shall return!"
Again, I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and prayers. They keep me going. Please do not call because I am not suppose to talk. You can send a message thru the website if you can.
Dick
March 23rd, 2009
Just realized that living with cancer sucks but the treatment really sucks. Today is day 6 of radiation and tomorrow I will have my 3rd Chemo treatment. I have found that after chemo on Tuesdays it hits home on Thursdays with upset stomach, general nausea and a large reduction in my energy level. Last Thursday I got home about 5:45, went to bed at 6 and slept for 12 straight hours.
I have 25 more radiation treatments left and this past Saturday I had my first adverse reaction. I made homemade spaghetti and when I went to eat it I thought I had a mouthful of cardboard. Since I know I am a great cook, the only explanation was I had lost my taste buds. CRAP!
My mouth in general is very dry and I am forced to sip water to help me stay sane. Currently I sleep two hours, wake up and visit the bathroom. I am thinking of redoing the decor again in the bathroom since I seem to spend most of my time there.
I see the dietician on Tuesday who will ridicule me because I have lost 21 pounds. I was supposed to maintain my gorgeous figure and that hasn't happened. I haven't had any hair loss, toenails are intact and I haven't thrown up yet so it's been a good day. Nausea medicine seems to be working. As far as I have been told I will lose part of my beard and may never be able to grow it back. Tune in later in the week for my next update. I appreciate your prayers, emails and letters. It really has helped me to focus on surviving the torcherer.
Dick
March 10th, 2009
Well things have started! Tuesday, March 10th, Had my first chemo. A little on the shaky side. Lasted two hours, hoped for the best. So far my hair is still in and I didn't or haven't thrown up yet. It's theunknown that bothers you bur everything starts Monday this comming week. Radiation everyday at 1 and add chemo on Tuesday for the next seven weeks. Thats when the rubber meets the road. Say a prayer with my friends we will get through this.
Thank you so very much for your prayers and encouraging words.
Later
Dick
March 7th, 2009
This past week, Dick was fitted for a radiation mask and had several consultations with his physicians about what he can expect in the next several weeks. Monday, March 9th he gets his port for his chemo treatments and Tuesday he starts chemo.
Radiation treatments will begin the week of March 16th.