It’s been quite some time since my last update on February 23rd, which marked my final “good day” before the chemo side effects took hold. The days that followed have been a winding road of challenges, realizations, and unexpected events that I wanted to share with you all.

The day after my last post, February 24th, marked the beginning of my search for the right balance of post chemo medications as the side effects began to surface. By the 25th, I started experiencing intermittent fever spikes that lingered for several days without a clear cause. During chemo, any temperature above 100.4 necessitates an immediate ER visit for a complete workup, and my fever stubbornly hovered right at this threshold.

The gastrointestinal distress that accompanies chemo proved to be intense. Staying hydrated became my constant focus, requiring me to consciously drink water throughout the day and night. Sleep became fragmented as I woke approximately every 90 minutes with some kind of GI distress and to replenish fluids. The 25th was particularly difficult with overwhelming fatigue keeping me bed-bound for about 16 hours.

The following days showed promising improvement, lifting my spirits until February 28th when severe abdominal cramping struck. The pain would occasionally become so intense that I would double over for 30 seconds at a time. During these episodes came perhaps the most unsettling sensation: feeling disconnected from my body, as though I was merely observing what was happening rather than experiencing it. For those watching Severance with me, I could really use an “Innie” about this time.

The pain reached a point where I questioned whether I could continue this treatment course if this would be my new normal. After consulting with the on-call triage nurse at UTSW, I decided an ER visit was necessary. Tests revealed my white blood cell count had soared to nearly 21,000 per microliter, far exceeding the normal range of 5,000 to 11,000.

I requested a CT scan without contrast to spare my kidneys additional strain, which the medical team accommodated. The results revealed an intestinal infection requiring strong antibiotics. I’m grateful to the compassionate doctor who, unlike what he described as standard protocol for most ER physicians, gave me the option to recover at home rather than being admitted for IV antibiotics. It was one of the fastest ER visits I have ever experienced, we were in and out with a full bag of fluids, diagnosis and meds in less than three hours. BS&W Hilcrest really work hard to keep from exposing cancer patients to ER germs and I am very thankful for that. 

By March 4, I finally began feeling like myself again. These past few days have felt remarkably normal, though I still experience fatigue that necessitates a short daily rest. Most importantly, my appetite has returned, and I’ve been able to enjoy time with Beau and Norah.

Just as recovery was progressing, we had another test. Early Tuesday morning around 5:30 AM, we experienced the most powerful straight line winds I’ve ever witnessed outside of a tornado. Gusts reached 65 mph, equivalent to Category 1 hurricane force, causing extensive damage throughout our neighborhood.

The aftermath revealed hundreds of thousands of dollars in collective damage: toppled fences, metal poles bent at their concrete bases, and chicken coops and trampolines scattered across the countryside. Many neighbors sustained significant roof damage. While our home was spared major structural issues, we lost approximately 120 feet of fence that will require complete replacement and were without power for several hours, making hosting a Wireless ISP and small server farm challenging. Those things tend to need electrons. 

Another milestone arrived when my beard hair began falling out last Wednesday. I made the decision to shave it completely. Two days later, my head hair started shedding substantially. Despite believing I was emotionally prepared for hair loss, the reality proved more affecting than anticipated.

My brother lent me his hair clippers, and my son Beau joined me on the back porch for the momentous head shaving. The most surprising discovery was how cold my newly bare head became! Some overnight delivered Carhartt beanies were in order.

I was so incredibly encouraged by my good friend Robert Kizza who resides in Uganda, Africa. Robert and I worked closely together for a couple of years, improving technology at Restoration Gateway where he spent years teaching kids about Jesus and how to use technology to make a living. Many of the kids wrote me the most heartfelt letters of encouragement and it really lifted my spirits. 

Spring break officially began yesterday on March 7th. Last night brought a special opportunity to take Norah out for a date night at 135 Prime. Today, we ventured to the Waco Lego convention and enjoyed lunch at Jason’s Deli with friends we met there.

Tomorrow’s schedule includes church and a birthday party, followed by work on the Cub Scout Crossover bridge that we volunteered to design and help build. Three weeks ago, I prepared by pre cutting all the cedar wood, which the scouts then treated with oil based stain. The results are truly impressive.

My next infusion is scheduled for March 12th in Dallas. With the knowledge and experience gained from the first round, we’re approaching this treatment differently and remain hopeful for significantly reduced side effects.

This journey continues to teach me about resilience, patience, and appreciating the good days when they come. Thank you for your continued support and for walking alongside me through this experience.