After taking yesterday’s 800 mg dose of Votrient, I’m exactly half-way through the first month. After the early scare of high blood pressure headaches, another blood pressure control medication was added and I seem to have leveled off to reasonable numbers. No headaches and not checks in the mirror to make sure the top of my head is still connected. Among the list of potential side effects, I continued to struggle with a few. None is, alone, a deal killer, but hurled around inside a mosh pit with them all pulling at you at the same time has me out of sorts for a great portion of every day.
Fifteen days in on Votrient, here are my issues in order of their importance:
• low-grade diarrhea
• nausea (I stayed on ready in church on Sunday. I never can tell when I’ll need to jump up and head for the bushes)
• Loss of appetite (No so much that I don’t want to eat, but that everything is beginning to taste the same. So I eat less.
This is bound to be good for my fat ass.)
• Back pain has returned. Not the epic, crippling back pain that I experienced after the two back surgeries I had in the
late summer/fall of 2010, but something less severe and less defined. So ill-defined that I can’t distinguish
between a cramp or a pain episode. I’m getting some bodacious cramps in my back, my legs, my feet and in my
abdomen. Those kind of cramps that set you on a gyrating attempt to find that one place that makes them stop. I
look pretty stupid, but generally I can bump and grind my way to relief. (I think there used to be more of that
going on down on Victory Drive.)
• My hair, which is already generously sprinkled with salt and pepper, is becoming a little less accommodating, which
means it is likely beginning the highly-predicted slide to “mostly salt.”
I’m struggling a bit with my overall sense of well-being. The back pain makes it difficult to start to move from a lying or sitting position. I’ve started to look like an old man who has to hop around a bit to get his universal joint in gear after standing up from a sitting or lying position. I don’t particularly like this, but it is has become my new reality.
peggy dozier says
Love you Mike !!! Hang in there & remember “All Things Come to Pass”” You WILL BEAT THIS !!!!! PRAYERS For comfort & healing continue……..xoxoxoxox
Betsy Covington says
So you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. And you’re doing SOMETHING, which I recognize and support as being important for you. You know I’m happy to hang out with you any time, and the added bonus of your bumping & grinding — then throwing up in the bushes — is definitely something to look forward to! Hang in there, man.
Allison Kennedy Owen says
Mikey! I’m sure the sister wives, and the Real Wife, are helping you along. … You’re a champ and mike o. and I love you lots!
Gwen Ruff says
Love and prayers to you! Continue to “press on”.
Mark Venable says
Mike, my heart aches for you. Your resolve is still with you. You can do this. I love you, cousin.
Susan Morgan says
I don’t really know you-wish I did. But, I so admire your courage and spirit. I am praying for you-for comfort and successful treatment. Keep the battle (and I would love to see that bump & grind. LOL
Jim & Terry Irvin says
Hang in there, Mike. You have our support and prayers as always.
Betsy and Chuck Staples says
You are a remarkable man, Mike. Hang in there. You have our love and prayers.
Grandin Eakle says
ATTENTION… Pissed Off Sock Monkey Warrior Grandin reporting for duty.
Mike… Mike…. Mike…. Trying to brush off your opinion about the preachers message as a side effect of the Votrient is kind of weak don’t you think? So his message made you puke… I’m sure some of your editorials have caused more than one bush to be violated somewhere in your past.
Sorry to hear the back pain is mucking with you. It is one of those things that if a person has never experienced it they should count themselves extremely lucky. Our bodies are ANCHORED by our back muscles and abdomen muscles in our trunk. When the trunk is sore everything is sore. I know it sux but I also know you will push through it… LOUDLY! That’s just the way you are and that is good.
White hair is a luxury!!! Women dig it!! Enjoy it!
Love you brother and thanks for keeping us posted. The prayers continue for God’s healing touch and peace!
Grandin
Ashley H. says
Keep fighting friend! You and Jill are in our thoughts and prayers! Lots of hugs to you both from KS! 😉
Perry Ann says
OMG. TMI.
You are one tough dude. We love you for that, and the Victory Drive comment.
I know you are looking fine with the salt, no peppa hair.
LOL. PAW
Bob Ludwig says
Thinking and praying for you and Jill daily. Maybe you’ll inspire the minister to shorten the message.
virginia Pope says
So sorry you are having a difficult time. Know you will beat this and be back to the old Mike we all love.
Praying for you and Jill.
Love you
Cindy
Margie Ivey says
So sorry for all the discomforts…praying they will improve and you can get this behind you soon.
Donna says
Mike,
I’ve been taking 800 mg since diagnosis last november…some days are better than others..I know everyone is different but alot of side effects I had have lessened over time…..I have so far had sucess in shrinkage during this time as well…..although it surely is no picnic I have no regrets…I wish you well….
Donna
Carol Ann says
Praying. I’m praying. Sending you love and well wishes.
Bonita Cantrell says
Thanks for the update. A lot of folks care. You’ve been so honest and have shown your heart, and true feelings through this entire ordeal. I have a new hero. Still sending prayers your way every single day.
Callie says
I have been thinking about you all weekend, Mike. I hope the nausea is lifting so you can eat and get your strength back. It’s not Friday without The Cure blasting from your office and Mondays are no fun without weekend breakdown. It’s all about me, Mike, so eat up! =)
Love you!!
Judy W says
It is really quite amazing that despite your pain and challenges, you can find a way to say something that is laugh-out-loud funny. As always, thank you for taking us along on your journey so we can celebrate the good and pray for the awful.
Tripp says
Mike, it is remarkable to me that you can be so open and comical about your dealings with cancer and your feelings. So glad Doc reduced your dosage and you are feeling better. As always you and Jill are in our thoughts and prayers.
Keep on fighting and keep us posted !