The sixth dose of H-IL2 was hung on my pole and connected to my PICC line at 10 a.m. this morning. We slept until 9:45 this morning, if you can believe that in a hospital! Jill went out and bought the Mercedes Benz of fans. She got a table top model of the Vornado fan. They’re make in Kansas and I has been my experience that Kansas people know a thing or two about wind. So, we had a relatively cool room and I’m starting to get pretty tired from the infusions of HD-IL2. Sleep was really good last night — so good that we didn’t get up until 9:45am. Thank goodness that the nursing staff pushed the things that could be pushed and they were kind to give us some space.
The dose that I’ll get in just over an hour is number seven and we’ll be at the halfway point. I’ve developed some diarrhea. The most bothersome symptom is that I have developed a whole body sunburn. My entire body is bright red and it itches like a sunburn. My medical team says I’ll likely peel from top to bottom. That’ll be a treat, I’m sure. I’m also running a light-grade fever. It feels like there’s a war going on inside of me. I hope the good guys have got the bad guys on the run.
Because of the itching, I was given a dose of atarax. This medication made me pretty sleepy and I have slept a lot of the day today. As a result I haven’t been drinking as much water as I should, so my urine production level has dropped and it has taken on a whole new color, a little like the drippings left over from my last pot roast. Jill has been pumping water into me over the past couple of hours. We should get that problem rectified shortly. With the exception of that one bout of nausea and rigors, and up until right now, this treatment therapy has been fairly uneventful and easy to take.
With obvious flu symptoms coming on, I think tomorrow may be another day. This will be time time that I’ll be gutting it out like those windsprints our coaches used to make us run. When we used to be sure that just one more would make us pass out, throw up or both. Yet, for some reason, we just kept running. Now, like then, I will keep running. In spite of the pain and suffering, I will not stop until my body says, “damn, boy, you need to quit this!” I’ll let you know when that times comes.
Karen says
Hey Mike – Why don’t you ask your lovely personal shopper to sprint out and buy a big aloe plant and rub it all over you! Just thinking about it makes me laugh…. praying continue. The Rankins… ps suggested by Thomas and Kinsey of course!
Pat McDougall says
Mike, good to hear your report today. Wow, you do have one good woman, don’t you?? I am sure the great fan helped. I have to tell you, your writing is just awesome. You can tell you are such a writer as you can actually make it like we are right there with you. It is an unbelievably heroic effort that you share this journey with us. I am not sure if there has been anyone ever who has done it the way you have. But, of course, I guess we could say that about a lot of things about you and Jill, right? I am glad to hear it hasn’t been too bad yet. Would be great to have pina coladas and a straw hat with that sunburn, but just imagine that for now. I am sure they have some aloe something that will ease the peeling! Have had you both on my mind and in my prayers today and will continue to stay in touch. Hugs to you both, hang in there sock monkey friend!
Pat McDougall
Hope Phillips says
What an awesome blessing that 50% is over and with tolerable side effects. Prayers will follow you through the second half, as well. Pulling for you both —
Bonita Cantrell says
I am so sorry! 5 little words,”I will pray for you”…
Deborah Beck says
I’m going to pick up a Speedo to send you to go along with the sunburn. It will look great!
Karen says
You simply ROCK! Still so amazed!
peggy dozier says
Love you both & admire your courage & good ole Southern “GRIT” ! Hang in there Mike …..( you too, Jill !!)xoxoxoxo
Jim Railey says
Mike, missed you at Rotary today. Glad to hear things have gone well until this. You’re tenacity will win out. You and Jill are an inspiration to all of us. Prayers keep going up for you. Hope we see you back real soon.
Jan says
You are amazing! And your wingman sounds like she is taking incredible care of you! The fan sounds like my kind of fan!
Mike, we are so proud of your strength. Thank you for sharing your story. Hey, if you need some cheering up, I’d be happy to bring Patootie to visit Killer and you. I think they’d be buds.
Love you both!
Jan
Cindy DeHaven says
Hey Mike, just reading what you are going thru makes Rickey’s treatment seem like a day at Disney World. Neither one is a vacation. Cancer treaments are rough no matter which one you are taken. I take my hat off to Jill, I can just imagine what you are going thru but beleive me, she is probably feeling every pain, itch and everything else you are going thru. Wives have a tendency to be that way. Hang on to her. We are praying for both of you.
Patti Trotter says
You’re an amazing man, Mike Venable. I’m so thankful that the side effects haven’t been any worse. Easy for me to say, isn’t it? Hang in there for the next half. Heaven is being stormed with prayers for you and your precious, Jill.
Bob Ludwig says
What a journey with Jill and God walking you through the valley. Half way there. May you start seeing the exit home in a few days.
Grandin says
You sound determined and on target!!! Hang tuff and run that “one more wind sprint!” – G
Pat Basss says
Mike & Jill are in my thoughts and prayers, I know you are getting there ……love to you both.
Dianne Henry says
That “red sunburned” elephant is getting smaller by the hour.
Keep chompin’, Mikey.
We love yall and prayers continue.
Di and JOhnny
Jennifer Joyner says
To add a quote from Dorie in “Finding Nemo”, “Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!” Sounds like you are being a trooper and so is Jill. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
Shannon Summers says
Mike,
You and Jill never cease to amaze me. I will continue to pray for you, your family and the mdeical staff who are caring for you. I pray this treatment is the one that nips this in the bud it once and for all. May God continue to lift you up!