Dr. S is concerned about my fever – 99.3 on two successive readings – since I have zero resistance right now. They wheeled in a portable X-ray machine and took a plate. I feel good, however. Appetite is good as well as thirst – three days in a row now.

Went through my address books that Rick sent to Maureen and contracted a few folks that I had phone numbers for, but have not talked to for years. I called, I guess, because I have valued them all as friends and have learned from them. Also, I figure they’d be interested in the blog. There are so many names that I don’t have addresses.

For those of you reading this, the blog is the best way to learn of my condition. Send me email, by all means, at [email protected], but I need to manage my correspondence. And please, also, no large attachments since I’m on dial-up.

As I wrote earlier, my speech has been affected, and because of dry-mouth and soreness it will sometimes be difficult to talk. Finally, the blog lets me correspond at my own speed, which varies from day-to-day.

Tonight, well tomorrow really at 2 am, I get my antidote, the leucovorin, to counter the methotrexate, as well as another G-CSF to bring my white blood cell count up.

Finished the “Fortune of War.” The last part, about Jack and Steven’s adventures in Boston are one of my favorite episodes.

her religions too, though I do not have experience here. This is also true of non-religious medicine such as yoga, homeopathy, and macrobiotics, to the extent that they attempt to substitute for mainstream medicine, rather than complement it. This is not to say that mainstream medicine is always correct – after all it is science and therefore falsifiable – whereas the others appear to me to lack the crucial characteristic of falsifiability.

[later]

There may be some permanent, or very slowly healing nerve damage, including partial paralysis of my lower lip and deviation of the tongue. Because I am now so careful in enunciating my words it appears that my accent has reverted to being yet more British. I may also need speech therapy to deal with this nerve damage.

Met with Dr. S. Sounds like the IT methotexrate is scheduled first and I get the methotexrate IV later when I start peeing alkaline. They give me a large dose, based on my skin area — calculated from height and weight – so that it can penetrate the brain and kill the cancer cells up there. It’s a pretty severe poison and they have to time it all so that they can give me the antidote (leucovarin) in time.

[later]

A crack appearing in system safety. It appears I’ve lost about 20 pounds over the last 5-6 days. From about 180 when admitted, then up to 190, and now down to 170. My weight was stable for a while but was not monitored daily. Of course, I had no appetite for a while, food tasted really bad, and it was physically difficult to eat. I’ve been chugging Boost, but apparently not enough. And then, this morning, when I finally had an appetite, they didn’t deliver the apple muffin that I’d ordered as part of breakfast. I did suck down the cream of wheat however and the over cooked boiled egg and toast. Biggest breakfast I’ve had for a while. It turns out that the reason that they didn’t deliver the muffin was because they were out pf them. No donuts or beignets or brioches or croissants to be had anywhere. God, I could die for a donut — a nice jam-filled donut sprinkled with powdered sugar! So here I am, crunching Graham crackers and chugging Boost again. And yes, dear reader, I did discuss this with my nurse (Ana) and Dr. S.

[later]

Reading Watts Humphrey’s article in this month’s Crosstalk “Acquiring Software Quality.” Obviously this project meets Quality Principle No. 1. You can find this article at www.stsc.hill.af.mil/crosstalk . In fact, there are lots of parallels with this project. The article also reminded me, yet again, of the importance of having developers who take pride in their work [Quality Principle No. 6]. I am really eager to do the PSP. Watts makes a cogent argument for the connection between team pride and product quality. Of course, everyone knows this, but it is to measure the returns.

[5:40 pm]

Talked with Mo about eating problems and concerns and asked her to talk with the dietician tomorrow. Lots of good hints in the NIH National Cancer Institute booklet “Eating Hints for Cancer Patients.” Enough bitching – they’ve just brought my food!

[later]

Back to system safety, in general, as well as in respect to diet. Clearly the patient has an important role to play. Education programs are also part of cancer treatment. I’m nature inquisitive and talk a lot with the doctors, nurses, and nurse’s aids about what’s going on. Some of the above are very good at educating me, but not all. Initially I came in here knowing very little about hospitals (see the day 4 entry) and obviously very little about chemotherapy. I am learning day-by-day.

[later]

Had a long talk with Allison about food in general, and my concerns. She admits that the catering is not all it could be. We also touched on my theory why most people, not born to it, dislike vegemite / marmite – but of course Aunt Julia disproves this theory!

A good night. Had my dilaudid and listened to Haydn symphonies 88-92 followed by a light but restful sleep. It’s best if I keep my mouth and tongue immobile. I find I’m looking forward to the next movement of chemo today because I know it’s followed by intermission.

Had a shower this morning. Glorious! Very out of breath though and am now receiving platelet transfusion.

Mo and Miranda are here and just went to get something to eat. Miranda is proudly wearing an “I love (heart) my Dad” t-shirt. We took a walk around the ward and I showed her the layout and what the various parts of the ward were for.

Mary G. bought me some note cards for me to send out to some of the folks that were involved in my early diagnosis and I plan to send them out as I can.

/More information on Burkitt Lymphoma can be found by Googling it. Some of the best links are in the links section of this blog, as are details on the particular treatment program that I’m undergoing at Dana-Farber (CODOX-M, IVAC)/