Friday, 10/8 - I got the news today, oh boy...

On Monday I'll be starting two more cycles of chemo using the same drugs that I received before. They say I've had such an unusually positive response on this treatment that it may take care of that last 10% of active cancer.

Reasons this sucks:
* I wanted more time to recover before starting any kind of further treatment.
* I was hoping to receive drugs that are less harsh than Cisplatin and VP –16.
* I was hoping for a once a week treatment that would allow me to regain some normal activity.
* I hate the side effects. It'll be another two months before my hair grows back.

Reasons that this is "good":
* I know what to expect from these drugs, side effects won't be new and surprising.
* I want to start soon to GET IT OVER WITH.
* Other chemo drugs can have serious, permanent side effects. For me, not these ones.
* These drugs have a good chance of working.

In other encouraging news, the Sun could explode at any time making all of this moot.

"Moot" is a great word, isn't it?

More about yesterday's adventure. I went with a good friend (Joe) on a long ride through South and Central Jersey. From Upper Darby to a kayak store outside of Atlantic City, up to Matawan and Sandy Hook. Then home. Nearly a 12 hour trip.

Matawan is where in 1916 there was a series of inland shark attacks that inspired the story of Jaws. Inland, not "on land". We saw the river and the town, and moved on.

Sandy Hook seashore is a beautiful spot; at least it is off-season. Neither of us had ever been there before. You can see the NYC skyline from the beach. Very cool at sunset with the sunlight reflecting off the skyscrapers.

Along the way we talked about anything and everything. 11 hours in a car with a close friend can cause all kinds of deep conversations to manifest. Good for the mind, good for the soul. We both had a good day of it.