The latest on Papi

Pop and I spend most of today at Fox Chase Cancer Center. He had three appointments: bloodwork, chemo-therapy and a doctor visit (with the oncologist).

The doctor is obviously pleased with how Pop has been tolerating his chemo treatments. Except for a lot of scattered itching, Pop has had no significant side effects from this chemo.

The plan is to proceed with this chemo for three more weeks. After that, they will repeat the CT scan to again re-evaluate the effectiveness of the chemo. He (the doctor) believes that the chemo is either shrinking the tumors or at the very least, stopping them from growing. If they were still growing, Pop would have been short of breath from the tumors blocking his airways. This is not the case.

Pop remains in good spirits and gets out whenever he can. He’s also just as content sitting at home and watching the Phillies lose.

Here’s Pop’s schedule for the next four weeks:

Monday, July 3rd, 8:30, bloodwork & chemo therapy
Tuesday, July 11th, 8:30, bloodwork & chemo therapy
Tuesday, July 18th, 8:30, bloodwork, chemo therapy
Thursday, July 20th, 3:00, CT scan
Tuesday, July 25th, 1230, bloodwork, chemo & doctor visit

A Visit from Pop

This past Saturday we had a graduation/birthday party for my daughter, Marie. What made it extra special (besides the hundred family and friends that stopped by for way too much food) was the visit from Pop. Sporting his newest do-rag, he braved public inquisitions and paid his respects to Marie and to wish her the best.

He was very proud of her a few weeks ago when her picture appeared in the local paper. She won a statewide academic competition for which she’ll be traveling to Tennessee for nationals. Pop was stopping total strangers as he walked to inform them "This is My Granddaughter!"

Pop continues to grow stronger each day. Some days are better than others. Saturday was better. Surrounded by all that joy, love and laughter, he grew stronger.

La Chu-Cha

Yes, it's called la "Chu-Cha". Not as our cousin, Ulyses Jr. thought, when he once slammed it down on the table in the middle of a dominos game, surrounded by family and screamed, "LA CHO-CHA!!". What a difference a vowel makes! Gringos: ask a Latino what Cho-cha means.

Anyway, Jim, Tom, Tommy Jr. and myself spent the evening last night slamming dominos with Pop. Here's the unanswered question (waiting to be answered by a dominios' historian): If you end the game with "La Chu-Cha" do you claim the 100 point "premio". In spite of dad's sickness, Jim & Tom would not give in to Pop and I. Therefore, they won, but if this question is proven to be true, Pop and I may regain some bragging rights.

I wanted to post upcoming Pop's chemo therapy appointments for the next four weeks.

Monday, June 5th @ 7:30 am
Tuesday, June 13th @ 7:30 am
Tuesday, June 20th @ 7:30 am
Tuesday, June 27th @ 1:00pm (to see the oncologist) and 1:30 (for chemo)

I'll keep you all posted and let you know how Pop continues to tolerate the chemo. Pop remains in good sprits and appreciates phone calls and time spent with him.