Golfing at Bridger Golf Course

Gus had an enjoyable day overall yesterday even though the afternoon was spent in the infusion room at the cancer center. He and a very special friend, Gail Fremont, played 9 holes of golf in the morning and then they went to lunch. Gail and Gus worked together 27 years ago in the Belgrade sawmill and have remained close friends through the years.

Gail and Gus have plans of spending many hours on the golf course this summer before Gus has his chemo infusion. We are desperate to find ways to lighten our Tuesdays and we appreciate so much Gail making time on the golf course important. He understands Gus' love of the game. I spent the morning visiting an elderly friend and then I met Gus at the cancer center.

One of our main questions to the oncologist yesterday was what he believed was causing the pain. Pancreatic cancer is one of the few cancers that have pain associated with it because the pancreas is located very close to a network of nerves called the celiac plexus. With a lack of any other evidence, he believes the pancreatic tumor is causing the pain.

The doctor doubled the pain medication that Gus takes in the evening. It has not been keeping him pain free throughout the night like we had hoped.

Gus rested on the way home yesterday and then went to bed and slept most of the evening. This is becoming a trend since he started chemo again. His blood counts are quite low after just one infusion. The absolute neutrophils are the lowest I have ever seen with Gus. The second infusion of each cycle usually affects the blood count more than the first infusion. Gus will get next week off so his immune system can recover and we will be doing blood work here in Sheridan.

On a lighter note, yesterday one of the nurses was giving a tour to a businessman. They were walking through the infusion room. When they passed Gus sitting in his recliner, she commented that this is the patient that saves other patients lives.