I am taking the early train to Northwestern on Friday for my first chemo (Keytruda) Friday. Twenty years ago, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and a few weeks later it was out and I was cured.
The tumors (2) sarcoma are too big for the surgeon to remove, so I am going to do chemo and radiation to shrink them. I am going back to Chicago on Monday to meet with the radiation doctor. I will have 5 or 6 weeks of 5 days per week radiation treatments. I am planning to live with my son M-F.
This will certainly be a new experience.
September 15, 2026, 11:28 AM
walkinghorse
Best wishes!!
Jim
September 15, 2026, 11:37 AM
spunk639
Prayers for a speedy recovery and good outcome.
September 15, 2026, 11:48 AM
Ripley
Have faith, maxwayne.
Set the controls for the heart of the Sun.
September 15, 2026, 12:08 PM
xd45man
When you are sitting in the chair, you will not be alone. Jesus will be there with you. God Bless and I will pray for a speedy recovery.
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September 15, 2026, 12:58 PM
Creeping_Death
Prayers and best wishes for you. I wish there was a magic cure for all forms of cancer, but I pray you have great treatment and care teams to be the next best thing.
September 15, 2026, 02:41 PM
GT-40DOC
My brother is going through chemo for sarcoma as we speak. He has been through radiation and then surgery, but didn't catch it all. The first trial of chemo was a failure and is now doing immunosuppressive drug tx. I fully understand where you are, and wish you the best.
September 15, 2026, 05:34 PM
armored
My prayers are with you. If I can be of any assistance while your in Chicago let me know.
September 15, 2026, 11:45 PM
shoevb
Hope and prayers during your treatment.
September 16, 2026, 07:46 AM
Pipe Smoker
Prayers for you and your family maxwayne.
Serious about crackers.
September 16, 2026, 08:32 AM
tatortodd
Good luck with the chemo and radiation.
quote:
Originally posted by maxwayne: I will have 5 or 6 weeks of 5 days per week radiation treatments.
As an encouragement, here is a success story. A little over 20 years ago, my Dad had 8 weeks of 5 days per week of prostate radiation and he's been in remission ever since.
One memorable thing is the BRAT diet did not work for the resulting diarrhea (radiation beams travel through the pelvis and temporarily irritate the healthy, sensitive lining of your lower bowel and rectum) and had to do a little trial and error to find tolerable food. For example, Mom's normal grocery store purchase of wheat bread for toast was bad, but switching to cheap white bread for toast was good.This message has been edited. Last edited by: tatortodd,
Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity
DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
September 16, 2026, 09:37 AM
flesheatingvirus
Damn.
Good luck!
________________________________________
-- Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past me I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. --
September 17, 2026, 03:43 PM
Butch 2340
Praying for you brother.
****************************************************************************** Never shoot a large caliber man with a small caliber bullet . . .
September 18, 2026, 08:49 PM
maxwayne
It wasn't bad at all. I was due to get on Amtrak at 7, but got a text around midnight that the train had been cancelled due to "equipment unavailability". I think that means they couldn't find an engine that would start.
I went into panic mode and called a friend at 5 and he drove me to Chicago in my car. I gave him a hundred dollar bill and my undying gratitude.
The train home was on time.
September 18, 2026, 09:41 PM
Steve in PA
Fight the good fight!
I’ve been dealing with cancer, actually two cancers for almost 5 years now. Originally diagnosed with prostate cancer, then they founD a more serious and rare second cancer, thymic carcinoma.
The TC took precedence over the prostate. Luckily, my chemo treatments were giving me a two-fer……..treating my TC and prostate at the same time.
My chemo stopped last October when I developed lumps on my sternum. Had two different radiation session, one in October and another in January.
I’m not on immunotherapy with keytruda as well as chemo pills, Xeloda. So far, so good.
Steve "The Marines I have seen around the world have, the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps." Eleanor Roosevelt, 1945
September 18, 2026, 09:50 PM
kkina
Hope you do well on the Keytruda. A little less severe than Xeloda, but not by much.