FLORIDA!!!

The family took a trip to Florida this past Saturday through Wednesday. It was much needed time away from work, school, the cold and more. But not from cancer, there is no time away. But anyways the trip was great.

We went to Seaworld, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. We left on Saturday to avoid Chicago’s frigid temps to escape to Florida’s rainy 50 degree temps. I’m not complaining….that much. Special thank you to the Dear Jack Foundation who got us tickets to the parks and special treatment. We were escorted to the front of the line for rides and didn’t have to wait.

It truly allowed us to get everything we wanted into a busy few days. On Sunday, our Seaworld day the weather was in the upper 60s and on and off rain. Not too bad other than that Fallon started to feel sick with a cough and fever.

Monday was different though. Fallon was sick and so was Rachel. Colds and fevers and all, We still managed to get out to Islands of Adventure for the day and again had another great day- albeit a tough sick day for some.

.Tuesday was our Universal Studios day. Fallon seemed to be progressing and getting better slowly but Rachel was worse. It did not help that it rained tons and it was colder but alas, we had fun. By the time we got back to the hotel we were all soaked and cold and miserable (with the weather). And LJ was sick now. Dear god help us!

Wednesday- we fly home today. If we make it. I had also started to feel off but (spoiler alert) I have not caught it yet somehow. LJ was feverish, weak, tired, coughing and more. We got to the airport where he threw up. We boarded the plane where he threw up but we made it home safely. Now I covered this briefly but they all were struggling, LJ especially as he stayed home yesterday and today from school. All three had points where it looked like they might need to end the day before it began.

We made it back home though- tired, sick, run down and in need of 2 weeks of sleep, so a normal fun action packed Orlando trip. In the end I avoided the plague. Somehow my left arm became almost useless. I have a pain that is in the middle of the humerus bone and radiates up to the shoulder, into my upper neck and right shoulder. It also radiates down just past the elbow with a ton of pain in the elbow. How did it happen? When did it happen? No clue.

So what now- well it appears maybe x-rays soon. In the meantime we up the morphine and the Dilaudid. Ice packs, heat packs and rest and hope. Fracture? Nerve damage or pinch? I don’t know. We will see.

In the meantime I have started my Lenvima last night and no noticeable side effects yet. I start Keytruda on Thursday. I’m okay I guess. A trip that could be my last, a new severe pain that could be something worse and new meds that will probably kick my ass.

That’s it for now. Tired and time to treat this pain.

-Joe