I went to the OHSU doctors' clinic today at 8:45.  I met a new (my fourth pain management doctor) doctor in the clinic.  I think that I must be a little frustrating to everybody, because they are doing everything that they can to get rid of my pain, but nothing seems to be doing the job completely.  I really liked this new doctor, but I also have liked all my doctors, and I appreciated his insight.  The major change is in the type of medication that he is prescribing for my spikes in pain.  I'll now be using a Fentinol popcycle, which I am to rub on the inside of my cheek.  He said that I will know if it works.  Currently what I am using works some portions of time and not at all in others.   So the jury is out on this one until further notice.  I am willing to try anything.  Then it was on to my third and last chemo for this fourth round.  It went fairly smoothly, only taking ten minutes or so to completely settle in the chair.  I had my usual cup of hot chocolate (I guess it is my calming food).  I started the process around 10:30 and remember looking at my watch around 11:45.  The rest is a blur, with me getting out of the chair around 1:10.  Kath had the wonderful chore of getting me to the restroom, making sure that duty was taken care of, and getting me to the car for the drive home.  She gets so many stars for all she does that I can't even begin to count them.  I look around that chemo area and can't imagine going through this without someone like her.  She is my blessing!
     This week I am going to see if I can get out for longer periods of time and work at attempting to sit up a bit.  Sitting in a chair has been the real problem so far.  I can sit in a recliner at a certain angle, but not close to 90 degrees.  My days allow me to be comfortable around 95% of the time, with only about 5% of pain spikes.  I am able to work with upper body weights before I get up in the morning.  Kath and I picked up some larger weights today, increasing my total by 5 pounds, that I will begin using. The idea is to try to increase my strength.  I want my physical  part to catch up with my mental part!  Again I want to thank all that are keeping up with my condition.   I will never quit reminding all that YOU are so important to my recovery.  As an individual we can only do so much and everyone needs a shoulder(s) to lean on.  As the cliche goes: there is no I in TEAM.  You are appreciated more than you know!