It’s been awhile since I last posted. There were some dark days in there. Nothing too horrible from a side effect perspective, but it’s been an emotional roller coaster, and I just couldn’t write. I think I subconsciously felt like this would all be over faster if more time passed between posts. Anyway, the days have been spent clearing cobwebs out of my brain and doing a lot of laying around.

Oh, one side effect I’ve noticed: #chemofarts. Yeah, they get their own hashtag. Friggin brutal. But I get to do it with impunity because cancer. Silver linings.

During each cycle, you reach a point called “nadir” where your counts are at their lowest. I’ve read it can often be between days 8 – 14. For me it might have been 11 and 12. I managed to make it into work on Day 11 for a few hours, but couldn’t muster the energy on Day 12. Eric and Kyle brought over Burger Joint for lunch and then Kyle shaved my head. Despite my rapidly receding hairline, it’s kind of badass.

Unbelievably, I actually woke up today (Day 13) feeling mostly normal. Still tired, but not too bad.

Some highlights from Day 13:

• Had a visit from my friend, Fitz and his son, Wells. They brought an awesome care package from Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, plus some fun stuff for Teddy. Wells crushed homers in the backyard from both sides of the plate.
• Mowed my lawn in 90 degree heat like a suburban bawss. Fueled by pastrami.
• Cubs mashed.

All in all, a nice little Saturday. Last day of Cycle 1 on Monday then the fun starts all over again.

I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June of 2013. It sucked then and still sucks now. Since the NFL doesn’t wear pink for a month for me, I figured I’d start my own cancer awareness organization to call attention to male-specific cancers like testicular cancer and prostate cancer. Nuts & Butts. Maybe one day we’ll have a fun event to raise money to help beat these awful diseases. The working title for the first one – Revenge of the Nards.

Yes, it’s juvenile, but laughter is the best medicine, right? (No, it’s actually BEP chemo, but let’s not split hairs. Laughter is also good.)

Anyway, the rest of this blog will be about my experiences taking cancer’s lunch money and kicking its ass all over the block.