June 14, 2006 - Day 1 - Week 11 - Big Legs

I have been writing about cancer and chemicals, and will pick up again later this week on a story from the UK’s Globe and Mail paper titled:  Chemical used in water bottles linked to prostate cancer, but today a little bit about The Kreitler Compact.

When first diagnosed with cancer I immediately called Ron Castle in Tennessee.  Ron is an expert in matters technological and he agreed that a website established immediately might be of assistance to others experiencing cancer, wanting to know what was going on with me, and as a vehicle to broaden all of our understanding about cancer.

If you read what I am writing only occasionally, and that is the vast majority of readers, the Compact may sound a little disjointed.  The subject matter itself requires exploration on as many levels as floors in the Empire State Building in New York City.  In an attempt to be inclusive I have reflected upon diets, treatments, the stories of others, articles from magazines and the internet, my personal journey, medicines, and the characters that are all part of my unfolding story.

I will continue to share until someone says stop.  Learning is on-going and I hope one day that we can all begin to formulate a strategy so our children and grandchildren can maximize all the prevention wisdom available, so they do not have to undergo what so many in this generation are facing.

This week, while experiencing over-all good health and energy, my legs began to swell during the day.  At night I have been forced to prop them up on pillows and to good effect.  By morning the swelling has gone, only to build during the next day.  Are the socks too tight, (I haven’t worn any in 3 days), is my blood count off, (blood test today looked normal), am I clotting (usually would happen in only one leg at a time) am I retaining fluid because of increase salt intake (no difference in that) – in other words, the standard reasons discounted may lead to more tests and an answer.

My legs have always been the best part of my body. That is not saying a great deal, but the right calf especially had great definition and once it was described as a 10. Heredity and lots of wind sprints as a boy.   The swelling is such that the leg looks like a white fence post at around 8 at night.  The ankle does not approach the circumference of the calf, but I look down at my legs and wonder what the heck is going on.  At eight PM the calf is a two.

Maybe this phenomenon is uncharted territory and my chemo will affect me in ways different than what one finds in the books.  I have continued with good energy, nice skin color, and my remaining hair intact, but something is going on and I hope I don’t have to give up my green drink, seaweed, or miso soup.  All for now, will keep you posted.

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