Beat it!

Gwohann is now Michael Jackson, all day.  Not because he can moon walk or sing Billie Jean, rather because of the white gloves that he wears 24/7, every day.  The cancer fighting medicine, Tarceva, that he is taking has changed his skin structure. His fingers and toes are extremely sensitive to water, heat, cold and touching.  What used to bring him pleasure, now gives him pain.  Gloves helps to reduce the discomfort.  However, typing on the keyboard in gloves is cumbersome, just like holding chopsticks in gloves, making the task twice as long.  And washing his face in waterproof Polyethylene gloves is like rubbing a piece of plastic on the rashes that cover his face.  

Similar changes are also taking place in his GI lining.  He gets diarrhea more often and is prone to infection and inflammation.  As his taste buds change, food no longer tastes the same.  The silver lining is, he can eat as much ice cream as he wants, because our goal now is to keep his weight up.  But most importantly, his cancer is suppressed, showing only minor activity!

Despite the challenges,  he continues to live life to the fullest.  He still works full time and travels for work, in a black suit and white gloves.  He still loves doing Sudoku every night, and no one in our house can beat his speed.  And most of all, he is thankful for his family and friends more than ever.  We know our fight can not be won without you.

So next time you see Gwohann, please give him a high five and sing 'Beat it' with him.  

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
Let's win together, beat it outright

Just beat it, beat it

Beat it, beat it, beat it

We will beat the cancer!

Jacqueline

p.s. Feel free to email him at ghjain@yahoo.com. He will be happy to hear from you.