Author: Bruce McLarty

July 4th, 2025. America’s 249th birthday.

Today was like most other days. Get up, get ready, take meds, have breakfast, and start the day. It was nice not having any treatment today. I slept in until about 7:30 am. I got to skip my chemo meds today. Just took my regular meds.

The steroid taper has been fine the past couple of weeks. I’m down to 5mg a day. Next week I will start 4mg/day. I’ve been getting around the house better with the lower steroid. I haven’t had as much dizziness. Just slight. Some fatigue today, not too bad. I took a couple of naps. It feels like a tiredness you just can’t shake. I’ve had a slight headache today. Nothing major, just a dull ache.

There’s a tropical disturbance off the east coast of Florida today. It’s bringing some moisture on land. It should just spin off into the Atlantic Ocean. We’ve had some rain today. Nothing major.

Chip has been somewhat needy today. When I first started typing this entry, he was stepping on my keyboard and locked my laptop. His entry consisted of a bunch of spaces and the number 98. Not sure what he was trying to impart here, but it was funny.

So it’s just a chill day at home with my wife and the boys. Nothing really to report.

Thank you for stopping by!
~Bruce

It’s the final countdown! Yesterday I was so tired. I napped a lot in the afternoon and evening. I have some hair loss in the back where the radiation is targeted. I also had a bit of nausea yesterday afternoon. I’ve never had it before. I took an anti-nausea pill to combat it. It seemed to help. Kinda bummed, but I’m okay. I’m on the home stretch now.

I had a dream last night that I was out driving my Jeep. I want to try it soon. I think I will be fine. My vision is back. I’m just wobbly on my feet. I should be able to drive. Maybe I’ll go around the neighborhood first before I venture out, just to get a feel for it again.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July, no treatment appointment. I have one less day’s worth of chemo meds. I will skip tomorrow’s dose. My nurse said that would be okay. That way, I have a dose on my last radiation cycle.

Thank you for stopping by!
~Bruce

So I got done yesterday, came home, and started noticing some hair loss in the back of my head where the radiation is targeted. I’m only 3 cycles away from completion of this round, and this happens now? Come on, man! I thought I’d skate by without any hiccups like this. It’s not a big deal, and I won’t see it as it’s in the back of my head, but still. It’s personal and a bummer. Call me Professor Klump because that’s just how it was coming out—clumps.

I ran my fingers through my hair and noticed it. Oh well. We’re almost done! If this is all it will be, then it is not too bad. Weird haircut coming soon. The top of my head isn’t affected.

I saw my radiation friends today, the older couple. We don’t really talk, just a wave and a general “hi, how are ya?”. It is a bright part of my day when I go. I saw the Radiation Oncologist after my zappy zap today. I have 6 days until my last appointment and 3 cycles left. I have 5 chemo pills. Something didn’t math right with the pharmacy. I asked the doc if I should just skip a day, maybe Friday since it is a holiday. He said to ask the Medical Oncologist. I got a message into them through my patient portal. My nurse at the radiation site said just skip a day. I’m sure my MO will say the same. I can’t imagine the pharmacy just filling one pill a day.

So that’s that. I’m down to 3 cycles left now. What a journey thus far.

Thank you for coming along with me!
~Bruce

The countdown has begun. Well, technically, I have been counting down since day one 🙂 But the last four should go by quickly. I am glad to be counting down to being un-microwaved. Sometimes I feel a warmth during the radiation. Today was one of those days. Felt like I was getting cooked. Friday will be the 4th of July. No treatment appointment. Still daily chemo meds. I had some blood work today. I didn’t get to see my rad friends today. The receptionist we like asked where my feisty redhead was. I said Tuesday and Wednesday it’s my mom’s days to drive me. I texted my wife and she laughed.

Forget weed — my brain’s literally getting baked on the regular. Still no superpowers. Rude. I do take an RSO capsule at night. I’ve read where it can help with tumors and cancer.

I gave my tech the Egg Bite recipe. She was happy with it. I forgot to put the cottage cheese in the directions, so I had to handwrite it. I hate my handwriting. I was never good at penmanship. Especially now. My handwriting is worse. Legible but worse. Oh well, what can you do? The tech said she wanted to try them this weekend since she has a long weekend.

I have a bit of writer’s block today with the brain fog. The zappy zap gets me some days. I’m glad it doesn’t happen at each appointment.

Thank you for stopping by!
~Bruce

As this time comes to a close, I am left with a feeling of happiness and sadness. What do I expect next? How will I fill my mornings? Do I adopt a new routine? These questions have answers, but I don’t have them yet.

I saw some radiation friends today. It’s wonderful what a simple smile can bring you. I see this older couple at each appointment. We never really chatted before, just smiles and glances exchanged in passing at the treatment center. Today, we spoke, and I told them next Tuesday, July 8th, is my last appointment. He has to go until the end of July. There were a few other people at the center, and they heard our conversation. One lady was all smiles as I was telling the couple about my last day. I told them theirs would fly by, or at least I hoped it would, like mine did. The wife mentioned their times were changed, and they worried they would not see me anymore. It’s nice to have made a positive impact on a would-be stranger. All I ever did was smile and wave when they would arrive. Little things cause big waves.

I was wheeled back to a holding area. Another patient I just met last week asked how my day was, and I told her it was just getting started. She said she had a full day of appointments after radiation at the other campus: doctor appointment, blood work, MRI, CT—the whole magilla. I told her it was nice to see her and that she had a full plate today. I also mentioned my last day. We only ever said hello and laughed at another patient’s story about how there is no original thought left in Hollywood, which I tend to agree with. Too many remakes, sequels, and no originality any longer. He also made us laugh by using a term to describe little people that is no longer PC. We were laughing so hard that day at his absurdity. Anyway, she was also in the holding area waiting to be brought back for some zappy zap. I told my wife about the exchange and who it was, and she chuckled.

My dizziness isn’t as bad as it’s been the last couple of days. I did miss a steroid this weekend. I don’t think that had to do with the increased vertigo. I think the radiation is just catching up to me, and this weekend was a bit trying. Today has been easier. I had my zapping and came home. I saw my “friends” at the place, did some light work for my job, had lunch, and a juicy Georgia peach. I had a couple of mini donuts and watched a movie. It rained most of the morning, and now it’s sunny. Chip came to hang with me. He’s asleep at the moment. Normal for him at this time. I’m going to make a frozen lasagna tonight from Costco. It’s pretty good. Last night I didn’t really feel like cooking, so I made a strawberry salad like last week: spring mix, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, chicken, sunflower seeds, and some raspberry vinaigrette. I prepped my egg bites yesterday afternoon. That was easy and quick. I can’t wait to try them.

Thank you for stopping by!
~Bruce

I got to sleep in until 7:30 am today. The boys let us. No crying or meowing to come out early. Chip has been getting up at 4 am for the past 3 days. Thanks, Chip.

The race was in Styria today. The Red Bull Ring. One of my favorite tracks. The 4th smallest track of the season. Pre-race coverage started at 7:30 AM. I got up and got ready, done by 8 AM. I started watching pre-race coverage. No Crofty, no Brundle. B team on deck. I don’t mind them. Harry Benjamin is a good announcer. Karun Chandhok brings some race experience as a former driver. Crofty can be annoying at times with his inadequate calls and misinformation. I did miss Martin Brundle’s gridwalk. No one does it like him. Ted Kravitz needs to stay in the pit lane with his notebook.

Formation Lap, Carlos Sainz could not get his car out of first gear. He was stuck on the grid. The marshals got him going. Since this happened, he would have to start from the pit lane. Well, guess what? His rear brakes lit on fire. All ablaze. Carlos did not start. Immediate retire. Since it was an aborted start, they had a 10-minute delay to reset cars and take away a lap. 71 becomes 70 laps. Lights out and away we go. Max started 7th due to a yellow flag caused by a Gasly spin in Quali 3. It’s an all-out drag race down to turn 1. The front 6 get away clean. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes rookie, great driver) locks up and goes into Max Verstappen. Both cars out. Bummer, my racing driver is out. No help from driver 2 Tsunoda. He started 18th and won’t be of any help. The two McLarens were free to race, and it has been a spectacle. Papaya Rules are in place. Race finished McLaren 1, 2 with Charles LeClerc’s Ferrari in 3rd.

Race done by 11:30 am. Made a bologna sandwich and had some chips. Rested a bit and started on some egg bites. Keep that recipe from yesterday; they’re good. I recently ordered some extra steamer baskets to top our pots. This allows us to make more bites at once, cutting our time down. I want to get one more steam pot to make four at once. Two of the bites broke, so we sampled them. Amazing flavor. We have the recipe down pat.

The last couple of days, my dizziness has been awful. As soon as I stand up, I’m floored by the spins. I take my time and go easy as I make my way to wherever I may roam.

Thank you for stopping by!
~Bruce

I’ve been asked to write this out, so here we go.
This will yield about 46 egg bites. I eat 2/day and so does my wife.

Ingredients:
18 eggs
32 oz egg whites (2 cartons)
12 oz parmesan
1/4 cup milk
7 oz shredded cheese blend (Gruyère, cheddar mix), plus more for molds
Cholula to taste; we use about 4 tbsp
Seasoning blend: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika
Bacon bits; not sure of an amount, as I sprinkle it in the molds (we use the big bag from Costco)
Cornstarch: 2 tbsp; this is a textural component; it will not give a flavor change.

Procedure:
Crack eggs into a large bowl.
Pour in egg whites.
Add seasonings, Parmesan, cheese blend, hot sauce, and milk.
Using an immersion blender or stick blender, whiz up until homogeneous and well blended.

Cooking:
Ladle the mixture into a measuring cup; this is easier and less messy to pour into the molds. I use the Instant Pot molds. There are 7 per tray. Sprinkle a bit of cheese and bacon into the bottom of the molds. Pour in the egg mixture about 3/4 full.

I use a steaming pot, so I add water and bring it to a boil. Carefully place the molds in the steamer baskets of the steam pots. I do two pots at a time, and I recently bought two more steam trays to cut our time down.
Cover and steam for about 15-18 minutes. I check them with a fork by pulling the edge to the center to make sure the eggs are formed and not liquidy. Once done, we dump them into a disposable 9×13 aluminum pan to cool. Start your next set of 7 in the mold. Once cool, we bag them up in a gallon freezer bag.

Heating and Storage:
These will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or 3 weeks in the freezer. To reheat from the fridge, it’s about 65 seconds in the microwave. From frozen, 90 seconds to 2 minutes in the microwave. They can be watery when you bite them. Drain them off when done in the microwave. Have a napkin for your chin, lol.

These are cheaper than buying the Starbucks or Costco sous vide egg bites. About 32 cents per bite vs. $5 for 2 at Starbucks and Costco.

What to say, another week done and dusted. I can’t believe the time has flown by in this manner. I truly thought it would drag on and on; the chemo and radiation. I am on this home stretch. I have stayed positive through it all. It helps keep a good mindset and healing vibe.

Today the tech asked my plans for the weekend. Not much Saturday. It is race week (race week) so quali Saturday, race Sunday. Other than that, meal prep. She asked what I meal prep. I told her breakfast egg bites. She asked for my recipe. That will be on my list this weekend also. 6-minute radiation cycles are awesome. I am so glad I also take oral chemo. I am glad I don’t have infusion chemo; that would keep me there 4-6 hours a day rather than 10 seconds for popping two chemo pills.

I’m hungry, I’m gonna go have lunch now,

Thank you for stopping by!
~Bruce

I messaged my care team about what happens after my radiation ends. Do I still take chemo? What next? She messaged back, and I can stop my chemo pills on my last day of radiation. That’s exciting for me. I’ll have 4 weeks off, then go for an MRI and a doctor’s appointment with my Medical Oncologist. I still will have weekly blood work.

So what does all this mean to me? Side effects have been minimal. I did notice some hair loss on my left leg. That’s weird. Maybe it was always like that? Maybe it’s from the radiation/chemo. Not sure. My skin is as dry as can be. I lotion up when I can remember.

I will still get up early and take my other meds. I still have to take a few prescriptions. I’ll have more time at home each day. It’s an hour or so. The routine has become second nature to me. I’m hoping the wobbles and vertigo subside after this is done. Though I do feel it’s more from the biopsy.

Yesterday and last night, I had my own little Star Trek marathon. I watched a few TNG season 5 episodes. My favorite episode, “Inner Light,” was on. I also enjoy “I, Borg.” That’s a great episode as well.

So some exciting news from my care team. I’m happy about that.

Thank you for stopping by!
~Bruce

I saw two patients today ring the bell. It was nice. They finished their treatment at the Radiation Center. Such happy faces on them. Everyone in the lobby clapped and cheered. The staff rallied around them during their momentous occasion. There were going to be 6 total today.

I can’t wait til I can ring the bell I never knew I would need to. Only 8 more now! I saw my senior friend today at treatment. I asked how he was and how many more treatments he had left. He has 25 to go. I have 8. I told him it would fly by. They took him back and the couple was gone when I was done. Then it was my turn. I go back. You know the routine. Get snapped in. Shut my eyes and off to zapping land. It as quick. I heard the buzz and knew I only had about 90 seconds left. All done. Then I met with my Radiation Oncologist. I asked about how the chemo would continue after radiation was done and he said it was more of a question for my medical oncologist, other Dr P.

My nurses were so happy with my progress and said small wins are big wins. Vision is back, they loved that. No real side effects other than fatigue. She loved it. Big win, small win. WIN WIN! We talked about my cats and the doc then came in.

All in all it has been a good day. I treated myself to a toasted Asiago Bagel today with some honey pecan cheam creems. That is so funny to me, cheam creems. I love nobodycaresanthony.

Thank you for stopping by!
~Bruce