....and many people left. But there I still sat!
Today was a chemo day and it may be because I am too ornery, but I always seem to sit there long after everyone else has come and gone. Not that it is painful, you just sit in this cubicle in a comfortable chair in a big room and these nice women come and drip "killer stuff" into your veins for 4 and 1/2 hours. First thing is benedril (sp) and I like that best since it lets your doze off for an hour or so.
But, I am ahead of my story here. I have been sick all weekend with a bad cold. You know, headache, drippy nose, etc. We were very concerned about driving to Columbus and finding out, "no treatment for you boy, you're too sick"! Then having to take some exotic medicine for days and delaying the scheduled treatments.
We went the appointment anyhow and saw the Doctor first. Believe it or not, he wasn't too bad--even cracked a smile or two--and told me my numbers are good! Even the CTscan showed improvement. We then brought up the cold and drippy nose and waited for the answer with "baited breath" (I always wanted to get that phrase in my writing.). And the doctor said,
"go to the drupstore and get some Sudafed!!
Anne went out and got some and it really works! Of course, we have the generic brand. Tonight I can tell that things are happening inside, but so far I feel pretty good and the nice long nap has me up late a writin away.
Surprise, this week is Halloween in Athens (maybe somewhere else too?) and I know what costume I want to wear and who I want to be!! So, if anybody out there knows where I can get a hairy gray wig and a large gray mustache, please let me know! At luck would have it, I already have the clothes.
I must close by saying that Evelyn, my 3 year old princess, was by this evening and she is so adorable and brilliant. Look out for when I decide to learn how to send pictures!
over and out, wil
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Pardon me.....
...do I know you?
That has happened to me several times lately. I certainly don't blame people, cause I also think I look really different these days. I just don't know quite how to react when this happens! God bless all those people who tell me I look better bald or that the bare lip makes me look younger! I need to work on believing them after all the years with a mustache and a lifetime with hair.
Oh well, on to important things. I have a CT scan tomorrow so no food after midnight. Just to be stubborn I am trying to stay up until midnight and eat something! Although since it is now only 10:40, I may not make it! Always a little scary to have some kind of test or reading as it might be bad news. But this will be good news!
My "program" of change (you know, meditation, diet, etc) isn't going all that well.
I am taking some good herbals, but big changes come with difficulty and lots of work.
I am on the case and going to make progress! ...but if it must be slow, so be it.
I am taking lots of walks and talking to lots of people--I guess that is one of the things I do do. A cancer survivor friend came by today and brought me homemade custard! Delicious. Thank you Judy. I talked to a high school friend from Wisconsin--I need to spend a few days there to catch up! I raked the leaves and for tonights "coup de gras" I gave the dog a bath! Pretty thrilling day, huh?
enough for now, the condemned man went to the kitchen and ate some custard.
That has happened to me several times lately. I certainly don't blame people, cause I also think I look really different these days. I just don't know quite how to react when this happens! God bless all those people who tell me I look better bald or that the bare lip makes me look younger! I need to work on believing them after all the years with a mustache and a lifetime with hair.
Oh well, on to important things. I have a CT scan tomorrow so no food after midnight. Just to be stubborn I am trying to stay up until midnight and eat something! Although since it is now only 10:40, I may not make it! Always a little scary to have some kind of test or reading as it might be bad news. But this will be good news!
My "program" of change (you know, meditation, diet, etc) isn't going all that well.
I am taking some good herbals, but big changes come with difficulty and lots of work.
I am on the case and going to make progress! ...but if it must be slow, so be it.
I am taking lots of walks and talking to lots of people--I guess that is one of the things I do do. A cancer survivor friend came by today and brought me homemade custard! Delicious. Thank you Judy. I talked to a high school friend from Wisconsin--I need to spend a few days there to catch up! I raked the leaves and for tonights "coup de gras" I gave the dog a bath! Pretty thrilling day, huh?
enough for now, the condemned man went to the kitchen and ate some custard.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Naked....
Well, the mustache became too scraggly and thin so I shaved it also. I must admit that I am feeling quite naked for the first time. Shaving the head hair alone wasn't too bad, but now that the "soup strainer" is gone too I feel quite a different "look". I must admit that it bothers me.
Certainly one should not define their identity by their head or facial hair and at some rational level I am in complete agreement with that idea. However, sometimes in this life business the "irrational" creeps in. I definately feel somewhat naked!
Josh and I had a good trip. Straight up to Sleeping Bear Dunes in Northwestern Michigan, then on to the UP, Lake Superior, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Plymouth and then finishing up seeing old army friends (from over 40 years ago!) near West Lafayette Indiana. Two things stood out for me: One, how plain (maybe ugly) the campus at U of W Oshkosh where I did my undergraduate work was, and two, the simple fact that we tried to do too much in 5 days! Oh well, there will be other trips with lots better planning! Those of us who live in Athens should be grateful for a pretty little town with a beautiful campus.
Chemo days are pretty well over for now (until Mon 27) so I have a week of feeling good--almost normal whatever that is... Time to take long walks, rustle the leaves with my feet just like that little boy in far away Plymouth, Wisconsin used to do. Also to rake the leaves, clean the garage a bit, maybe even sweep up some of the "stinko ginko" seeds from our tree, anything to be outside in the gorgeous fall weather. Also to plan trips and dream of going other places.
Sometimes when I look at the "new Wil" in the mirror, I wonder who the hell that old man is! But this soon passes with the help of all the support people have sent my way. This is certainly a transformative (is that a word?) time and one which I will pass through and come out the other side a different, stronger, more knowledgeable, and certainly more understanding person.
Please remember to get outside and have some fun today!
wil
Certainly one should not define their identity by their head or facial hair and at some rational level I am in complete agreement with that idea. However, sometimes in this life business the "irrational" creeps in. I definately feel somewhat naked!
Josh and I had a good trip. Straight up to Sleeping Bear Dunes in Northwestern Michigan, then on to the UP, Lake Superior, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Plymouth and then finishing up seeing old army friends (from over 40 years ago!) near West Lafayette Indiana. Two things stood out for me: One, how plain (maybe ugly) the campus at U of W Oshkosh where I did my undergraduate work was, and two, the simple fact that we tried to do too much in 5 days! Oh well, there will be other trips with lots better planning! Those of us who live in Athens should be grateful for a pretty little town with a beautiful campus.
Chemo days are pretty well over for now (until Mon 27) so I have a week of feeling good--almost normal whatever that is... Time to take long walks, rustle the leaves with my feet just like that little boy in far away Plymouth, Wisconsin used to do. Also to rake the leaves, clean the garage a bit, maybe even sweep up some of the "stinko ginko" seeds from our tree, anything to be outside in the gorgeous fall weather. Also to plan trips and dream of going other places.
Sometimes when I look at the "new Wil" in the mirror, I wonder who the hell that old man is! But this soon passes with the help of all the support people have sent my way. This is certainly a transformative (is that a word?) time and one which I will pass through and come out the other side a different, stronger, more knowledgeable, and certainly more understanding person.
Please remember to get outside and have some fun today!
wil
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
on the road again....
Wednesday evening--the big debate night!!! I will be so glad when the election is over!
Anyhow I am writing this from Empire Michigan where my son Josh has driven me. Travel is always good, it allows me to see old friends, see new places, forget about my troubles and open up to seein' new things. (since I am gettin closer to Alaska, I think it might be time to drop some "g"s. You betcha.)
Tomorrow the U.P. and then on to Wisconsin. ...and so?
Already I love listening to these people speak. The accent is so quaint. I know it will be even more pronounced when we reach the U.P. Really brings me back to my Wisconsin roots.
Chemo day has been over a week gone now and I am starting to feel better each day. Still too tired to "run" up the sand dunes, but we did go up to the bluffs and also to Lake Michigan. Really great and the air is so fresh--and cold! ...by the way, I am learnin to drink green tea and like it (well, like it a little bit).
...more to come on travels with wil.
Anyhow I am writing this from Empire Michigan where my son Josh has driven me. Travel is always good, it allows me to see old friends, see new places, forget about my troubles and open up to seein' new things. (since I am gettin closer to Alaska, I think it might be time to drop some "g"s. You betcha.)
Tomorrow the U.P. and then on to Wisconsin. ...and so?
Already I love listening to these people speak. The accent is so quaint. I know it will be even more pronounced when we reach the U.P. Really brings me back to my Wisconsin roots.
Chemo day has been over a week gone now and I am starting to feel better each day. Still too tired to "run" up the sand dunes, but we did go up to the bluffs and also to Lake Michigan. Really great and the air is so fresh--and cold! ...by the way, I am learnin to drink green tea and like it (well, like it a little bit).
...more to come on travels with wil.
Friday, October 10, 2008
The older I get...
...the better I was.
You can really see that in the fact that I once again pushed the wrong buttons. I tend to do that with lots of people in lots of situations!
Well kids, what time is it? It's chemo time! Had an "infusion" on Tuesday. Why the heck is it an infusion? Anyhow, I am not liking the after-infusion but I am getting used to it. I had big chills the first night, some slight continuing nausea, and now it is settling into the joints making sleep and walking difficult. But lots of people have this and other things much harder, the good news is that I am up and around and will continue to go places and have fun.
That reminds me, some of you have indicated that commenting on this blog is difficult and I would like to give my email again in case someone wants to send a more direct comment, report, question, or complaint. But blog comments are always welcome!
chandler@athens-realty.com
Back to the medical report. My xray is unchanged (good), blood work ok (good), and, although cranky, I seem to be tolerating the chemo ok (good, I guess). So, in three weeks I get to infuse once again and then 2 more after that. I am told that 6 is all people can tolerate.
I am getting exercise--less with creaky joints, reading some good books about cancer and personal attitudes, watching some movies, and best of all for me getting about with a fun social life that I think we all need. I have not been able to work in some of the other things I need and eventually want to do, but I refuse to "beat myself up over what I haven't done".
A little bit about the oncologist and treatment. Anne and I both feel like this chap knows his stuff quite well and answers questions. However, as the literature indicates, these guys are trained in medicine only and not comfortable dealing with good interpersonal relationships or alternative healing ways (like diet!) I want to comment more at length on these ideas, but as you all know in order for me to keep it readable, I want to be brief.
so, until next time, I will go on remembering how good I was--some of it may even be true!
You can really see that in the fact that I once again pushed the wrong buttons. I tend to do that with lots of people in lots of situations!
Well kids, what time is it? It's chemo time! Had an "infusion" on Tuesday. Why the heck is it an infusion? Anyhow, I am not liking the after-infusion but I am getting used to it. I had big chills the first night, some slight continuing nausea, and now it is settling into the joints making sleep and walking difficult. But lots of people have this and other things much harder, the good news is that I am up and around and will continue to go places and have fun.
That reminds me, some of you have indicated that commenting on this blog is difficult and I would like to give my email again in case someone wants to send a more direct comment, report, question, or complaint. But blog comments are always welcome!
chandler@athens-realty.com
Back to the medical report. My xray is unchanged (good), blood work ok (good), and, although cranky, I seem to be tolerating the chemo ok (good, I guess). So, in three weeks I get to infuse once again and then 2 more after that. I am told that 6 is all people can tolerate.
I am getting exercise--less with creaky joints, reading some good books about cancer and personal attitudes, watching some movies, and best of all for me getting about with a fun social life that I think we all need. I have not been able to work in some of the other things I need and eventually want to do, but I refuse to "beat myself up over what I haven't done".
A little bit about the oncologist and treatment. Anne and I both feel like this chap knows his stuff quite well and answers questions. However, as the literature indicates, these guys are trained in medicine only and not comfortable dealing with good interpersonal relationships or alternative healing ways (like diet!) I want to comment more at length on these ideas, but as you all know in order for me to keep it readable, I want to be brief.
so, until next time, I will go on remembering how good I was--some of it may even be true!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Three moves....
...are as good as a fire! Another of my Dad's favorite sayings although it may be out of date today. In the old days if you moved 3 times you eliminated enough stuff as if you had had a fire. (By the way, you must be at least 50 years old to talk about "the old days")
Today people seem to move boxes from place to place--and sometimes even back again without unpacking. In the real estate business we many times see people moving boxes that they did not unpack from their last move!
Anyhow, I am "moving" on some of the stuff I have been talking about. Thanks to great friends who have not only lent support, but made suggestions, brought over movies, some meditation CDs and cassettes (yes, I still have a cassette player), offered hats, and books about surviving cancer. After all, "surviving cancer" is all about what I am up to here! ...and it shall be done.
Also, I am trying mightily to overcome my movie aversion. This weekend I have seen "Burn after reading" and "Galaxy Quest", I'd recommend them both. If I can get into movies, I can certainly work on changing my diet in order to pile on the cancer inhibitors and eliminate the bad boys like high fructose sugar. (See I did remember to get that into the blog.)
,
Walking! I love to walk and one suggested cancer inhibitor is to take 3-5 relaxing walks a week depending upon the length and time of the walk. This one I can do easily and I am going to build it up to where I feel good enough to go skiing when winter sets in.
Gotta go now and prepare questions for this Tuesday's oncologist and chemo appointment.
love ya all.
p.s. since I have spent my life in small towns and drank many six-packs, I am very politically astute and know all the answers about politics. So, please watch for me to slip out some "g"s at the end of words and also give you the "right" answers to all your political questions.
Today people seem to move boxes from place to place--and sometimes even back again without unpacking. In the real estate business we many times see people moving boxes that they did not unpack from their last move!
Anyhow, I am "moving" on some of the stuff I have been talking about. Thanks to great friends who have not only lent support, but made suggestions, brought over movies, some meditation CDs and cassettes (yes, I still have a cassette player), offered hats, and books about surviving cancer. After all, "surviving cancer" is all about what I am up to here! ...and it shall be done.
Also, I am trying mightily to overcome my movie aversion. This weekend I have seen "Burn after reading" and "Galaxy Quest", I'd recommend them both. If I can get into movies, I can certainly work on changing my diet in order to pile on the cancer inhibitors and eliminate the bad boys like high fructose sugar. (See I did remember to get that into the blog.)
,
Walking! I love to walk and one suggested cancer inhibitor is to take 3-5 relaxing walks a week depending upon the length and time of the walk. This one I can do easily and I am going to build it up to where I feel good enough to go skiing when winter sets in.
Gotta go now and prepare questions for this Tuesday's oncologist and chemo appointment.
love ya all.
p.s. since I have spent my life in small towns and drank many six-packs, I am very politically astute and know all the answers about politics. So, please watch for me to slip out some "g"s at the end of words and also give you the "right" answers to all your political questions.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Hi fructose corn syrup
Alrighty then,
I am feeling about as good as I can and enjoying the times in spite of things like letters from the state of Ohio saying I owe another $500 for 2006! A small price (if I do pay it) to pay for all the wonderful cards and letters I have received.
It is quite chilly today, apparently fall has arrived in Athens, Ohio, just in time for my new campaign! Of course it is not to sort the old pictures, or clean the garage, etc. The new campaign is to figure out who the 15% of lung cancer survivors who live 5 years or more are and how in the heck they did that. Passion for life? Luck of the draw? Meditation? Medical procedures or treatments? Diet? Speak to me, what is the answer!!?
Well, of course I will be bet it is all of the above in some form or another. I need to get working. I definitely have a passion for life and I think a part of this one is working on and/or my individual "passions". You know, like diving off the New River Bridge, running a marathon race, winning the WWF title, building the world's smallest model of Chicago, or learning to speak another language. Wait a minute, I could see me working on the language thing! Maybe there are others, too.
Meditation is clearly an answer. I will be working on that one, even though I have little experience. Modern medicine is good and can I am counting on ME learning more about the procedures available. In other words, a more active role in my treatments (I know you have heard that before, but this time I will do it better).
Diet, including herbal solutions, is something that I have got to work on. You know many people have recommendations--many of them contrary to each other--but I am sorting through them and slowly working toward the best dietary principles. But, as you all know, it ain't easy.
Wow! Rereading the above tells me that I am sounding really serious. I am going to send this anyhow. We will save any humor for next time. I hope.
thanks for listening--
I am feeling about as good as I can and enjoying the times in spite of things like letters from the state of Ohio saying I owe another $500 for 2006! A small price (if I do pay it) to pay for all the wonderful cards and letters I have received.
It is quite chilly today, apparently fall has arrived in Athens, Ohio, just in time for my new campaign! Of course it is not to sort the old pictures, or clean the garage, etc. The new campaign is to figure out who the 15% of lung cancer survivors who live 5 years or more are and how in the heck they did that. Passion for life? Luck of the draw? Meditation? Medical procedures or treatments? Diet? Speak to me, what is the answer!!?
Well, of course I will be bet it is all of the above in some form or another. I need to get working. I definitely have a passion for life and I think a part of this one is working on and/or my individual "passions". You know, like diving off the New River Bridge, running a marathon race, winning the WWF title, building the world's smallest model of Chicago, or learning to speak another language. Wait a minute, I could see me working on the language thing! Maybe there are others, too.
Meditation is clearly an answer. I will be working on that one, even though I have little experience. Modern medicine is good and can I am counting on ME learning more about the procedures available. In other words, a more active role in my treatments (I know you have heard that before, but this time I will do it better).
Diet, including herbal solutions, is something that I have got to work on. You know many people have recommendations--many of them contrary to each other--but I am sorting through them and slowly working toward the best dietary principles. But, as you all know, it ain't easy.
Wow! Rereading the above tells me that I am sounding really serious. I am going to send this anyhow. We will save any humor for next time. I hope.
thanks for listening--
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