"What you don't all see....

.....when you ain't got a gun!"

My dad used to say that a lot. Usually when he came down to the basement and saw my friends and I playing sheephead (a gambling card game which seems to be only found in certain parts of Wisconsin). Somehow we always managed to hear my dad coming and ditch the beer!!

I have lived in my favorite little college town of Athens for almost 40 years now and I have done a lot, learned a lot and had a lot of fun! It is a great place to live, raise children, and stay young. How the hell I became 65, I'll never understand. About 5 mornings a week Roxy, the wonder dog, and I take an early morning walk up the hill behind our house. The earlier I go the prettier it seems to be with the river and hills in the distance. I've inserted a few pics from a little later today although I wish I had a better camera!

But enough of that! I am goin to chemo on Friday, big night Saturday, and then off on a boys trip to NYC on Sunday. I hope I make it!!

I really wanted to talk a bit about Wisconsin here!! Lately I have been hearing from some of my high school classmates and feeling like I miss my roots! I know it's all different--hell, there is no Rexall Drugs and they have had a Walmart for years! But it is really pretty country and even though I don't really speak the language anymore, I can understand it! So, right after the Willie Nelson concert in nearby Nelsonville (appropriate place, huh?), I think I have conned my son into driving with me to the old "home country". We will be leaving on May 17th and I plan on spending at least 3 days up in Sheboygan County!

Everybody has some kind of geographic roots and it does a mind good to think about them and revisit them--both mentally and physically--every now and then. More on this visit later.

I have lots of inner aches that scare me, but I am well today and hoping for a good report on Friday. Let's all stay well and remember to have lots of fun whenever we can! wil

Didja ever not respond to a phone call, letter, or email.....

......for so long that you didn't know where to start? Or felt so guilty for not responding that you didn't know how to start?

Well, I don't feel any of that! I have just been damn busy living life and having lots of fun.

So, my "sniffles" of last week became a doggone sinus infection giving me a headache and very sore eye. But, no stopping there. Anne's family showed up for our celebration of "whatever" and I put on some shades and partied with them. 10 of us in our house. It was grand!

Josh, Lili, Colin and Evelyn joined us as well. Anne's greatnephew, Grant, realized what a wonderful day it was and tried his darndest to get through the screen door(pic). And we had a group of 12 for the Sunday services at the Casa Nueva Restuarant!

I am afraid to go back and read my recent Blog entrys. Too much negative venting, I bet! This will be a positive entry all the way. I feel much better, the sun is shining and it will be 70 tomorrow.

Four doctor appointments in Columbus in the next two weeks, but that isn't bad. I'll end up with great gums, no eye problems, and cancer on the run! I am booked to go to NYC, Wisc, Hawaii, and thinking of many other great trip ideas. Spring is here and there are many fine parties to go to, be MC at, and even festivals with the real Willie Nelson. I need to think more about it, but without this "cancer thing" I might not be nearly as excited about doing things and going places.

And at this stage of my life, I only want the gift of things I can go to....or maybe eat.....

wil

One other thing, at our Easter Dinner, I was noticing my friend Chris and his dad at the next table and thinking how little his dad looked compared to him. Since then, several people have pointed out how small I look next to my son in the last blog!! oh well...

chandler@athens-realty.com

.....an Easter present from Evelyn!

OK, so I'm not positive that my grandaughter gave me the sniffles but she did have them! The sniffles could easily be caused by the 50degree rainy weather! Oh well, they will pass in a few days and Easter sure was fun. We went to the OU Inn as Anne's family has done for years--but only 6 of us this year with Colin, Lil, Evelyn, Willie, Josh, and Anne.

I am so glad to be around for the egg hunts, food, and even the candy. I really do plan on being around for lots more Easters--especially since I now have a positive doctor. Of course that doctor is the "integrative specialist." Basically he works with supplements and eating right as well as the "chemo". And, most importantly, he has a great attitude! I hear that there are oncologists who are also supportive and friendly, but I seem to be zero for two in that category!

I asked my oncologist how it is decided that avastin should be given every three weeks. In fact, I was also dumb enough to repeat to him that the "infusion" nurse said that avastin wasn't really a chemo, but something different! Wow! Those questions sure brought out a defensive reaction.
In fact, I was told that he had already discussed those things with me. I guess I am just dumb and forgetful--but then again I am 65 years old, scared to death (although not quite yet) with this cancer, and was under the apparently mistaken impression that the doctor wanted to work with me--instead of just giving me orders!

Although an interesting thing was that the oncologist then asked me if I had any medicine for my neuropothy. Afterward that made me wish I responded with something like, "yeah you dumb bunny (or #%*+@), I have the medicine you prescribed for me!" I guess I am glad I didn't respond defensively or angrily, but it seems like it might be fun sometime!!!

It seems so simple to me that somebody in the health care field would realize that more patients will want to be involved in their personal health--at least in terms of understanding "what, why, and when" things are happening.

What a deal this health thing is. Exactly a year ago, a doctor at the VA clinic told me that I was about the healthiest vet patient she was seeing. Now, even though my actual life activities haven't changed much, cancer does "lurk" about like a group of turkey vultures in the dead tree on the hill!

I think next time I will rant about how difficult it is to do all the things that I thought I would easily get done without working full time. I also should mention that I was really proud to receive a "social justice" award from the United Campus Ministry. Next year I am going to help them find someone who really deserves such an award!

Let's get back to traveling! I have too many doctor appointments to go real soon, but in May I plan on taking two trips at least one of them to Wisconsin for a few days. over and out.....

...the most interesting people

....always ask you questions!

I love to learn about other people and what makes them "tick"! Come to think of it, I love to learn about what makes me "tick"! Let's ask questions and get some answers.

Lately, lots of people have been inquiring as to my health and I really appreciate it. Sometimes I feel like I did last fall. You know, if you saw this blog--something like "the end is near"! But lately I feel a little more like some sort of a fraud since I am doing so well.

Hell, I've got hair again (almost felt it blow in a wind) and, as a friend told me, my mustache has come back with a vengeance! My toes are swollen and painful but this really does not slow me down. So, am I going to die? Sure, but not as soon as the oncologists imply.

The gluten free diet would not be my favorite eating 'habit', but I think it will help and the integrative doctor is so positive. Last week I went to the OSU dental clinic and mouth doctor (what are they called?) discovered that my sore tongue is caused by a kind of thrush! I sure wish the oncologists would have thought to check for this last September!

Back to Columbus on Monday for 1) bloodwork, 2) oncologist, 3) avastin, 4) periodontist (a different doctor to check out gum recession), and 5) Integrative doctor and dietitian. What a day this will be! Oh well, it is certainly better then 3, 4, or 5 separate trips!

Some have said that I travel all the time these days--either Columbus or a trip to comewhere!
Not quite, I am enclosing a picture showing "me in downtown Athens"--(thanks to a Jerry Schaffer painting). I am here lots, in fact even doing some real estate showings as I agonize over my taxes.

I am having lots of enjoyment these days. As my dad's son often says, "If you have something that you want to do, and you can do it--why wouldn't you?!?"