So my Doctor says to me.......

......Wil, you should travel and have all the fun you can! Now did he tell me that because he has been my friend and family doctor for about 35 years? Or did he say that because he believes the end is near and it is time to "live it up"? Well, as my dear Aunt Evie would say, "It don't matter", it is time to live it up and have a good time. I have worked hard and need to "go and do" not to "sit and accumulate."

This week I went to the "not so exotic" Columbus (not Colombia) for the Ohio Realtor Convention and it was all hard work and education. Actually, I did have lots of fun ( it says on the menu, "It pays to play") as I missed it last year cause I was getting chemo after getting out of the hospital. Before that we had a great time at Evelyn's 4th Bday party as evidenced by the happy children and Evie and Annie in the "bouncie castle". Nothing like the young and being young at heart to make one realize how great this life is! A lot of partying can tire one out though!

What's next? Actually, except for medical trips to Columbus--one for chemo and one final check-up from my gum surgery, I have no trips planned until Maryland on October 9th. After that I am off again on the 18th. I guess when I think it over, I plan on being around a while since I have now had both my eyes and gums fixed and lots of travel planned!! If only I didn't have these damn pains in my chest! It is amazing how when an authority tells you that you are sick and about to "expire" every little pain is "Cancer Returned!" Fooey.

I am really liking this Survivor idea, I think I should continue it for a good while longer.

How many Oncologists does it take......

to send a guy into a downward spiral??? ........just one, but he has to tell you that most of his patients with metastatic lung cancer die within 2 years and 95% or more die within 5 years!

Saw the Ocologist on Monday and basically the above is what he told me!!!!! Even though my last CTscan showed no cancer, he said it will be back (and soon, if I have less than 5 years!). He was kinda defensive in answer to my questions, but did calm down a bit later on. The whole experience left me shaken and devastated! Even if he is correct, I see no reason why he had to deliver this information to me, and especially in the manor in which it was presented!

After a very rough 24 hours, I saw my Integrative Doctor Aukerman---pictured here. And boy, what a difference. He shared the results of my blood tests (mostly improving) and answered my question about why the Oncologist would tell me what he did. He told me that his patients have no expiration date!! After this appointment I went outside and did a "natural eyewash!" I felt so much better.

Luckily my good friend Bruce had lined up a ball game in Cincinnati the next day and it was so much fun. The food, drink, seats, and friendship were fantastic! Unlike my spring experience in Yankee Stadium, I would go back to a Reds game! It made me feel so much better!!

More supplements, more excercise, more positive thoughts and I will continue to be a survivor! wil

Violation!!!!

......so many people have suggested that I include pictures, that I decided to always do so. But....
I ain't got no pictures this time, sorry. I guess I can fall back on something I said many months ago. Namely, this blog is for me and even though I have no pics at this time, I need to vent!

Sometimes I feel like I am a "physical wreck." I have a plugged sinus that wakes me up at night, bad shoulder and neck pain if I lay or move wrong, the usual pain in my right side from my little operation on my lung sack a year ago, and the lack of feeling and/or pain in both feet caused by nerve problems there!

But, I am alive! In fact, I am a survivor!!! A year ago I was in "panic mode" wondering when the end would come--maybe how soon. I really could not think straight--or see straight (had an eye operation since that one). It is amazing how quickly one can drop to the depths after a cancer diagnosis.

But over a year later, while I have the above health complaints (remember, that is one of the things old people do), I am really in great shape and spirits. And looking for ways to make me even better mentally and physically!! So, what is my current condition (very well, thank you)
resulting from? 1) modern medicine (chemo), 2) integrative medicine (largely Omega 3 and no wheat), 3) lots of help from friends (and people I don't even know) in spiritual and psychic ways), or maybe my own goshdarn ornery attitude in not wanting to "check out yet"(this blog has helped a lot with that)!

I guess it is all 4 of the above and maybe something that I haven't thought of! At any rate, as a good friend told me, even though the docs say the cancer will return, I need to know that, "I am a survivor" and I will prevail in this battle--no deposit, no returns!

Off to Columbus tonight to see the oncologist early in the morning. Thanks for listening.


chandler@athens-realty.com--I forgot to add that last time.

Now......for something quite different.

At my wonderful birthday party my sister brought along some old photos that I thought I might share. Many years ago, my son's mother and I had a farm in Vinton County. Vinton Co is just west of Athens and a very rural county where the population had slipped to about 9000 for the whole county. It was my first property. We had a hill country farm--this is Appalachian Ohio, you know--of 115 acres and started with a log house and no plumbing.

I loved it! We had chickens, goats, sheep, a brood sow and a pony that did not want to be ridden! I guess that is what happens when you get a "free" pony. I learned so much about plumbing, electric, farming and construction--not to mention learning from and about my neighbors of all sorts.

The pictures include me and the baby and young child, Joshua. The important one shows Aunt Evelyn when she visited from Wisconsin to see the newborn. Evelyn looked after me in my late teenage years when my mother became ill and she had a home for me to return to after my 3 years in the army. She was like a mom to me and a grandmother to my children. In fact, Lili named my grandaughter after her. (The picture with Evie also includes the "toilet room".)

Enough nostalgia for now. I guess I should a add a new category to my "index of old people." Along with talking about the weather and their health, you might recognise "old people" also by our bringing out 30 year old pictures!! Oh well, at least I haven't--as many of my old friends have--been bitching about the "problems with young people today" and "the country today" as many old people seem to do.

We seemed to have survived Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bushes, Clinton, etc. If we keep working at it, we will not only survive our national crises, but even have the next generation grow up to start bitching (and worrying) about the generation following them!

Of course I have lots of other things on my mind, but a blog w/o my problems is a great blog! The fall weather is here--sunny, dry, cool nights, warm days. I love it and must get out now to enjoy it.


p.s. The other day I tried to comment on a friend's blog and found it quite difficult so I thought I would once again add my email for another route.