....when women are feeling down.

Don't they go and buy themselves a new wardrobe? I may have that wrong (c.y.a. wil), and I don't think I have been feeling all that down, but still these have be difficult times health-wise. And my good ole 2001 Camry seemed to have lots of problems showing up all requiring $$ inputs. So, in order to help the American economy--and I guess myself as well--I bought a 2008 Nissan Altima with more bells and whistles than I have figured out at this point! ...sure made me feel good!

Now, I wanted Anne to pose on the hood of the car, but it was too cold for the photo that I wanted, so all you get is one very pleased new(to him) car owner with his shiny car!

At this point, I am feeling pretty good and dreading Monday's every three week trip to Columbus for chemo. It has been a rough couple of weeks, but it has improved now that I quit taking the ambien sleep pills that were making me so groggy and dizzy in the mornings. I do need to talk to my docs about something else though since I do not sleep well.

We went to Columbus yesterday evening for the monthly meeting of the "OSU Lung Cancer Support Group" and then to the Columbus Fish Market Restaurant for a delicious meal. Years ago I wouldn't have gone near joining some kind of "self-help" or whatever group. But I find it quite useful and Anne finds the separate caregivers sessions good too. Among other things, I have been struggling with the weigh loss thing. I am under 200 now for the first time in years and the suggestion that I have the OSU docs find a dietician who knows about lung cancer and what to eat never did occur to me! Groups like this can be "empowering" and remind me that I need to be "in charge" of my health, not just sitting around listening to the oncologists!

Since I was too keyed up to sleep well last night after the Columbus drive, I think I will take a nap and then maybe I will go out and buy a new pair of shoes!!

....Strong Wil

I did vow that I was not going to send more Key West pics to this blog--but at least this one has no happy people! Key West sunsets are beautiful even w/0 the bright sun.














The others are to demonstrate some things that have become "all too true" in my life! I often wondered why people sucked in their breath for photo opts. Now I have that pot gut and non-muscle stomach that they were avoiding! As for this other, even under the tee shirt you can still see the "bulging muscles". .....not!

My muscle tone is gone, gone, gone. I used to think that people can just build them up. Nope. I don't feel good much of the time and having a big headache or being dizzy is not conducive to building up muscles. Sad.

Speaking of sick, I have been quite sick much of the time since my last chemo on Apr 12. Better this week though. It is very difficult to realize I am either very old or sick and think of all those who have been here before me. Many times I find myself "tearing up" over minor things. I think this is called spontaneous eruption--or something like that.
I guess it happens to lots of us oldsters and I should just see it for what it is and enjoy it. (Although the crying does scare some people.)

I would like to once again thank all those who read this blog. It was designed so that I did not have to explain my story and "progress" to everyone. As my illness slogs along it becomes more and more difficult to give the whole time line. I would like to clarify one thing that lots of people ask about. "How often do you get chemo?" Every three weeks. "How many more sessions do you have?" This is my third kind of chemo. I receive chemo until the CTscan shows it is not working, then they change chemos. My disease is Not curable! I am told it will not go away. So, I guess I will receive chemo until I "expire". Yep, every 3 weeks.

Finally a word about advice. In a college town like Athens and having lots of wonderful friends causes me to get lots and lots of "advice". Many people know the "cure" some of which I am actually already doing. Anyhow giving advice is human and I believe a good thing to do. But I would like to remind people that there is a big difference between saying "always (or never) do this or eat this" which can be a real turn off and saying, "have you tried this or that? It might help or it helped somewhat." The second approach will get me to listen each time.

My goals continue: to have lots of fun while I can; and to help others however possible.
Good night.

......always use protection on trips!

In my confusion over how to send pics with this blog, I forgot to include some important things!!

Now about the "protection". One of my elders whom I always respect and agree with indicated that I need to wear a mask when traveling. So, I have included a pic of me getting ready for the airplane flight. Now, that is protection.

The other pic is of my old friend, Lanny. Lanny and I were little boys together having a ball each summer at our grandparents cottages (they were next to each other) in Wisconsin. He came each summer from Missouri for long visits and then we lost touch when we were about 13 or 14--for over 30 years. Turns out he was living in Columbus for much of that time and we did not know it until about 10 years ago. A few weeks ago Lanny and his wife stopped by and we had a very relaxing time on our Athens front porch. We are almost the same age and political "bent" which is real unusual for people my age.

Oh yeah, I remember now that I started this blog to talk about my health. Well....we arrived back from Key West about 1 am Monday and that morning about 10am Josh drove me up to Columbus to the joy of seeing the oncologist and gettin a dose of chemo. Yesterday wasn't too bad, but today I am quite head-achey and tired. I have lots of errands to do, but they don't seem to be getting done. I guess it is time for another nap. I have lost quite a bit of weight so my goal right now seems to be to rest and eat--lots of fattening foods.

I do believe that a nap always trumps a long blog (in fact, almost anything beats a long blog) so I will close for this blog.

stay friendly, smiley, and have fun always.

ps I have heard once again about how hard it is to comment on this blog. One can always send an email (chandler-athens-realty.com). I always appreciate it.

...the electronic wizard!?!

So, I find myself in Key West with 2 great buddies, my little notebook, and my new camera!

I also find that I know far more about electronic "stuff" than either of them. Man, what an unusual and unbelievable situation! For I know virtually nothing! I set about using my camera only to discover (after 3 days) that I had no "card" in it!

Bought a card yesterday and took some pics for the blog. Then plug the card into this computer and "ready to go". Except I can't figure out how to get pics onto blog and write something! Gave it up and went to bed. I find this morn that the pics went on the blog!!

So here is the writing: pics show fun at Schooner Wharf Bar music time; also sunset at Mallory Square. We are having a great time although I am taking it easy. I thought I would die on the plane ride down--maybe due to the pneumonia medicine. But now I am OK, just cough a lot. Anne might notice I have her "favorite' shirt on.

Fly back late Sunday nite and then I think chemo Monday in Columbus. I will be glad to be home where I can ask "BLOG" questions and use a computer that fits my hands.

 

  

......hard to believe!

Why is this character so happy? Well, let me tell you! It is because he has pneumonia! Now what kind of a nut would be happy to hear that? Well....I guess I am that kind of nut!

For about a month now I have been feeling worse and worse--headaches, rundown, upset stomach, the whole gamut of bad feelings. This is easily reflected when I go back and look at my past several blogs. I have been "motoring" along at about 50% or less. I honestly thought (altho didn't mention it) that the cancer was getting worse and pulling me down.

As my last blog mentioned, I had hoped the Florida trip would see me feeling better--I did things there, but did not feel good. So, last Friday upon returning I had a CTscan in preparation for my chemo on Monday. So imagine my surprise when the doctors said, "no chemo for you, you have pneumonia and we have pills for that!" (Unlike my cancer.)

Oh happy day, the pills are very strong (avolex, I think), but I already feel much better. My coughing has become less and I am at 50% and feeling better all the time. It doesn't hurt that the weather in Athens has been just gorgeous--sunny and 80. I have a whole new outlook and many exciting things to think about and to be about.

Please have a blessed and happy Easter weekend.