It sure is nice to have good friends...

Friends like Al (pictured here doing some Shiatsu with me), Linda (pictured in the last blog, who helps me with breathing and other exercises), and my old friend, Larry from Wisconsin, who sent me these pictures from the early '60s.

The first of which must be a bunch of us young guys (straight out of high school) taking a break from working in the cemetaries.

The second picture is me as a Private in the Army at Fort Devens in Massachussettes.

This morning Anne took me to breakfast to meet up with some friends that I used to meet every Friday, and we were able to do our usual talking and eating (usual is good!) See picture. Then it was home for more breathing exercises with Linda.

I'm looking forward to this weekend when my sister and family are coming to visit from Wisconsin and Michigan AND, for the cherry on top, Michael and Annie are flying in from NYC to do some prep work for their upcoming nuptuals. Should be an action packed weekend!

I've been feeling decent but still quite weak. I'm hoping to gain back some muscle and weight in the near future. I had a chemo treatment on Monday and it takes a lot out of me. I will probably have another treatment this coming Tuesday and am not looking forward to it.

The weather around here was beautiful this week, but all of the sudden Old Man Winter has stopped back to see us and the morning temperatures have been in the 20's...Not good for those of us with thin skin-it really should be warmer!

Anyhow, I've had lots more good friends stopping by to see me and am really appreciating all of the well wishers and visitors. Take care and hope for warmer weather!

~goodwil~

The Spiritual Side

Several people have encouraged me to get "right with God." I find in doing this that it is truly a helpful thing. My minister, Evan, has been over to the house several times and we've had great discussions and prayers. It's been a good thing and I do feel much better thanks to Evan. One of the reasons Evan has been coming over is because I feel as though I've been slowly sinking physically, but since we've had our conversations I am starting to feel stronger physically. Another reason I feel as though I'm improving can be attributed to my dear friend and Yogurt Instructor, Linda (no that's not a dirty picture...Get your mind out of the gutter...She's helping me breathe!)

I have been sleeping 7 hours in a row (which is better than I've slept most of my adult life), but still need a nap or two during the day. My one problem seems to be that I'm frequently dizzy (lots of people have been telling me that for years) and we can't seem to figure out why. I still have oxygen full time and it makes it difficult to go places, but I am still getting out whenever I can. In fact, a dear old friend, Joe and Lili dragged me out for St. Paddy's Day to our local Irish Brewpub, Jackie O's for some Irish stew. I even had a sip or two of Brad's (the brewer) Irish Red brew.

My new chemo regimen keeps me going back & forth to the James Hospital in Columbus weekly at this point. See picture during treatment.

Lastly, my most fantabulous, brilliant, beautiful granddaughter (remember who's dictating this) went to a friend's birthday party in Columbus where all of the kids made a stuffed animal for themselves at Build-A-Bear. BUT, Evelyn not only made herself a bear, she made one with extra love especially for me so I have something to cuddle with when I'm not feeling tip top. She put an energized heart in the bear to keep me going :) And, on her own, she named it 'Bill', and then said: "Get it Peepah? Bill, like "Bill da Bear?" See picture...

I'm saving my energy and looking forward to taking a trip to Wisconsin when the weather is nicer. This is going to be a great Spring!

Love
goodWil

It is gonna be spring real soon!

.....and more than ever I will be glad to be a part of it!

As we all know, I have been feeling "puny" as some say around here. Although I don't know exactly how to measure it, I think I am actually feeling a little better. I went to Columbus (where else?) on Friday to see Dr Aukerman, my integrative doctor. He always seems good for me as he is so positive and has lots of ideas. I had recently quit taking the vitamins and minerals he prescribed because they made me sick to my stomach. He convinced me to try again and so I am.

I won't say that I am running around the block--hard to do with this oxygen hose anyhow. But somehow, even though I still spit up occasionally need lots of naps, I do feel better these past two days and hopefully it is because I am "better". I am taking supplements and they seem to help. I am not ready to run around the block, but I do feel some very subtle changes that I hope will continue.

Otherwise not much is happening although the weather seems to be warmer and more pleasant around here--another 60 degree day today. I also think I am on the mend because I am looking for things to do! Bored, I guess. The evenings are the worst since I can't concentrate to read, TV is worse than ever, and physically I can't do much. But I get by with lots of help from my family and friends. I feel somewhat better, still not that well, but "the changes are coming" I can feel it!

We all like pics, but I haven't seemed to do anything to get pics! So, how about a couple of early spring photos on our porch and in our backyard. Good to get on a 60 degree day. So, lets be happy that this is a preview of the start of spring around here. Hopefully I'll be sitting on the front porch more than ever. Let's all have a great day!!

...But I ain't dead yet!

I had a nice picture of me reclining on the table at the Oncologist's office with my eyes shut, but neither Lili or Anne will let me put the picture on the blog because they say that I look too dead! So here are a couple of pictures that have been deemed "appropriate" by the powers that be. Including one of Evelyn's theatrical debut as a dalmation puppy in the East Elementary's Dinner Theater '101 Dalmations' (as seen to the right).

I really haven't been feeling well lately, but the weather is going to get nice and as soon as it does, I know I'll feel better and be able to eat more, as I haven't had much of an appetite as of late. Maybe I need to eat more of the "special brownies" that were lovingly made for me as those seem to help. I did make it out just a little bit to our friend's house for dinner and to the Casa to eat breakfast as is our Sunday morning tradition. Otherwise I've been pretty home-bound except when Lili or Anne gives me a ride around town. It's funny how pleased I am just riding around and looking at things-I don't even have to get out of the car!

I have dreams of going on another long trip, but it requires a special oxygen set up and since oxygen is a constant that makes the trip more difficult. I'll keep hoping to be able to make the trip-thanks for all of your good vibes and nice thoughts, please keep up the good work.

Maybe this afternoon I can get Lili to take me for a ride (funny he should put that-Lili is the one dictating this-so signing off now so I can take Dad for his ride :)

Love,
goodwil

Days fly by...

......but not the nights. It's about 5 am and I have been rolling around in bed for a while. Might as well get up and write a blog I've been thinking about. Lots on my mind so this will probably be a "heavy" blog!

All my joints ache, my ankles have edema(sp?), my stomach area hurts and my bowels are barely under control. I have constant oxygen--see pics and am only walking slowly and carefully. All this since my trip to the James Hosp. Will I get better? I hope so, I think I might break one of my rules and pray for myself--although it seems so self-serving and unfair when there are so many people with lots more troubles.

After spending all day Monday in Columbus, the report from the doctor was pretty negative. I did get a shot of some sort of Chemo & I'll get another in one week, but the doctor did not sound very enthusiastic that it would help much. I'm no longer eligible for the clinical trial that I was to be enrolled in due to issues with my blood. I realize that this isn't a positive blog but I wanted to everyone abreast of what's going on.

In the meantime, I have lots of good friends helping me out and a daughter and wife who are taking good care of me. And, tonight is Evelyn's theatrical debut at East Elementary and the whole family is heading there to show our support for her in her role as a dalmation pup in the play '101 Dalmations.'

Keep up the faith and go out and have a good time while you can-I'm sure going to try.