Great Joys and Sorrows

            Back in September, 2013, sometime early in the process of my radiation treatments, perhaps the very first day; I was sitting in the radiation therapy waiting room, anxious about what was to transpire.  As I sat there, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation of the couple a few feet away sharing their story with another patient.

            A couple in their late 40’s and she has a tumor the size of a lemon on top of her brain.  I listened in awe to their story that morning and found myself amazed at their optimism and amazingly positive attitude toward the ordeal.  It was inspiring.

            Two days ago I watched as friends and family gathered to honor her life and the reality of cancer hit me once again.  Muggy and I visited Janet and Dale

Janet, Dale and me

in early January at their home.  We knew Janet was in hospice at the time and we are glad we had a chance to visit.

            Janet Miller was a sweet lady!!  I am blessed and enriched to have met and known both she and her husband Dale.  They always had a story to tell and a laugh or word of encouragement to share.

            Why did our paths cross at this point in time in our lives?  Why did cancer take Janet? Why am I here writing a blog entry?  So many questions that we cannot know the answers to, but I can draw solace from just having known her.

Dale, his Mother and us

            And I lift up prayers for God’s grace and mercy for Dale and their children, for Janet’s parents, for Dale’s parents, for all the family and friends who have lost a piece of their world that could only be filled by Janet. 

Dale and me

    

One Month Post Treatment

            Now, I’m one month post treatments.  I wish I could say that I’m back to normal and my life has returned to previous activity levels; it has not.  Honestly, I know that I’m being overly optimistic and unreasonable in the expectation that things should be back to “normal”.  I’ve done some reading this week about what to expect post treatments.  It can take two to three months to get back to normal (whatever “normal” may be), or, one will never return to previous activity levels.  I need to be prepared to adjust to what may be my new normal.

            That’s difficult for me to accept.  I’m borderline obsessive when it comes to activity levels.  I NEED to be doing things; projects, school, adventures, etc.  I find that I’m able to engage in projects and/or activities for 1-2 hours and then it’s time to rest.  And I do find myself taking naps on a regular basis.  Yesterday, I got dressed to go you yoga class.  I laid down on the bed for a minute and the next thing I knew, I had slept and was too late to make the class!  Someone told me this week that maybe I’m beginning to act like a “regular 60-year old”.  Not sure how that sits with me.  I do not want to be a “regular 60-year old” as the image that conjures in my mind is very negative.  Honestly, I think the image of a normal 60-year old is changing as we baby boomers achieve that milestone.

            I’ve read a couple of articles now that use the word epidemic for the incidence of HPV positive throat cancers in men in this country and Canada.  Apparently there are a lot of men being diagnosed and treated for these cancers.  The upside is that the prognosis for cure is quite high.  The downside is additional monetary burden on the healthcare system.

            Speaking of the healthcare system; I’m compelled to comment on the developing fiasco that is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as Obamacare.  Here’s a very simple approach to understanding the ACA.  If there were 47 million uninsured people in the U.S. and the goal is to get them all insured; is it not reasonable and logical to think it’s going to cost more money?   Of course it’s going to cost more.  And, the additional costs are covered by a) having more people buy insurance (such as the immortals in the age group 22-35), or b) having the government pay the costs (which means the debt and your taxes are going up, or c) having those who already have insurance pay more for what they were already receiving.  I do not debate that we need to provide adequate healthcare coverage to all, but I’m not convinced the ACA is the correct answer.  And, right now, I believe the President is dismayed that his administration’s legacy is doing so poorly.

Onward to New Challenges

            And now, it’s Oct 21^st and I have been remiss in posting updates; my apologies.  It’s been a hectic and relaxing few days of transition from the treatment regime to being back at home.  So, this morning it is Monday, Oct 21^st at 9:00 am and I’m still in bed and it feels great!

            My oldest son Luke gave me a great perspective on dealing with cancer and the other challenges life throws at me at any given time.  I am blessed that I don’t have to worry about going to work and earning a living.  I/we are in a wonderful time in our life to be able to face these challenges head on. 

On Thursday morning at 7:05, I completed a regime of cancer therapy involving 33 radiation therapies and six sessions of chemo therapy.  I am blessed to have come through this with minimal side effects.  I am even more blessed in thinking of the friends and acquaintances I’ve made along the way.

            Although I'm done with the cancer treatments, I hope to remain engaged with the Hope Lodge.  I plan to donate time and energy to the Lodge in the form of work projects in the coming months.  There are small projects to be accomplished there and I will stay in touch with Director Danny Sheltz to help out where I can.

            So, let me back the truck up here a little bit.  On Thursday, Oct 10, 2013, we held a little celebration with our friends at Hope Lodge as I celebrated 32

32 Year Celebration

years of sobriety.  Historically, we have not made a big deal out of this, but this year it somehow seemed appropriate.  Muggy ordered a great looking cake for the event and I even took a bite.

            I say took a bite because my appetite is totally gone.  If anyone is looking for a sure-fire way to lose weight I heartily recommend radiation and chemotherapy for neck cancer.  I’ve now lost about 40 lbs (hope my doctors don’t read this!!), but I needed to lose the weight.  And I’m very happy to be where I am and hope that I can stay close to the weight I’m at now.  It has primarily come from having no appetite.  It’s a challenge to keep up an intake of calories, especially protein to give my body the energy and stores it needs to continue the healing.  By the way, I don’t really recommend this method to lose weight!

            After the celebration on Oct 10^th, we went to watch the WNBA Championship Game between the Atlanta Dream and the Minnesota Lynx.  It was fun and the Lynx won.

Muggy, Sylvia and Kim

            We’ve got a new attraction in the backyard here at home.  A very talented squirrel has found an innovative method for getting birdseed from the feeder.  Quite agile don’t you think?

Furry Gymnast

             

Graduation on Oct 16^th was a very special

event, made all the more special by the attendance of good friend Karen M., family member Don and Lisa Johnson and son Erik.  A great time was had by all as we shared very meaningful insights into our lives.  And the cakes!!  Sister-in-law Marcia said she wanted to be a part of the celebration so she funded the desserts; and what an array it was!! 

Delicious Desserts!!

Sister-in-law Kelley came for a visit this past weekend.  She was here primarily to see her middle son and his wife who now live here in Georgia, but it was great we all had a chance for a get together.  We met at Tanger Malls near Locust Grove and then had dinner at The French Market in downtown Locust Grove….HIGHLY recommended.  Great food, great atmosphere and really good service.

Sisters!

 

Next steps now are to complete follow-up appointments with my doctors at Emory.  I’ve had enough doctor appointments in the past six months to last me the rest of my life, but there are likely to be more.  Hopefully, Justin Case (my feeding tube) and I will part company this coming FridayopH

.  By mid December, there will be another PET scan to ascertain whether there’s any more cancer (there won’t be!!). 

            And now, it’s time to get on with life!!

Targeting Charmin

It’s August 21, 2013. I’m sitting in a room at the University Inn adjacent to Emory University Hospital. I’ve been up since before 5:00 a.m., with lots of thoughts wandering the myriad spaces of my mind. I’ve chosen to begin this blog to allow those who are interested to follow along on my journey. Ours, really, because Muggy is definitely a part of this too! It is a journey I never even remotely considered a possibility. I’ve got cancer. That’s one of those statements no one ever wants to make, but sadly, there seems to be more and more cancer in our world today. My cancer was, or is, in my tonsils. I say was because the tonsils were removed on July 29. So, the tonsils are gone, but now begins the radiation and chemotherapy. A lot of folks, friends and family, are aware of this situation, and I can say that it is absolutely amazing to consider the throng that surrounds me with support, thoughts, and prayers. My intent in creating this blog is to provide a place where anyone who cares to can catch up with what’s currently happening or learn the chronology of these circumstances. Muggy and I traveled here to Winship Cancer Center yesterday for an appointment with the radiation oncologist, Dr. Kristin Higgins. Emory University Hospital is an incredible complex of medical technology and innovation, and it can be a very, very confusing place. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately for me, I’ve become very familiar with these surroundings. We spent a lot of time here two and a half years ago when Muggy’s lupus flared. Now we’re back for my care. As I sat in the waiting room yesterday, I was given a new perspective on one’s circumstances. Yes, I’m here because I have throat cancer, and it might be really easy to settle into feeling bad and simply ask, “Why me?” But I’m not going to do that. The primary reason for my determination not to lapse into remorse is that I know the God I serve, and I am determined that through this, He will be glorified. But yesterday, I was given an additional perspective. As I waited to be called into the examination room, I overheard a couple talking to another patient. The wife has a tumor the size of a lemon on her brain. With treatment, her prognosis is a five-year life expectancy. She’s in her late 40s. They don’t have health insurance, and her medications alone cost about $10,000 a month! OMG! What have I got to feel sorry about? The recovery rate for the cancer I have is 90 percent. I’ve got wonderful health insurance. I’m seeing some of the best doctors in the world. My otolaryngologist, a word I never knew until a few months ago because most of us call them ENT doctors, has told me that he fully expects my cancer to be cured. After I was called into the examination room and the nurse had taken my vital signs, she said Dr. Marcus, a fifth-year radiation oncology resident, would be in, and then Dr. Higgins would join us afterward. Dr. Marcus arrived a few minutes later, and he looked like a fellow who should be on the cover of Gentlemen’s Quarterly magazine! He was very pleasant and knowledgeable as he went through the history of how we arrived at this point and conducted a brief examination of my throat. He departed and said he’d be back with Dr. Higgins. Now understand, we had been given a handout containing Dr. Higgins’s biography and photograph. She appeared to be a very pretty young woman, but I have to admit that I thought the picture was probably particularly flattering. Wow, was I wrong! When Dr. Higgins came in, I was struck by how beautiful she is. No kidding! She was also knowledgeable and friendly, with a clear desire to be helpful and put our fears and concerns to rest as much as she could. In a conversation later, Muggy said it was as though we were in an episode of Punk’d or some other reality show. She was waiting for the host to yell, “Punk’d!” as the two models portraying doctors stepped out and the fat, old, gray-haired doctor came in. For now, we have our Doctors Barbie and Ken! Anyway, it was an informative and, strange word for a doctor’s appointment, entertaining session. I will likely begin radiation therapy the day after Labor Day. The treatment regimen will last for seven weeks. There will be a lot of pain, lots of medication, and lots of lost weight, a benefit in the midst of the other negatives! We are starting down a path that will prove to be long and arduous. I am saying now that I’m ready for anything, but I also know there will likely be days when I get pretty fed up and overwhelmed. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Today we go to Emory Midtown to meet with the medical oncologist, the chemo doctor, for his insights and instructions. I will also undergo a CT simulation. As I understand it now, this involves the creation of a mask for the radiation treatments to ensure that the correct area is accurately targeted. More to follow. Thanks for reading!