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!!

A Most Remarkable Day

            Sometimes, in the midst of circumstances which we find trying, moments of refreshment arise when we least expect it.  Today was such a day.

            First, Muggy and I went for a walk into the Lullwater Preserve co-located here between the Clairmont and main Emory campuses. The preserve has a system of trails that lead through this oasis in the midst of the city. It’s pretty amazing.  We didn’t find the mansion today, but will attempt another time.

            We made my radiation session this afternoon and came back to the lodge for yet another moment of refreshment.  As I passed through the living room, I noted a gentleman sitting with his back to me, but his snow white hair made think of a classmate from high school by the name of Jim Sherrill.  Jim lives in Georgia, in Douglasville.  He and I touch base with each other every once in a while via facebook. 

            So, as I walked past the snow-white haired gentleman sitting in the living room, I heard a voice say, “Ken Hanson!”  I turned to see that stranger was none other than Jim Sherrill!  He and I had not seen each other in person since June of 1970, the day we graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis.

            What an amazing surprise!  We sat for the next 2 ½ hours talking about old and new times.  We caught up on life and where it had taken us.  And we made plans to get together again for more conversation and dinner some time.

            What an amazing day!! 

            Thanks Jim!!  You made my day!

           

              You’d never know Jim played basketball in high school and college would you?!?!

And, you can hire him to be your next Santa, check out www.tallsanta.com

 

Targeting Charmin

     It's August 21, 2013.  I'm sitting in a room at the University Inn adjacent to the Emory University Hospital.  I've been up since before 5:00 am 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 (ours really because Muggy is definitely a part of this too!) journey that I never even remotely considered a possibility.
     I've got cancer.  That's one of those statements that no one ever wants to make, but, sadly, there seems to be more and more of it in our world today.  My cancer was/is in my tonsils.  I say was as the tonsils were removed on July 29th.  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 in 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 can 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 2 1/2 years ago when Muggy's lupus flared.  Now we're back for my care.
     As I sat in the waiting room yesterday, I was provided a new perspective on one's circumstances.  Yes, I'm here because I have throat cancer and it might be really easy to settle down into feeling bad and simply saying "why me?"  But, I'm not going to do that.  The primary reason for my determination to not lapse into remorse is I know the God that I serve and I am determined that through this He will be glorified.  But yesterday I was given a new perspective.
     As I waited to be called into the examination room, I overheard a conversation from 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 40's.  They don't have health insurance and her medications alone are about $10,000/month!!  OMG!  What have I got to feel sorry about.
     The recovery rate for the cancer I have is 90%.  I've got wonderful health insurance.  I'm seeing some of the best doctors in the world.  My otolarnygologist (never knew that word until a few months ago!! Most of us call them ENT doctors) has told me that he fully expects my cancer to be cured.
     So, after being called into the exam room and the nurse had taken vitals, she said Dr. Marcus (fifth year radiation oncology resident) would be in and then, Dr. Higgins would be in after that.  Dr. Marcus arrived a few minutes later and he looked like a fellow that should be on the cover of Gentlemen's Quarterly magazine!  Very pleasant and knowledgeable as he went through the history of how we got to where we are and 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 with Dr. Higgins biography and a picture.  Very pretty young woman, but I have to admit thinking the picture probably was a very flattering photo.  Wow!  Was I wrong!  When Dr. Higgins came in I was struck with how beautiful she is...no kidding!  And knowledgeable, friendly, desiring to be helpful and put our fears and concerns at rest as best she could.  (In conversation later, Muggy said it was like we were in an episode of "Punked" or some reality show like that.  She was waiting for the host to yell "punked!" as the two models who were portraying doctors would step out and the fat, old gray-haired doctor would come 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 therapy regime will last for seven weeks.  There will be a lot of pain, lots of meds 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 I'm ready for anything, but I know too that there will likely be days I get pretty fed up and overwhelmed.  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers please.
     Today we go to Emory Midtown to meet with the medical oncologist (Chemo doctor) for his insights and instructions.  I will also experience a CT simulation.  As I understand it now, it's the creation of a mask for the radiation treatments to ensure the spot is accurately targeted.  More to follow.  Thanks for reading!!