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!!

On the GlideSlope

            October 8^th,   this is my Dad’s birthday, but I can’t call him up and wish him a Happy Birthday.  If your  Father is still with you here in this world, call him and wish him one!  The words to the song were something like “don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what  what you got ‘til it’s gone…”

            And, it’s my oldest niece’s birthday too.  Happy Birthday Tracy.  I won’t reveal the age out of courtesy.  She probably doesn’t care, but I won’t chance that!  I’m thinking of really fun times she and I had during her growing up years!!  Great memories.

            And we’ve got a new name to add to the litany.  As you may recall, there is a five-inch scar that is the remnant of Charmin on left side of my neck. It is now called Hank, full name Hank Williams Jr., as he appears about as red-neck as one can get.  He’s probably not in a true definition of the word, but it works for me.  And, the reason the red-neck aspect to the story?  Well, back in May during a visit to the local ENT surgeon in Warner Robins, he said “If it’s cancer and it is in the tonsils, they will likely perform a lumpectomy, a tonsillectomy and then start chemo and radiation.  He was right and here I am, 29 radiation treatments completed and six chemo treatments.  And WOW!, do I have a red neck!!!  Dr. Walker had said it would feel like Muggy took an aluminum baseball bat and hit me in the neck with it as hard as she could.  Unfortunately, that’s a pretty good analogy.  It hurts and it is red and tender.  Maybe like that roast beef I cooked last Sunday.  I wonder if it would taste as good?!?!  Eeee-wwww, GROSS!

            Quick recap:  Lump – Original name Charmin, as in “please don’t squeeze the charmin”

                        Harry – Seldom used alias for the lump

Justin Case – my body piercing masquerading as a feeding tube, but all it really is, is a big pain in the gut!

Hank Williams, Jr. – the five-inch scar from whence Charmin made her debut into the world.

            So, I just took a break from writing and went down to the dining room.  I remembered something that necessitated a return to the room.  On the way, I met Eric from Perry, GA and we’ve got a mutual friend in Al Sanders from Ft. Valley.  A great, quick conversation about knowing God and serving Him.  However, the conversation made me forget why I came to room.  So, here I sit, hoping that these few moments back in the room will help me remember.  This forgetfulness is laughable!!

            Today was chemo session number six. 

Chillin' waiting for chemo...

I’d say I slept through about ½ of it.  Muggy managed to get a few minutes of sleep.  Keep her in your prayers everyone as this care-giver role is a tough one.  Came back to the lodge and slept…..more!  Then put together a glider chair for the lodge.  I do like to stay busy and I’m thinking of volunteering time for small projects after my treatments are over; my way of giving back, or paying it forward.

            Part of the evening was spent gathered around the piano while Judith played hymns and we made a joyful noise unto the Lord!  We will not be on America’s Got Talent anytime in the near (or distant for that matter) future.

            I’m thinking of expanding my blog topics.  I already have a couple of new ones I’m considering:

1)  Affordable Care Act (ACA) – I’m studying the in’s and out’s and would like to share this with whomever is interested.

2) Aquaponics – The combining of fish-raising with garden growing. I experimented with it this past summer and will be pursuing it in greater depth this fall and winter

            The z-monster (used to be the boogey-man) is jumping all over me, so I guess I’ll post this one and call it a night! 

Goodnight all!  Blessings to you and yours!

I’m thinking of expanding my blog topics.  I already have a couple of new ones I’m considering: 

1)  Affordable Care Act (ACA) – I’m studying the in’s and out’s and would like to share this with whomever is interested.

2) Aquaponics – The combining of fish-raising with garden growing. I experimented with it this past summer and will be pursuing it in greater depth this fall and winter.