tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63371430982968780442024-03-13T08:57:56.227-04:00HMS ENDURANCEUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-73490296512361659562009-12-16T21:25:00.006-05:002009-12-16T22:19:06.699-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SymfBlLSm1I/AAAAAAAAAMw/PO3PfzNfGM4/s1600-h/SantaLennon.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SymfBlLSm1I/AAAAAAAAAMw/PO3PfzNfGM4/s320/SantaLennon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416034876397886290" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">So this is Christmas<br />And what have you done?<br />Another year over.<br />A new one just begun</span><br /><br />I am a John Lennon fan.<br />One of the happiest memories of my life is dancing with my wife at our wedding to John Lennon’s <span style="font-style:italic;">Love</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Love is living<br />Living love<br />Love is needing<br />To be loved</span><br /><br />And one of the saddest was the news of his assassination the night before my 17th birthday.<br /><br />John Lennon’s music has been important to me all through my life.<br /><br />And then there’s <span style="font-style:italic;">Happy Xmas (War Is Over!)</span><br />For my entire life this song has been a tremendous weight on me every Christmas.<br />It hangs out there as a challenge. Another year gone by. Time wasted. Life wasted. <br />Every year <span style="font-style:italic;">Happy Xmas (War Is Over!)</span> makes me feel... guilty.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">So this is Christmas<br />And what have you done?</span><br /><br />Well this year I finally figured out an answer for him.<br />This year, with the help of some really great Doctors, the care of the world’s greatest Nurses, the support of my amazing Friends, and the love of my wonderful Family<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I KICKED CANCER’S ASS.</span><br /><br />How's that, John?<br />Good enough?<br /><br />Goddamned right.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy Christmas<br /><br />War Is Over.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-25853915648279342592009-12-08T10:21:00.003-05:002009-12-08T10:38:05.344-05:00What A Difference A Year Makes.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sx5y1I3PVPI/AAAAAAAAAMo/spwdO2NBWxs/s1600-h/desk_calendar_1.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 176px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sx5y1I3PVPI/AAAAAAAAAMo/spwdO2NBWxs/s200/desk_calendar_1.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412890059383723250" /></a><br /><br /> You know it if you have kids, or have ever closely watched kids grow, a year can make a big difference. Last year Katie couldn’t read. This year she reads - <span style="font-style:italic;">everything</span>. Last year Coop looked up to Bonnie. Now he’s taller than she is. Fortunately, he still respects her. We’ll see if that still stands next year when he officially becomes a teenager.<br /><br /> A year ago this week I had barely enough red blood cells to get oxygen through my body. I had barely enough red blood cells to make my blood red. A year ago, I didn’t have enough platelets to keep a simple touch from bruising or to stop my nose from spontaneously bleeding. My blood ran like water. It was more like red Hawaiian Punch than red paint.<br /><br /> A year ago there was a leaky faucet in my brain drip, drip, dripping blood inside my skull. A year ago, I spent my birthday and Christmas in the hospital and New Year’s Eve in the ICU.<br /><br /> A year ago I thought Nursing was a smart career choice. Today, I know a good Nurse is the difference between Life and Death in the hospital. My Life. My Death. If there are angels walking the earth, they work as Nurses.<br /><br /> A year ago I thought that Doctors were overpaid prima donnas who should spend more time with their patients. Today I know they are worth every penny…<br /><br /> A year ago I thought Healthcare Reform was a good idea. Today, I know without a doubt that Healthcare Reform is an absolute necessity. Not just for me and my pre-existing condition, but for our country’s economic and social growth. <br /><br /> I know that the foundation of our democracy, the Declaration of Independence, cites “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” as unalienable rights – rights that cannot be taken away. I know that there is no Life without available healthcare. There is no Liberty when you are chained to a job for fear of losing your health insurance. And there is no Pursuit of Happiness when you live in fear. <br /><br /> The pursuit of profit from preying on the weak and fearful is never mentioned in the Declaration or the Constitution. I think it would be hard to pass any legislation guaranteeing that right. But some people seem to think that is the first and foremost purpose of our democracy: the pursuit of profit at any cost to our fellow Americans. Some people seem to think that successful capitalism requires a steady flow of poor, weak and fearful people. I think that’s lazy capitalism. I think that’s a capitalism that values fraud over innovation and determination. And I think that any form of capitalism that seeks to undermine our lives and families and swindle our neighbors is un-American.<br /><br /> A year ago I was dead but didn’t know it. Today I know I am alive, but will not live forever. And whatever time I have, I hope I can spend it making life a little better for my family and my friends and a little harder on those who seek to steal our life and our liberties and end our pursuit of happiness.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-18688934260039239622009-12-02T14:22:00.002-05:002009-12-02T14:28:07.249-05:00Okay. I Can Explain.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sxa-xv9atbI/AAAAAAAAAMY/o0VY3-YmvRg/s1600-h/snowmanexam1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sxa-xv9atbI/AAAAAAAAAMY/o0VY3-YmvRg/s320/snowmanexam1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410721764229166514" /></a><br /><br />Some of the bulbs were out in the 10 year old snowman. It's easier to replace them while he's inflated.<br />Bonnie caught me in the act.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">That's all.</span><br /><br />Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.<br /><br />I sent it out as a reminder to friends and loved ones that:<br />I am still here. <br />I still have a sense of humor.<br />And that they should get checked because cancer doesn't care.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-81948228901322582412009-11-21T17:12:00.006-05:002009-11-21T17:48:51.731-05:00The Best Song Ever Written...<span style="font-weight:bold;">...about having cancer.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">SWIM by Jack's Mannequin</span><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sA8PaIw5gcE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sA8PaIw5gcE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />When I heard this song for the first time on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart it felt like someone had been in the hospital with me or sitting next to me in the chemo chair and writing down the very advice I needed to get through the ordeal. <br /><br />That's pretty much the story. Jack's Mannequin frontman Andrew McMahon is a survivor of ALL, a particularly nasty form of leukemia. Hell, what am I saying? They're <span style="font-style:italic;">all</span> nasty.<br /><br />Of course I downloaded it from iTunes immediately. But when I watched the video on YouTube I got another kick in the gut. One of the animated artworks shows a flock of origami cranes forming the word swim. I was instantly transported back to the hospital and the thousand origami cranes hanging around room made by my son Cooper.<br /><br /> I'm petitioning my Congresswoman to add a provision to the Healthcare Reform bill that requires this song to be piped into every cancer patient's room at night when all the visitors have gone home and you wake in the dark surround by strangers and beeping machines. Keep going. You're not alone.<br /><br />In case you didn't catch all the words:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">You gotta swim,<br />Swim for your life,<br />Swim for the music,<br />That saves you,<br />When you're not so sure you'll survive,<br />You gotta swim,<br />And swim when it hurts,<br />The whole world is watching,<br />You haven't come this far,<br />To fall off the earth,<br /><br />The currents will pull you,<br />Away from your love,<br />Just keep your head above,<br /><br />I found a tidal wave,<br />Begging to tear down the dawn,<br />Memories like bullets,<br />They fired at me from a gun,<br />Cracking the armor yeah,<br />I swim for brighter days,<br />Despite the absence of sun,<br />Choking on salt water,<br />I'm not giving in,<br />Swim,<br /><br />You gotta swim,<br />For nights that won’t end,<br />Swim for your families,<br />Your lovers your sisters,<br />And brothers and friends,<br />Yeah, you gotta swim,<br />For wars without cause,<br />Swim for the lost politicians,<br />Who don't see their greed as a flaw,<br /><br />The currents will pull us,<br />Away from our love,<br />Just keep your head above,<br /><br />I found a tidal wave,<br />Begging to tear down the dawn,<br />Memories like bullets,<br />They fired at me from a gun,<br />Cracking the armor yeah,<br />I swim for brighter days,<br />Despite the absence of sun,<br />Choking on salt water,<br />I'm not giving in,<br />Well I'm not giving in,<br />Swim<br /><br />You gotta swim,<br />Swim in the dark,<br />There's no shame in drifting,<br />Feel the tide shifting and wait for the spark,<br />Yeah you gotta swim,<br />Don't let yourself sink,<br />Just find the horizon,<br />I promise you it's not as far as you think,<br />The currents will drag us away from our love,<br /><br />Just keep your head above,<br />Just keep your head above,<br />Swim,<br />Just keep your head above,<br />Swim,<br />Swim,<br />Just keep your head above,<br />Swim.</span><br /><br />Absolutely Goddamned Right. Keep swimming.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-11062371844599956712009-10-13T18:53:00.003-04:002009-10-13T20:33:52.746-04:00ThankYouThankYouThankYouThere are so many people to thank. So many people who helped me - who helped my family. So many who kept us afloat while I recovered. I can never thank you all and I can never thank you enough. <br /><br />I don't think I can say it any better than I did at the benefit. So here is the speech I gave that night. Thanks to my sister Nancy for recording it. The night went by in a flash and my memory of it remains a blur. Thanks to all who made that possible.<br /><br /><br />Thanks to FLAT STANLEY for rocking the place!<br /><br />And thanks to B101's DAN BLACKMAN, our Master of Ceremonies!<br /><br />The only words that come to me are “ Holy Shit.”<br /><br />I look around this place an d see all these people and I am so very grateful – that I have my immune system back.<br /><br />I can’t help but think… wouldn’t it be great if this was the world’s most poorly timed April Fool’s joke? I feel fine. I just wanted to get all my friends together for a party. It’s a shitty reason but I’m glad you’re all here.<br /><br />I wanted to clear up the most frequently asked question. I don’t know if you have been on my blog, but the most commonly asked question I get is – just to answer it - Yes, I have leukemia. Yes, it is a form of cancer. And no, it is not the type of cancer they give you weed for. So stop asking.<br /><br />From the audience: Are you sure?<br /><br />As far as you know.<br /><br />This is, uh… somebody came up with the word, “humbling.” And that’s about right. This is amazing. I don’t know how to handle all this attention. I’m sure my Dad is up there somewhere walking in circles and shaking his head. But what I know of grace I have learned from my Mother. So I will try to do this as gracefully as possible.<br /><br />Thank you all for being here. Thank you all for coming out. It’s just – humbling.<br /><br />I need to mention a few names out of many hundred. First of all, every day I go to get chemo at a place called the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. Which is, if you haven’t been there is like the starship Enterprise. It is going to make Philadelphia a world class center for cancer treatment. When I walk in in the morning I walk past this large bronze of the names of the people who have donated to make that place possible. <br /><br />Two of the names are Ellen and Jerry Lee. Ellen is on the board of the Abramson Cancer Center and Jerry is the founder with Dave Kurtz of B101 Radio, our sponsor here tonight. It is great to know people who can look beyond the horizon and see what we will need not today or tomorrow but in ten years and in the future and bring that here to Philadelphia. So I want to thank Ellen and Jerry Lee.<br /><br />So many people at B101 have done amazing things to make tonight possible. And I want to thank them. I really want to mention two names, General Manager Blaise Howard and Station Manager, Bill Boone. For two reasons. The first of which is, when I got sick and Bonnie had to come and help me, the only thing they ever said was, “Go!” And that is amazing.<br /><br />The second reason which is somewhat less prosaic. In this business environment when people are looking to cut back, they have made the business decision to invest in their people and not cut back on things like health insurance. And I can tell you that I am not the only person in this room whose life that has saved. So thank you for your business acumen and for taking care of your people.<br /><br />That brings me to the Gang of Six. Bonnie and I have had nothing to do with this party tonight. There are six people here who have put this all together and have done an unbelievable job.<br /><br />Jeanne Behr. Where’s Jeanne?<br />The amazing Maria Sylvester<br />Heather Crosby.<br />The great Brian Kaiser<br />The great John Costello.<br />And my dear friend Alan Barlow.<br />If you’re having a good time, it is because of them.<br />From the audience: And if you’re not, it’s not our fault.<br /><br />I gotta tell you that in addition to this, they are truly dear, dear friends who, when I got sick were there for whatever we needed. Whether it was dinner or watch the kids or whatever, they were there and I am truly forever grateful.<br /><br />I think I have some nurses here tonight. Where are my nurses? There they are. I invited all of my doctors but none of them RSVP’d so to hell with them. We can talk about them. There is something with this health plan I am on. Somehow I got on the Hot Nurses program. I’ll tell you that when somebody is waking you up every 15 minutes to take your blood pressure it really helps stop you from taking a swing at them.. I am convinced that the University of Pennsylvania could increase their endowment if they all just had a calendar or a video. Nurses of the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania. Not a great title, but there are a few dozen producers here tonight. So, Girls…<br /><br />If there are angels walking the earth, the odds are they are nurses. I spend a lot of time – as do many of you – working in and around the healthcare field. And until I was part of it, I never really understood it. And I will say this tonight – because my doctors are not here tonight - that a doctor may cure you, but a nurse will save your life. Thank you.<br /><br />There is a list – longer than I am tall – of people who sent cards and emails and brought food to the house and who appeared out of nowhere. People who I have not seen in 10 or 15 years who when they found out that I was sick came to my rescue. And I can never thank them all enough. And I can never thank you all enough for a thousand kindnesses. So please accept this big blanket thank you for everyone.<br /><br />You can’t do this without family. They have been there for everything that we’ve needed. Many many years ago when I was young and stupid.<br /><br />(My sister) Nancy: Amen!<br /><br />I said to my friend Tony, Why would anybody ever want to get married? Now that I am older and wiser… wise-er – I have come to realize that if you are very very lucky you get married and you get to spend your life with someone as wonderful as my wife Bonnie. If you ever need a reason to live – that’s it. That's my reason.<br /><br />That’s pretty much it. I just wanted to say just one more thing. And that is... Every Christmas – including this past one, my family sits around the TV Christmas Eve and watches “It’s A Wonderful Life.” And this Christmas we did the same thing in the hospital. Bonnie, me and the kids sitting on the hospital bed watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” on my little 12 inch laptop. And it was great to feel a little normal.<br /><br />I have always loved that movie and I have always felt that it was movie that made you feel grateful for, uh…<br /><br />[John hands Dave a tissue. Everyone laughs. Dave dabs at eyes.]<br /><br />It’s coming…<br /><br />It always made you feel grateful for what you have. Tonight I understand the ending of that movie. George Bailey, Jimmy Stewart, gets a book from Clarence the angel and it says, “No man is a failure who has friends.” And tonight, like George Bailey, I am the richest man in town.<br /><br />Thank you all. Thank you very much.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-44607458957864144652009-09-01T20:53:00.002-04:002009-09-01T20:55:49.358-04:00My First YouTube VideoVice President Joe Biden sent out a request for videos to help destroy the myths about Healthcare Reform.<br /><br />Hey Joe, you asked for it...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0E-lRbm3Pho&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0E-lRbm3Pho&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-48443138810832467652009-07-31T20:07:00.001-04:002009-07-31T20:09:44.419-04:00The Road Back<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SnOHpa5EG5I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/rZmzwSm1E3k/s1600-h/roadback.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SnOHpa5EG5I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/rZmzwSm1E3k/s320/roadback.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364780726791445394" /></a><br />I’m not who I was. <br /><br /> I would be a fool to have gone through all of this and remain unchanged. I’m not a “saintly” cancer survivor who now enjoys a love of all mankind. Nor am I on a quest to “live for today.” I have too many responsibilities to the future to do that.<br /><br /> I feel like Tom Hanks at the end of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Castaway<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>. I am at a crossroads. Which road do I take? I know my road back will lead through physical rehab – and a much longer physical rehab than I initially expected. I guess you can’t sit on your ass for 8 months at age 45 and just bounce back. So I envision my road will include many, many laps in the pool.<br /><br /> I know my road back will have to include doing what I can to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and cancer charities in general. Every hour of every day there are 5 more people like me getting bad news. We must develop tests for early detection of all cancers to give people a fighting chance and we must never stop working for a cure.<br /><br /> I know my road back will include working for a more secure future for my family. Fool me once…<br /><br /> I hope my road will include more laughter, more time with friends and family, making work more fun and working hard at play. I need to be deadly serious about the things I care about and take myself much less seriously.<br /><br /> I will need more tolerance, courage and wisdom on the road. But who doesn’t?<br /><br /> Here I am. <br /><br /> Now, where to?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-24035917968890358772009-07-05T15:53:00.008-04:002009-07-05T19:47:18.820-04:00Happy 4th of July!<span style="font-weight:bold;">Had a GREAT 4th of July.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SlEI9r_LifI/AAAAAAAAAL4/xoUipuViQSE/s1600-h/c%26k4th.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SlEI9r_LifI/AAAAAAAAAL4/xoUipuViQSE/s200/c%26k4th.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355071287792994802" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Katie & Coop took First and Second Place (respectively) in the Plymouth Meeting 4th of July Parade Costume contest.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SlEJaseOwlI/AAAAAAAAAMA/Ep0HTmiGRSg/s1600-h/DSCN7279.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SlEJaseOwlI/AAAAAAAAAMA/Ep0HTmiGRSg/s200/DSCN7279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355071786139435602" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Had a great picnic with Family. <br />Took a nap in the hammock.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SlEJuGU4-KI/AAAAAAAAAMI/DOJaM0zS5Qw/s1600-h/firworks.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SlEJuGU4-KI/AAAAAAAAAMI/DOJaM0zS5Qw/s200/firworks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355072119497095330" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Watched some fireworks.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Why am I bothering to tell you about all this?<br />Because absolutely <span style="font-style:italic;">none</span> of it has anything to do with <span style="font-style:italic;">cancer</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Just like me.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-45658428648153326522009-07-03T13:15:00.001-04:002009-07-03T13:18:53.586-04:00Sing It, Sister!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk49DEaDVpI/AAAAAAAAALw/tISEZUj0oBU/s1600-h/itsover.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk49DEaDVpI/AAAAAAAAALw/tISEZUj0oBU/s320/itsover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354284129922012818" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-62903400281174315242009-07-02T19:30:00.016-04:002009-07-02T21:14:16.775-04:00There's A Lot Of Love In This Room Right Now<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1WHJXDO1I/AAAAAAAAALg/e0floXZ79kY/s1600-h/LIFE.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1WHJXDO1I/AAAAAAAAALg/e0floXZ79kY/s200/LIFE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354030212785060690" /></a><br /><br />The French have a phrase: <span style="font-style:italic;">joie de vivre</span>.<br />But that's just me being pretentious.<br />We say it even better: THE JOY OF LIFE<br />Let me tell you, I've got it in spades today, my friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1DbNE8chI/AAAAAAAAAKo/CNU_a9StHQU/s1600-h/DORISBUTTON.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1DbNE8chI/AAAAAAAAAKo/CNU_a9StHQU/s200/DORISBUTTON.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354009666659316242" /></a><br /><br />After the morning psych-out (results not available), I got a voicemail this afternoon.<br />Want to hear a joyful noise masquerading as an ordinary voicemail?<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Listen To This:</span> <a href="http://www.winstonsound.com/dorismessage.mp3">DORIS' VOICEMAIL</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1ZufEyBHI/AAAAAAAAALo/IW_j3SE0ITo/s1600-h/LOVEBUTTONS.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1ZufEyBHI/AAAAAAAAALo/IW_j3SE0ITo/s200/LOVEBUTTONS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354034187163796594" /></a><br /><br />What does this mean?<br />Well for me it means that for all intents and purposes, I no longer have leukemia.<br />It means that the amazing doctors and nurses at Penn and the Abramson Cancer Center have not only eliminated all leukemia cells from my body, they have also destroyed the bad RNA which caused the disease to begin with. I am now in TOTAL REMISSION and completely <span style="font-weight:bold;">cancer-free</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1LDCWnRQI/AAAAAAAAAK4/pBdibSxezbM/s1600-h/FRIENDSBUTTON.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1LDCWnRQI/AAAAAAAAAK4/pBdibSxezbM/s200/FRIENDSBUTTON.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354018047556797698" /></a><br /><br />Does this mean it could <span style="font-style:italic;">never</span> come back? Of course not. I could also get hit by a bus tomorrow, too. But that's why the word <span style="font-style:italic;">remission</span> is used and not <span style="font-style:italic;">cure</span>. Only time will tell if it is permanent remission.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1OUcyTxwI/AAAAAAAAALA/-79Z5wCjaII/s1600-h/lorenbutton.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1OUcyTxwI/AAAAAAAAALA/-79Z5wCjaII/s200/lorenbutton.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354021645244942082" /></a><br /><br />Right now I am filled with love and appreciation for everyone who has helped me and my family through this ordeal. I am so very grateful for the amazing doctors who helped get me into remission. The research scientists who worked to develop the treatment, and all the other leukemia patients who selflessly tested it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1Q2lQ6w6I/AAAAAAAAALI/T7yWkEHPj2Q/s1600-h/ONCONURSES.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1Q2lQ6w6I/AAAAAAAAALI/T7yWkEHPj2Q/s200/ONCONURSES.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354024430659617698" /></a><br /><br />I am extremely fortunate to have incredible nurses who kept me alive through this process. Far too many to name here, I am also too far in their debt to ever repay the thousands of kindnesses and the professionalism that saved my life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1Eu2bWLxI/AAAAAAAAAKw/jUcRLq_0Bng/s1600-h/FAMILYBUTTON.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1Eu2bWLxI/AAAAAAAAAKw/jUcRLq_0Bng/s200/FAMILYBUTTON.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354011103688273682" /></a><br /><br /> And the virtual army of family, friends and colleagues who helped us make it through all this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1VDxYhGwI/AAAAAAAAALY/BwzqYf9o6FE/s1600-h/WIFEBUTTON.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sk1VDxYhGwI/AAAAAAAAALY/BwzqYf9o6FE/s200/WIFEBUTTON.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354029055297526530" /></a><br /><br />Most of all, I am so very thankful for Bonnie. She is the rock upon which our family is built; the very heart and soul of all that is good in my life. If I am alive, it is because every single day of my life she has given me a <span style="font-style:italic;">reason</span> to live. <br /><br />Today is a beautiful day, my friends, whether you know it or not. <br /><br />So take it from me, Life IS Good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-83221133717928354682009-07-02T12:26:00.003-04:002009-07-02T12:36:14.397-04:00Do You Want The Good News Or The Bad News?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SkzhaqzXChI/AAAAAAAAAKA/wPC8ps1CIlM/s1600-h/lens1506154_E.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 116px; height: 162px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SkzhaqzXChI/AAAAAAAAAKA/wPC8ps1CIlM/s320/lens1506154_E.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353901905319234066" /></a><br />Well, the good news is: There is no bad news.<br /><br />The bad news is: There is no news. Period.<br /><br />Apparently, when they said, "Five working days," what they really meant was, "Up to two weeks."<br /><br />Funny little trick, huh?<br /><br />Please direct all complaints to my oncologist at (215) 618-24..... No. That would be wrong.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-18401525397384864002009-06-24T17:50:00.003-04:002009-06-24T17:52:14.174-04:00Cancer's Many Gifts #1Of the many gifts cancer has given me - and they are many - the most unusual is new hair.<br />I now have the same hair as <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kung Fu Grip G.I. Joe</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SkKf3gIgV_I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/WGiuxqkVUPo/s1600-h/gijoehair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SkKf3gIgV_I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/WGiuxqkVUPo/s320/gijoehair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351015083136800754" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-54865447900465223192009-06-24T16:14:00.002-04:002009-06-24T16:33:44.838-04:00Tick – Tick – TickClock is ticking. (get it?)<br /><br />Today I had my (hopefully) final bone marrow biopsy. <br />Boy, it sure was a sight. Super-Oncologist <a href="http://penncancer.org/faculty.cfm?id=1989">Alison Loren, MD, MS, AWESOME</a>, who, to be frank, weighs about a hundred pounds soaking wet, standing on a stool over yours truly with a biopsy needle (picture a turkey baster with a ten-penny nail on the end) digging through my pelvis bone for marrow to send to the lab. And yes, I wrote, <span style="font-style:italic;">digging</span>.<br />I wish I could describe it in more detail but I was lying on my stomach on the exam table pretending it didn’t hurt. Bonnie could describe it better. She’s seen five of these now.<br />Five. <br />Five.<br />The first two were at Chestnut Hill Hospital. They did two because they couldn’t get any blood or marrow out of the bone the first time. In the middle of the procedure, the hematologist said, to his crowd of students, “you sometimes see this in leukemia patients.” This was the first time the word leukemia had been mentioned to us and it came out accidentally. <br />That’s some bomb to drop so casually.<br />Anyway, back to today’s biopsy. <br />Couldn’t sleep last night. Why? Well the test itself is no big deal, as dig-a-hole-in-your-bones tests go. But to put it academic terms, imagine a pass-fail final that you can’t study for. You pass, and you get your life back. You fail, and you have to repeat the class. And all the labs. <br />So now we wait for the results.<br />But wait, you say, you’re in remission! Yes, well there is <span style="font-style:italic;">remission</span> and there is <span style="font-weight:bold;">REMISSION</span>.<br />If you were to examine my blood under a microscope right now you would find no evidence of leukemia. The treatment has worked. But the underlying cause of the disease is some damaged RNA inside two chromosomes in my cells. If the RNA have been corrected by the chemotherapy, they will no longer reproduce cells with damaged chromosomes and I will stay in remission, theoretically, forever. If the RNA is not corrected, they could, at any time begin to reproduce the damaged chromosomes and eventually allow the leukemia to return.<br />That’s not going to happen. You know it. I know it. But we have to prove it to medical science. <br />So right now my bone marrow is being sent to a specialized lab where they will examine my cells down to the molecular level and begin counting the millions of chemical combinations that make up the RNA of a bone marrow cell. <br />Forget what you’ve seen on CSI:Miami. It takes five working days. <br />Five working days. <br /><br />Tick-tick-tick…Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-76036536827262390512009-06-10T19:05:00.003-04:002009-06-10T19:34:36.148-04:00And What Have We Learned?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SjA9fHlmaFI/AAAAAAAAAJo/SD3_LVML-ns/s1600-h/knot.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SjA9fHlmaFI/AAAAAAAAAJo/SD3_LVML-ns/s200/knot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345840362510772306" /></a><br />I have learned many things during my cancer treatment. I have learned much about myself and my family. I have learned about life. I have learned many things about the high quality and character of my friends and colleagues.<br /><br /> But there are many lessons that are difficult to discuss. There are things – important things – that are not, shall we say, ready for prime time. But these important facts should be known by everyone because statistics bear out the sad truth that everyone – <span style="font-style:italic;">everyone</span> – will be, or will be close to, a cancer patient in their lifetime. <br /><br />An Example:<br /><br />Be kind to – take very good care of - your <span style="font-style:italic;">sphincter ani externus</span>.<br />Why do I obfuscate in Latin? Those easily offended now have fair warning to move on. Those interested can easily <a href="http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/1434235">Google</a> it.<br /><br />Take very very good care of your <span style="font-style:italic;">sphincter ani externus</span>. Because regardless of what kind of cancer you have – leukemia, prostate, breast, bone, skin, liver… And regardless of what kind of treatment you get – chemo, radiation, alternative, herbal… Your <span style="font-style:italic;">sphincter ani externus</span> will be affected.<br /><br />Part of the difficulty of any treatment is managing the side effects. And almost all the side effects for any treatment have some negative impact on your <span style="font-style:italic;">sphincter ani externus</span>. One day it might be too much, and the next few days, too little. Either way, proper respect and tender loving care must be paid. You don't want to be cured of cancer only to succumb to an <span style="font-style:italic;">e coli</span> infection.<br /><br />And they sure don’t tell you <span style="font-style:italic;">that</span> in the brochure.<br /><br />Another thing I have learned is that discussing the minutiae of your bodily workings with your spouse is a real buzzkill. I understand it is necessary. But you know what? Before she was my wife she was my girlfriend. And before that, she was the hot sixteen-year-old I lured to the drive-in.<br />So daily comprehensive discussion of my bodily fluids and fuctions… I mean, Man! Come on!<br /><br />Yesterday I was frustrated with the graphic detail of my daily health report. So I decided to use my talent for spin. When Bonnie asked how I was doing <span style="font-style:italic;">down there</span>, I replied I felt like the prettiest guy in the Gay Pride parade.<br /><br />She laughed. And laughter, I have learned through all this, is the absolute best thing in the world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-69507269106903297442009-06-03T16:11:00.004-04:002009-06-03T19:55:00.951-04:00DONE!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SibZxYCD1qI/AAAAAAAAAJY/IaH1v8x7tOc/s1600-h/certif.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SibZxYCD1qI/AAAAAAAAAJY/IaH1v8x7tOc/s320/certif.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343197450209580706" /></a><br />No, no, Thank <span style="font-style:italic;">YOU</span><br /><br />My nurses gave me this award for my last day, plus a going-away feast of chocolate-covered fortune cookies. All the fortune cookies had excellent fortunes. Just like me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-578821169947850692009-06-02T18:10:00.002-04:002009-06-02T19:01:24.169-04:00ONE MORE DAY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SiWvLIkWXaI/AAAAAAAAAJI/fhfTMt4IqcI/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SiWvLIkWXaI/AAAAAAAAAJI/fhfTMt4IqcI/s200/1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342869138758327714" /></a><br />One More Day.<br />One more trip to Penn's Perelman Center for chemo.<br />Sure I'll be back from time to time for tests and such.<br />But only one more day of poisonous chemicals invading my body.<br />I will not miss the treatment, but there are people I will miss.<br />I will miss the incredible professionalism of my oncology nurses at the infusion center. Professionalism, wrapped in laughter and joy. I will say this again because it bears repeating over and over until the world acknowledges the vital truth in it: A doctor may cure you, but a nurse will save your life.<br />And I will miss my brothers and sisters in arms. My comrades in cancer. Although I know far too few by name, their strength and good humor through obviously terrible adversity has lifted me through this. They are a constant reminder to me of how fortunate I am. Fortunate to get a cancer that has such a high rate of remission. Fortunate to be treated by the top medical professionals at Penn, a world-class health facility. Fortunate to have an incredible support system of friends to pull me through this. And fortunate to have a family whose endless flow of love is the very reason to live.<br />Compared to my comrades in cancer my path has been an easy one. In my heart of hearts, I hope that my easy manner and good humor during our all-too-brief interactions represents something too: Hope.<br />In my secret dreams I want to be the poster boy for all that has been accomplished in cancer treatment. And I want to represent all that will be accomplished for all the cancers left to be cured.<br />Some of you might think I am getting ahead of myself. I am not "cured." From what I have learned there is no such thing as "cure." There is only a remission that can eventually become a permanent remission. To borrow from Thomas Jefferson, eternal vigilance is not only the price of liberty, it is the price of remission. <br />I am borrowing a lesson from all the sales training I have worked on: Assume The Close. Until someone tells me different, I am done with leukemia and on my way back to living a normal life. Hopefully, a much better person for the experience.<br /><br />See you soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-89497619807577128112009-06-02T13:27:00.004-04:002009-06-02T13:40:29.978-04:00Life Without Leatherman<span style="font-weight:bold;">From the Random Thoughts Category<br />(and believe me you have plenty of random thoughts on chemo)</span>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SiVivwfJKVI/AAAAAAAAAI4/rJF76qp3awk/s1600-h/leatherman_wave_black_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SiVivwfJKVI/AAAAAAAAAI4/rJF76qp3awk/s200/leatherman_wave_black_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342785105553860946" /></a><br />They took my Leatherman tool from me in the hospital and Bonnie brought it home. I have not used it since I was diagnosed.<br />This is the longest period of time I have gone without some sort of Leatherman or Swiss Army knife in over 30 years.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SiVjB6_vneI/AAAAAAAAAJA/SR0AMVA18lQ/s1600-h/tinker-small-pocketknife.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SiVjB6_vneI/AAAAAAAAAJA/SR0AMVA18lQ/s200/tinker-small-pocketknife.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342785417612598754" /></a><br />I come from a long line of pocket knife people. My Dad also included a pocket magnifying glass and a pocket tape measure in his daily kit. As I prepare for my return to real life next month, I suppose I shall have to dig the boys out and see how they feel again. Like I said, RandomUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-22482919296903135352009-05-28T08:25:00.006-04:002009-05-28T08:51:57.397-04:00C'mon! Get Up And Dance With Me!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QZsppOw2Mxk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QZsppOw2Mxk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Oh yes. It's Official.<br />Remission.<br />Say it Loud & Proud.<br />RE-MIS-SION<br />Proof? Proof, you say?<br />Certainly.<br />Here is my MyPENNHEALTH page featuring my current diagnosis:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sh6FeOSFvmI/AAAAAAAAAIw/u06Q0vOw8BM/s1600-h/diagnosispage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sh6FeOSFvmI/AAAAAAAAAIw/u06Q0vOw8BM/s400/diagnosispage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340852962384526946" /></a><br />What does that mean?<br />Well, as I am sure you either know or suspect, nothing happens in a hospital until the computer code gets changed. Yesterday, my diagnosis code was changed from Acute Myeloid Leukemia to Acute Myeloid Leukemia<span style="font-style:italic;"> in Remission</span><br />My blood counts are back to (low) normal in less than a week. And I have one more round of chemo starting next week before we put this bitch to bed for good.<br />Or, to put it in a more horrifically graphic way - which I find more viscerally satisfying- The leukemia is sprawled out on the floor and I am standing with my heel on it's throat, slowly increasing the pressure and waiting to hear that satisfying crack as I crush it's spine.<br />Too much? Perhaps. <br />But boy, it sure feels good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-56339364498604542742009-05-23T23:09:00.004-04:002009-05-24T00:24:03.129-04:00Can't Swim? Hell, The Fall'd Probably Kill You<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Shi7D6PaTeI/AAAAAAAAAIg/i2njhnKstYo/s1600-h/B%26SFALL.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 98px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Shi7D6PaTeI/AAAAAAAAAIg/i2njhnKstYo/s200/B%26SFALL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339223034095619554" /></a><br />Sorry I haven't written in a while. I wish I could say I've been busy.<br />I've been waiting. For blood to go. For blood to return. For a fever that may never come.<br />You know. Same cancer shit. Different day.<br />I know I bellyache about the poisonous chemo. But it is extremely safe and my condition is well managed.<br />And then... there are the side-effects.<br />You never know what you're going to get: constipation, diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, itching, dry skin, sweats, hemmorhoids, hair loss, hair gain, and on and on and on...<br />And then there is Neutropenia. With my immune system down anything goes. What will it be? A stray virus? A little bacteria in my fruit juice? A little <span style="font-style:italic;">e coli</span>?<br />So how goes it? It goes well. I have survived the chemo and I am riding out the side effects.<br />So I've made the jump. Let's see if I can swim.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-77940908882520566712009-05-11T14:00:00.002-04:002009-05-11T14:20:35.989-04:00I'm Really Not A Trekkie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SghsZoc7dtI/AAAAAAAAAIY/fqygL6CA3f4/s1600-h/dadkirk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SghsZoc7dtI/AAAAAAAAAIY/fqygL6CA3f4/s400/dadkirk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334632946231637714" /></a><br />But try and tell that to Coop.<br /><br />Here is some more of his Photoshop work.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-60652474310165376702009-05-08T22:10:00.004-04:002009-05-09T08:52:57.212-04:00The Future Ain't What It Used To Be<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SgV8o7JYHiI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/4uVVJYmVD44/s1600-h/trklgo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SgV8o7JYHiI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/4uVVJYmVD44/s320/trklgo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333806376203853346" /></a><br />Yogi Berra said that.<br /><br />It would be nice to think that quote was from somebody like Isaac Asimov, but Yogi said the words first - whether he knew it or not.<br /><br />Caught in the grips of self-analysis brought on by my recent introduction to mortality, I can't avoid questions like, "What am I leaving behind for my children?"<br /><br />Most aspects of that question are too big to actually contemplate. Global warming makes me pessimistic about the environment. The economy makes me concerned over the future of the middle class. Politics makes me concerned for social progress. Government makes me lose heart over prospects for peace in the world.<br /><br />You see? Too much. That way lies madness.<br /><br />But Star Trek... I can handle that in my diminished capacity. What kind of Star Trek am I leaving to my children?<br /><br />I grabbed Coop after school and we high-tailed it over to the 4pm IMAX. As we took our seats, I was once again surrounded by the warmth of Trekkers loudly expounding on themes from episodes long-past. It was 1979 again and I was ready to see the new adventures of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest on the final frontier.<br /><br />I watched for two hours as my history with the United Federation of Planets was erased and rewritten. This is a "rebooting" of Star Trek. It is definitely not this old man's Star Trek. It is a faster, funnier, more flash, less philosophy version of the famous crew. There are holes and problems. There always are. But who knows where it will go from here?<br /><br />Coop loved it. And he loved it for his own reasons. What drew him into the story and the characters was not what had drawn me into the original Star Trek series. He was challenged by different ideas than I was as a kid.<br /><br />And perhaps that will be how he will handle all the other legacies as well. <br /><br />That's the future, isn't it?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-19523366314170285862009-05-05T16:03:00.004-04:002009-05-05T16:12:52.359-04:00Feliz Cerdos de Mayo!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SgCcAVDWriI/AAAAAAAAAIA/O_zXWukuFCo/s1600-h/mexipig.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/SgCcAVDWriI/AAAAAAAAAIA/O_zXWukuFCo/s320/mexipig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332433488271814178" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chemo Day 2 and all is well.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-69362120451842026952009-05-04T12:47:00.004-04:002009-05-04T13:54:56.637-04:00Once More Unto The Breach, Dear Friends, Once More<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sf8r4eOXRKI/AAAAAAAAAH4/RIZS9Fw_USk/s1600-h/chemo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sf8r4eOXRKI/AAAAAAAAAH4/RIZS9Fw_USk/s200/chemo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332028733015934114" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Bill Shakespeare, Henry V</span><br /><br />I got my first dose of the ruby red poison this morning after being amply premedicated to prevent nausea.<br />"Premedicated," now there's a word. Is it a paradox or an oxymoron? They <span style="font-style:italic;">premedicate</span> you with medicine so...<br /><br />I digress.<br /><br />My most excellent Nurse Julie pushed it into my IV and I watched red line in the tube snake into my chest. I expected a bigger reaction. I expected to feel something. But all I felt was my own anxiety. I popped an ATRA and drove home.<br /><br />Now I wait. I wait for my hair to fall out again. I wait to see if I get diarrhea or constipation on the side effect roulette. I wait for my blood to die.<br /><br />And I wait to go back tomorrow and do it again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-20460623921646694822009-05-03T19:41:00.003-04:002009-05-03T19:57:23.781-04:00Before You AskThe new Profile Photo of me shows a number of scrapes. They are nothing to worry about, my dear family and friends. They are the result of an unfortunate collision of face and floor. More embarrassing than painful. <br /><br />But as they said in Junior High Health class, "If you have rug burns on your face, you are doing it wrong."<br /><br />And so I am.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337143098296878044.post-59681807604316831242009-05-03T15:56:00.004-04:002009-05-03T16:14:41.762-04:00Why Can't We Be Friends?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sf32_JH9TMI/AAAAAAAAAHI/oIvU0kwj8Kc/s1600-h/chromemap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vD-BAMFvOCk/Sf32_JH9TMI/AAAAAAAAAHI/oIvU0kwj8Kc/s320/chromemap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331689098518023362" /></a><br /><br /><br />The leukemia I have - APML - is caused by two damaged chromosomes, numbers 15 & 17, pictured above.<br /><br />The chemotherapy I am getting is designed to repair the damaged chromosomes and get them to play nice in the future.<br /><br />I'm looking for some kind of 12 Step Program they can get into. If you know of a meeting I can get them to, please let me know.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0