Good Dog

This is a really good dog.

Mozart Cures Cancer

During my last stay in the hospital, Alicia de Larrocha had her last stay in a hospital in Barcelona. She died at age 86. She was 4'9" tall, and I hope someday to measure up to the grace, warmth, and precision of her playing. Especially her playing of Mozart.

I am convinced that listening to de Larrocha, not chemotherapy, is responsible for reducing the size of my tumor. In fact, Mozart is good for whatever ails ya. Enjoy!

Great News from the Scan

Last Friday, I had a CT scan to determine the status of the tumor.

The report is in: The tumor is responding well to treatment, and there is no indication of any additional bone destruction.

In short, this is as good a report as could have been expected. The only better report would have been "Tumor? What tumor?".

It looks like we have to give God the credit for this good news!

Tumor Times, Volume 16

Week 16 of Lymphoma Season is complete. Here is the highlight reel.

I felt really good this week. I am walking more, lifting more heavy stuff (with success), and bringing more energy to everything I am doing.

I had my regularly scheduled doctor’s visit on Monday. They thought me healthy enough to schedule my next chemotherapy, which I had on Wednesday. And, to cap the week, I had a CT scan on Friday. The purpose of the scan was to determine the status of the tumor. I expect the results this week, and I will communicate the news in next week’s Tumor Times.

There is good news about the chemotherapy as well. Instead of taking five different chemo drugs, I am now taking only one. This is good in several ways. First, it now takes four hours instead of nine to complete a session. Second, the drugs that knock down my immune system are no longer part of my therapy. That also means that I should be more healthy and less tired after chemotherapy. (Hopefully, no more trips to the hospital either.) And, I take chemo once a month now instead of once every three weeks.

My hair is also starting to grow back. I think it will come back either gray or flaming red. I think gray is the more likely outcome. ;-)

And remember, regardless of the outcome of the scan, or the prognosis for the future, God has been extremely good to me in every way possible. He has been good to you also. Let’s not forget to praise him for all of his goodness!

Check back to this blog page for the results of the scan. I will post them here as soon as they are known.

Great Friday!

I had the CT scan this morning and everything went well. The purpose of the scan was to assess my tumor, to see if any progress is being made toward its eradication.

A CT scanner looks like a giant, plastic doughnut. A table holds the patient and slides back and forth through the doughnut hole. The most difficult part of this was keeping the arms raised behind the head as I traveled back and forth through the hole.

It was so difficult that I almost went to sleep. In other words, the CT scan was totally effortless on my part.

The most exciting thing was the contrast injection. That made me feel warm all over for about 30 seconds. Then, the sensation was gone as quickly as it came.

All that is left is test results. I should have those next week. I'm praying that they will be positive for a long and healthy life, but if not, God is still good.

Pray foremost for God's will to be done, and if possible, for Kevin to heal also. Ya gotta have the right priorities!

God bless "all y'all".

Scan tomorrow

On Friday I go for a scan to "see" the tumor and evaluate how it has responded to the chemotherapy.

With any luck, the tumor will have had as rough a time as I have. ;-)

So pray for a devastated tumor and a resilient Kevin. I feel good, and I hope the tumor does not!

Questions and Answers

Here are some thoughtful answers to some never-asked-questions:

Q. What exactly is wrong with you?
A. I have follicular lymphoma. You can read about that here.

Q. Is your cancer localized, or has it uncontrollably spread like wildfire throughout your body?
A. It is localized. All in one place, in my lower spine and right pelvis.

Q. How are you feeling?
A. Very good. At the moment I'm feeling better than I have at any time since August. Let's hope that continues.

Q. Is the Chemotherapy giving you fits?
A. You betcha. It has put me in the hospital twice. I have enjoyed a month-long reprieve from chemo, which is coming to an end in about a week.

Q. Isn't it interesting that tumor and humor rhyme?
A. Yes. I just wish I knew how to exploit that.

Q. Do you have pain?
A. No. Currently, I have some swelling in my feet and ankles that sometimes makes it difficult to walk.

Q. Are you working full-time?
A. Yes.

Q. What's the best thing about having cancer?
A. You find out who your friends are. I am blessed with lots of them. I love you all!

Watch out

Now that I'm feeling better, I'll be posting to the blog more often. Watch out for better content, more coherent writing, and scathing insights into what is wrong with me.

You have been warned.

I'm almost normal, and it is a typical Saturday.

It's cold and windy in my neck of the woods. But, it turns out that this is the best Saturday in a long time. I mean a long, long time.

I made several errands for my ailing wife this morning. She has been ill with a stomach ailment, similar to one that I suffered two weeks ago. It feels good to be the caregiver for a change. Being healthy is a gift not to be taken lightly.

Right now she is taking a nap, while I listen to the wind blow outside.

After lunch, I put on my old clothes and changed oil in my truck. When I finished that, I put on a new dimmer switch--a repair that had been waiting since the middle of August. I haven't attempted repair work like this since June. Wow. I'm almost normal!

I did notice while fixing the truck that getting up and down off the ground takes effort. I'm going to have to practice this so that I get better. My new workout will include multiple repetitions of laying down and getting up. Sounds like fun.

What a week

What a great week. I feel good. So far, no infusions and no hospital (for me, not necessarily for Susan).

Lately, I have been amazed at the number of pills I have to swallow on a daily basis. I count 6 different medications, some of which I ingest more than once daily.

I hate taking pills. More precisely, I hate having to take the time to take the pills.

I guess this is for the best. I have no idea how I would be doing if I didn't take them. I am looking forward to the day when I don't have to take them. I think that will be the sign of complete recovery.

What will I do with all that time I save, NOT taking pills? Ha. I'll probably just waste it complaining about something else.... :-(

Tumor Times Volume 14 -- Columbus Day Edition

After Volume 12’s tale of woe and intrigue, followed by the carefree and lucky Volume 13, it’s now time for Volume 14, the first Holiday Edition of Tumor Times. I guarantee that this will be the most exciting cancer update that you will read this week.

This was a very good week. The soreness and swelling in my right leg continues to abate, and I walk better now than I have since March or April of this year. I feel better each day, and I am moving around enough now to where some strength is returning to my legs. I climb stairs much better now, and I actually have a bit of speed to my stride.

And, as a sign of mobility, I went into Wal-Mart for the first time in 2 months this week. I was able to walk in, get my stuff, and walk out. It was quite an accomplishment for me. Two weeks ago, I would not have attempted such a magnificent feat of strength and endurance.

Plus, I’ve been to the store a few times for my ailing wife. I love the role reversal!

On Wednesday night, I had a fever. On Thursday, out of an abundance of caution, I returned to the doctor, where they gave me fluids (for dehydration) and another antibiotic. The treatment seems effective. I returned to work on Friday, and I’ve been a ball of fire ever since.

I also took a pulmonary test to check my lung function. I did very poorly on the test. But I don’t think it matters. My breathing is fine, and I am really wondering what the doctor is going to do about the poor test results. Will he give me a lung transplant or will he recommend breathing lessons? The test was mostly about inhaling and exhaling large amounts of air under pressure, and I have never been good at that.

Once again, thanks for your prayers and support. The number of people who contact me and encourage me is really amazing. I appreciate all of you. Thanks for reading.

Bad Title

I always thought that "walking with a lymph" was pretty clever. It referred to the back pain that was caused by my lymphoma (tumor). The back pain (extending down my right leg) caused me to walk with a limp. Hence my clever word play.

But, I haven't had back pain of any kind for a couple of months now. I no longer walk with a limp. My dilemma: do I get rid of my clever play on words? Or do I keep it in order to show how clever I am?

That was easy. I keep it. I'm not likely to be that clever again. ;-(

Tilt

After celebrating being Vertical for a couple of weeks, I had a Horizontal day on Thursday.

I had a very busy and productive day on Wednesday, and felt good almost the whole day.

However, a fever on Wednesday night, accompanied by fatigue, had me at the doctor's office on Thursday for several hours. They gave me fluids for dehydration, and a check-up, and put me back on an anti-biotic. I was thrilled just not to have to go to the hospital. (Susan was likewise thrilled.)

I was back at work on Friday, feeling better than Thursday but not as good as Wednesday.

I also took a pulmonary function test today as a follow-up on my bout with pneumonia in August. I did poorly on all the tests. I am just not good at blowing air out of my lungs at high velocity. My breathing is more than adequate, so I'll wait until next week to let the doctor figure out what the results mean.

This, I think, is a big turning point for me. I can get through two weeks without having to go to the hospital! By the end of the month I will be ready for another round of chemo. I hope...

Great Timing

I had a new roof put on the house this week. The roofers finished this afternoon, and within an hour of their departure, it poured down rain. And, it promises to rain heavily all night.

I wish the rest of my life could work with this kind of great timing....

Tumor Times Volume 13 -- Lucky Tumor Edition!

This is Lucky Volume 13 of Tumor times, and it’s nothing but good news this week:

1. No hospitalizations :-)
2. No chemotherapy. This is double-plus good!
3. Worked all week. Full-time every day.
4. Felt better each day.
5. Less swelling in the feet and ankles. Walking is easier.

And with that, I will sign off. Thanks again for your prayers and support, I’ve needed all of them!

One Thousand Visitors

The little counter at the bottom of this page has counted 1000 visits to this site since its inception in July.

I am amazed. And happy.