Quarterly Check-Up

Completed my quarterly check-up yesterday with Dr. Becker, Triple Army Medical Center--some probing, listening and many questions. No abnormalities found and complete bloodwork, PET/CAT/X-rays scheduled for next quarterly check-up in June 08.

He did mention that he was very optimistic about my being in remission and that "cure rate" for my particular disease was over 90%! Had never heard that before but was certainly grateful to receive the good news.

Every day is still a new gift and if there's one overarching benefit I've gained from this whole episode, it is to appreciate every new day and to live life now! This has been reinforced in a church study I've been doing called "Men's Faternity" which is nothing like a college frat. The last segment of this study entitled, "The Great Adventure," challenges us to live a life of intentionality, rather than merely reacting to whatever comes our way. The ultimate challenge was to fill out a table entitled, "Before I die, I want to . . . Be, Do, Have, Help, Enjoy, Leave" (kind of a bucket list as in the recent movie) and then start working on the list.

God is good, life is an adventure and I am grateful.

January/February 2008 Update

Been busy, busy, busy with non-health related issues. Trust everyone had a blessed holiday season which we enjoyed with family and friends. January and February flew by with renovations to a townhouse we're trying to get ready to rent consuming most of our free time. It's been an educational experience, to say the least. Went with a general contractor friend who, to save us money, asked us to do all the legwork to purchase the major components: we now know about bathtubs, countertops, faucets, vent fans, paint, etc., etc., etc.!

In my case, no news is good news. My next checkup is in March and I've not had any sypmtoms which caused any concern, so will continue to praise God for his healing and sustaining power. Please join me in offering a praise of thanks!

Please pray for a dear friend of ours, Bill Gay, who suffered a mild heart attack three hours out on what was supposed to be a week-long cruise here in Hawaii. Bill now has the dubious distinction of having turned the ship around to return him to Honolulu. Yesterday, doctors discovered that he did have a blockage and inserted a stent. He's recovering and his wife, Lois is doing well, but we all covet your prayers for a full and speedy recovery.

Thanks in advance!

December Update

Had a routine check up yesterday with my radiologist, Dr. Becker. He ordered blood work and a chest x-ray to check lymph nodes which are not otherwise accessible. All looks good but lab results won't be known for about a week.

Visiting the radiology and hemotology departments again reminded me that I should never take any new day for granted. I'm back to about 100% of where I was before I started this journey although, because I'm older, I seem to get fatigued a bit more easily. Nothing to be concerned about when I recall not being able to jog even 100 yards without having to slow to a walk.

The Christmas season is upon us and I'm on a personal mission to wish as many people a very merry Christmas. Bah Humbug to political correctness! So to one and all, Merry Christmas and here's wishing you an absolutely awesome 2008!

Thanksgiving--the day after

This is not original but after an exciting and wonderful Thanksgiving day, I'd like to list a few things for which I am thankful. We had a full day, taking Cary, our son and his wife, Susan to the airport after visiting his grandmothers, then to my Mom's house for lunch, home for a nap and quick jog, then to Geri's Mom's for dinner. Did I mention we had enough to eat?! Anyway, I am truly thankful for:

-God's great love
-The gift of His Son
-Family (need to remember to tell them how much I appreciate and love them)
-Friends, both near and far (need to remember the same thing)
-Each glorious new day and the health and energy to enjoy it
-Our beloved country and the freedoms we enjoy
-All the men and women in the armed forces who sacrifice daily to ensure we continue to do so

That's my list. Hope you've got one, too. After all, we just had a holiday that was established for that very purpose!

October 5, 2007

AWESOME NEWS! Got results of PET/CT scans this past Tuesday in a phone call from Dr. Becker, my radiologist: "All scans and bloodwork are normal! No sign of any tumors. No need to come in for an appointment. See you in a couple of months!"

Thanks to all of you who whispered a prayer for me. Now join me in giving praise and glory to God!

Hope you have an outstanding weekend; I know I am!

Sep 24, 2007

ALOHA! I am feeling stronger every day and am back into my routine.

My next major scans (PET and CAT) are scheduled for Tuesday, October 2nd. I would be dishonest if I claimed there was no anxiety about the results. I do not fear the disease--as a local healthcare provider advertises: I have cancer; cancer does NOT have me! But I dread the side effects of the treatments which might be necessary should more disease be discovered.

Am leaving that to God Almighty who knows best what is best for me but the human part of me is still feeling a bit anxious.

Guess faith is only built in times of testing . . . which this certainly has been. I can only give glory to God and trust that whatever happens is in His will for all of us.

End of the Journey

Here's what we looked like at a wedding reception at the end of July. No symptoms associated with chemo and radiation remain. My strength and stamina are at about 95%. Hair is growing slowly, as you can see, sort of.

Am almost back to my normal routine. Played golf last week and for the first time since this journey began, I did not feel exhausted towards the end of the round. Now I'll have to start working on lowering my scores! Jogged my normal loop last Saturday, and, another first, did not have to stop to walk along the way. My biggest dilemma is whether to stay with my current, no-care hair style!

Thanks to all of you who have traveled with me on this journey. It has been an ordeal I would wish on no one, but one which I would not trade for anything. It has strengthened by faith, renewed old friendships, given me a kinship with other survivors and has shown me God's love through your outpouring of love, support and prayers.

My next check up is in October, 2007. Am scheduled for complete bloodwork and full body CAT/PET scans. Will keep this blog open but won't post unless something occurs before then.

Thanks to all again. I cherish your friendship and love! May God bless you!