Relay for Life

From 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12th to 7:00 a.m., July 13th, at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park, Geri and I participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Our team, named the P.O.D Racers (for Phil--me!; Omi-Geri's sister, a breast cancer survivor; and Denys, Geri's sister-in-law's sister who died from breast cancer a couple of years ago) placed second in the Friends/Family team competition by raising over $6,000, thanks to many of you who contributed toward this effort. We had team shirts and a walking stick which we tried to keep on the track for the whole 12 hours. The photo is only part of our team.

One of the more memorable parts of this relay was the Luminaria, lighted candles inside paper bags, in honor of victims of cancer. Here's what they look like:

We sponsored a luminaria in memory of Clarence Kealoha, who passed away almost a year ago while he was only 46 years old. This was our tribute to Clarence.

Estimate that I walked 20-25 kilometers throughout the evening based on the sore feet, one blister and super-tired body all day Sunday, but it was worth it if we contributed, in some small way, to finding a cure for this dreaded disease. Despite the fatigue, the event was inspirational and fun and we vowed to do it again next year.

Thanks again to all who contributed and supported us. May blessings be returned to you 10 times over!

Another Quarterly Check

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! Another quarterly check and another clean bill of health!! God is good! There was a little apprehension going into this check-up, not because the diagnosis may not be good, but because of what a bad diagnosis might mean in terms of more chemo and radiation. But the news was good--no sign of cancer!

The regimen is one more check-up in October, 2008, with complete PET/CT scans and if I'm still clean, then we'll move to, perhaps semi-annual checks. Hooray!!

My health has been good and I'm back to close to 100% of where I was when this journey began--minus the extra year older that I got! But the little aches and pains are less troublesome now and every day is still a gift which I appreciate and enjoy. Trying to spend some time on my golf game: the good news is that it hasn't gotten any worse; the bad news is that is hasn't gotten any better! I truly believe that God invented golf to keep us humble!!

Signing off for now. Still grateful, thanking God and swinging!

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!