"I Am The Walrus"

Late entry today because I had to make my rounds in costume. It was fun as Yvonne joined me on a magical mystery tour of the hospital! We were well received and spread a lot of peace signs and love around. The Beatles (John again) wrote "I am the Walrus" in 1967 and it was the first recording made after the untimely death of the Beatles manager Brian Epstein. John discovered that people were studying and analyzing Beatles song lyrics and threw in some purposeful bizarre lyrics to cause those studying to be a bit confused. I happen to enjoy the police reference even if it was confusing: "Mister city policeman sitting pretty little policemen in a row. See how they fly like Lucy in the Sky, see how they run." And of course, we northwesterners can understand the English rain quote: "Sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun. If the sun don't come, you get a tan from standing in the English rain."

*I also received a C. T. scan report from this morning just now. I have a 90% reduction in my upper chest mass, the report says it was a dramatic reduction and my nurses say they can't remember seeing such a postive radiology report in a long time! I start some more chemo today sometime, and hope to leave the hospital by Monday night. Happy Halloween!

Greg

"A Day in the Life"

"Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb through my head." My dream fininshed with the act of scratching my head and I knew I was having a dream as there was only a few stubby little stubborn hairs left to scratch. I might have been thinking of a Day in the Life due to being moved to a new room last night as my world was changed ever so slightly. So up to shave and try out part of my costume.

John wrote most of this song and Paul contributed the "got out of bed" part for what turned out to be one of the most critically acclaimed Beatles compositions from Sgt. Peppers and the middle era. It is a song telling the story about a famous person being killed in an accident.

Some good friends came through with two major components for my halloween costume and now its either finding a Nehru Jacket or come up with a wild vintage jacket to complete the ensenble. My doctor showed up in a real costume blowing all the patients away this morning as Jane Fonda workout queen. I hope everyone has a scary halloween that is full of treats and not tricks!

My 26 hour straight chemo just finished and I await some news about blood levels prior to starting the next cleansing flush, then another round of chemo called cytarabine (ara-c).

*My new room is 10-C-2 and the phone changed to (253) 426-4100 ext. 127-1032

PS: Look for another big announcement soon, its a good chance to help the Leukemia Lymphoma Society...

"Magical Mystery Tour"

I am embarking on my own Magical Mystery Tour this morning as I start session "B" of my chemo trip with some methotrexate for two hours, followed closely by a 24 hour infusion of the next chemo agent (that I don't know the name of just yet.) Since I don't have good photos to share from the hospital I will be old school blogging for now. I have to say a big thank you for all of the phone calls, e mails, and otherwise positive vibes sent my way to date! I feel very strong from the support.

The Beatles released an extended play album in the U.K. and a full length U.S. version of Magical Mystery Tour in 1967 as the follow up to the Sgt. Peppers album. They also made what some would call an art film to accompany the album. The U.S. version included singles like Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane to go with the soundtrack songs from the U.K. The movie was originally only released in England to less than favorable reviews. I remember seeing the film in an arthouse theater in Portland Oregon in the mid 1970's as it finally made its way to the states. I'd give it two stars and use terms like goofy and whimsical to describe the tone. But... the music made it worth the price of admission. Definitely for the true fanatic. All you need is love- Yeah. Greg

"Strawberry Fields Forever"

"Good Day Sunshine"

1966 was the year where experimentation in music and the arts exploded, just prior to summers of love to come. the Beatles recorded the Revolver album in 1966 which included many of the groundbreaking loops, tapes, backwards tricks, and complex instruments like the sitar. During this session Paul wrote and recorded a song about his positive views. "Good Day Sunshine" has been used as an anthem by many. For example when they open the sliding roof up at Safeco Field in Seattle. It's hard to argue with these easy going lyrics:

"I need to laugh and when the sun is out
I've got something I can laugh about
I feel good in a special way
I'm in love and it's a sunny day

The rains has slowed or stopped, this is my last day of freedom for awhile as I work, see the Dentist, finish some projects then head into the hospital tomorrow morning for a four day (two a day) chemo session in Tacoma. I am still working on what I will wear for Halloween and am still looking for suggestions since I refuse to be the cancer patient. Please help! Peace, Love, and Happy Tuesday...

Pics: Natalie's wedding day at the house we rented in Mokuleia North Shore Oahu. Sunset from the back along the water.

"Rain"

Believe it or not, we are experiencing rain in the greater Seattle area! So much drippy soggy stuff that I couldn't sleep well listening to it last night. The Beatles (John) wrote about rain in 1966. The song was released as a b-side of the "Paperback Writer" single and did not get a lot of radio play at the time. John was pining about the rain that the group experienced while they were touring Australia in 1966, and how people reacted to it. "Rain" was one of the first songs to include some trickery from the studio including backwards vocals on tape. The ending lyrics are my favorite being a northwest native: "Can you hear me- that when it rains and shines it's just a state of mind - Can you hear me - Can you hear me..."

I hope everyone has a sunny day during our typical northwest rain, it is a state of mind!

PS: I am feeling great just a few days away from inpatient chemo again, the best I have felt since my diagnosis.

Love me Do-The Beatles ' 62

THE BEATLES - ALL MY LOVING ( CLOSE YOUR EYES )

"All My Loving"

February 9, 1964. The Beatles landed in America for the first time and introduced themselves to the USA with "All My Loving" on the Ed Sullivan Show. The rest, as they say- is history. They performed five numbers that first night and eventually toured the east coast to much acclaim. Some of us remember 1964 and to those who don't you have to know that our country had just lost President Kennedy to assassination in November of 1963, our country was searching for positive news in any way we could get it. The Beatles coming to America was just a few months after the tragedy in Dallas.

I was able to go on a road trip yesterday with Sadie, Mikhael (21 yr old son) and Yvonne. We visitied with my sister and her husband Les in Portland, OR. They took us out to lunch and we had a great time. All my loving goes out to Cathy and Les Today!

Photos:

1. Natalie D (Suiter) and her family wedding day. L-R (Alan D, Yvonne D, Greg D, Natalie D, Mikhael D, Cathy Curths, Alicia Curhts, Andrew D, John Dymerski, Ryan Curths)

2. Yvonne with Mikhael and Andrew Mexican Cruise 2004.

3. Greg and Yvonne Mt. Rainier 2005

"Love Me Do"

Photos- Me sans hair, Natalie + Mikhael home on Rainier 2006)

The Beatles actually took quite awhile to make it to the topppermost of the poppermost. Different iterations of groups with future Beatles started in 1957 (Quarry Men). In 1960 the Quarry Men changed to the Silver Beatles. Through this journey the lads added and subtracted members, honed their act, and eventually in 1960 they shortened the name to the Beatles. Paul was 18 in 1960. 1960 and 1961 saw local live performances that began to take northern England by storm. They played rough and rumble Hamburg Germany, and back to the docks of England. In 1962 Brian Epstein met and eventually became their manager- completing the ensemble. The only next step was to make a record deal. Their first single "Love Me Do," was recorded in Sept. of 1962. Love me do was actually a very simple song with an easy beat that created Beatlemania in England. Follow up songs like P. S. I love you, Please Please Me, Ask Me Why, etc, were placed on the first Beatles Album released in England, "Please Please Me."

To me "Love Me Do" isn't a great song, but it does equate to a starting point for me in a journey that so far has been nothing but up towards crescendo! I am so enthused and strong after hearing from so many good people that I can't begin to tell you you how positive I am. I am committed to riding my bike, walking, living, laughing, and loving towards my personal goal, and at the same time I want to help us all towards whatever goals we might all have. My hair continues to fall out (you can't really tell!) I have scheduled my first interview with SCCA for my stem cell bone marrow transplant for 11-02. I am readying my Halloween costume for my stay in St. Joe's coming up, ideas are welcome by the way... As I ride this morning I am thinking positive thoughts propelled by all who are helping! Have a great weekend!
Greg

Sail Away

10-23-09 I've decided to use a Neil Young 1979 tune titled "Sail Away" to accompany some photos of what is really important in my life. Sail Away is a simple song. My favorite quote is: "See the losers in the best bars
Meet the winners in the dives
Where the people are the real stars
All the rest of their lives." It goes on-
As long as we can sail away-
As long as we can sail away-
There'll be wind in the canyon
Moon on the rise, As long as we can sail away.

This is a photo of my beautiful daughter Natalie and her handsome husband Sam Suiter from the July 2009 rehearsal dinner for their Aug 1 wedding. The other photos are from Waimea Bay North Shore Oahu where my family was swimming with wild spinner dolphins close to the sailing ship. July 2009.

My only updates today are: I am losing my hair, so I shaved it off. I am back to work looking for a nice hat, and am looking forward to seeing as many KCSO staff as possible before I go back to inpatient Chemo on 10-28.

Greg

With A Little Help From My Friends

In 1967 the Beatles (at least Paul) thought about writing what might have been the first "concept" album to date in rock and roll. In the end of that summer of '67 out came what many consider to be the best album of all time- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Beatles only got a few of the tunes down for that concept, "With a Little Help" being one of them. Paul and John wrote the song for Ringo to sing as an alter ego- Billy Shears.

We all get by with a little or a lot of help from our friends. Today for me- this had to be the song... You see, while I was away from home yesterday getting signed up for some transitional duty, Sgt. Cindi West and a strong friend delivered a fantastic surprise to my home. About three or four months ago while looking for bargains I happened across Cindi and the fact that she was selling an almost new super high quality upright bicycle trainer. She offered me a screaming deal, but alas I declined at the time due to other financial commitments (my daughter's wedding) and we parted ways. After my cancer, Cindi corresponded with me and through some back and forth I happened to inquire about the bike's availability again. I will be riding later this AM! Cindi- you are an inspiration and a hero! Many others have asked to help and I appreciate all of the visits, calls, gifts, smiles, and more from too many people to list here right now. I hope I can remember all of the kindness as I blog from here until I get through the entire Beatles catalog!

"Sexie Sadie"

Today's post is named for another Beatles song from 1968, written by John at the end of his journey to India and his look at eastern philosophy and transcendental meditation. John became to disgust the "guru" due to what he thought that the Maharishi was doing with a woman, penning an ode to him in a rather negative light.

My reason for using the song title is actually about a dog and unconditional love. Yes, that is me and our dog Sadie in the picture. Twenty guesses on how she got her name? We were two of the luckiest people alive on 10-20-2009 when we visited the +100 people who work out of the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, in Kent, WA serving the King County Sheriff's Office from our CID offices. I hadn't been to work in over a month, and to be quite honest it has been difficult for me since work is a very important part of my life. So I took my best friend. She got more butt scratches, smiles, pats on the head, snacks, and love than she has seen in a long time. Me too in a way. My eyes had to light up upon seeing and talking to as many of the great KCSO staff as I could who were there that day. In my case I was able to say thanks to so many people who have supported me in my struggle, and offered so much.

We got home after a three hour tour and for the first time in years Sadie actually cuddled with me instead of Yvonne during our routine wind down time at night. She showed me unconditional love that I will strive to show to others as I next make my travels to work, the hospital, or at home.

They get you every time!

Love, Greg

"Hey Jude"

I am using "Hey Jude" as my title today for a number of reasons. I had a single day chemo treatment at the end of Monday Oct 19, and then met with Dr. Senecal who was forthcoming and gave me the cold hard truth dosed with some positives. In 1968 (what a year! I was lucky enough to own three cars from '68- a Ford Galaxie 500, Chev Camaro, and Chev Malibu.) Paul was driving to visit Cynthia and Julian Lennon to touch bases with the pair after learning that John had left the family for Yoko. Paul wrote Hey Jules- later titled Hey Jude to help console young Julian and his mother concerning the break up news. The song went on to become not just a beautiful ballad- perhaps the first power rock anthem of all time sung along by millions.

In reference to my Dr. news- Dr. Senecal gave me the hard truth first- while not at a certain stage I have a 25% chance of cure. He went on to state that I would need intensive chemo sessions every three weeks (8 total). After all of that I could go into remission or cure, or not. Next came the potential positive. If I am lucky enough to find a blood/bone marrow donor and have an inpatient bone marrow transplant and Fred Hutch (SCCA) I could increase my odds by about half. The only downside to a bone marrow transplant is the 35% who die during transplant statistic. More tests, (get ready Brother Alan!) and bloodwork needs to be completed before any of that can happen.

Like Hey Jude, I am finding the movement I need on my shoulder and starting to make it better. Back to work at least on a limited basis today! Heck, just getting paperwork in order is work. I will find a sad song and make it better. I ask that those that follow me and want to help do the same thing.

Love- Greg

October 19, 2009. This weekend is entitled, "I want to tell you." George Harrison was in shadows much of the Beatles career, he wrote a song in 1966 to explain his difficulties in expressing in words what was in his head. Me too. I walked two times, 2 miles on Saturday and 2.4 on Sunday. I also felt lifeless and looked ashen to green to some color at times. Yvonne spurred me on to try to do more than walk and sit. I go in for a single chemo session today, and to learn more about my long term plan. Happy Monday!

I am home still getting over the effects of two a day chemo treatments. I feel like i am getting stronger every day. I have headaches which are concerning, but hopefully my "staging" and full prognosis will be completed soon. I am exercising by walking right now and am up to 1.5 miles a day. Any posts or questions are welcome!

Greg