"When I'm 64"

Some people may remember Cheap Trick from the 1970's. They are still working it, and were just recently asked to perform the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album for the 40th anniversary in 2007. They did- at the Hollywood Bowl with the L.A. Orchestra. Since then Cheap Trick went on to record the album and produce a DVD with proceeds going towards battling cancer. They are now performing live in Las Vegas at the Paris every night. "When I'm 64" was written by Paul in the very early days, it was never considered a great song just a simple love song about growing older. If I continue to get good news and improve in my post transplant days I feel much better about growing older every day. I did get a 90% clean bill of health from the cardiologist (just need to confirm that Monday with a blood test) as he diagnosed a condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which is four big words for  an unknown elevated heart rate after chemo or other trauma. P.O.T.S. eventually goes away with time and exercise. So, more reason to pick it up a notch and hit the road. I do seem to improve every day. We took Sadie to Deep Lake to let her swim as we walked around the lake today, no sun but a good time. My doctor is tempting me with reducing my 3-4 days a week clinic visits too, we might go down to once a week soon. Have a great weekend, I wish you happy times!   Greg

"I Get Around"

The Beach Boys' first number one hit in the U.S. was "I Get Around" from May of 1964. At about the same time as Beatlemania and the beginning of the British Invasion, the American quintet was touring England. The attached video is a great example of the differences between the two countries. In England, the groups appearing on Ready Steady Go! played live. In the U.S. American Bandstand was the premier show to showcase contemporary musicians, who for the most part lip-synced. Brian Wilson and Mike Love co-wrote the song, and Brian's chorus high notes sure made the song remember-able.

Lots of stuff has been occurring with me, all in all I am improving. For example; I developed a strange elevated heart rate condition that baffled the doctors. When I would go from sitting to standing my heart rate would go up 50+ beats a minute. They have tried some different drugs that helped a bit, but the condition persists. I will see a cardiologist Thursday to check on that further. My resting heart rate has come down quite a bit to almost normal, and I am working on conditioning by walking more and riding the stationary bike. I start a series of four spinal chemo shots tomorrow as part of the recovery regimen. It's the same thing I did during my Chemo days- they insert a needle in the low back and take out some spinal fluid to check that, then infuse some methotrexate to make sure anything bad in the spinal canal or brain is killed off.  We made it home today for a quick trip so Yvonne and Natalie can weed the yard and enjoy some sun. Many thanks to Dr. Kim Anardi and his wife Linda who met us in Seattle yesterday and took us to Lunch. Again, the best Dentist in the South end (Auburn.) Happier getting around- Greg

"There's A Place"

It sure was simpler in 1963, not that everyone remembers 1963. I remember watching black and white dial turning rabbit ear television and crying when our President was assassinated in late 1963. Before that tragic November event, the Beatles were just perfecting their craft and writing songs for their first albums. In Feb. of 1963 John and Paul got together to write a song with a bit more substance to it compared to their first offerings talking about "I love you." I didn't really get the message of "There's A Place" until some frustrating days this past week, and find the lyrics quite eye opening. John and Paul actually co-wrote the song about searching for healing in your own mind. They harmonize quite beautifully as well. I included the "Anthology" version on the post today to give some insight about the recording process, as this is a demo take (one of ten) and shows how the early Beatles recorded a song. My take away is I'm sure obvious- when I get down or blue I need to get in that place to get straightened out and more positive. I thought my place was home in Enumclaw- and now realize my place is wherever I am at the time. Deep huh! We visited the clinic this AM and discovered my bone marrow is free of disease and I am growing marrow and the associated blood cells normally. I have a few things like lower magnesium that are still keeping me tied close to the clinic for awhile, we will continue to work on that with fluid infusions and all of the drugs they have me taking. I hope every father out there has a great weekend, even if it is still winter/spring weather. Live Happy and enjoy every bit of life you can!

"What Goes On"

John Lennon wrote "What Goes On" in the early days before the Beatles even had a recording contract. They didn't use the song until the Rubber Soul (U.K.) and Yesterday and Today albums (USA) in 1965. It was deemed a good Ringo song and he was also given for the first and last time- a song writing credit for the tune. A simple country like song, also known for the Carl Perkins like guitar work of George Harrison.

Since my release from the hospital last Wednesday we have had quite a roller coaster ride. I developed a super high heart rate that caused me to lay down much of the time, and then to sweeten the pot a bit more a nasty bout of diarrhea Thursday-Sunday. Thanks to a lot of good care from Yvonne and the team of outpatient care providers I turned it around Sunday and am feeling much better today. Yvonne and I went on a 5 block walk Sunday night, and another walk this morning. We are in line as I write this to get my first bone marrow aspiration/biopsy since before I went in for the transplant. We are trying to make the best of our living quarters. Our daughter Natalie arrives from Hawaii this Friday for a week long stay, and I hope to sneak home over the weekend if I continue to improve. Thanks for the prayers and well wishes, one step at a time! Living Happy in Seattle, Greg

"Ambulance Blues"

Hello and and almost happy humpday! I am looking at a pretty quick release from the U.W. as soon as tomorrow but definitely by the end of this week. I set my personal hospitalization record a long time ago (day 28 today.)  This photo is from May 14, since then I haven't been able to get back on the bike and have lost about 15 pounds.  I have to admit that the hardest thing to deal with since day 5 or so has been a lack of positivity, for me you could almost say depression. It's hard to pin it down, I should be happy as things have gone pretty well for me, a few bumps here and there but no major setbacks. I seem to be tired a lot, and am frustrated that I can't lower my standing heart-rate, I get winded after ten minutes of walking (Arghh!). I have avoided personal contact too. The tie in to my song selection might seem weird until you listen to the song. "Ambulance Blues" is one of three "Blues" songs from the same classic 1974 album, On the Beach. However, Ambulance Blues is not a blues song, but continues to play in my head with it's story about confusion, ups and downs, and a seemingly endless round and round will this ever end? tone. It encapsulates a lot of my personal frustrations with lines like:  "I guess I'll call it sickness gone-  It's hard to say the meaning of this song.   An ambulance can only go so fast
It's easy to get buried in the past.   When you try to make a good thing last."
I am so thankful to Yvonne for being here every day prompting me to walk and get a move on- helping me to demonstrate that I want to leave the hospital moving to phase II of the post transplant treatment. I will get to smell some real Seattle rainy air tomorrow and can't tell you how good that will feel. My appetite is weak, I just got off the liquid IV a couple of days ago. It's a good thing I fattened up prior to coming here May 10th.  Please help me channel some positive energy and prayers for my Sister Cathy who is enjoying a trip to Maui right now but also received a very difficult diagnosis this last week. She still worries about me, stays positive and is the most selfless person I have ever known. Her blog is at http://mylifewithmnd.blogspot.com/
Back to Happy, Greg

Day 23 post transplant

Hi everyone this is Yvonne. Today is day 23 post transplant. Greg`s white counts are slowly on the rise along with his platelets the last few days.There have many 1 step forwards and a 1/2 step back.

Greg is still fighting nausea/ vomiting especially when trying to eat liquids or soft foods. Hopefully by tomorrow am they will take away the feeding through the central line. The swelling in the cheeks and throat is decreasing but the stomach and intestines must still be healing and causing the nausea.

His energy level will vary especially if he is nauseated, but he  will do a couple of walks a day. Some days can be very frustrating. Greg wants this to be further along. He is trying to keep motivated and upbeat. The good news is he will be discharged sometime this week to the out patient clinic. We will be living in apartment 4 blocks away so we can walk as long he can navigate a small hill. This will be one step forward since he has been in the hospital 4 weeks as of tomorrow.

Greg or I will keep updates coming. I hope the weekend was good for everybody. Our youngest son Mikhael was home for the weekend. It is always nice to have him around.

18 days post transplant

Hi everyone! This is Yvonne once again. Greg is now 18 days post transplant. It has been a rough 2-3 weeks for Greg but I wanted to let everyone know that Greg has a very small amount of white cell and neutrophil counts starting to show. This is very good news and it can be a sign the graft may be taking. As these counts increase and kick in, this will help reduce the mouth , throat, stomach and intestinal sores. These cells help fight off infection. We have heard the white counts can fade in and out initially. Of course we hope this does not happen.

I think the Doctors were pleased and possibly relieved. The main doctor was even worried a little. The team of Doctors see the patients all at one time along with any members of the health care team seeing Greg. There are also different doctors visiting from other countries. It is very interesting. There have been up to 7 doctors at one time seeing Greg in his room.

Today Greg is more alert and talking a little better. He had a bag of platelets transfused. One day and step at a time. He has a new saying` that he is not running a marathon in two weeks`.
( maybe four?)

We will keep everyone updated. Live healthy and happy.