I chose the title of this blog to go with a Beatles song from 1969. The title made sense in October of 2009 because fighting cancer might be a drawn out challenge. I take inspiration where I can, and hope to motivate with my musings about music, my status and anything else related to life. Anyone can post comments; no sign in or account is needed, just click on the comments section towards the bottom of the post and write me a note. A splendid time is guaranteed for all. Live Happy- Greg
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Badge
I remember shopping the used records stores in the early 1970's and coming across a compilation album with some interesting names emblazoned on the front. Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend, Ronnie Wood, Steve Winwood to name a few. Of course I plunked down my 4 bits ( .50 to you of the younger generations.) The album includes a great collaboration written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison called Badge. It's one of those songs I loved so much when I heard it once I had to listen again and again until I completely wore out the vinyl grooves to the already used album. I am not sure if it was the beat, the Beatles-like guitar riffs, or the total package of coolness. The tune was penned in 1968, released as a single in 1969 and was included on the final Cream album, Goodbye. I searched for a good version and found someone out in Youtubeland took the time to record the Rainbow Concert live album version which definitely includes the real vinyl sound. Eric had recently kicked his heroin habit, Pete Townsend helped to organize a coming out party and Eric got back to his hits and "Blackie" his famous Fender Stratocaster guitar.
Over the past year I have mentioned Graft Versus Host Disease, in discussing the effects of a Bone Marrow or stem cell transplant. I had some acute gastrointestinal GVHD back in July of 2010, and since then have had chronic GVHD of the mouth and sometimes skin. These next photos show me today after being diagnosed with some more chronic GVHD of the skin Friday (that has been getting worse for about a month.) The sharp Dr. Bar caught it and put me on Prednisone and Beclomethasone (Steroids) to nip this in the bud before my hopeful stem cell transplant April 26. I have been walking around in public, and quite often get some weird looks, I never really realized how bad it was getting and why I was scaring people so much. On the flip side, it doesn't hurt or even itch much and is dying away with the steroids. I am hopeful I am about to lose this Badge. Live Happy, don't forget to say "I love you" to when you get the chance.
I think you look GREAT! I mean that, seriously!! Be encouraged that you respond to the steroids with the GVHD. Had to chuckle at Kramer. When our heme/onc fellow found out Steve's sister was a perfect match, he "did a Kramer" into Steve's room with the news. He's big man, and I can still see Dr. Tim sliiiiiding in with the joyous announcement! p.s. I'm hosting a cocktail party this Friday for his home health nurses. We are hoping for the National Guard to get called in for rowdyness.
Sue, I hope you have a great party. I am off limits from adult beverages right now so you are rubbing it in! Just kidding... you are a sweetheart to have your nurses over. Cheers!
Greg, We want to change our plans on coming out to see you guys. Any problem on coming out the 17th and then going to see Cathy after that ?Hope you are doing better, Love Dad and Alice
Greg: You don't look hiedous at all, you look strong, confident, hopeful and sure that this bout of GVHD will just be a speed bump in your recovery. By the way your hair looks great! Keep the faith,we are all praying for you and Yvonne. Cindy got a new puppy saturday, not much sleep to be had in our house these days. I had forgotten how valuable sleep can be. Phil
Hideous? Hardly. Badass? Oh yea. Put on a pair of sunglasses and snarl at people who give you a sideways glance. They'll think you were in a fight. Which, in fact, you were/are. Jeez, you might as well have some fun with it. LiveSTRONG!
Thanks folks. I should have explained I am a big Seinfeld fan, there is an episode where Kramer says he is hideous so part of my quote was a play on that. I will take the advice and try to be badass, we will see! Dad, I will call you but your plans sound fine. Phil, what kind of puppy? Wow, that is like a new kid. We had a long day in the clinic yesterday with improvements in all of my GVHD including liver tests. But... still no real news on the donor search. It seems to go back and forth a lot. Our son Andrew flew in too for a three week visit. It's not raining this morning! Greg
I agree-you don't look hideous at all--youu loooook maaaarvelous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZl3gGV4H6c Really you do! And you have more hair than Alan does right now. He shaved it again. Spittin' image of Grandpa Neece. It was great to talk to you on Sunday. Yes, this is just another speed bump. Keep speeding. See you this summer! We love you lots!
We went to the local pet store for dog food (what store bought dog food isn,t good enough anymore?) and came home with a heinz 57 that has decided he doesn't need sleep at night and neither do we. It smelled like a set-up I should have known....
I am back from a little break from work, was in sunny Fort Myers Florida visiting friends last week. You are not hideous, in fact you are so brave and determined and I am sure you will overcome this little GVHD thing. Best wishes on your next transplant on the 26th, you and Yvonne will be in my thoughts and prayers! Live Strong and Happy!!
Greg - I agree with everyone - when I read what you said I cringed thinking "Oh no, the poor guy!" but you look great in the photos! No problem, a'oli pilikia! Me ke aloha, Pineapple Princess
Thanks to my color blind friends! I now know to keep my less than funny opinions to myself! I am feeling better and the facial stuff is clearing up with the magic Prednisone. I will be posting something completely different tonight or tomorrow. :)
16 comments:
I think you look GREAT! I mean that, seriously!! Be encouraged that you respond to the steroids with the GVHD. Had to chuckle at Kramer. When our heme/onc fellow found out Steve's sister was a perfect match, he "did a Kramer" into Steve's room with the news. He's big man, and I can still see Dr. Tim sliiiiiding in with the joyous announcement! p.s. I'm hosting a cocktail party this Friday for his home health nurses. We are hoping for the National Guard to get called in for rowdyness.
Sue, I hope you have a great party. I am off limits from adult beverages right now so you are rubbing it in! Just kidding... you are a sweetheart to have your nurses over. Cheers!
Keeping you in our prayers for a succesfull traknsplant.
Love, Cathy
Greg, We want to change our plans on coming out to see you guys. Any problem on coming out the 17th and then going to see Cathy after that ?Hope you are doing better, Love Dad and Alice
Doesn't look all that bad to me, besides you've got to much to do to worry about the small stuff :-).
Hang in there Tiger
Greg: You don't look hiedous at all, you look strong, confident, hopeful and sure that this bout of GVHD will just be a speed bump in your recovery. By the way your hair looks great! Keep the faith,we are all praying for you and Yvonne. Cindy got a new puppy saturday, not much sleep to be had in our house these days. I had forgotten how valuable sleep can be. Phil
Hideous? Hardly. Badass? Oh yea. Put on a pair of sunglasses and snarl at people who give you a sideways glance. They'll think you were in a fight. Which, in fact, you were/are. Jeez, you might as well have some fun with it.
LiveSTRONG!
Thanks folks. I should have explained I am a big Seinfeld fan, there is an episode where Kramer says he is hideous so part of my quote was a play on that. I will take the advice and try to be badass, we will see! Dad, I will call you but your plans sound fine. Phil, what kind of puppy? Wow, that is like a new kid. We had a long day in the clinic yesterday with improvements in all of my GVHD including liver tests. But... still no real news on the donor search. It seems to go back and forth a lot. Our son Andrew flew in too for a three week visit. It's not raining this morning! Greg
I agree-you don't look hideous at all--youu loooook maaaarvelous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZl3gGV4H6c
Really you do! And you have more hair than Alan does right now. He shaved it again. Spittin' image of Grandpa Neece. It was great to talk to you on Sunday.
Yes, this is just another speed bump. Keep speeding.
See you this summer!
We love you lots!
Mary D.
I agree with everyone. You don't look hideous. I'm proud of how strong you are. Keeping you in my prayers Greg.
Good on the tests, still Praying.
And Horse Feathers on the small stuff.
:-) :-) :-)
Don't worry about what strnagers think, I do that too much myself. They don't know you and your circumstances.
Love and praying for a donor
Cathy
We went to the local pet store for dog food (what store bought dog food isn,t good enough anymore?) and came home with a heinz 57 that has decided he doesn't need sleep at night and neither do we. It smelled like a set-up I should have known....
I am back from a little break from work, was in sunny Fort Myers Florida visiting friends last week. You are not hideous, in fact you are so brave and determined and I am sure you will overcome this little GVHD thing. Best wishes on your next transplant on the 26th, you and Yvonne will be in my thoughts and prayers! Live Strong and Happy!!
Greg - I agree with everyone - when I read what you said I cringed thinking "Oh no, the poor guy!" but you look great in the photos! No problem, a'oli pilikia!
Me ke aloha, Pineapple Princess
Thanks to my color blind friends! I now know to keep my less than funny opinions to myself! I am feeling better and the facial stuff is clearing up with the magic Prednisone. I will be posting something completely different tonight or tomorrow. :)
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