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
On this Memorial Day weekend I am happy to be alive, living free in the best Country in the World. We need to thank all of the people who have paid for our freedom, that means the military and military families. The attached video is Brad Paisley playing his ode to love at the Washington D.C. Memorial Day Concert last year. You will see some vignettes of young love and then our brave soldiers leaving their families to go off to do our work... I don't say "dirty work" because it is not dirty. Never the less, we owe our protectors a lot. It's been an interesting two months of being on Prednisone. I took my last does today after tapering for the past month. For some reason I have gained five+ pounds while tapering off this drug the past week. The doctors prescribed this wonder drug to treat my graft vs. host disease of the liver and skin. My liver has returned to almost normal but my skin as you can see is still problematic. I included a photo of me today and one from April 2011 to show the difference. I see my current oncologists Tuesday, and will be discussing other treatments then. My most recent chemo session finished this last Monday with muscle weakness side effects. The effects are enough to make me want to end the chemo after four sessions. One of the doctors says I should have five or six sessions of Nelarabine. Since the effects are now causing longer term issues, we will see...
Thank a Vet when you get a chance, and please live happy.
Like Paul McCartney in 1967, I have been a bit helter skelter lately. No one seems to know where the term helter skelter came from, but almost everyone agrees what it means. As an adjective it means: Haphazard; carelessly hurried; confused. As an adverb it means: in disorderly haste; pell-mell. Paul had read a story where Pete Townsend had described the latest Who song I Can See for Miles as their loudest, rawest, and dirtiest. Paul not to be outdone composed Helter Skelter. It would have been OK, but after it was released in 1968 Charles Manson made the song infamous as he and his army of crazed murderers used the same term to describe what Manson saw as the impending racial war that he was trying to start. Someone from the Manson family painted Healter (sp) Skelter in blood on a refrigerator at the LaBianca murder scene and the rest is history.
About a month ago I told a few of my co-workers that I was retiring, and moving to a life of leisure (that was a stretch!) Then I discovered the pain of losing insurance, money, and what looked like it might be a difficult time going through a social security disability journey. It probably doesn't surprise many to know I was wrong on many fronts. So here I go again- I will be giving my termination notice to the powers that be tomorrow morning. I plan on leaving service June 30, and my official retirement date will be July 1, 2011. Easy come- easy go. It will be nice to be away from work and the cause of a lot of stress to us. I am still doing well and in the middle of a chemo run ending tomorrow. I might have to do one more chemo three day, we will see in a few weeks.
Sadie update: We finally got a blood report showing Sadie had a thyroid problem. We are treating Sadie with some thyroid medicine, her hair is starting to grow back at least.
Today I inserted a long set of demo recordings of John Lennon playing what would be become one of my all time favorite songs, Strawberry Fields Forever. The musical quality is sketchy, but you can hear what the recording and improving the recording process must have been like. There are some great pictures and candid singing and comments along the way, hopefully the video works for you.
I will be doing either my last or next to last three day chemo this next week M-W-F in Tacoma. If the side effects are not bad, then one more the first week of June. Unless a new ground breaking treatment surfaces, I will then be done with chemo/treatment. Right now I am doing well and getting stronger. I am swimming a lot, and adding other exercises to my regimen.
Today is my first new birthday, my bone marrow/stem cell transplant occurred on May 14, 2010. This anniversary is supposed to mark the official end to the stem cell transplant process, although some of us really never end the process. My journey was interrupted by a relapse in January and some other inconveniences, and might be over soon. But...during my first year with new cells I became closer with my family and have to thank Yvonne for taking on a stressful amount of work that I can only try to understand. My grown children have also been a source of strength and support. My extended family of well wishers and supporters has grown and we still get daily offers of support or help. We have met and benefited from amazing people in the health care industry at the Fred Hutchinson, U.W. Medical Center, and St. Joseph's hospitals. I have been able to learn a great deal about cancer, and more importantly compassion. My mission is to return the favors as soon as possible, and hopefully influence some positive change when I can. Yvonne asked me what I wanted as a gift for my new birthday, my answer: To be with my family and enjoy a good day. Andrew is home from his trip to Hawaii, and Mikhael will be here later today- maybe a trip to the Seattle cheese festival... Thanks to everyone who has commented on this blog, given me suggestions for improvement, called to say hi, or pushed me to get off my butt. Here's to the next year and many more. Live Happy!
I've been seeing skies of blue a lot lately, trees of green too. I know I live in gray rainy western Washington, but I can't help being upbeat. Back in 1968 there was a bit of tumult going down in the USA, a lot of unrest at home, fears of hydrogen bombs exploding, assassinations, undeclared/unpopular war, etc. Louis Armstrong was known as an accomplished jazz trumpeter and singer who was perhaps the first African American entertainer who was accepted by all in what was then a racially divided country. What might be news to folks is that it wasn't until 1968, three years before his death that this song was recorded. Written by Bob Thielle and George David Weiss, it was first offered to Tony Bennett who turned it down. I chose it as one of my favorite songs because of the optimistic tone, and how it exemplifies life's miracles. After I read about Mr. Armstrong I had to share the highlights and ask everyone to read more. He was a very complex character for sure.
I was able to swim for the first time on a little over a year yesterday, it felt so good to do a little somersault into the pool and then glide my way to the first lap. I wasn't nearly as fast or efficient as I used to be, but was able to swim for almost an hour with no pain. I watched Yvonne zoom past me in the next lane just like the dolphin I know is in her and said to myself that "one day I will be half as fast as her again!". I will be swimming again today before I head in for some meetings. In the stem cell transplant world, when you receive your new cells it is considered your new birthday. I will be one this Saturday May 14. It looks like my chemo will start next week for one or maybe two sessions depending how next week goes.
There are a lot of wonderful stories going on, grabbing a hold of one sure makes this rainy gray weather seem like sunshine.
Happy Mother's Day!
I have done a lot of reflecting lately. I know I am not alone as local and world events continue to move in slow motion or for some at light-speed. As I listen to music and continue to get stronger exercising I am also becoming more spiritual. George Harrison was the spiritual Beatle, his eventual transformation to Hinduism and Hare Krishna was not a flash in the pan or temporary in nature- he was a devoted full faith guy. Many of his late 60's Beatles songs and most of his solo career songs were centered around his beliefs and a wish for peace on earth, love centered life, and a relationship between how we live our lives and working for good. Give Me Love was released in 1973 a few years after the Beatles broke up. It does not advocate or demand a specific religious belief. It attempts to lay out how we all face stress, bumps in the road and asks for assistance in dealing with those negative things with a positive outlook. Give it a listen and think about the lyrics, so powerful and simple at the same time.
Me, I am doing great. I am back to work after 4 months off going through the pre-transplant process, and then some last minute blood infections. The infections are gone, so is my chest catheter and I am still in CR, cancer talk for complete remission. I don't know what the future holds, am still waiting to start some last chemo round(s) which will give me the best base to stay in CR for as long as I can. I am looking forward to taking a real vacation soon and treating Yvonne to a well deserved break. I am as positive as ever, my resolve is strong. To all of the regular followers out there- I owe you so much and can't come close to thanking you enough. I hope to see you soon so I can thank you personally. Happily, Greg
