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 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!
13 comments:
Happy 1st birthday Greg! Who needs a roller coaster ride.I am so proud how you have handled all of this process.You are getting stronger everyday even with prednisone.What a beautiful morning on our rode bikes.It will not be long before I have a hard time keeping up with you again.Congratulations on your 1st year.Love yvonne
May this be your best birthday ever..and may there be many many more to celebrate... TRex
Greg, congrats on your new birthday. Many more to come. Looking foward to seeing you and Yvonne at another wedding. Love Dad and Alice
And returning is a lifelong commitment from my point of view. (Even in my advancing years:-), I still get a chance to help others once in a while.
HB.
And if you like It’s a wonderful World, whether or not you like "On Holy Ground".
It's been a crazy two years to be sure. Thank God for each day, each one is a gift
Love, Cathy
Happy birthday to a truly lucky man! You have a great family, great friends and supporters, and you are smart enough to recognize how much all that really means. Keep pedaling, but it is all down hill from here.
LiveSTRONG!
Happy birthday Greg, thankyou for sharing the past 2 years with me. Phil
Hey all, as X says it is all downhill from here. I hope everyone's plans and dreams are moving in the right direction! Yvonne is funny, she left me behind on a small hill that I used to conquer at ease-
Hello, Happy Birthday Greg! May you get stronger and stronger everyday to celebrate many many more Birthdays!! You still have a lot to give back to your family, your friends and even strangers who need a helping hand! We are all witnesses to your strength in the past two years! You have climbed a very high and difficult mountain and overcame it!! Live Strong and Happy!! :-)
Cheese festival? Really? Will be headed south to JBLM on Monday. I will assume you are on the 10th floor again, so will stop by and visit on my way back north in the early afternoon. Cambo
"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear transplant recipient who is a really nice guy and a real good swimmer, but not as fast as his wife, who is certainly glad to be back in the water 'cause it feel so goooood so maybe we should go to Hawaii with the Websters again sometime soon, but we have to find a dogsitter..... Happy Birthday to you."
Cambo, yor song styling is right up there with Leiber and Stoller! If you see this this I will in the infusion room on the first floor on the far north end of the hospital complex, not on the 10th floor. :) Hawaii- YES
Day one of chemo went well, had a visitor and Yvonne and Andrew were able to do some reading. Day two is Wednesday- And the sun is supposed to be around this week too! Greg
Greg, happy belated birthday. What a miracle. Here's to many more birthdays.
love,
Mary D.
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