One For My My Baby (And One More For The Road)

Yvonne showing off the pearly whites

Thank you for the nice 29th Anniversary well wishes, Yvonne and I were able to enjoy a nice dinner out at the Pacific Grill in Tacoma. Here are a couple photos of the event:



I have a reason for sharing Frank Sinatra again, I know there there are a lot of Sinatra fans out there, and this is a classic Sinatra tune. Written in 1943 by Johnny Mercer and Harold Allen for the movie The Sky's the Limit, sung by Fred Astaire. It didn't take long for Frank Sinatra to record it more than once in fact (1947) and it became a standard Sinatra concert effort. As Old Blue Eyes states in the opening of the video, you put yourself in the setting- a small smoky bar at  or near near closing time while our protagonist sings a sad song. Also notice Frank is doing his singing with a cigarette in hand.

                                                                                            I was at radiation yesterday and noticed a new bump on my head (one more for the road) but was able to get the radiation doctor to add it to the list for irradiation. It was one more bit of worry for my baby as my new temporary tattoo highlighted the need to get some other treatment started soon to quell the cancer that seems to be much more active than first thought. If I could change the Mercer/Allen lyrics, here is my revision:

"Well that's how it goes and Joe I know you're gettin' anxious to close
So thanks for the beer, I hope you didn't mind my bending your ear
Don't let it be said that little Freddie can't carry his load
Just make it one for my baby and one more for the road
That long, long road, that long, long road and winding road."

New "Tattoo" of a new tumor just below the big original one

Like A Hurricane

I am not sure what the total damage will be and/or the life changing events that will occur from Hurricane Irene.  I hope of course that the damage will be minimal. I remember having a blog post a year or so ago (Come on Eileen), now I am seeing signs equating the current hurricane to songs like "Goodbye Irene" and "Come On Irene" I guess people hear what they want to hear...
Neil Young wrote Like a Hurricane back in 1975 and released it in 1977. A song about the difficulties of love but today it will be used for many a news story about Irene. Watching the satellite photos and live storm surges of this monster makes for good television especially for the looky loos out there. I hope we over hyped this storm but those poor east coast residents should be prepared. Yvonne and I enjoyed a nice Anniversary dinner/shopping trip yesterday, she finally got a coffee table for our living room! Me, some new shoes and lower glycemic foods- whoohoo!  I am 2/3 done with radiation that seems to be working. The minor difficulties associated with radiation are increasing, but still minor. No one seems to know why I developed spinal and brain tumors without developing disease in my bone marrow or spinal fluid. I am taking this manifestation as a limited relapse and counting my blessings the rest of my blood is in good shape, except for my high glucose. As I encounter these bumps in the road I can't help but thank God and all of my supporters as I know not everyone is as fortunate. I am coming up on two years since diagnoses, others are not so lucky. My friend Andrei passed away August 8, he was only 48 years old, he was diagnosed with the same disease I have 11 months ago. He battled hard but could not make it to what he hoped would be a helpful bone marrow transplant. 
A memorial celebration will be held at 2pm on Sunday, September 4, in the Lodge at Pt. Defiance Park in Tacoma.

Donations may be made in Andrei’s honor to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org) in hopes that more research on the effective treatment of adult ALL may help others.

I hope you enjoy the shorter cover version performed by Adam Sandler- he might be a better singer than comedian???

She Came In Through the Bathroom Window

Abbey Road side two has many simple medley type songs including She Came In Through the Bathroom Window.  Paul wrote the song in 1969 either as a tribute to Beatles groupies called Apple Scruffs or from a similar incident with members of the Moody Blues. Either way, it was a simple romp song to go with Polythene Pam.  There is a great throwaway line;  "And so I quit the police department and got myself a steady job"
When I quit the police department I thought life would be much easier and freedom, real freedom would soon be mine. The first obvious new thing to try was growing my facial hair at will and maybe even an extreme hair style. Well... grow though I might the best I could come up with was a thin mustache and soul patch. My 1/4 inch of head hair didn't quite make it long enough for a pony tail either.   All in all my hair was STUNTED just like most other body functions.   I next thought about Clothing.   I tried tie die, and I tried button down. Neither was very shocking to the fine citizens of Seattle, Portland, or anywhere else I visited since my self imposed retirement. I seemed to fit in in Fremont, Hawthorn, Omak, and Chelan.  (I could've gone with Nehru jackets, but am too cheap to spend that kind of money on vintage clothing.)  I was able to separate from other police things like listening to the radio, pulling people over to yell at them about their driving, etc. I got lucky and was never caught speeding as I did have an adjustment thinking I still possessed a "get out of jail free" card. In fact I never did possess one, but you sure think you do when employed in law enforcement. What kept me from really changing anything was this darn cancer. It seemed that every time I was getting better and healthy some new malady or condition would hit. The most recent setback being a fine example. I am halfway done with radiation and now know I will begin a new Chemo round very soon after the radiation ends probably around Sept. 12. The new chemo will make us delay our trip to Boston by probably two-three weeks. It is always something!  But on the other hand, this chemo might actually get me to remission or keep the cancer away for longer than two months. My other most recent bump was being told I might be a diabetic. I will admit that after discovering the tumors I lost all discipline and ate what I wanted to when I wanted. I gained a few pounds very quickly as well.   I smartened up a week ago, and after seeing the doctor yesterday we changed my prednisone schedule. I eat much better- so far just two insulin injections and losing 10 pounds have kept my sugars in the normal range.  Then it dawned on me, I don't work, I don't have to worry about a drug test. I could try medical marijuana or other mind altering drugs, would those alternatives take me to a new consciousness?  I am still researching that one but I don't think that is the answer...
Stay in School, and Live Happy!

Whip It

I am pulling a fast one on you, as the song choice under the narrative is not from Devo and it is not "Whip It." Not that I don't mind a Devo song once in awhile.   I had to share the attached video from the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show, and some of us might not have heard of a song entitled "Whip My Hair" (a contemporary hip hop song by Willow Smith?)  Thus, Whip It.    Anyway, Jimmy does a great job of an impression of one of my all time favorite rock stars, Neil Young singing the same hip hop song in his own style.   There is a surprise guest as well.   If you have already seen the video or are one of those who can stay up past 9:00 PM and watch the program- sorry.   If not, Jimmy's work on this video is quite good. 

I have been without my phone for a couple of weeks and got that fixed today, on my sixth day of targeted radiation.   I originally thought I would have 15 days of radiation and discovered yesterday that they will give me 18.   The radiation has really worked on the visible part of the lymphoma lesion (tumor) that was on my head just above the right eye.   I can't see the other two lymphoma's (C-3 mid neck, or T-10 mid back) but do feel their influence waning as most of the pains are gone.   So twelve more days to go and then another re-evaluation.

Yvonne and I are still playing with the idea of traveling to the east coast September 20 for some R & R, to see my bone marrow donor and the ECC.  One thing I have learned from this disease is that it is very hard to predict the future.  Stay tuned.



Please enjoy the video and have a laugh on me at Neil's expense.




 

Come Together

New Photos:

On the way to mid mountain

Yvonne Sadie at 5208 feet

St. Josephs famous plastic marijuana patch

 I made it home from the hospital Thursday afternoon by way of the radiation clinic. These pictures show the radiation clinic and the first fun treatment. I will have 13 more days (M-F) of external targeted radiation of three sites along my spine and head. The first picture shows a good view of my brain tumor,  the second photo shows the way I am hooked to a table that moves around while the beams are sent towards the tumors. When I went through total body radiation before the bone marrow transplant it was much different, I just stood against a wall. So far after two treatments the inconvenience has waned, the time of the treatment also decreased a lot. I am hopeful as this phase of treatment continues Monday, It will be like working a part time job M-F the next two plus weeks, we will make the best of it. The hope is that the radiation will stop the growth of the lymphoma lesions as they are called, and that some chemo can then be introduced to salvage or get me to remission. We were planning some trips that will have to be changed as it looks like I am relegated to Tacoma for the next two months or so. Again, life is more important than playing. (are you listening out there?)  
The Beatles last recorded album was Abbey Road, circa 1969. John led off the album with the double A side single (with Something). Come Together might be a song about the many sides of John, or some have said he was writing snippets about all four of the Beatles. Either way, it was a strange composition that turned out to be very bluesy. It was covered by Aerosmith and many other acts, and is still a popular Beatles Blues song. The attached cartoon in the spirit of Yellow Submarine, was free on Youtube- so there you go. Have a great weekend, enjoy the weather and come together to support one another. Live Happy and show some love when you can. 

Fat Bottomed Girls

I know, Queen performing Fat Bottomed Girls is not very politically correct. In fact, Brian May wrote this song thinking the same thing, writing for front-man Freddie Mercury's great voice and his preference for fat bottomed partners. Queen released it in 1978 on the Jazz album. It is one of my favorite songs, even if I don't share the same preferences. Does that say a lot about me? I don't know, the song just makes me want to sing- too bad I don't have much of a voice... But those guitar riffs and powerful four-part harmonies are pretty special. I am at a point while dealing with a rare less-than fun disease and associated political correctness is no longer important to me. I don't want to offend anyone, but the muzzle is officially off!

Now that the music is out of the way, here's an update;

I had a good visit today with Dr. Senecal, he was still waiting for pathology results from a biopsy taken from my head last Friday, but was able to explain that I have at least two lymphomas growing in and around my brain. Official results will be in tomorrow. So I was given the option of beginning immediate follow up testing in the hospital or waiting to schedule tests for later this week and into next week- I chose to begin as soon as possible (go figure!) so I am back in St. Joseph's Hospital of Tacoma.

I have an MRI tonight followed by a spinal chemo infusion, and a bone marrow biopsy for tomorrow. If everything is confirmed and I have no other internal problems I will begin a new chemo regimen- also as soon as possible. Yvonne has been here with me all day, we are ready to take on the new battle in what I will call my second relapse. There is a lot of unknown still, but our spirit is strong. If you'd like to talk to me my cell phone is on the disabled list, the phone number to my room is: (253) 426-4101 then ask for room 10A4.
*Update:  I was taking one of my can't sleep early morning walks when Dr. Senecal found me not too far from the MRI area. He was very considerate and showed me the MRI from late last night. It still hasn't been officially read by the radiologist, but clearly shows a big lymphoma tumor residing on my brain and another spot next to my spine that wasn't so clear. We are talking about doing some targeted radiation now and then chemo, but still have to wait for the official report. If you happen to be in the Tacoma area I am open for visitors, thank you for all of the support from both sides of this great country.

Live Happy!

Imagine

When I found the attached John Lennon video from the Mike Douglas Show (1972) I had to make a posting centered around the song. Imagine is of course one of the biggest hits ever by an ex-Beatle, and one of John Lennon's masterpieces. The lyrics are open for interpretation, the sections about no country and no religion for example made people wonder if John was anti a lot of things.   Well... he was!  At least at that time (1971.) John was anti-religion, anti-capitalist, and clearly anti-establishment. He was quoted as saying he toned it down for the song's release, in order to sell some albums/singles.  This anthem to one-world thought is still a pretty melody, and has been used in many a memorial or sales pitch.   But... John grew nine more years before he was killed and changed his views a number of times.  The life and death of John Lennon shows how we can form opinions, live a little life, and maybe change our opinions as we live and experience the truth. The sad reality of today is that five-second sound bites tell us what to believe and at times I have to wonder if the idea of open-mindedness is alive or dead. I say toss your television news and experience life yourself. Thanks John!
Speaking of John, Yvonne and I started out on a road trip this past Sunday, one of our destinations was to visit my Dad John on his birthday. We made it to Logan Utah to say happy birthday, had a good time visiting with Dad and Alice, and my sister Cathy and her husband Les were also there. 

74 Years young John, Cathy, Les, Yvonne at Tony Grove Lake Logan, Utah

We were going to continue our travels to Colorado and maybe even Nebraska- but yours truly developed some medical issues so we came home to get it checked out. I have an unexplained growth on my head that is still expanding, and will get the bump scanned today. There might be a biopsy too. Sadie was happy to see us again, so was our little garden. Live Happy!